From Blood and Ash

** spoiler alert ** *My review contains spoilers.* This book was amazing. Hawke and Poppy were hot. The romance and chemistry between them was amazing. The banter, incredible. Poppy was headstrong and not a sappy irritating girl that sometimes fantasy romances deliver. She was fierce, demanding (in a good way) and she didn't let anything get to her. She went through abuse at the hands of two awful men, and still kept her head up. She barley whined at her situations but found a way out of them. She is a warrior and isn't afraid and runs head first into a fight. Which I loved. I love headstrong and warrior females in fantasy. The whimpering, simpering female characters bore me so much but Poppy was the opposite. Now the Maiden part, which is the plot of the whole book, still confuses me. I really wish in the beginning that Jen put more on what the Maiden was and what Poppy's part to play was. All I understood in the first half was that she had a very demanding set of rules and had to be extremely celibate and not speak or show her face. But it was never explained why. Just that she was the maiden and it was forbidden to be doing any socializing and reading and being in any explicit content. Three quarters of the way when she is being taken to the Capitol and Hawke and the guard are staying in the village do we only understand her role. That annoyed me. From the beginning I wanted to know what the maiden was not almost 3/4 of the way through. Now Hawke. Wow what a character. Just like Poppy I loved and adored him. The plot twist in the end was great. Something I didn't see coming although I did suspect that he had killed the Duke and the others. Which made me really sad. He knew how much Rylan meant to Poppy yet he still went and did it. Then he flirts with her and makes her believe he is falling in love but knows its forbidden when he literally knows none of it matters because he's going to take her away. The ending had me shocked and kind of mad. He's taking her home just to marry her. He knows how she feels yet takes her away and giving her no choice either, in a way. Just states "To marry." I am not big on manipulative relationships so I didn't like how their ending ended. Although I can not wait for the second book and I hate I have to wait until next year because now I am in a book hangover. But I still love Hawke (wink wink) and Poppy. I am hoping we get to see more of Tawny since she was Poppy's only and truest friend and just upsets me that she had to be left behind. I am looking forward to next year but am wishing that we will get the next book this year even though I know we won't. Ahhhh I just hate book hangovers when it comes to such a great story. Especially with the ending like this one! I just want to know what happens!!!

Books like FROM BLOOD AND ASH are the reason I became a reader: complex, well-developed characters, immersive world building, scenes so vivid you can see them in your mind, and dialogue full of wit and banter that a smile is plastered across your face from page 1 to page 487. And the romance -- SWOON. I'm so glad I have the second book *immediately* available to me because I don't think I'm ready for the book hangover that will emerge when I leave this world. I'm new to Jennifer L. Armentrout and I feel *deprived* that I've gone 27 years of my life without her writing. I will be immediately reading everything she has ever written and thank the gods she has a long backlist. What an honor it is to find an author like this and to know that she speaks to your soul with her writing. Okay to the review: Poppy is The Maiden, which basically means her life (and mostly her purity) must be protected at all costs. While she is covenanted as the most important person in her society, it often feels quite the opposite because of the boundaries placed upon her. As part of her protection, she is assigned personal security. Enter Hawke Flynn: a sexy, foreign guard who quickly works his way up the ranks to earn the spot of Poppy's personal guard. Unbeknownst to Hawke, he and Poppy have actually met once before when Poppy, whose face is always hidden behind a veil, snuck out one night to "live a little." Poppy is simultaneously terrified of Hawke realizing her identity and absolutely enthralled by this man who is unapologetically himself and seems to want the same from her. Every time Poppy tries to fight her instincts, Hawke is there to remind her that there is nothing wrong with desiring a life filled of joy, freedom, and pleasure. Poppy can't quite figure Hawke out, but there is one thing she is sure of: with Hawke, she always has a choice. The question is: which choice is the right one? Poppy is one of my favorite heroines of any romance or fantasy novel I've read in a long time. She is independent and headstrong, observant and intelligent. She knows what is expected of her but never loses sight of what she wants from life. Despite so many forces trying to deprive her of experiencing life, she does not break. She is the heroine we all need in 2020. And Hawke? DO NOT GET ME STARTED. I love an honorable man but more than that: I love a man who is attracted to a woman's strength; one who does not cower when a woman is stronger, braver, and fiercer than him. With each passing page, Hawke is further surprised, in the most delicious of ways, by Poppy's actions. The banter between Hawke and Poppy is unmatched: an excellent combination of sexual tension, tender moments, and passionate declarations. It is everything. And this leads me to the romance: 10/10. It's the "high stakes will they, won't they" FOR ME. This is how you do a slow burn. I promise you, you will not be disappointed. Plot wise: I absolutely loved how this world unfolded before our eyes. Rather than a giant world dump at the beginning, Jennifer L. Armentrout slowly introduces this world to us through Poppy's eyes. I personally find this much more fulfilling because you're constantly building the world as the plot starts to unfold; it makes for a better reveal and more satisfying twists. Highly recommend.

