“From Blood and Ash” by Jennifer L. Armentrout – A Review
⭐ Rating: 3.5/5
Year Published: 2020
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, New Adult
Page Count: 634
Quick Summary
This book introduces us to Poppy, a young woman known as the Maiden, which basically means she’s supposed to be pure, hidden away from society, and waiting for her Ascension (which, let’s be real, no one explains to her in any meaningful way). But Poppy is not the kind of person who likes to sit around and wait. She sneaks out, learns how to fight, and desperately wants to make her own choices. Enter Hawke, a new guard assigned to protect her, and suddenly her world gets a lot more complicated. Throw in some forbidden romance, political intrigue, and supernatural creatures, and you’ve got the makings of a binge-worthy fantasy romance.
What I Loved
It Kept Me Hooked – Despite all its flaws (and there are a few), I couldn't put this book down. There’s always something happening, whether it’s a dramatic reveal, a fight scene, or a heated moment between Poppy and Hawke.
Unique Fantasy Elements – While this book leans on a lot of familiar fantasy tropes, it does introduce some fresh takes on supernatural beings that aren’t super common in the genre.
The Emotional Core – At its heart, this book is really about freedom and choice—what it means to control your own fate, and what happens when that choice is taken from you. That theme really resonated with me.
What Didn’t Quite Work for Me
The Writing Is… Just Okay – Let’s be real, this isn’t a literary masterpiece. The prose is fine, but sometimes the dialogue and inner monologues felt way too modern and out of place in a fantasy setting.
Predictability & Tropes Galore – If you’ve read a lot of fantasy romance, you’ll probably see most of the plot twists coming. It doesn’t necessarily ruin the story, but it does make it feel a little too familiar at times.
A Bit Cringey at Times – Some of the "romantic" moments veered into questionable territory, and I wasn’t always on board with how things played out. Also, the language choices occasionally felt awkward and juvenile.
Who Should Read This?
If you love fantasy romance with a fast-paced plot, angsty tension, and lots of action, you’ll probably enjoy this one. If you need airtight worldbuilding and stellar writing, it might not be for you.
Final Thoughts
Look, this book isn’t perfect, but I totally get why it has such a loyal fanbase. The pacing keeps you hooked, the chemistry between Poppy and Hawke is undeniable, and there’s enough intrigue to keep you turning the pages. That said, if predictable plots, repetitive dialogue, and modern-sounding fantasy worlds drive you nuts, this might not be your cup of tea. Personally, I had fun with it, but I wouldn’t call it groundbreaking. A solid 3.5-star read for me!
