From Blood and Ash

Okay okay, so last post, I was all like “Zodiac Academy put me in such a slump, I haven’t been able to read anything in months” but I can proudly say that picking up the Blood and Ash series by Jennifer Armentrout has turned that around for me. The first book in the series, From Blood and Ash, had me hooked.

Much like ZA, this series is a little lengthy, so I probably won’t review every book in the series, but I want to at least write a review for the first one. The first book is all about introducing the reader to what the rest of the series will be about. We learn about the background of our main character, Poppy, and her environment, beliefs, and culture. The author does a fantastic job of world-building in a way that’s interesting and without feeling like you’re waiting for it to get good.

The reader is introduced to new characters and torn from lifelong supporting characters in a fast paced turn of events. It never feels like too much is happening all at once, and the reader also isn’t bored waiting for the next plot point to pick up.

As a fanatic reader, I will say that I am never once wanting to have to use my critical thinking skills when reading a book. The riddle that Feyre had to solve in the ACOTAR series? I didn’t even try to figure it out, I barely even read it. It ends with us by CoHo? Just along for the ride. The Hobbit? Just content to let Bilbo Baggins figure it all out for me. That being said, the foreshadowing in this book was obvious enough to the reader that I was able to predict a “major” plot twist without much difficulty before the book was half way finished. Poppy remains oblivious to what is obvious to the reader, which is simultaneously frustrating but also makes for a read where you’re just waiting in anticipation for her to figure it out.

A unique plot line in this series that I like is that our MC, Poppy, is morally gray (or at least she considers herself to be). It’s refreshing to read a series where it’s not the classic good versus evil, right versus wrong, etc. It makes the story feel more gritty, more realistic than one where everything is so clearly divided.

Now… spoilers ahead.

Poppy’s love interest is a character named Hawke, one of her personal bodyguards. Side note, if you like the body guard romance trope, highly recommend Twisted Games by Ana Huang. He has a bit of a bad boy, player vibe going on, along with appearing and disappearing mysteriously. Imagine Harry from After meets Edward from Twilight. That’s the vibe he has going on for us. He’s tall, handsome, and seemingly just too good to be true. Our main character is forced to evaluate what she feels for him and why she feels anything for him at all, when romantic love is forbidden for her.

While writing this review, I’ve already started the second book and bought the third. I’m so excited to give a final review of this series when I finish it. This is a series that I’m not afraid to recommend reading if you haven’t, as I feel like it is well written with complex characters.

Also in recent news, I’m happy to announce that Pisces has a sister! Everyone, meet Petunia.

Talk soon,

Mary