It has taken me months to write an actual review for this book because I was so overwhelmed with FANGIRL feels that I could not form an articulate sentence about the countless ways this book is everything I ever wanted and didn't know I needed. Hang on to your hats ladies and gents because I am OBSESSED. Like, unhealthy obsessed. Like, have mentioned this book on company calls. Like, have forced four other people to read and it will never be enough. Things I Loved: - Starts with a BANG like hello 0 to 60 in five second flat *pants* - Poppy is such a well-balanced MC, she's a stunning combination of badass, inquisitive, and vulnerable - While we meet our love interest in the first few chapters, the story goes on without him for a bit so we get a good understanding of who Poppy is on her own - Hawke (that's it, that's that bullet) - Sweet friendship between Poppy and Tawny - Loved learning things as Poppy does (even though it was frustrating at times to not fully understand some of the world-building in the moment) - Hawke is a sexy lil feminist and I love him - ALL. THE. BANTER. - Unique take on vampires that honestly left me floored - Hawke - Not only a cliffhanger ending but a double cliffhanger + an UM EXCUSE ME moment (when you know, you know) - Ending strikes a nice balance of questions answered and questions left open - The story stick with you...seriously I was in the shower breaking down what the heck just happened and all the things I need to have happen ASAP in book 2 - Hawke What I adore most about FB&A is Hawke how it isn't just a love story. It is a unique coming of age tale wherein our heroine slowly starts to question the world around her as she grapples with everything she's been denied. Also Hawke. Were there typos? Sure. Did I care? Absolutely not. Overall, new adult perfection. I don't know what rock I've been living under, but prior to FB&A I hadn't heard of JLA or any of her works and I'm struggling to recall how I even came across this one. I remember reading the summary, not really understanding it, but thinking this will probably make its way to the bottom of my TBR but why not. So glad that wasn't the case or else the past few months would look a lot different. You know that feeling when a book comes into your life at exactly the right time? While years later I tend to laugh at what those books are (*cough* Twilight *cough* Fifty Shades of Grey), the power a book has to transport you to another world, distract you for a few hours, or even remind you what is beautiful about the world you are living in now will never cease to amaze me. I count my lucky stars that whenever I'm feeling low the right title somehow makes its way into my hands and breathes life back into me. And that's what From Blood and Ash did. Poppy's story not only consumed my little bookish soul, it served as the gateway drug to all things JLA. The JLAnders and FB&A Facebook groups have been a constant source of joy. I've been a diehard reader my entire life and never seen another community like this. In conclusion, read this book. You won't regret it. Pinky promise. I hope it has one fraction of the effect it had on me. Even if it doesn't, I hope you find the book does.

After reading all of SJM novels, I've been trying to find all the fantasy series I can to fill that void. FBAA came highly recommended and I am SO glad I picked it up. While the book started off a little slow, I quickly got into it and eventually devoured it. Like, read 300 pages in one day kind of devoured it. I think Jennifer Armentrout did a really great job of sprinkling in the world building with the plot, the character development and the spice. I felt this helped the story flow at a natural pace and held my interest. Poppy is a bad ass female character. Chosen as "The Maiden", she lives a life of solitude and isolation. Yes, she is around people, but she isn't allowed to live freely. She cannot speak to others, she cannot learn freely, she can't go outside unattended, and she must cover her face at all times. She is taken care of, but she also suffers abuse from more than one person. But I love that her character doesn’t fully lie down and resign herself to this life. She takes what she can into her own hands to rebel by learning how to fight, and sneaking out to discover life beyond her veil and her 'title'. Hawke Flynn is something else. A tall, dark and handsome young guard, he works his way quickly up the rankings to become a personal guard of Poppy. He's a bit of a mystery most of the book, with minimal background given besides he's a good fighter, he's worked his way up the ranks quickly, he is respected, etc. He also has a way about him that is somewhat blunt and sarcastic, leading to many honest moments between him and Poppy which I appreciate. Poppy and Hawke have an undeniable connection that is both physical and emotional. While he may have ulterior motives to getting close to her, he also has a genuine respect for her. He helps her to question her whole life's meaning, and brings out a feisty side to her. Their banter is quite entertaining to experience. Any book that captures my attention like this did is a 5-star read for me. And the ending leaves you on a major cliffhanger - the very last line of the book will leave you desperate to find out what happens next. I absolutely enjoyed this book, and can't wait to read the rest of the series! Tags: fantasy, romance, romantasy, slow burn, plot twists Spice level: 3 🌶🌶🌶

