Scan barcode
A review by fulltimefiction
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
4.0
When I picked up this book, I did not expect to enjoy it so much. Even though it’s over 600 pages, I flew through it because it had this addicting quality –especially when Hawke was introduced. Well, I did not lose hope completely in JLA, I hope she writes more of this genre.
Which includes: NA + fantasy => me drooling
Before I start: this is FUN type of book no less no more. Almost like YA with nsfw scenes. If you’re looking for a high quality omg best book I read this year, no. It’s not. It would be best if you were in the mood for exactly just that: addicting story without needing it to be of a superior quality.
I don’t like providing a summary of the events when there’s a GR summary that’ll do a better job AND free of typos. But basically we have Poppy, the Maiden, chosen to serve the gods, aka she’s not to socialize and lives a very sheltered life. But she’s hungry for more. And then we have her bodyguard. Hawke Flynn. The gorgeous killer. So much for a summary, I know but I’m too lazy to provide a detailed one, most of the plot revolves around those two.
Now without talking too much, I’ll directly jump to the pros and cons:
Pros
✎ Hawke, yes he did some questionable things but I don’t care? I adored him
✎ The romance, the slow burn killed me
✎ I also liked Poppy, she’s awesome and badass
✎ the smut
✎ We also had some lovable secondary characters like Vikter and Tawny
Okay, that’s a very short list but hey, that’s why I read this book from the start not for the famed outstanding world-building…
Before I move on to the cons, I want to add a few things that aren’t necessarily bad nor good.
There’s a strong foreshadowing that I was only surprised by one thing throughout this book (and if I wasn’t too focused on Poppy and Hawke’s interactions, I would’ve seen it coming as well). Of course, I didn’t have everything figured out but I saw the direction this book was taking and then when this surprising event happened, everything clicked into place. So if you’re expecting mindblowing twists, turn back, this isn’t for you.
Now to the cons
✎ The slow start. It dragged a lot and it wasn’t all necessary. When a book is over 600 pages –especially when it comes to this genre- I expected a valid reason. From Blood and Ash didn’t have any.
✎ The info-dump at the start. The character would be saying something only to delve upon a history lesson. And all at the beginning? It was too much.
✎ The monologues (too much self-reflection for my taste)
So as you see, I didn’t have many issues with the book. After Hawke showed up, the pace increased rapidly.
I only recommend this book if you’re looking for a specific read: a hot romance in a fantasy world. I made it sound like the romance is the center of the plot but it’s not, it’s actually Poppy’s journey to the Ascension –when she will be meeting the gods to become an immortal. With romance along the way. But it’s clear by now which part interested me the most. I can hardly wait to read the sequel. And it’ll be released the next month. Yey.