From Blood and Ash

Went in not knowing the story but it didn’t disappoint, love it

No tengo palabras para describir esta maravilla de libro. La ambientación, los personajes, la historia...¡TODO ES FABULOSO! JLA ha vuelto a hacerlo: ha vuelto mi mundo del revés y me ha transportado a otro lugar con sus palabras. Aventura, fantasía, tensión, traiciones, sangre, muerte, pasión y criaturas de cuentos de terror. Este libro tiene de todo: giros increíbles, sorprendentes, oscuridad, pasión a raudales, mucha acción y una trama que te atrapa desde el principio. Original como pocas. Atrayente, intrigante. Te coge y no te suelta hasta el final. Los protagonistas son increíbles, creo que hacía mucho que no me enamoraba tanto de una pareja de protagonistas (puede que los pueda comparar con Katy & Daemon, o Aiden & Alex). En serio, alucinante. Poppy y Hawke son maravillosos, hacen una pareja increíble, aunque su historia tiene un futuro muy poco esperanzador. ¿Y el final? Como viene a ser habitual, JLA consigue pararte el corazón y dejarte con unas ansias por seguir, que casi no se pueden soportar. I have no words to describe this book. The character, the history, the places,...EVERYTHING IS AMAZING! JLA has done it again: she just put my world upside down. Adventure, fantasy, angst, passion, romance, incredible plot twists, blood, death...This book has everything you want in a fantasy novel. You can't stop reading from the beginning to the end. I just couldn't stop. The main characters are awesome. I fell in love with Poppy and Hawke. They are amazing. I love them as individuals and as a couple. And the end? I almost died. My heart stopped. I can't wait to read the next one!

** spoiler alert ** *My review contains spoilers.* This book was amazing. Hawke and Poppy were hot. The romance and chemistry between them was amazing. The banter, incredible. Poppy was headstrong and not a sappy irritating girl that sometimes fantasy romances deliver. She was fierce, demanding (in a good way) and she didn't let anything get to her. She went through abuse at the hands of two awful men, and still kept her head up. She barley whined at her situations but found a way out of them. She is a warrior and isn't afraid and runs head first into a fight. Which I loved. I love headstrong and warrior females in fantasy. The whimpering, simpering female characters bore me so much but Poppy was the opposite. Now the Maiden part, which is the plot of the whole book, still confuses me. I really wish in the beginning that Jen put more on what the Maiden was and what Poppy's part to play was. All I understood in the first half was that she had a very demanding set of rules and had to be extremely celibate and not speak or show her face. But it was never explained why. Just that she was the maiden and it was forbidden to be doing any socializing and reading and being in any explicit content. Three quarters of the way when she is being taken to the Capitol and Hawke and the guard are staying in the village do we only understand her role. That annoyed me. From the beginning I wanted to know what the maiden was not almost 3/4 of the way through. Now Hawke. Wow what a character. Just like Poppy I loved and adored him. The plot twist in the end was great. Something I didn't see coming although I did suspect that he had killed the Duke and the others. Which made me really sad. He knew how much Rylan meant to Poppy yet he still went and did it. Then he flirts with her and makes her believe he is falling in love but knows its forbidden when he literally knows none of it matters because he's going to take her away. The ending had me shocked and kind of mad. He's taking her home just to marry her. He knows how she feels yet takes her away and giving her no choice either, in a way. Just states "To marry." I am not big on manipulative relationships so I didn't like how their ending ended. Although I can not wait for the second book and I hate I have to wait until next year because now I am in a book hangover. But I still love Hawke (wink wink) and Poppy. I am hoping we get to see more of Tawny since she was Poppy's only and truest friend and just upsets me that she had to be left behind. I am looking forward to next year but am wishing that we will get the next book this year even though I know we won't. Ahhhh I just hate book hangovers when it comes to such a great story. Especially with the ending like this one! I just want to know what happens!!!