From Blood and Ash was incredible. From the romance to the world, I was captivated. Excuse me as I count down the days until the sequel. Writing & Setting Jennifer L. Armentrout’s writing is perfect for this book. It’s easy to read and understand, yet can fit the atmosphere of the world she’s created. Speaking of the world, it was not what I expected. There are slight nods to creatures we’re familiar with but they have unique twists that make them stand out. Plot I was addicted to this book. The first 50 pages or so were a little slower as a lot of important information was dealt out, but the rest flew by. I never wanted to put it down. There’s plenty of action throughout the book, but it’s the romance that drives the plot forward. There are also some fantastic twists. If you read a lot of fantasy novels, you might be able to predict the big twist like I did, but even though I had an idea about what was going to happen, I was still so excited and shocked when it did. Characters The characters are where this book is the most fun. Mostly because of the romance but we’ll get to that in a second. Poppy is our protagonist, and I loved how strong and caring she was. Her empathy yet ruthlessness (so violent) was so interesting to watch. And then there’s Hawke. He’s just *chef’s kiss*. His banter with Poppy was so fun and I really can’t wait to learn even more about him in the sequel. We also had a lot of strong side characters that I loved. Okay but let’s talk about the romance for a second. It was so perfect. It was swoon-worthy and angsty and absolutely addictive. Also, be warned, this is definitely New Adult and NOT YA. Conclusion Pros- amazing romance, interesting world, addictive, impossible to put down Cons- slower start Overall- 5/5 stars. From Blood and Ash is a book that you will get obsessed with. This book is so much more than I thought it would be, and I’m dying to see where it goes. Fans of Sarah J. Maas- please pick this up. Even if you hate Sarah J. Maas- PICK THIS UP!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 🌶🌶.75/5 I admit, I was hesitant to read this book. It seems like people either love it or hate it, and I was worried I'd end up in the latter camp. I love fantasy romance, but one thing I've noticed is that a lot of the popular books and series have rather lackluster writing, and that was my biggest concern going in. From Blood and Ash is the first in a fantasy romance series and follows our narrator, 18 year old Penellaphe (Poppy) Balfour. She is a Maiden, and is destined to 'Ascend' as a gift to the gods, and ultimately, save the Kingdom of Solis. Poppy also has a gift, she can sense a person's physical and mental pain, and by touching them, relieve them of some of it. The Ascended are essentially the ruling class over the kingdom, however they are very mysterious. Poppy lives a life where she is expected to be sheltered; speak only to a few, remain completely covered, never leave the castle, never be touched, etc. However, she is not so good at playing this role. She knows how to fight in hand-to-hand combat, and carries a dagger (we love a stabby woman) and often sneaks out. At the beginning of the book, she leaves the castle one night and ventures to The Red Pearl, a notoriously debaucherous tavern. There, she meets a royal guard who ends up kissing her, and thus begins Poppy's internal investigation on whether or not she truly wants to become the Maiden. There is strife in the Kingdom, because another group, The Atlantians, led by "The Dark One" are said to have plagued the earth with dangerous creatures called Craven. A group called The Descenters are supporters of The Atlantians and want to see the downfall of the Kindom. Each group believes the other is responsible for all their issues. The Descenters/The Atlantians would also like to see the Maiden killed. After one of her personal guards is killed by a masked man, Poppy is assigned a new guard, Hawke (they guy from the Red Pearl). Poppy is practically instantly in love with him and decides to essentially throw all of her Maidenly duties out of the window for him. She is forced to decide if she should fall to temptation and live her life for herself and risk being found unworthy of the gods, or give up all of her freedoms. Fast forward, after a deadly attack on the castle by the Descenters, Poppy is called by the queen to arrive to the Capital sooner than anticipated, and likely to speed up her Ascension. During the treacherous journey from the castle to the Capital, it is revealed that not everything (or everyone) is truly as it seems. Alright, on to my review. I was pleasantly surprised that the writing was better than I was expecting. Was it fantastic? No, but it wasn't bad enough to the point where it drew me out of the story over and over. There were a few grammatical and syntactical errors that were a bit confusing, so the editing could have been a bit better, yes. I also wish that there had been a map (every fantasy needs a map; they look cool and are super helpful) and perhaps a glossary because there are A LOT of different people, events, groups, etc. etc. and that was difficult to keep straight in my head. I wish there was a little more world-building to make things a little clearer. The political intrigue was interesting. Overall, the characters were pretty good. Poppy is interesting, although she is not nearly as sheltered as JLA tries to make her out to be. She's an excellent fighter, she's witty, and swears. She is definitely naive, but I think that's because she's 18. Hawke was of course hot, but his idea of consent was definitely in the grey area. The 🌶 were not over the top and were written well. There was a loooot of tension between Poppy and Hawke which I loved. My one petty gripe was the names she used for people and places. Penellaphe instead of Poppy. The Atlantians. A black character named Tawny. Things like that. Overall, I did enjoy this book. It's not perfect, but most books aren't. It definitely has some faults. I am definitely planning on reading the rest of the books in the series and the FBAA world, and I'm looking forward to them, feeling hopeful.

