A review by ninaaaaa_
A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash by J.F. Johns

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

If you love slow-burn romantasy with a mix of myth, mystery, and political intrigue, this book might just be for you.

I thoroughly admired the FMC of this book. She’s strong, but more than that, she’s smart. She doesn’t jump headfirst into chaos; she moves with thought, restraint, and strategy. The MMC is not the so-typical MMC you will read about. And I really like this dynamic here in this book.

It is also not your usual fiery enemies-to-lovers. It’s subtle, so subtle, in fact, it flirts with your emotions. Think lingering glances, misunderstood intentions, and the kind of slow-burn that teases you until you’re begging for more. It was sooo good in the most agonizing and delicious way. 💘

The worldbuilding? Rich, immersive, and honestly, A LOT. There are eight kingdoms, wyverns, witches, phoenixians, drakonians, warlocks, fae, and more. It can be confusing at first. It took me a while to get into it because the pacing is slow and the details can feel overwhelming, especially with the massive cast of characters. But once I locked into the rhythm, everything started clicking.... and it became so worth it.

There are some wild reveals in this book. Let’s just say.... prophecies are involved. Secrets unravel. And what you thought you knew about certain characters (ahem, Mal, Ash, Tabitha, Queen Cyra, Hagan....) might not be the whole truth after all.

I literally felt everything. I was confused. I gasped. I swooned. I even found myself shipping multiple side couples..... yes, plural! This book doesn’t shy away from pairing characters in juicy, angsty ways that keep you wanting for more. The tension was chef’s kiss! 

It’s the kind of story that requires patience and time. But if you give it your attention, it rewards you with twists, romance, and rich, complex lore. I’m absolutely intrigued to see where this series goes next.... 😉 
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