Before reading From Blood and Ash my favorite series was the Covenant series thanks to the Greek mythology and the great love story, but now, having read this, I think this is the best written series by Jennifer Armentrout yet. I’ve read the book already 3 times and I will probably read it all over again! The author has built a captivating new fantasy world and the narration is engrossing. The characters are extremely well built and I can really connect with them: Poppy is a strong and fierce heroine, but at the same time, she has insecurities and vulnerabilities (and that’s what makes her a realistic and well-crafted character). Hawke is protective, intriguing, considerate, and teasing and I’ve loved how his character has evolved throughout the two books. And I really enjoyed how he sees Poppy and challenges her, but never underestimates her. The romance is electric, the perfect combination of sweet and steamy moments: I also really loved the bantering between the two main characters. At the same time, I’ve appreciated how the book it’s not all about romance, but there is also friendship: I hope to get to know more about Twany and to see more of Poppy and Kieran’s relationship. The story has kept me glued to the pages and it was really addictive! The twists and turns in the book really hit me and, even though I suspected something, the end left me wanting more.

"This," a deep voice whispered, "is unexpected." Gods, this book!! I did not expect to fall this hard. I'm in love. I'm obsessed. And I now have a serious book hangover! I went and pre-ordered book 2 before I even got half way through this book! From Blood and Ash sees Poppy, the Maiden, suffer a solitary life away from the joys of society, waiting to fulfill a destiny that's never been fully explained to her. Enter Hawke, a Royal Guard duty-sworn to protect her. Destiny and duty soon become tangled with desire and need. And not all in Poppy's world is as it seems... Poppy is a strong and loveable main character, with so much fight and passion, who isn't afraid to push against the rules that try to control her. Hawke is sexy, mysterious and oh-so-swoonworthy but what's even better is his attitude towards Poppy. He never tries to undermine or baby her. He embraces her strength and helps her to develop. He always gives her choice, something that's very symbolic, especially when she doesn't have one in every other aspect of her life. The relationship between Poppy and Hawke is raw and hot and leaves you feeling like you are the one burning. This book is definitely spicy, in the best possible way! "There was nothing sweet or soft, like I'd imagined a kiss to be. It was hard and overwhelming, claiming, and when I sucked in a sharp breath, he took advantage, deepening the kiss' Everything just kicks off in the last 250 pages and we see two major plot twists - one that seemed obvious and another that was more surprising. I loved both! Jennifer's writing made them flow effortlessly! There are likeable side characters like, Viktor and Tawney, and other characters, like Kieran, Delano and Elijah, that we get introduced to and who I hope we see more of in the next book, especially their humour. Then there are those characters that you just loathe. And there's one part of the book that is so very satisfying! The universe Jennifer Armentrout has created is unique and she's paid close attention to detail with the world bulling. At times, it did get confusing and I still have so many questions about the wolrd Poppy and Hawke reside in. Parts of the book were slow in places but neither of these points take anything away from the story and it's also the first of four books so I know my questions will eventually be answered. This book needs so much more attention! It's up there now as one of my favourite fantasy books and I'm so glad Jennifer was brave enough to take the leap of faith into this world. I'm on countdown until 1st September for book 2! Pros: > Poppy as a strong-minded female character > Hawke... That's it just Hawke. > The Spice! Slow and teasing with a satisfying climax > The world building > The plot twists > The side characters Cons: > Slow paced at times > Confusion with some of the world building (but I know these will be answered) Memorable quotes: > "Death is like an old friend who pays a visit, sometimes when it's least expected." > "With truth came power. And I was never one to hide away from the truth." > "I have her." > "Both halves are as beautiful as the whole." > "It feels like I've known you longer. You feel that, too?" > "You make me proud." > "You belong to me."

Amazing story ! One of my favourite serie so far ! I love the characters the world buildings and the writing ! I read it in one sitting since it is so captivating! I recommend 100 per cent !