An exciting, captivating read that had me re-reading it shortly after finishing the book. I absolutely loved FROM BLOOD AND ASH, so much that I purchased both the e-book and physical book. I need the next book already. MY FULL REVIEW FINALLY! This book was so worth the wait! I absolutely love it. This is definitely my favorite book to date that Jennifer has written. If you’ve been following me for a long time, you that’s saying something as I’ve been a huge fan of hers & have read all of her books since reading an arc of her debut book, and FROM BLOOD AND ASH is her best book yet! I absolutely love a well written fantasy book. I loved the way this book’s fantasy story was written. From the world and it’s complex history, to all the fantasy elements, and the trade mark character chemistry that makes Armentrout’s books an automatic buy for me, this book is Armentrout perfection! The characters are all well developed, three dimensional characters. Some of secondary characters were just as easy to love as the main characters. Others were extremely easy to despise. One of the things I appreciated, was how Poppy grew into a strong, fierce character who didn’t make excuses for what she wanted. Once she embraced herself, there was no stopping her. I loved her for that. I also loved how Hawke saw her for more than just her Maiden title. Their banter was down right hysterical at times, and at other times these two can definitely make a reader blush. I bought the e-book the day it came out and after reading it, and then re-reading it the next day, I had to purchase a physical copy of the book. This book is one intoxicating read! With fantastic character chemistry, magic, plenty of action, dangerous secrets, and an exciting turn of events, this is one book I’d highly recommend picking up. There are some scenes that may be a trigger for some. There are also well written sexual scenes, and some language in the last part of the book that may not be suitable for all readers.

This book is amazing! I’m on book 3 now and I started the first just over a week ago. It is a must read! Funny, exciting, spicey, and it’s different than others in this genre.

No tengo palabras para describir esta maravilla de libro. La ambientación, los personajes, la historia...¡TODO ES FABULOSO! JLA ha vuelto a hacerlo: ha vuelto mi mundo del revés y me ha transportado a otro lugar con sus palabras. Aventura, fantasía, tensión, traiciones, sangre, muerte, pasión y criaturas de cuentos de terror. Este libro tiene de todo: giros increíbles, sorprendentes, oscuridad, pasión a raudales, mucha acción y una trama que te atrapa desde el principio. Original como pocas. Atrayente, intrigante. Te coge y no te suelta hasta el final. Los protagonistas son increíbles, creo que hacía mucho que no me enamoraba tanto de una pareja de protagonistas (puede que los pueda comparar con Katy & Daemon, o Aiden & Alex). En serio, alucinante. Poppy y Hawke son maravillosos, hacen una pareja increíble, aunque su historia tiene un futuro muy poco esperanzador. ¿Y el final? Como viene a ser habitual, JLA consigue pararte el corazón y dejarte con unas ansias por seguir, que casi no se pueden soportar. I have no words to describe this book. The character, the history, the places,...EVERYTHING IS AMAZING! JLA has done it again: she just put my world upside down. Adventure, fantasy, angst, passion, romance, incredible plot twists, blood, death...This book has everything you want in a fantasy novel. You can't stop reading from the beginning to the end. I just couldn't stop. The main characters are awesome. I fell in love with Poppy and Hawke. They are amazing. I love them as individuals and as a couple. And the end? I almost died. My heart stopped. I can't wait to read the next one!

