HOW SHALL I SURVIVE UNTIL APRIL TO KNOW MORE?

Or basically. HOW SHALL I SURVIVE AFTER THIS GLORIOUS BOOK?

Writing this review is hard. Not because I have anything bad to say, or because I need to properly sort my thoughts (well a little bit of that), but simply because if I don't control myself, this would only consist of the following:

JFFDSFHSIDHFUIDFHDUFHDSUFHUSDHFISDFHIUSDFHUSFHKHFIDBVIRFHLISFADLAAaaaADHLFAHSDFHASLDJFHALSDHFLSADHFLSDHFLSDHFHSADLFHALSDFHASDLFHADFHALHDFLASHDFLHAFH

And we don't want that, right?

From Blood and Ash already did a pretty amazing job in wrecking me, leaving me panting for more. However, I was able to survive that because I had A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire at my hands. Ready to continue this series, to read more about Poppy and Hawke, to let it consume me. Finishing THIS book was harder. A lot. I binged the first 70% in a matter of 1-2 days (I can't even remember), when I realized that after this book there is nothing. Just the endless painful wait for the next book to come out. And nothing else. So I savoured those last 30%, carefully trying to not devour what's left in a short matter of time. Pacing myself so I can longer enjoy the story of Hawke and Poppy. And ... in the end, I just .. finished it? FINISHED IT. I could've lied to myself how much I wanted, this book did have an ending, and I reached it. And now my heart aches, and I'm lost, and I need more, but won't get it until Spring.

And such books are the ones that keep me going. To be honest, I was fearing a reading slump due to the fact that I barely read anything that wasn't university related in the past months. I reached out to books of the New Adult Romance genre to keep myself occupied, and was afraid no story would take hold of me this year. But this story did. And yes. You're right, it's Hawke's fault. But not entirely.

As much as I'm a sucker for the romance in this series (and trust me ... TRUST ME .. I crave it like nothing else), it's also the worldbuilding, the plot, the story that just thrill me. I loved how Jennifer L. Armentrout revealed everything in [b:From Blood and Ash|52831200|From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash, #1)|Jennifer L. Armentrout|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585598504l/52831200._SX50_.jpg|78982151]. I was anticipating a plottwist, and I was hoping for a reveal of that sorts, but it was the way she built up to it, the way she added some more tension and feelings to it that made me go crazy. To witness now, how everything unfolds was a blast! I loved seeing more of the Atlantians, the way they live, they survive, we learn more of the species that are involved in this book, more of the gods (which I, on my part, really really enjoyed!!), and politics. While I have to admit that in the beginning of FBAA I was midly confused about the worldbuilding set around the Ascended, it made sense to twist it that way as it all was leading to this very specific part of the story. I mean, I do not want to talk about the ending... BUT DAMN. Everything that has been build up before was just perfectly executed, and I'm dying to see more of the world, the magic, the politics and history. And especially a lot more about the lore of the gods.

My head is not only all but busy thinking of Hawke and Poppy, but also busy brewing up theories like it hasn't for a long time. Just throwing in some questions that I have been asking myself throughout the whole book (and some more that I'm asking now):

Spoiler

From the very beginning, I was sure that Poppy is not descended from the empath bloodline. I mean, it was definitely too obvious. So I did ask myself what she is, where she is coming from. I also did assume she must be related to the queen. And therefore, believe what the Dutchess said. What I'm asking myself now is, especially since the Dutchess was so happy about the marriage, Did Poppy just accidentally help the Ascended by marrying Casteel and going to Atlantia? I'm dying to find out, as I'm smell some shit to go down very soon. But then again the gods seemed to approve? We shall not forget about the sky changing during the wedding. Or the fact that Poppy was saved by a goddess in the mist. For her to be a descendent of a god it does make sense, but what does it actually mean? I need more history on the gods. I need to understand Poppy's connection to the wolven that has been there from the very beginning. I need to understand what she is. How will her powers develop? WHAT IS GOING ON. Also, will this situation change her relationship to Casteel? It must. But I don't want to. I WANT THEM TO FUCKING SAY I LOVE YOU TO EACH OTHER. But Poppy appears to be now Queen. As the granddaughter of the Queen of the Ascended? Also what does this mean? I can imagine that the Queen of the Ascended is not ... an Ascended. Poppy's mother didn't Ascend. It makes sense that the Queen didn't either. But she ... is immortal. And Poppy was supposed to be half-atlantian? So what if ... the Queen of the Ascended is an Ascendend, and what if she - I guess it's her - had her daugther with the god? What ifs, what ifs, what ifs. ALSO what if ... and this one breaks my heart the most. WHAT IF VIKTER IS ALIVE? What if he died .. but didn't die? And no, I don't mean be an Ascended. What if he is some sort of shapeshifting (they're called changelings, am I remembering correctly?) Atlantian, and he kind of became Alastir? Or what if he is Alastir, and Vikter. What if he is there making sure that Poppy ... fulfills her fate? Or ... what if Vikter is Poppy's dad. (okay that's probably just wishful thinking because I loved him so much). I just .. something seems so odd about Alastir constantly reminding Poppy of Vikter, and I can't see this being an coincidence. Also, I'm pretty sure Beckett was following Alastir's order to bring Poppy to Nyktos' chambers, and while I know many are mad at Beckett's betrayal, I feel like the young wolven didn't have a choice since he seemed sincere when he thanked Poppy for healing him. However, it must have been Alastir. I haven't trusted him - even though I did want to - from the beginning, and the way he kept telling Casteel's mother, the queen, that it still isn't too late just tells me that they know something, and I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT IS. This whole Ascended/Atlantia/gods-affair seems so much bigger, and I'm just dying to figure it all out. DYING.
might add some more theories as I spent some more days dying

And despite all of it, my mind, body and soul are with Poppy and ... HAWKE. I just adore these two together. I wanted to slap them, hug them, be them, be with them. It's insane. I have collected many many book boyfriends in all these years, and I have obsessed over many many couples as well. But these two just add a new level to my obsession and feels, it's insane. It's a ride I'm glad I took. And I just can't stop myself obsessing over these characters. Again, Jennifer L. Armentrout did everything right with the tension between them, the way their relationship developed, or they as characters developed. I just loved turning those pages, and I couldn't stop turning the pages, and this is entirely their fault. My heart rate was up as if I was in the mids of some cardio workout reading their banter, their fights, their ... tension. And to say I haven't become addicted to them would be the biggest lie that has passed my lips.

So excuse me while I leave this messy review, and go to obsess a little bit more about these two.
I JUST CAN'T HELP MYSELF.
Someone fan me. And bring me book three.