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“You’re an absolutely stunning, murderous little creature.”
Published: September 21, 2021by Simon & Schuster
Genres: Fantasy// Romance
This book was borrowed from the library with no expectation to assign it a specific rating. I maintain complete impartiality.
Summary From The Publisher:
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.
My Thoughts:
From Blood and Ash was simply magnificent. I devoured this book in two days, I could not put it down. When I reached the last page, a pang of sadness hit me – I simply wasn't ready for it to end. The story unfolded beautifully, Armentrout, did a phenomenal job setting everything up so you can close your eyes and see yourself there without any difficulty.
For me, the highlight of the story is the romantic sublot. The dynamic between Poppy and Hawke is flawless. I love their witty banter, as well as Hawke's teasing of Poppy. Their attraction is obvious from the start, but their romance takes its sweet time and you can't help but wonder if they will finally get together. The ending leaves you wanting more, but in the best way possible.
The pacing is perfect, it never felt like the story was dragging along. Moments of calm between action-packed sequences allow for a breather, enhancing the overall reading experience.
The characters are another highlight, both primary and secondary. Poppy and Hawke are carefully developed, we learn enough about their histories and inner conflicts to form a connection with them. They felt truly life like and I was completely invested in their well-being. Supporting characters complement the protagonists without overshadowing them, adding substance with taking away from the main story.
Armentrout is a great storyteller. She had my attention from the first page to the last. The story and characters made me laugh one minute and angry enough to throw the book the next. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes an engrossing story that you just can't put down.
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ready to read it? Purchase now on Amazon.
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