A Shadow in the Ember (Flesh and Fire Series #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Product details
Web ID: 15843705Ratings & Reviews
1 customer image
Great series starter!
I loved this book. It is an intricate tale of humans, Gods and Primals. The egos, myths and beliefs crafted into a truly remarkable new series. Life and death are uniquely portrayed.
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
If you love a storng FMC here you go
I thoroughly enjoyed this spinoff set in the Blood and Ash universe. Sera is a compelling and powerful main character, a bit morally gray, but also strong and always for the right reasons. After being treated as a sacrifice her entire life, watching her embrace her own power and ruthlessness was both satisfying and empowering. Nyktos is the epitome of a book boyfriend. While he’s meant to be an intimidating and mysterious god, his caring and gentle moments add wonderful depth to his character. The chemistry between him and Sera drives much of the story and is beautifully written. It was interesting to see the FMC be a little more of the bad guy in the relationship then the MMC, since everyone knows Sera is lying to him. While romance takes center stage, there’s also a solid balance of politics, world-building, and scheming that enriches both Sera’s and Nyktos’s story lines. The multiple antagonists are effectively detestable, Tavius in particular stands out as one readers will love to hate. Like literally, we all hate him right? Overall, this book was a captivating read from start to finish. The magic system was engaging, the plot intriguing, and I found myself completely immersed, eager to see how everything would unfold. Fans of fantasy romance with rich lore and complex characters will absolutely enjoy this book.
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
LOVE Flesh and Fire
One thing about Jennifer Armentrout- it’s always a 5 star read. I ADORED Poppy and Casteel’s story, I’d give literally anything to read it for the first time again. I felt like I got that same feeling from A Shadow in the Ember- I loved Sera and Nyktos’ story more than I loved Poppy and Casteel. Sera as the Maiden forced into grooming to fulfill her purpose was interesting. I am obsessed with her character growth and I LOVED the assassin/Consort dynamic. While it was clear the Primal of Death was going to be less intimidating than expected, I enjoyed the surprise as we slowly learned more about him throughout the book. I can say without a doubt, I will be buying the rest of the series. This book was sent to me via NetGalley, however the opinion listed is my own.
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Ah I love this book so much
I loved this book so much. The tension, the yearning, it was so hard to put this book down. I absolutely loved nytkos he will probably always be one of my favorite MMC. If you love from blood and ash you will devour this book. Thank you NetGalley and Blue Box Press for sending me this book
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Loved this one!!!
In this world, Sera is a maiden who is trained to kill the Primal of Death. He’s supposed to marry her and take her back to his kingdom where she is supposed to kill him to ensure there is no more rot in her kingdom. Whelp, this is where the fun begins. This book. This book! It stole all my attention for the entire weekend. This book was seriously perfection. The twists and turns were fantastic. The banter between the characters was amazing. The characters jumped off the page. There was so much conflict I couldn’t stop reading. I pretty much ignored my kids for days! Lol I almost think I like Sera and Nyktos better than Poppy and Cas. This book is a prequel to the Blood and Ash series. I highly recommend reading Blood and Ash and then moving on to A Shadow in the Ember. I’m on my way to read the next book in this series asap! I had no idea I would love this one just as much! Sera is a tough, resilient and a crazy feisty heroine. She’s also been through so much in her short life. She knows how to use a knife, and she won’t hesitate to do so. This was my favorite part of this book. She also doesn’t back down from a fight and although she has anxiety, she pushes through. Nyktos is probably my all time favorite hero! He’s mysterious, strong, sexy and fiercely protective of the people he loves. Nyktos stole my heart. I want a Nyktos for my very own. If you are looking for an amazing romantasy, do not hesitate to pick up this book. JLA is on an entirely different level than many other romantasy authors. She’s the queen! I received this book from Blue Box Press and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Her best series yet
This series feels like Jennifer Armentrout on a whole new level. While some of her other books lean heavier on world-building, A Shadow in the Ember is all about character development and it’s incredible. Sera is such a strong, feisty heroine, and the story’s “enemies” dynamic is truly that at first, this is no instant-love romance. The premise is a maiden raised to kill a god—sets up everything perfectly, but as the layers peel back, you realize not everything (or everyone) is what it seems. The plot twists, emotional depth, and complex moral questions make it impossible to put down. If you’ve read Armentrout’s other series, you’ll love recognizing the threads that tie these worlds together, but even if you haven’t, this one stands firmly on its own. A mix of destiny, defiance, and divine intrigue—this book is everything I want in a fantasy romance. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Breathtaking beginning of the Flesh and Fire serie
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.
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A Shadow in the Ember
I've said this once and I'll say it again, I LOVE JENNIFER L ARMENTROUT'S WRITING! The fantasy worlds she creates always have you feeling fully submerged with how detailed everything is. It's like I'm watching a movie in my head while reading. Beautiful world building aside, let's talk about some of my favorite quotes: "make him fall in love, become his weakness and end him" I mean, an enemies to lovers with an arranged marriage? YES PLEASEEEE. Two of my favorite tropes. "I want to kiss you, even though there is no reason for me to other than I want it.....I would even go as far as to say I NEED TO" If you thought Casteel in From Blood and Ash was your favorite book boyfriend, wait till you meet Nyktos. Or my personal favorite: "What does…meyaah Liessa mean?” That eyebrow seemed to climb even higher. “It means my Queen." HIS. QUEEN. Seraphina & Nyktos will easily become one of your favorite book couples. Who doesn't love a meet cute where she tries to repeatedly attack him? Love a girl that's always down to kick some butt (even if the person you're trying to attack is a primal of Death and could easily disarm you). Their banter was just too good and had me constantly turning the page for more. Side note: I highly recommend reading the From Blood and Ash series. Obviously you don't HAVE to BUT there's so much foreshadowing for what's to come that I completely missed the first time. "If I had a child, or if any descendant of mine had been harmed, I would burn through both realms just so I could flay the skin from the body of the one who’d hurt them." Ahhhh!!! If you love a strong female character with a quirky personality, you're going to LOVE Seraphina. Truly a queen through and through.
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com