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Web ID: 15843705Epic prequel
Despite so many parallels and character similarities, I loved this prequel series to From Blood & Ash so much. Sera and Nyktos are perfect for each other and their banter and chemistry is undeniable. I loved finding connections and Easter eggs between the series (I literally have a Google sheet to cross reference). Perfect if you love: ✅ Slowburn enemies to lovers ✅ Royalty / forbidden romance ✅ tension ✅ Fierce FMC / Brooding MMC ✅ Epic World building I can’t wait to see JLA at Apollycon! Thank you to Blue Box Press, the author, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. ❤️
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great romantasy read!
I've read most of the Blood and Ash series, so I didn't hesitate to click "request" when this book came up in Netgalley. It's a long read so it took me a while to get to it, but I'm glad I finally made the time to read it. The book gets off to a bit of a slow start, as does a lot of fantasy where a good deal of world-building is required. But for anyone who enjoys the romantasy genre, it's worth the effort. This story is told from the POV of Seraphina, or "Sera" - a Maiden determined at birth to be the fated wife of the Primal of Death (akin to a Titan vs an Olympian god in Greek mythology). But when the Primal rejects Sera and the crops in her kingdom begin rotting, she's accused of causing the misery in her kingdom. Through a series of misadventures she ends up running away with a god named Ash who turns out to be a lot more than he seems. This is an intriguing spinoff/prequel to the Blood and Ash series. It's got a lot of my favorite tropes such as the enemies to lovers with great banter, arranged marriage, a possessive "touch her and die" hero, and spicy scenes are 4/5 on the 🌶️ scale. It ends on a cliffhanger, so I'm definitely going to have to check out the next book! Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ebook I received.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Amazing!
A Shadow in the Ember is a powerhouse of a novel! Full of well developed characters and incredible world building, it is the first book in the series that follows Sera and Nyktos (Ash). Bound by a deal forged years before her birth, Sera has been raised to be a weapon. However, her family has always offered a constant reminder that until she fulfills her role she is nothing to them. Her role is to become consort of the Primal of Death, a God with the power to save her land. When the 2 do finally meet, neither are what the other expects and the terms of the deal may be harder to meet than anticipated. On top of that, Sera learns that she may hold the key to an immense power, one that others will stop at nothing to possess. Full of intrigue, romance, fates, gods, and dragons, A Shadow in the Ember is an incredible read.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great lore-rich prequel to From Blood and Ash
A Shadow in the Ember is a prequel for anyone who has read From Blood and Ash, including those who loved it and even those who might have struggled with some of the writing in the original series. It features rich, dense world-building and deep lore that really pays off as the story unfolds. While the first half of the book shares a lot of DNA with From Blood and Ash, such as mistaken identity and a lack of communication, it definitely feels like a more polished and improved version of Armentrout’s work. About halfway through, the story moves to the Shadowlands, and that’s where the book truly takes off. I went from being moderately interested to not being able to put it down. The highlight for me was the relationship between Sera and Ash, particularly the development in the second half. Their connection is electric, and the physical intimacy is where the writing is at its most effective, such as the memorable bathroom scene involving the hair washing. These scenes feel incredibly well-written and serve as the emotional anchor for the story. I also loved the found family aspect provided by the very likable secondary characters who brought humor to the narrative. The Draken children, in particular, were really lovable and added some levity to an otherwise dark world. While the first half can feel repetitive due to long internal monologues and occasional modern dialogue that feels out of place in a fantasy setting, it is worth pushing through for the second half. The story shifts from being driven by miscommunication to a high-stakes, relationship-driven plot with suspenseful moments throughout. This review is based on an ARC provided by BlueBox Press via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Amazing!!
A Shadow in the Ember JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT 5⭐️ 3.5🌶️ Oh i do love a good enemy to lovers troupe - it is my favourite troupe ever! And JLA is fantastic at executing. I loved Sera what a fantastic female main protagonist. I loved her whole development i loved her whole vibe. Fantastic writing. Ugh I love Nyktos much! The banter was phenomenal The whole world building is out of this world literally! Jennifer L. Armentrout is fantastic at transporting the reader into such a well build fantasy land and the reader is so able to vividly picture the whole scene like a fly on the wall! Fantastic work!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
You can’t fight fate
You can’t fight your fate. Sera has known all her life that she has to save her people. She has done what she had to but now the Primal of Death has come for her. But it can’t be Ash that makes no sense. Nyktos is the Primal of Death and he has come for his consort he has never wanted her but he had no choice now. But will they be able to find out why they have been put together in this difficult situation? Will Sera be able to break the curse even if it means having to kill Nyktos? Can he ever trust her now that he knows the truth? What hope is there for them? A great read. Great characters and the endless battle of wills. Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the copy. This is my honest review.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great read
A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout is everything I love about fantasy romance — lush worldbuilding, sizzling chemistry, and a heroine you can’t help but root for. From the very first page, I was completely pulled into this world of gods, destiny, and forbidden desire. Sera is such a strong, layered character — brave, conflicted, and determined to forge her own path even when fate seems set against her. And Nyktos… absolutely magnetic. The tension and slow-burn between them is pure perfection — full of heat, banter, and emotional depth that makes every scene crackle. Armentrout’s storytelling shines here — complex mythology, political intrigue, and the kind of romance that leaves you breathless. It’s dark and emotional but also beautifully written, with moments of humor and heart woven through. If you loved From Blood and Ash, this prequel is an absolute must-read. A Shadow in the Ember is powerful, passionate, and impossible to put down.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
My Roman Empire series!
Have I read this book 3 times? Yes. Will I read it again? Also yes. This book is the first in the Flesh and Fire series (often referred to as the "prequel" to From Blood and Ash). The Flesh and Fire series is my Roman Empire--books that I return to again and again because they stir my soul. The characters, the story, the world building... everything about this book and this series has my heart in an iron grip. A grip I am happy not to break. The world building is absolutely exquisite. Set thousands of years before the events of Blood and Ash, we enter the world of mortals, Gods and Primals. A world that is slowly dying. The characters are truly some of the most compelling ones I have ever met on the page. As page-turning as the plot is, the characters are what keep me coming back. Not only are the main characters beautiful in all their strength and vulnerability, the side characters are so well-developed and loveable that I want more of them too. Jennifer Armentrout is a master at writing vulnerable, yet strong female characters, and Seraphena is the best of all of them! Sera is sharp with her tongue , wicked with a blade, and not afraid to get stabby. She's also been forced into a role she never wanted, and out of the role she was born to embrace, by her cold and overbearing mother. She's been called a failure for years, but Sera is anything but a failure. Nyktos is the ultimate shadow daddy. Sexy, mysterious, strong, terrifying, touch her and unalive....oh and he's got shadows and knows how to use them. He is also the Primal of Death--one of the most powerful Primals. He has done and experienced things no one should and keeps everyone at a distance. I'd swoon for this man. The banter is exquisite. The slow burn and yearning is toe curling. The overarching plot keeps me saying "just one more chapter". Roman. Freaking. Empire. Plus there are Drakens! (Dragons that shift into mortal form). A 10 Star read.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com