Take a photo of a barcode or cover
acedimski 's review for:
From Blood and Ash
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Okay now I demand the full first part of the book in Hawke‘s POV! It‘s so fascinating to see him shocked and intrigued. I loved this!
Merged review:
As 2020 passed, I almost feared I would have to end the year without discovering a new favorite series. A new favorite that would blow my mind. That would make me obsess over it, even when I'm not busy reading it. One that would shatter my world. That would find its way into my heart, body and mind. That wouldn't let me go.
It's not that 2020 hasn't treated me with good books. It did. I came to love a few standalones deeply. I obsessed a lot over [b:House of Earth and Blood|44778083|House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1559142847l/44778083._SY75_.jpg|46924772] or [b:Incendiary|52888729|Incendiary (Hollow Crown, #1)|Zoraida Córdova|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568058171l/52888729._SX50_SY75_.jpg|56956163] that have been definitely the highlight of the first half of 2020. I've read many other great reads, and definitely spent enough time obsessing over sequels that have been released this year such as [b:The Damned|53131137|The Damned (The Beautiful, #2)|Renée Ahdieh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1570224902l/53131137._SY75_.jpg|65882266] or [b:Blood & Honey|40550366|Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove, #2)|Shelby Mahurin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580922495l/40550366._SY75_.jpg|62967372] that I have yet to read. But ... ever since summer hit, I was looking for one book to shatter my soul. To climb those stairs, and be my highlight of the year. And then this month's Book Talk With Wifey happened, and From Blood and Ash offered EVERYTHING my poor soul has been looking for. E V E R Y T H I N G.
I was well aware that this book has been around for a while, and that the hype around it was HUGE. But something inside me just made me look away. Maybe it was the fact that I've been reading JLA's books as a teen and thought my time to obsess over her books is over (clearly, ignoring the fact that this book had been High Fantasy and Adult - two things I'm currently loving to read) or maybe I was just too hesitant to pick up book that have been hyped too much, because hypes have lately made me do the opposite: not liking the books as much. Whatever my reasons have been, I can only say I'm utterly grateful that Chiara (@_ckarys on IG) and I have been convinced to pick this up as our November BTWW book. Because this book changed the game. IT CHANGED THE GAME.
Just beginning to state a few things that I throughout enjoyed in this book, before I lose myself in my endless obsession and fangirling. I have read that JLA was hesitant herself to write an High Fantasy novel, and damn am I thankful she decided to do so. Not only has been the worldbuilding and the setting from the very beginning intriguing and on point, but I actually have not felt a bit that this is something I have read before. And I have read plenty of books with a royal setting. Poppy's position as the Maiden was probably a reason I've been avoiding the book. A Maiden chosen by the gods themselves? Who is kept away? Pure? Innocent? That combined with the fact that I was well aware of the strong guard playing a role in her life, I just didn't like the idea of reading a court story with a damsel in need of help. And boy was I wrong. I came to adore Poppy so much that half the time I was more excited about her actions that my main obsession of this book. The guard. Hawke. Oh man, I can't wait to start talking about him. But first, let me be rational and professional. If I even can. Poppy is such a strong female badass character that I immediately loved. I never saw myself getting bored due to her role as the pure Maiden, nor did I felt that this role bestowed upon her - if one can call it that - was something that was bothering me. Don't take me wrong. It was bothering me. But in all the right ways.
But Poppy and Hawke weren't the only characters I loved deeply. Ever character that has been introduced into this world played a role. Not once did I think that anyone just served to be a filler. JLA gave each character a purpose, a personality to either like or not, and a role important in the plot that has slowly began to unfold. My heart was all with Rylan, Vikter, Tawny - and while I can easily start obsessing over secondary characters, it rarely happens that I immediately love them. And I did. Even minor characters that have shared a scene or two made sense, had not only a purpose to get the story going, but were full of a personality that didn't feel flat. And why was that so important to me? Because any kind of Romance novels, even High Fantasy Adult ones, tend to keep the focus mainly on the two leads who easily overshadow everyone else. Not in this book. Each character was alive, each character made me feel something. Which made not only the setting seem realer, but the whole story became just more vivid, more intense, more believable.
Every piece of this puzzle had a place and a story to tell. The worldbuilding unfolded itself just as the magic system unfolded in just the right pace, as did the romance in this book. And there's no denying that the romance is the most perfect I have come across for a very long time.
I imagine most people reading this book, or even this reviews, have read [b:A Court of Mist and Fury|17927395|A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546406996l/17927395._SY75_.jpg|25126749] and loved it deeply, obsessed over it even after years have passed. I surely belong to those. And just let me tell you this. This book is what we all needed after ACOMAF, and even put that one to shame. And I say this with the biggest love (still) and biggest heartache. BUT IT WAS THIS GOOD.
