A Shadow in the Ember (Flesh and Fire)

me:

A Shadow in the Ember worked its magic on me. Jennifer L. Armentrout has created rich worldbuilding, dangerous gods, political maneuvering, and a heroine who is not reduced to the role chosen for her. I ate this up. Seraphena Mierel has spent her entire life preparing to become the Consort of the Primal of Death. Her public identity as the Maiden hides a much deadlier purpose. Sera is trained to make Nyktos fall in love with her and then kill him in hopes of saving Lasania from the Rot destroying the kingdom. Nyktos rejects her before that plan can begin. This leaves Sera trapped between the destiny she was raised to fulfill and a life she was never taught how to live. Sera really made this book for me. She is dangerous because she has the skills to back it up. She fights, kills, protects people, and holds her own against beings far more powerful than she is. Sera repeatedly proves exactly what she can do. I love a strong woman! Nyktos was just as entertaining. Sera's willingness to threaten him seemed to amuse him more than frighten him. This dynamic creates a fantastic tug of war. Nyktos recognizes how dangerous Sera is without trying to diminish her. He also knows exactly what he is doing once things get spicy. Their bed chem was excellent. The reveal about Ash's true identity was super obvious. I suspected his identity so early that Sera's shock felt almost comical by the time she learned the truth. The predictability did not hurt my enjoyment much because the story has so much more going for it. Gods, ancient bargains, political corruption, and competing agendas keep expanding the scope of Sera's story. The final twists made me even more interested in her history and what she may actually be capable of. The final cliffhanger gives enough answers to make the journey satisfying while opening up several new paths. I am already picking up the sequel! I am very ready to see what happens when these two dangerous people start to work together.

I did not realize there was a reading order and this book is fourth and to be read mixed in with the From Blood and Ash series, lol.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book! I have picked up FBAA twice without being able to get into it and I'm hoping this book helps me try a third time to get into FBAA.

I wanted to like it, but it just didn't do it for me. The world's mythology was so convoluted. The heroine was ok, but not really compelling.

Nyktos is daddy. I don’t know I can say it more straightforward that than. I can’t wait to see how the rest of this story unfolds.