Jennifer L. Armentrout published From Blood And Ash as a surprise, no one knew it was coming out until the day it was actually released (obviously). I wasn't really interested in the book at first but it kept popping up on Instagram and so I thought - is this a sign, should I read it? And then I was like why not? I have read books by JLA before (specifically the Wicked Trilogy) and loved them so I started researching how to get an ARC (that was a pretty complicated process, I will spare you of it). I contacted the publisher, The Blue Box Press, and they were generous enough to send me a copy to my kindle. So, thank you very much, Blue Box Press!
Before I started reading and before I even contacted the publisher, I checked FB&A's ratings on Goodreads, which I never, ever do, 'cause I don't want to get accidentally spoiled. My bad luck made sure I re-learn the lesson and get spoiled. It was a detail, really, but even that little detail made me question and predict certain things. But still, even in this spoiler detail, there was still something (more like somethings) that left me mind-blown.
Anyway, let's get to the thing y'all came here for, the review! The first thing I noticed while reading was how extraordinary the world—and the society within—are. I loved and admired how thought-through it all was. In the beginning, you get a society divided by hierarchy.
Just like in many other fantasy books, there are Gods that "rule" the world. Their... let's say, earthly versions and messengers, are the Ascended, they are these near-gods, immortal, and powerful, they are the only ones who talk to the gods (that's why I said messengers). Then there are the ordinary people, the mortals, they don't possess any power. The "trash" of society, considered by the Ascended and their subjects, are the Descenters. They are not even a "part" of the society, more like their enemies. They are the followers of the Dark One, who is enemy #1. They're all from Atlantia, a fallen kingdom that wants to rise again.
Society is not the only thing I loved about the world, the other thing was its history. There are many, as I call them, "history lessons" throughout From Blood and Ash that explain how the society came to be. You think you know everything, thanks to those lessons, about how it all works and how it was created, you think you know who are the bad guys and the good guys, you don't. But let me tell you, everything is not what it seems. There is so much more to it than what you see, so many hidden secrets. In the end, you realize that everything you've known got blown apart.
I want to write every single thing, every single plot twist that happened in this book because, man, there were so many of them! The plot was just amazing, I got into the story immediately. I liked the way the story was building up. You get more information and hints as the story comes along. The thing with things not being what they seem to be doesn't apply just to the history and plot but also characters.
Some characters hide their other side. Especially one character and that character didn't have just one identity (?) twists but two! Thanks to the spoilery detail I predicted the first one and I must admit, the second one crossed my mind but then I forgot about it. Since I already began talking about the characters... I loved them. Poppy and Hawke had me enjoying their scenes from their first interaction.
Remember when I said some characters have their hidden sides? Well, Poppy has a side hidden from society. Secretly, she is pretty badass, she very skilled in fighting and she is a strong and fierce heroine. Poppy is the Maiden and that involves many rules she must follow and many duties she must fulfill even though she is scared. Don't let it fool you, she is no dutiful girl, she is kind of rebel. Hawke had me falling for him instantly. He is sweet and protective, he would do anything for Poppy, he doesn't stop her from protecting those she loves, and he is also cocky, pretty hot, and seductive. Shortly, Hawke is totally swoon-worthy.
To end this review properly, I have to say that when I finished it I didn't know what to do next. The ending left me with my mind all over the place, I couldn't even think properly. This was definitely a five-star read. from Blood and Ash was truly a wonderful read. I can't wait for the second book, I hope it comes out soon.
Society is not the only thing I loved about the world, the other thing was its history. There are many, as I call them, "history lessons" throughout From Blood and Ash that explain how the society came to be. You think you know everything, thanks to those lessons, about how it all works and how it was created, you think you know who are the bad guys and the good guys, you don't. But let me tell you, everything is not what it seems. There is so much more to it than what you see, so many hidden secrets. In the end, you realize that everything you've known got blown apart.
I want to write every single thing, every single plot twist that happened in this book because, man, there were so many of them! The plot was just amazing, I got into the story immediately. I liked the way the story was building up. You get more information and hints as the story comes along. The thing with things not being what they seem to be doesn't apply just to the history and plot but also characters.
Some characters hide their other side. Especially one character and that character didn't have just one identity (?) twists but two! Thanks to the spoilery detail I predicted the first one and I must admit, the second one crossed my mind but then I forgot about it. Since I already began talking about the characters... I loved them. Poppy and Hawke had me enjoying their scenes from their first interaction.
Remember when I said some characters have their hidden sides? Well, Poppy has a side hidden from society. Secretly, she is pretty badass, she very skilled in fighting and she is a strong and fierce heroine. Poppy is the Maiden and that involves many rules she must follow and many duties she must fulfill even though she is scared. Don't let it fool you, she is no dutiful girl, she is kind of rebel. Hawke had me falling for him instantly. He is sweet and protective, he would do anything for Poppy, he doesn't stop her from protecting those she loves, and he is also cocky, pretty hot, and seductive. Shortly, Hawke is totally swoon-worthy.
To end this review properly, I have to say that when I finished it I didn't know what to do next. The ending left me with my mind all over the place, I couldn't even think properly. This was definitely a five-star read. from Blood and Ash was truly a wonderful read. I can't wait for the second book, I hope it comes out soon.
