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dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Honestly, I wanted more plot out of this book. I appreciate that the spicy scenes weren’t many, though they existed and a lot of the book felt like it was a vessel for their will-they/won’t-they rather than world building to create a comprehensive story, but this is a romantasy, so…
On a scale of spiciness, I would put this at maybe a two or 2.5? There were three scenes of graphic intimacy and the rest were just her feelings and some heavy making out,
The characters weren’t amazing. I actually really didn’t like Poppy and felt like what we did get in characterization was a lot of being spoon-fed how tragic we should have found her life, but also how badass she was. Hawke was okay, but not as clever as the banter that didn’t banter wanted us to believe. I wasn’t surprised by the twists, but the fight scenes were okay.
Overall, this isn’t that deep, but it didn’t really need to be to do what it was trying to: set up two star-crossed lovers who weren’t meant to be and get them to the high-stakes situation that changes their lives forever while overcoming betrayal and other obstacles. If you like Fourth Wing and ACOTAR, I think you’d like this one, too.
On a scale of spiciness, I would put this at maybe a two or 2.5? There were three scenes of graphic intimacy and the rest were just her feelings and some heavy making out,
The characters weren’t amazing. I actually really didn’t like Poppy and felt like what we did get in characterization was a lot of being spoon-fed how tragic we should have found her life, but also how badass she was. Hawke was okay, but not as clever as the banter that didn’t banter wanted us to believe. I wasn’t surprised by the twists, but the fight scenes were okay.
Overall, this isn’t that deep, but it didn’t really need to be to do what it was trying to: set up two star-crossed lovers who weren’t meant to be and get them to the high-stakes situation that changes their lives forever while overcoming betrayal and other obstacles. If you like Fourth Wing and ACOTAR, I think you’d like this one, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I told one of the owners of my local romance bookstore that I wanted something “female rage-y” and she picked this one for me. It did not disappoint! Though it’s less rage-y and more “test all the boundaries and question the status quo.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent
Minor: Child death
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh they didn't lie when they say JLA is the new SJM! That book was wonderful, the plot and the intrigue starting on from the first pages, it's crazy good! The character development of Poppy is great although sometimes she's a bit frustrating. And the character of Hawke? Amazing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
5 ⭐️ FREAKING⭐️ STARS⭐️
I yelled, I screamed, I gasped, I swooned, I kicked and giggled, and I fell in love with Hawke. A+, no notes, 10/10. 👌
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
I yelled, I screamed, I gasped, I swooned, I kicked and giggled, and I fell in love with Hawke. A+, no notes, 10/10. 👌
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I know plenty of people that watch reality TV because they know what's going to happen and they're entertained by the drama and ensuing train wrecks. That's how I feel after reading From Blood and Ash. An entire star just for entertainment...which isn't always a compliment.
I saw the big twist with Hawke from the first vague reference to his differences and was just as annoyed at Poppy's character as all the other low-star reviewers. She doesn't act sheltered at all. Except for how quickly she falls for Hawke, the first guy her age to give her positive attention. Shocker.
I may read the next book, this one wasn't at all difficult, but mainly to see how the author plans to drag out the country-wide issues, genetic oddities, and twist any other classic fantasy terms. I honestly thought vampry was a misprint until I saw it over and over again. And wolven? Just silly.
I saw the big twist with Hawke from the first vague reference to his differences and was just as annoyed at Poppy's character as all the other low-star reviewers. She doesn't act sheltered at all. Except for how quickly she falls for Hawke, the first guy her age to give her positive attention. Shocker.
I may read the next book, this one wasn't at all difficult, but mainly to see how the author plans to drag out the country-wide issues, genetic oddities, and twist any other classic fantasy terms. I honestly thought vampry was a misprint until I saw it over and over again. And wolven? Just silly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, War
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Blood
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Adventurous story and a quick, entertaining read! Steamy scenes were incredibly well done! And the main character is certainly... intriguing (lol). The plot and twists were pretty predictable. And there wasn't much in the way of character development. But it's quite an emotional rollercoaster and kept my interest the whole way through! Will certainly be picking up book #2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Murder
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Blood, War
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Um… where to begin. This book was just average to me, not great but not bad. I really struggled with this one because it only got exciting at around 250 pages. In my opinion, 250 pages is a lot to read while being bored out of your mind, waiting for something exciting to actually happen. I found myself skimming at random points in time, solely reading the dialogue. I had to continuously force myself to stop doing that… but it was a struggle. There was a lot more inner dialogue than anything and it bored me to DEATH!!! I cannot say it enough. HOWEVER, I did like the main male character. He was extremely charming and I enjoyed him thoroughly. LOL. Although, I must also say— I had already figured out the “plot twist” wayyy before the end of the book. It seemed fairly obvious to me. Besides all of that, I did somewhat enjoy the last half of this book. I just hate having to read half a book completely uninterested, as it takes the enjoyment out of reading. I simply cannot DNF books though, so I powered through it. I know this review sounds harsh, but I simply must say what is on my mind. I have to be honest though, I would consider reading the second book if I happened upon it at my local Half Price Books. 🤷🏽♀️ (Solely because I love the MMC. Cue the heart eyes.) (If you can’t tell… I have daddy issues.)
Spice rating: 2-2.5/5 🌶️
Spice rating: 2-2.5/5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death of parent
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a good story! Lots of twists and turns and the world building isn’t too intense. It took me awhile to get through because I waited for the graphic audio production to come out and it is WELL worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Blood, Death of parent, War
Moderate: Sexual content
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence
Moderate: Death of parent