BOOK REVIEW: From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

BOOK REVIEW: From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash #1)  by Jennifer L. ArmentroutFrom Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash #1)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

A Maiden…

Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers.

A Duty…

The entire kingdom’s future rests on Poppy’s shoulders, something she’s not even quite sure she wants for herself. Because a Maiden has a heart. And a soul. And longing. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in, and tempts her with the forbidden.

A Kingdom…

Forsaken by the gods and feared by mortals, a fallen kingdom is rising once more, determined to take back what they believe is theirs through violence and vengeance. And as the shadow of those cursed draws closer, the line between what is forbidden and what is right becomes blurred. Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being found unworthy by the gods, but also her life when every blood-soaked thread that holds her world together begins to unravel.

Review:

From Blood and Ash is my favorite book ever! The story was layered and the twists and turns were breathtaking. The sexual tension was absolutely perfect and the characters are forever etched into my heart. The storyline enchanted me and the action kept me glued to the pages. This book refused to be put down! If you love fantasy and romance, you definitely need to add this one to your tbr!

“You’re such a bad influence,” I murmured as I placed my hand in his.
Hawke curled his fingers around mine. The weight and warmth of his hand was a pleasant shock. “Only the bad can be influenced, Princess.”

The story started off racy, but the world they lived in could be so harsh. We were brought into a land with castles, Kings, Queens, Lords, Ladies, commoners and I was obsessed learning about it all. The Ascended ruled the land, and were given gifts from the Gods. They had fought a war hundreds of years ago, but were still plagued by the Atlantians who believed Prince Casteel should be the rightful ruler. He was said to be the reason behind most of the death that was brought to their land. And the threat of creatures that were made out of nightmares always felt a breath away. While Poppy had a past with them, she wouldn’t let fear rule her present or future!

“We’re going to walk out of here,” he said. “You’re not going to make a sound, and you’re not going to give me any trouble, are you, Maiden?”
My fingers closed around the smooth, cool handle of the dagger. I shook my head no.

Penellaphe, aka Poppy, is my favorite heroine! She was chosen by the Gods to be the Maiden. She spent her life being veiled and protected at all costs. She wasn’t allowed to socialize, besides with her maid Tawny, who I loved! And she wasn’t to be spoken to or even touched. Her life felt so lonely at times. But underneath what everyone else saw, was a girl who could easily hold her own. Poppy was fierce, brave, a fighter, and extremely brave! And I loved listening to her thoughts. She was so easy to click with and feel her emotions, especially when it came to Hawke!

“You’re an absolutely stunning, murderous little creature.”

I have betrayed all of my other book boyfriends because of Hawke Flynn. He felt like a mix between Aiden and Roth, yet he was even sexier and more forward. So Hawke was honor, respect, completely addictive and absolutely beautiful. Of course I was obsessed with him. Hawke was a guard and his interactions with Poppy had me smiling, sighing and laughing out loud. I loved that he could be seductive and sexy, and then in the next moment he was protective and thoughtful. Plus he had this ability to be sarcastic and also put people in their place, it made me love him that much harder. I didn’t care that I knew so very little about him, all I cared about is how he made me feel.

I couldn’t help but shiver when his eyes finally met mine.
“You’re so damn beautiful,” he whispered, his voice thick. “And so damn unexpected.”

When Poppy and Hawke were around each other, their antics and sexual tension had me over the moon happy. They messed with each other, and I loved how Hawke called her Princess. But neither could deny that there was a strong attraction between them. It almost felt like it was something more, especially since the friendship was so easy between them. But as the story progressed, moments between them were erotic and scorching hot! Their chemistry was steamy, even when they didn’t have the easiest path.

I knew what the consequences could be. I knew what I was, and what was expected of me, and I knew I could no longer be that. It wasn’t what I wanted in life. It had never been my choice.
But this…this I wanted.
Hawke was who I wanted.
This was my choice.

As the story unfolded, we got to see how layered it truly was. There were twists and turns. And while I saw some coming, others completely shocked me to my core. And that didn’t even include the deaths. Some I cheered at the top of my lungs for and others my sobs were inconsolable. I stared in shock at the pages, never once thinking that things would play out how they did. It felt like it twisted in the wrong way. But just wait, because by the end of From Blood and Ash I was screaming with happiness. I loved how things ended up and it made so much sense for how the story played out. So hold on, because it was an extremely emotional road and I loved every single tear, smile and sigh it pulled from me. This story was truly brilliant!

“When you listen to me, I think the stars will fall.” He followed me down so he spoke just above my ear. “I wish I could capture this moment somehow.”

From Blood and Ash is my favorite Jennifer L. Armentrout book! I loved how there was lightness and darkness mixed together in this story. I loved how I would go from laughing and sighing to crying my eyes out. I loved every single moment in this book, even the ones that gutted me. I can’t recommend this book enough!

