Jaclyn’s Review: From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

From Blood and Ash(Blood and Ash #1)
written by Jennifer L. Armentrout
published by Blue Box Press, 2020

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Book Depository, Goodreads

Did I enjoy this book? I am a fan of young adult fantasy books, so yes, I enjoyed this book. That being said, there are some things that we need to talk about. First, there is a lot of world building that needs to happen here, and it takes a LONG time. Arguably, it probably doesn’t need to be 75% of this book, but everything is new, so OK, fine. Next, even with all the world building, there are still many questions that go completely unanswered. Why does Poppy (the Maiden) have to dress so modestly all the time, except for ONE party, where she is expected to dress in a very revealing outfit for absolutely no given reason? Why doesn’t ANYONE seem to know details about the Ascension or why the Maiden is even necessary? Even after we get to the main plot twist and new details are revealed, it STILL doesn’t explain why the Maiden is necessary. I could go on, but I don’t want to sound overly negative. I spent the first 75% of this book waiting for something to happen, and I was not at all disappointed when it finally did. I just wish there had been more than 25% of the book remaining! Fortunately, book 2 is available, and I need to get my hands on it ASAP. Unfortunately, book 3 in the series won’t be released until 2022.

Would I recommend it? As I mentioned, I am a fan of this genre, so this book was a huge hit with me. If you aren’t a fan of fantasy or aren’t sure, this is not the book to ease you into it. Not only am I eager to read the next books in this series, I am also eager to read other books by this author.
 

 

About the book – from Goodreads: 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.

 

 
 

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** This post first appeared on Every Free Chance Books (everyfreechance.com) on April 26, 2021.