Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - From Blood and Ash

Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

288 reviews

gingerale06's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

dallas63's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

duaazahra's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

distilledreads's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

OK. I get the hype. I read this in a 12-hour window of time, only stopping (ever-so-briefly) to sleep.

First, a few of the things that bothered me, and what makes From Blood and Ash unable to be a five-star read in my books.

The consent borders on questionable at times, before flinging itself right into questionable territory, which left me with a queasy feeling in my stomach; however, I will suspend my distaste for at least another book, with the hopes that our characters have a very frank and honest discussion that isn’t clouded by lust. Both characters were willing and active participants in every sexual encounter, but information was withheld that (in my opinion) might have affected the willingness.

I would recommend looking into the content warnings before reading this as I didn’t (rookie mistake) and the first scene that came up slightly unexpectedly horrified me.

There are detailed descriptions of physical assault that is sexual in nature, as well as detailed descriptions of the shame Poppy feels which leads her to hide/deny the assault. Even though Poppy rationally tells herself that the assault isn’t her fault, she can’t stop the shame she feels in her body. I personally found this quite triggering.

The narrative is first-person, so what is happening to Poppy feels as if it is happening to you. Despite this graphic and horrifying assault…it is concluded in a way that I found gratifying.

The plot twists were predictable through heavy amounts of foreshadowing, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I don’t believe that Armentrout was actually trying to keep those plot twists hidden from the reader, but rather softly nudging our sides and letting us in on the secret that our heroine couldn’t see in front of her.

Finally, despite being the Maiden, forbidden to be seen by anyone, Poppy is seen by…a lot of people? Especially during one particular scene in which that rule that seems to govern her existence, just no longer applies. I understand why Armentrout used that trope in order to set up her story and move the plot forward, but it did irk me slightly how it was disregarded when it was no longer convenient.

And yet, despite all that, I found From Blood and Ash an addicting read. Our male lead is absolutely a morally grey character, and while I don’t quite love him yet, I do love the snark and banter that occur between him and Poppy. I love Poppy as well, who is out living my dream: a bad-ass woman with impeccable aim with a bow and arrow, and a dagger almost perpetually strapped to her thigh.

Content Warnings

skm's review against another edition

1.0

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I am so angry that I bought the sequels before finishing this book. The first half is alright, but the handling of physical abuse was horrible. The last line absolutely sums up the rest of the book: Poppy is given the illusion of choice, but the men have already made a decision regarding her life for her. Hawke's savior complex is gross, there are no likable characters in this book. The plot is nonexistent for the first 100 or so pages, then infodumped at random.

Content Warnings

eve_reads's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Overall Thoughts:
⁕ Armentrout utilizes a lot of popular fantasy tropes really well (the chosen one, the jealous/protective lover, werewolves and vampires, etc.). While these things aren’t new, they were super engaging and fun to relish in.

⁕ Most of y’all already know this, but there’s A LOT of smut in this book.... like a lot. Sometimes so much so that I felt it detracted from the plot (but to each their own, I suppose 😅).

⁕ For a book labeled as “high fantasy,” I was expecting more world-building. Hopefully, such developments will come in the next books of the series.

⁕ I’m not sure I 100% buy into the main relationship of the book (but honestly I don’t think the main character does either, so, again, we’ll see where the sequel takes us).

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Content Warnings

stateofiction's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Ahhhhh I loved this. 4.5 because it took so long to pick up.

Did I have theories about the book before going in because I can't just vibe? Yes. So did I guess one of the main plot twists because I on purpose looked for signs to prove my theory? Yes.

Anyway I'm desperately wanting to drop my entire tbr so I can catch up with the series

Content Warnings