Review - From Blood and Ash

From Blood and Ash

Title: From Blood and Ash

Series: From Blood and Ash (Goodreads)
Publisher: Blue Box Press
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Age Group: New Adult
Source: Amazon (purchased)

Review

So this was one of the many books that I had seen hyped on Bookstagram and thought to give it a go after I caved to the excitement. This is also the first time I have read one of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s books. As a first time reader of Armentrout’s I was not hugely satisfied by her style of writing, don’t get me wrong I didn’t dislike the book, but for me the writing itself lacked a certain depth and focused more on explaining the action rather than actually delivering the story organically through the actions of the characters, which is my preferred way of reading a book.

I wasn’t sure at the beginning of the book whether I would actually continue to read it as I wasn’t keen on the main character Poppy. If you, like me, are drawn to strong independent characters than Poppy may not excite you either. Beginning this book I felt that Poppy lacked strength. Of course you cannot ignore that she has been raised in a social environment that restricts her independence, and I could understand why she didn’t act freely of  her own accord. However, she continually said that she was unhappy and tried to rebel, for me if she was truly defiant she would have found more permanent means of defying and freeing herself from the abuse and restrictions placed on her. That said by the end of From Blood and Ashes I began to develop a fondness for Poppy and could see her future potential for future books in this series. Without giving too much away by the end of the book Poppy can certainly hold her own in a fight and definitely begins to voice her desire for freedom and respect, so I am definitely excited to see how Poppy develops in the next books of this series.

‘I hadn’t been lying or trying to cover up a hidden agenda when I helped Agnes or exposed myself to Marlowe. I did that because I could—because it was my choice. I trained to use a sword and bow because it was my choice. But was there another motive behind sneaking off to watch fights or swimming naked? Visiting gambling dens or lurking in parts of the castle forbidden to me and listening in on conversations that I wasn’t supposed to hear?’

One of the elements I did enjoy about From Blood and Ash was the relationship between Poppy and Hawke. I can never truly resist a snarky overly perfect guy! No relationship is perfect and I am aware that some readers of the series were uncomfortable with Poppy and Hawke’s relationship which are completely valid and I respect. Personally for me though. I enjoyed them together. I would describe the beginnings of their relationship as playful, like a game of cat and mouse. If you enjoy smutty relationships, than you will not be disappointed! However, the most important element of their relationship that stood out for me was Hawke’s respect for Poppy’s need to fight for herself and claim her independence. He does not deny her from fighting and using her sword skills to protect herself and the few individuals that she cares for and for that reason I enjoyed their relationship, below is a quote that I think sums up their relationship nicely:

‘From the night on the Rise to the Blood Forest when he’d thrown me the sword, he didn’t only protect me. He believed in me and respected my need to defend myself.’

Synopsis (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.

Key Quotes

“Some truths do nothing but destroy and decay what they do not obliterate. Truths do not always set one free. Only a fool who has spent their entire life being fed lies believes that.”

“Princess, I’m confident that if you didn’t want me to do something, I’d be lying flat on my back with a dagger at my throat before I even took my next breath. Even if you can’t see an inch in front of you.”

“I’m not afraid to speak the truth. He may be powerful, but he’s just a weak man, who proves his strength by attempting to humiliate those more powerful than he is. Someone like you, with your strength? It makes him feel incompetent—which he is. And your scars? They are a testament to your fortitude. They are proof of what you survived. They are evidence of why you are here when so many twice your age wouldn’t be. They’re not ugly. Far from it. They’re beautiful, Poppy.”

Similar Reads

A ​Court of Silver Flames, The Shadows Between Us, House of Earth and Blood, Serpent & Dove

Afterthoughts

Have you read From Blood and Ash, did you enjoy it?

What other books would you recommend to those who enjoyed this book?

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