Hawke had my full attention from the very beginning, and at this point I just want to applaude to JLA that she pulled off the beginning of FBAA they way she did. It was excellent! Ever since the first chapters, there was a tension so big build that I found myself not being capable of putting the book down. I kept whispering to myself that I would close the book, and follow the #BookTalkWithWifey schedule, that I would only read a day ahead or two. And found myself quickly ditching the schedule on day two. Finishing the book on Day three. Of Ten. The schedule was meant to last ten days. I never had a chance to stick to it.
It wasn't just that Armentrout managed to build up all this tension and then gave us what we needed. No, it's way more. With each chapter, each scene, each moment that served our needs and needs we didn't know we have, she also builded up more worldbuilding, showed more history, expanded the world and narrative. This didn't only feel like reading a romance story between two amazing characters, but it set new standards to amazing worldbuilding that can come from reading/writing a romance-heavy novel.
My obsession for the world, the story, and the characters grew with each chapter. Hell, each page. And Hawke became the center of my attention. Just as Poppy did. Just as the full book did. But oh.. Hawke. HAWKE. He really really really put a shame on every book boyfriend that resides in my harem. Starting from his looks, the damn dimples, the banter, his actions, to his full personality. This guy is very fine polished jewel. A diamond.
There was no line that made me cringe, there was no scene that was unneccessary and only written to serve the readers. Every conversation, every look, every movement was perfect, built up more tension, and left me panting for more. Yes. PANTING.
I can't even begin to tell you all the things that guy made me think, or made everyone who participated in the #BookTalkWithWifey readalong chat thirsty and go crazy.
And the climax of the book just turned everything even more intriguing, thrilling, and better. And at that point, I didn't even know there's a change that this could happen. But oh was I wrong.
And to be a little desperate. Let me scream this.
So is the hype worth it? ABSOLUTELY! Should this book be read by everyone? EVERYONE. AND SOME. Will I obsess over this series? FOREVER. Has it ruined me? YES AND I'M THANKING IT.
This book deserves ALL the stars, and then some. Because five isn't enough to express how good it is.
And since it was November's #BookTalkWithWifey books, and we rate romance in bananas there. Let me tell you. Not even five bananas are enough. We've been looking for a high banana rating, and we found one. One that wrecked the rating. This is an infinite banana rating book. And everyone should read it. HAVE YOU HEARD ME?
Merged review:
As 2020 passed, I almost feared I would have to end the year without discovering a new favorite series. A new favorite that would blow my mind. That would make me obsess over it, even when I'm not busy reading it. One that would shatter my world. That would find its way into my heart, body and mind. That wouldn't let me go.
It's not that 2020 hasn't treated me with good books. It did. I came to love a few standalones deeply. I obsessed a lot over [b:House of Earth and Blood|44778083|House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1559142847l/44778083._SY75_.jpg|46924772] or [b:Incendiary|52888729|Incendiary (Hollow Crown, #1)|Zoraida Córdova|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568058171l/52888729._SX50_SY75_.jpg|56956163] that have been definitely the highlight of the first half of 2020. I've read many other great reads, and definitely spent enough time obsessing over sequels that have been released this year such as [b:The Damned|53131137|The Damned (The Beautiful, #2)|Renée Ahdieh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1570224902l/53131137._SY75_.jpg|65882266] or [b:Blood & Honey|40550366|Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove, #2)|Shelby Mahurin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580922495l/40550366._SY75_.jpg|62967372] that I have yet to read. But ... ever since summer hit, I was looking for one book to shatter my soul. To climb those stairs, and be my highlight of the year. And then this month's Book Talk With Wifey happened, and From Blood and Ash offered EVERYTHING my poor soul has been looking for. E V E R Y T H I N G.
I was well aware that this book has been around for a while, and that the hype around it was HUGE. But something inside me just made me look away. Maybe it was the fact that I've been reading JLA's books as a teen and thought my time to obsess over her books is over (clearly, ignoring the fact that this book had been High Fantasy and Adult - two things I'm currently loving to read) or maybe I was just too hesitant to pick up book that have been hyped too much, because hypes have lately made me do the opposite: not liking the books as much. Whatever my reasons have been, I can only say I'm utterly grateful that Chiara (@_ckarys on IG) and I have been convinced to pick this up as our November BTWW book. Because this book changed the game. IT CHANGED THE GAME.
Just beginning to state a few things that I throughout enjoyed in this book, before I lose myself in my endless obsession and fangirling. I have read that JLA was hesitant herself to write an High Fantasy novel, and damn am I thankful she decided to do so. Not only has been the worldbuilding and the setting from the very beginning intriguing and on point, but I actually have not felt a bit that this is something I have read before. And I have read plenty of books with a royal setting. Poppy's position as the Maiden was probably a reason I've been avoiding the book. A Maiden chosen by the gods themselves? Who is kept away? Pure? Innocent? That combined with the fact that I was well aware of the strong guard playing a role in her life, I just didn't like the idea of reading a court story with a damsel in need of help. And boy was I wrong. I came to adore Poppy so much that half the time I was more excited about her actions that my main obsession of this book. The guard. Hawke. Oh man, I can't wait to start talking about him. But first, let me be rational and professional. If I even can. Poppy is such a strong female badass character that I immediately loved. I never saw myself getting bored due to her role as the pure Maiden, nor did I felt that this role bestowed upon her - if one can call it that - was something that was bothering me. Don't take me wrong. It was bothering me. But in all the right ways.
