From Blood and Ash

Overall I was disappointed with this book considering the overwhelming reviews it’s received. The plot twists weren’t twisting. Unfortunately, I was able to predict the plot as early as the 20% through. The dialogue and inner dialogue throughout the story (especially as you near the end) also feels really repetitive. I started the second book but stopped 15% through. The next book just feels like a repetition of the dialogue and dynamics within this book.

I couldn't even finish this annoying book. My goodness...this book is just terrible. This is just another vampire and werewolf book just named different. I can not understand why so many people are falling in love with the main male character, he's creepy. This book just fell flat, it was supposed to be a "spicy" book, but to me I just found myself getting the ick. No thank you.

Holy. Effing. Shit.

I haven’t been this taken by a 1st book in a series for a while…I need some time to digest what I just read.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alrighty - the day after, and I've had some time to think.

Was the plot predictable? Yes. Were there some overused tropes? Yes. Was there an overabundance of ellipses? Oh yes. Did I enjoy it? HELL YES. This book is like a blockbuster movie - full of action and light (sometimes shallow) dialogue, but I enjoyed the hell out of it.

I just wanted to be special to someone. Anyone. To be something other than a pawn.

To me, that it the key phrase of the book. I'm pretty sure that is something every reader has felt, and why the book is beloved by so many. I understand the negative reviews, I do. But that is what's great about reading - everyone can interpret what they've read differently, and they are all allowed to feel differently about the same book. Let people enjoy what they like, but don't berate anyone for liking something that you do not.

I loved the mixing of historical & modern, chaste & smutty. Poppy & Hawke's banter, while sometimes juvenile & trite, was really enjoyable.

"You are such a bad influence." "I think we've already established that only the bad can be influenced." "And I think I already told you that your logic is faulty"

Anyways, to each their own. I am going to continue with my new obsession over this series, and cannot wait to start the second book!

Book 1: From Blood and Ash - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 2: A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire - ⭐⭐⭐
Book 3: The ​Crown of Gilded Bones - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 4: The War of Two Queens - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 5: A Soul of Ash and Blood - TBD
Book 6: The Primal of Blood and Bone - TBD
Book 7: TBC - TBD

I loved the banter

Some descriptors are repetitive, but I rather enjoyed the full cast audiobook version - definitely made it much more enjoyable and makes me want to continue the series