Title: From Blood and Ash

Series: Blood and Ash 1

Author: Jennifer L Armentrout

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.

‘From Blood and Ash. We Shall Rise.’

You know it’s times like this when I wish a swear was allowed in a review. A short, sharp, swift swear bomb to actually explain how I am feeling. To just express the feelings I am dealing with that only a swear bomb could do. Alas I cannot. As it is not allowed. So I’ve decided just to chuck some words down to try and explain how utterly fab this book is but I doubt even that will do it justice.

But before we get to the ‘words’ I have to say this. In the words of Buddy the Elf, I’m in love, I’m in love and I don’t care who knows it! (Sorry, had to say that to further encompass my feelings!)

Hooked
Line and sinker.
Mind blown
Obsessed
Captivating
Absolutely loved.

I do have a small criticism, there was a bit of an overuse of the…..between words in lots of places but I get it. Shielded Maiden. Probably unsure of herself but a tad irksome!

I didn’t even write any quotes of this book which is very unlike me, that’s how sucked in I was (and I’ll regret that later!)

I’m very aware there is nothing in here about plot, story or characters, just an info dump of my feelings. And I don’t care. Read it. You won’t regret it.

And can we talk about that ending. Swoon City.