But Poppy and Hawke weren't the only characters I loved deeply. Ever character that has been introduced into this world played a role. Not once did I think that anyone just served to be a filler. JLA gave each character a purpose, a personality to either like or not, and a role important in the plot that has slowly began to unfold. My heart was all with Rylan, Vikter, Tawny - and while I can easily start obsessing over secondary characters, it rarely happens that I immediately love them. And I did. Even minor characters that have shared a scene or two made sense, had not only a purpose to get the story going, but were full of a personality that didn't feel flat. And why was that so important to me? Because any kind of Romance novels, even High Fantasy Adult ones, tend to keep the focus mainly on the two leads who easily overshadow everyone else. Not in this book. Each character was alive, each character made me feel something. Which made not only the setting seem realer, but the whole story became just more vivid, more intense, more believable.
Every piece of this puzzle had a place and a story to tell. The worldbuilding unfolded itself just as the magic system unfolded in just the right pace, as did the romance in this book. And there's no denying that the romance is the most perfect I have come across for a very long time.
I imagine most people reading this book, or even this reviews, have read [b:A Court of Mist and Fury|17927395|A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546406996l/17927395._SY75_.jpg|25126749] and loved it deeply, obsessed over it even after years have passed. I surely belong to those. And just let me tell you this. This book is what we all needed after ACOMAF, and even put that one to shame. And I say this with the biggest love (still) and biggest heartache. BUT IT WAS THIS GOOD.
Hawke had my full attention from the very beginning, and at this point I just want to applaude to JLA that she pulled off the beginning of FBAA they way she did. It was excellent! Ever since the first chapters, there was a tension so big build that I found myself not being capable of putting the book down. I kept whispering to myself that I would close the book, and follow the #BookTalkWithWifey schedule, that I would only read a day ahead or two. And found myself quickly ditching the schedule on day two. Finishing the book on Day three. Of Ten. The schedule was meant to last ten days. I never had a chance to stick to it.
It wasn't just that Armentrout managed to build up all this tension and then gave us what we needed. No, it's way more. With each chapter, each scene, each moment that served our needs and needs we didn't know we have, she also builded up more worldbuilding, showed more history, expanded the world and narrative. This didn't only feel like reading a romance story between two amazing characters, but it set new standards to amazing worldbuilding that can come from reading/writing a romance-heavy novel.
My obsession for the world, the story, and the characters grew with each chapter. Hell, each page. And Hawke became the center of my attention. Just as Poppy did. Just as the full book did. But oh.. Hawke. HAWKE. He really really really put a shame on every book boyfriend that resides in my harem. Starting from his looks, the damn dimples, the banter, his actions, to his full personality. This guy is very fine polished jewel. A diamond.
There was no line that made me cringe, there was no scene that was unneccessary and only written to serve the readers. Every conversation, every look, every movement was perfect, built up more tension, and left me panting for more. Yes. PANTING.
I can't even begin to tell you all the things that guy made me think, or made everyone who participated in the #BookTalkWithWifey readalong chat thirsty and go crazy.
And the climax of the book just turned everything even more intriguing, thrilling, and better. And at that point, I didn't even know there's a change that this could happen. But oh was I wrong.
And to be a little desperate. Let me scream this.
Spoiler
THAT SCENE IN THE FOREST, IN THE GODDAMN SNOW COVERED FOREST. AFTER SHE STABBED HIM. THE FULL REVEAL OF NOT ONLY WHAT BUT WHO HE IS. I honestly was already thanking JLA for writing the scene in the room before the big plot twist that I was hoping would happen (!!) because I wasn't expecting that after the big reveal there would be any way to see them together in a way I desperately wanted. But damn. That scene can just win every award ever, and have my soul. There. Have it. Because JLA did that , and now my soul is lost. Honestly. My soul was already lost at chapter three. BUT DAMN. Just everything was SO PERFECT. And this is where I have to end talking, because .... my heart's racing, and I'm very close to just ditch all my responsiblities, not finishing this review or doing anything productive, and going back to reading ALL MY FAVORITE SCENES. And you can imagine how many involve Hawke's "many talents".So is the hype worth it? ABSOLUTELY! Should this book be read by everyone? EVERYONE. AND SOME. Will I obsess over this series? FOREVER. Has it ruined me? YES AND I'M THANKING IT.
This book deserves ALL the stars, and then some. Because five isn't enough to express how good it is.
And since it was November's #BookTalkWithWifey books, and we rate romance in bananas there. Let me tell you. Not even five bananas are enough. We've been looking for a high banana rating, and we found one. One that wrecked the rating. This is an infinite banana rating book. And everyone should read it. HAVE YOU HEARD ME?