My other favorite quotes:

Hawke’s gaze remained fastened on mine as he stepped forward. “Both halves are as beautiful as the whole.”
My lips parted on a sharp inhale. I couldn’t even look to see what the Duke’s reaction was, though I was sure it was nothing short of cataclysmic.
Hawke sensed my move and shifted, blocking my knee with his thigh. “You’re so incredibly violent.” He paused. “I think I like it.”
“Let me go!” I seethed.
“And be kicked or stabbed?” He shoved his leg between mine, preventing any future kicks. “We’ve already covered that, Princess. More than once.”
“I will kill them,” he whispered. “I will fucking kill them all.”
I didn’t think he was talking about the old scars.
Then I wasn’t thinking at all.
“Promise me,” he said, seeming to not hear me as he lifted his head. His gaze snagged with mine. “Promise me you won’t forget this, Poppy. That no matter what happens tomorrow, the next day, next week, you won’t forget this—forget that this was real.”
I couldn’t look away. “I promise. I won’t forget.”
He lifted his chin, kissing my forehead. He leaned back, sliding his thumb along my jaw. “You deserve so much more than what awaits you.”

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Reading Order & Links:

Amazon (click on covers) & iBooks (click on titles)


From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash Series) #1
Review:

Jen

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash Series) #2
Review:

Jen

The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and Ash Series) #3
Review:
Jen

A Shadow in the Ember Ash (Flesh and Fire Series) 
#1
Review:

Jen

The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash Series) #4
Review:
Jen

A Light in the Flame (Flesh and Fire Series ) #2

Review:
Jen

A Soul of Ash and Blood (Blood and Ash Series) 
#5
Review:

Jen

A Fire in the Flesh (Flesh and Fire Series) #3
Review:
Jen

Visions of Flesh and Blood (Blood and Ash Series) #5.5
Review:
Jen

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16 Comments

  1. Sophie @BewareOfTheReader

    You are so lucky!!!! I still wait for my copy but with the covid crisis Amazon gives priority (and rightly so) to essential good. Hence a delay in sending the books.

    • Jen

      Waiting for books to arrive is so excruciating! I hope you have it by now and have so much fun reading this story, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

  2. Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

    I am so excited for this one! My copy is supposed to arrive tomorrow and I know I’m going to want to dive right in. I rarely read fantasy but when it comes to JLA I’ll read anything she writes. 🙂
    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books recently posted…The Sunday Post #202My Profile

    • Jen

      Yes, same! I’m not really a high fantasy person, but if JLA writes it then I’ll read it lol. I can’t wait to see what you think of this story, I thought it was beyond addictive!

  3. T.H. Hernandez

    So excited you loved this one!

    • Jen

      This is the PERFECT book for you to jump back into the JLA world. I can’t wait to see how this story goes for you *fingers crossed*.

  4. Michelle

    Jen, you have completely sold me on this book. I know I will love it! I need to go get a copy ASAP!

    Great review!

    Michelle @

    • Jen

      YAY!! I’m so excited you’re going to give this book a chance! I cant’ wait for your review!

  5. Raven @ Dreamy Addictions

    It’s been a very long time since I’ve read a JLA book and I can’t wait to read this book. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much! The characters sounds amazing! I’m very much excited to meet them especially Hawke!
    Great review! 🙂
    Raven @ Dreamy Addictions recently posted…Would Like to Meet By Rachel Winters [Review]My Profile

    • Jen

      This is the perfect book to jump back into JLA’s writing! I think you’re going to love Hawke *fingers crossed*. I’m so excited to read your review and have more friends to talk to about this book. I have sooooooo many thoughts lol!

  6. Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

    You’re favorite book ever!? That’s high praise! I’ve been eager to read JLA’s first fantasy and this makes me more so!
    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction recently posted…The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter by Aaron Reynolds: Review & Reynolds’s Top Ten AddictionsMy Profile

    • Jen

      This book seriously knocked it out of the park, it was beyond amazing. I hope you’ll get a chance to pick it up ♥.

  7. Mariel

    I am going crazy over this book. Seriouslyyy. Any news on when then next book will be released? 🥺

    • Jen

      She said that #2 will release before the end of this year, yay! And before the end of this month she’ll be making an announcement about it….I’m hoping for title and release date *fingers crossed*.

  8. Priyanka

    Love your review! Gah, I can’t wait for the third book! Been rereading this slowly, but I’m still torn up about that betrayal. This is now one of my favourite series too! Daemon is still my #1 boyfriend though XD

    • Jen

      Thank you so much! Righhhhhttt?? That betrayal, oh it pained me but I couldn’t wait to see how it was all going to play out. And I ♥ Daemon so much too, he has been my top book boyfriend for years! I always try and wait until a series is finished before I bump around my bbfs lol, but Hawke……he’s going to be bumping lots out of the way *covers face*.

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