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A review by fantasy_fiction_and_fae
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
From Blood and Ash is the first of it’s series by the same name with the fourth and final book to be released in May 2024 according to the author.
Apparently this book was not well loved by all, but make your own opinions after reading. In my opinion, this book has:
✔️A strong female character
✔️Rare magic ability
✔️Forbidden intimacy
✔️Wicked banter
✔️Corruption of Kingdoms
✔️Destined connection
✔️Tragic loss
✔️Secrets revealed
A Maiden chosen by the gods…
A Duty enforced by royalty…
A Kingdom falling apart
When Poppy was born, she was only the second female chosen by gods to be “The Maiden”. An honored title which in turn made Poppy’s life never her own. A life of solitude being hidden from all. She cannot be touched, looked upon, or spoken to by virtually everyone but a very small circle of people. Even her face is hidden by a mask at all times except in her personal chambers. Few people know what she looks like under the mask. Half of her face is perfect, a stunning beauty. The other half is scarred by the attack from the creatures who murdered her parents as a child. An attack she lived through, but forever reminded by her nightmares and the permanent damage to her body.
When Poppy was born, she was only the second female chosen by gods to be “The Maiden”. An honored title which in turn made Poppy’s life never her own. A life of solitude being hidden from all. She cannot be touched, looked upon, or spoken to by virtually everyone but a very small circle of people. Even her face is hidden by a mask at all times except in her personal chambers. Few people know what she looks like under the mask. Half of her face is perfect, a stunning beauty. The other half is scarred by the attack from the creatures who murdered her parents as a child. An attack she lived through, but forever reminded by her nightmares and the permanent damage to her body.
Her life is duty bound to the gods to wait for the day of her Ascension, if she is found worthy. If not she will cast out and shamed for eternity. The same Ascension her own mother declined to be with her father whom she loved and have a family.
Due to being the chosen Maiden, Poppy’s entire life has been controlled by others. She was raised by royalty along with her brother after her parents were brutally murdered by the creatures who are trying to destroy the kingdom. The choice of her life has never been hers. Why does this rare honor seem more like punishment?
Poppy’s life is sheltered and guarded at all times living with the Duke and Duchess who are designated to train her and keep protected from harm until Ascension. As a young woman now, she questions all things she cannot do. She has feelings, wants, desires, even simple things are forbidden and she is punished for virtually anything that displeases the Duke who keeps her “safe” from those meaning her harm. Little does the Duke and Duchess know that Poppy has secretly been trained for years by her oldest guard to defend herself and is equally skilled in fighting. She always has a special knife on her in case she is faced with imminent danger. With her skill in defense, she also sneaks out of her room at night to try and explore and experience the simplest of things that she is not allowed in her solitary life. Dressed as a commoner and not as The Maiden, she can easily blend into the crowd.
Poppy’s life is sheltered and guarded at all times living with the Duke and Duchess who are designated to train her and keep protected from harm until Ascension. As a young woman now, she questions all things she cannot do. She has feelings, wants, desires, even simple things are forbidden and she is punished for virtually anything that displeases the Duke who keeps her “safe” from those meaning her harm. Little does the Duke and Duchess know that Poppy has secretly been trained for years by her oldest guard to defend herself and is equally skilled in fighting. She always has a special knife on her in case she is faced with imminent danger. With her skill in defense, she also sneaks out of her room at night to try and explore and experience the simplest of things that she is not allowed in her solitary life. Dressed as a commoner and not as The Maiden, she can easily blend into the crowd.
Her usual mundane life is suddenly turned when one of her longtime guards is unexpectedly killed during a routine walk they took most nights. They were attempting to kidnap her, but she defended herself leaving her unscathed but they left missing a hand. She is then assigned a new guard named Hawke. A golden-eyed guard who is honor bound to ensure her safety and Ascension. He is also a young attractive man who she has been secretly watching for months training with the other guards. He is also someone who she met one night when she snuck out to hide as a normal person. He enters her life and fuels her fire. She is not the meek young girl made to obey and be denied the simplest of things. He pushes her buttons, strengthens her confidence, makes her question her purpose and what she really wants but also her forbidden desires.
There is a great shadow over the kingdom and the attacks and violence increases as the creatures the mortals fear grow in strength and number. The Ascended stand by and watch the guards defend their realm but with their known strength, do nothing to stop it. Poppy’s life is turned upside down and the world as she was taught seems to be falling apart. What she thought she knew as true may just be a twisted tale…
Did I like this book? Hells yes I did!
Late to the party is my known M.O. for most things. Springtime this year I caved and started reading Sarah J. Maas books.
I know…I know… Do I live under a rock?
No, but I stopped reading for a long time and started back up in the last few years slowly. (Note my lack of reviews on past books or dates of when I read most of them)
Through the years, I have read much more than identified on here but can’t recall the names of them all.
Following more bookish related content online the last few years, I resisted the ACOTAR and TOG fandom out of pure stubbornness which was foolish because I am a HUGE fan of her books now.
With that being said, for fantasy books now, I look for that style. After reading this book… I found it. I cannot believe these books have been around for so long and I had no idea.
My 2024 reading is going to be filled with fantasy book series and this authors books are high on that list. I expect to be caught up with this particular series once the last book is released.
If you are like me and have been wholly ignorant to the many fantastic high fantasy books out there, welcome to the club.