Before reading From Blood and Ash my favorite series was the Covenant series thanks to the Greek mythology and the great love story, but now, having read this, I think this is the best written series by Jennifer Armentrout yet. I’ve read the book already 3 times and I will probably read it all over again! The author has built a captivating new fantasy world and the narration is engrossing. The characters are extremely well built and I can really connect with them: Poppy is a strong and fierce heroine, but at the same time, she has insecurities and vulnerabilities (and that’s what makes her a realistic and well-crafted character). Hawke is protective, intriguing, considerate, and teasing and I’ve loved how his character has evolved throughout the two books. And I really enjoyed how he sees Poppy and challenges her, but never underestimates her. The romance is electric, the perfect combination of sweet and steamy moments: I also really loved the bantering between the two main characters. At the same time, I’ve appreciated how the book it’s not all about romance, but there is also friendship: I hope to get to know more about Twany and to see more of Poppy and Kieran’s relationship. The story has kept me glued to the pages and it was really addictive! The twists and turns in the book really hit me and, even though I suspected something, the end left me wanting more.

"This," a deep voice whispered, "is unexpected." Gods, this book!! I did not expect to fall this hard. I'm in love. I'm obsessed. And I now have a serious book hangover! I went and pre-ordered book 2 before I even got half way through this book! From Blood and Ash sees Poppy, the Maiden, suffer a solitary life away from the joys of society, waiting to fulfill a destiny that's never been fully explained to her. Enter Hawke, a Royal Guard duty-sworn to protect her. Destiny and duty soon become tangled with desire and need. And not all in Poppy's world is as it seems... Poppy is a strong and loveable main character, with so much fight and passion, who isn't afraid to push against the rules that try to control her. Hawke is sexy, mysterious and oh-so-swoonworthy but what's even better is his attitude towards Poppy. He never tries to undermine or baby her. He embraces her strength and helps her to develop. He always gives her choice, something that's very symbolic, especially when she doesn't have one in every other aspect of her life. The relationship between Poppy and Hawke is raw and hot and leaves you feeling like you are the one burning. This book is definitely spicy, in the best possible way! "There was nothing sweet or soft, like I'd imagined a kiss to be. It was hard and overwhelming, claiming, and when I sucked in a sharp breath, he took advantage, deepening the kiss' Everything just kicks off in the last 250 pages and we see two major plot twists - one that seemed obvious and another that was more surprising. I loved both! Jennifer's writing made them flow effortlessly! There are likeable side characters like, Viktor and Tawney, and other characters, like Kieran, Delano and Elijah, that we get introduced to and who I hope we see more of in the next book, especially their humour. Then there are those characters that you just loathe. And there's one part of the book that is so very satisfying! The universe Jennifer Armentrout has created is unique and she's paid close attention to detail with the world bulling. At times, it did get confusing and I still have so many questions about the wolrd Poppy and Hawke reside in. Parts of the book were slow in places but neither of these points take anything away from the story and it's also the first of four books so I know my questions will eventually be answered. This book needs so much more attention! It's up there now as one of my favourite fantasy books and I'm so glad Jennifer was brave enough to take the leap of faith into this world. I'm on countdown until 1st September for book 2! Pros: > Poppy as a strong-minded female character > Hawke... That's it just Hawke. > The Spice! Slow and teasing with a satisfying climax > The world building > The plot twists > The side characters Cons: > Slow paced at times > Confusion with some of the world building (but I know these will be answered) Memorable quotes: > "Death is like an old friend who pays a visit, sometimes when it's least expected." > "With truth came power. And I was never one to hide away from the truth." > "I have her." > "Both halves are as beautiful as the whole." > "It feels like I've known you longer. You feel that, too?" > "You make me proud." > "You belong to me."

Amazing story ! One of my favourite serie so far ! I love the characters the world buildings and the writing ! I read it in one sitting since it is so captivating! I recommend 100 per cent !

Si lo que te gusta es ficción, acción y amor el libro es para ti. Poppy narra sus aventuras y lo que es ser the Maiden. Lo que la gente espera de ella pero se pregunta si es digna de llevar gran peso. Todo cambia cuando le asignan a un guardia real que la hará ver la vida diferente. Está muy bueno a pesar de que llegó con detalles en esquinas.