The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and Ash Series #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
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Web ID: 15843704Slow middle, explosive end
3.5⭐️ Still chugging along through this series, and I’m still confused half the time. I listened to this one on audio, which didn’t help with the fact that so many names sound alike or are spelled in just slightly different ways. Combine that with lore that includes deities, gods, and primal gods (all distinct, apparently), and I was constantly trying to figure out who or what was being referenced. The beginning had me interested, but the middle dragged. It felt like a lot of repetitive dialogue and exposition with very little actual plot movement. Then the last 20% hit, and everything suddenly started happening. The stakes were high, the pace picked up, and the ending definitely delivered some jaw-dropping twists. It’s frustrating, but it worked and I have to know what happens next! Character-wise: Kieran continues to be a standout. His loyalty and dry wit are refreshing. Casteel felt a little too one-sided this time around. The constant innuendos started to wear me thin, and he lacked some of the emotional depth I appreciated in earlier books. Poppy is still inconsistent. She swings between naïve and all-knowing with little explanation for her growth or regression. While I loved seeing more strength from her toward the end, her overall development felt uneven. I do appreciate the growing sense of political tension and the expanded worldbuilding. There are interesting layers being introduced, but the execution is muddy. The series is juggling a lot, and without a clearer structure, or a proper glossary and family tree, it can be difficult to stay fully immersed. Despite my issues, the cliffhanger was strong, and I’m definitely continuing the series. I'm invested, even if I’m also mildly exasperated. TLDR: ✅ Solid beginning 😴 Slow and repetitive middle 🔥 Explosive and twisty end 📚 Needs a glossary + family tree 💬 Stronger side characters than mains 📖 Still invested (against my better judgment...)
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Unnecessary fluff..
I tried very hard to read this book. I keep giving this series multiple chances because near the end of every book it gets really good. My biggest problem with this series is that one scene takes up six chapters. I feel like this book could’ve been condensed down to just 300 pages. There was a lot of unnecessary conversations in this book. I hate to say it, but alot of the “jokes “were the same jokes that they put in every book. I agree with the reviews I feel like I lost a couple of brain cells. I rather get the cliff notes for the rest of the books.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Obsessed with this series
In love with Casteel and Poppy, can't get enough.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Blood and ash books. Absolutely wonderful.
Absolutely loved it, the blood and ash series will be my forever favorite. I love Jennifer L. Armentrout book and her work. It’s definitely not for everybody but I loved it.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Had a hard time finishing this book
Beginning of the book was not bad start I liked it. Then middle of the book I would say was 20% info dump, smut in every chapter( not every imaginative), same jokes, same lines, very lazy repetitive writing. And just times of what the hell is happening. Like they rush to save a dying girl with Poppy gifts and little girl died but brings her back to life. Then next scene its them leaving to go kick boots in a ally way... Like what????? End was kind of good but was also like what is happening. Poppy and Cas tell Cas's mom and dad they are going to meet with the blood queen and get there and stuff goes down and poppy gets angry about VITAL information that should have been known before hand from Cas mom and she didnt tell them because she was embarrassed????... I dont really even want to try anymore in this series. The MCs were awesome first couple books and now its like some teenage high school love. And its alot like Twilight. 200+ guy falls for a 18 year old girl and both act as they are in their teens.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Fantastic Read
5/5 stars 5/5 spice Flesh and Fire was so, so good. It picks up right where we left off, on that wild cliffhanger. Queen? QUEEN? That's right. "Bow Before Your Queen Or Bleed Before Her…" This is so far my favorite in the series. It was so intense and I couldn't read fast enough, I just had to figure out what was going on. There was some wild betrayals in this one that had my jaw dropping. We find out so much more about Poppy and her past. I love so much of the supporting cast in these books. I feel like every book I have a few new favorite side characters to add to my growing list. The wolven are amazing, especially in this one. The smut really caught fire in this one. The beach scene?! My Gods. I just love the chemistry between Cas and Poppy, it's so flipping hot and fun and it's just everything.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Highly Recommended
This continues right where The Kingdom of Flesh and Fire left off. The things Poppy goes through. Again - the plot and characters are well-developed. The story is so engaging I have a hard time putting the book down and leaving the world Armentrout has created.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
I can’t put the book down. Life-changing!
Where do I start? When I first started FBAA, I didn’t think it would be this addicting! But now, this is the only series that is in my brain and in my hands 24/7. JLA made this fantasy world my actual world, and I can’t get enough of it! Poppy and Cas developed way more in this book, and the romance kept me on my toes! Kieran and Poppy have gotten closer and have a close friendship now, which is one of the main things that made me leave satisfied after reading this book. The plot, writing style, characters, character development, romance, fantasy, basically EVERYTHING, is an 11/10. Amazing, stunning, absolutely spectacular. I don’t think I’ll ever find a book series as good as this lmao
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com