Jennifer L. Armentrout ventures boldly into high fantasy with From Blood and Ash, the inaugural novel in her Blood and Ash series, marking a significant departure from her previous contemporary and paranormal young adult works. Known for beloved series like The Lux Series and The Covenant Series, Armentrout demonstrates remarkable versatility as she crafts an intricate fantasy world that seamlessly weaves together romance, political intrigue, and mythology.
From Blood and Ash introduces readers to Penellaphe “Poppy” Balfour, a young woman chosen from birth to serve as the Maiden—a sacred figure destined for Ascension to the gods. Poppy’s life has been one of rigid constraints: never to be touched, never to be looked upon, never to experience the freedoms that others take for granted. Yet beneath the veil that conceals her face lies a spirit yearning for agency and a heart that refuses to be silenced.
The Forbidden Romance That Ignites Everything
The arrival of Hawke Flynn, a golden-eyed guard assigned to protect Poppy until her Ascension, becomes the catalyst that transforms everything. Armentrout expertly builds the tension between duty and desire, creating a romance that feels both inevitable and impossible. Hawke’s presence challenges every belief Poppy holds about herself and her destiny, introducing her to emotions and experiences that are strictly forbidden to the Maiden.
The romantic development between Poppy and Hawke unfolds with careful precision, each interaction laden with meaning beyond the immediate moment. Armentrout skillfully navigates the delicate balance between Poppy’s sheltered innocence and her growing awareness of her own desires. The chemistry between these characters crackles on every page, yet it never overshadows the larger narrative at play.
What makes this romance particularly compelling is how it serves as a vehicle for Poppy’s character development. Through her relationship with Hawke, she begins to question not just the rules that govern her life, but the very foundations of the world she’s been taught to accept without question.
A Heroine Worth Rooting For
Poppy emerges as a protagonist who defies the typical “chosen one” archetype. While she possesses mysterious abilities that allow her to sense and absorb others’ pain, her true strength lies in her determination to forge her own path. Armentrout has created a character who is simultaneously vulnerable and fierce, naive yet intuitive. Poppy’s internal struggle between accepting her prescribed role and fighting for her autonomy resonates throughout the narrative.
The author particularly excels in depicting Poppy’s gradual awakening to the realities of her world. Her journey from compliance to rebellion feels organic and earned, never rushed or forced. The moments where Poppy begins to question the teachings of the Priestess, the actions of the Duke, and the very nature of the Ascended create a compelling character arc that extends far beyond romantic awakening.
World-Building That Rewards Close Attention
Armentrout constructs a complex fantasy realm where the lines between good and evil are deliberately blurred. The Kingdom of Solis, with its imposing Rises protecting cities from the mist-dwelling Craven, creates an atmosphere of constant tension and fear. The author’s attention to detail in crafting the mythology surrounding the Atlantians, the Ascended, and the gods creates a rich backdrop that supports multiple layers of storytelling.
The Blood Forest, with its crimson-barked trees and ominous presence, serves as both a literal and metaphorical boundary between the known and unknown. The Red Pearl, where masked patrons seek pleasure and anonymity, provides a stark contrast to the sterile confines of Poppy’s castle life. These locations feel lived-in and authentic, each serving specific narrative purposes while contributing to the overall atmosphere.
The magic system, particularly Poppy’s ability to sense and heal emotional pain, integrates seamlessly into the world without feeling overpowered or convenient. Armentrout establishes clear rules and limitations that create genuine stakes and consequences for magical intervention.
Plot Twists That Reshape Everything
The narrative’s greatest strength lies in its ability to subvert reader expectations. What begins as a seemingly straightforward fantasy romance evolves into something far more complex as layers of deception and hidden truths are gradually revealed. The revelation about Hawke’s true identity serves as more than just a plot twist—it fundamentally alters the reader’s understanding of everything that came before.
Armentrout plants seeds throughout the early chapters that take on new meaning upon revelation, rewarding careful readers while never making the twists feel unearned or arbitrary. The conspiracy surrounding the Ascended, the true nature of the Craven, and the hidden history of Atlantia create a web of intrigue that extends far beyond the immediate story.
The pacing maintains excellent momentum, balancing quieter character moments with action sequences and revelations. The author demonstrates particular skill in knowing when to pull back and allow emotions to breathe, and when to accelerate toward climactic moments.
Areas Where the Foundation Shows
While From Blood and Ash succeeds admirably as Armentrout’s first venture into high fantasy, certain elements reveal the author’s adjustment to the genre’s conventions. Some dialogue occasionally feels more contemporary than the medieval-inspired setting would suggest, occasionally breaking the immersive atmosphere. Additionally, certain fantasy tropes—the chosen one narrative, the mysterious dark enemy, the hidden prince—appear without significant subversion, though Armentrout’s execution generally elevates familiar elements.
The world-building, while impressive in scope, sometimes relies on information dumps that slow narrative momentum. Readers seeking immediate gratification may find the careful setup of political intrigue and mythology testing their patience, though those willing to invest in the larger story will find their attention rewarded.
Some secondary characters, particularly among the court figures, feel more functional than fully realized, serving plot purposes without developing distinct personalities that linger beyond their scenes.
The Series Foundation and Future Promise
From Blood and Ash serves as an excellent foundation for what becomes an expansive series. The subsequent novels—A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (2020), The Crown of Gilded Bones (2021), The War of Two Queens (2022), A Soul of Ash and Blood (2023), and the upcoming The Primal of Blood and Bone (2025)—build upon the groundwork established here, expanding the mythology and deepening the character relationships introduced in this first installment.
The novel’s ending provides enough resolution to feel satisfying while establishing clear directions for future development. Armentrout demonstrates admirable restraint in not overwhelming readers with unnecessary exposition about future plot directions while still creating anticipation for continued reading.
Writing Style and Voice
Armentrout’s prose demonstrates marked evolution from her earlier works, adapting effectively to the demands of fantasy storytelling while maintaining the emotional accessibility that characterizes her writing. Her ability to convey Poppy’s internal voice—caught between innocence and awakening awareness—creates an engaging reading experience that pulls readers into the protagonist’s perspective.
The author’s experience in writing romance serves the fantasy elements well, particularly in balancing multiple plot threads without losing focus on character development. The intimate scenes, when they occur, feel appropriate to both character development and story progression rather than gratuitous.
Comparisons and Similar Reads
Readers who enjoy the political intrigue and romantic elements of Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series will find much to appreciate in Armentrout’s world-building and character development. The book also shares DNA with Laura Thalassa’s fantasy romances, particularly in its blend of mythology and contemporary relationship dynamics.
For those seeking similar themes of destined heroines discovering their true power, consider:
- Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert
- One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
- Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Ross
- The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
Final Verdict
From Blood and Ash succeeds as both an engaging fantasy novel and a compelling romance, establishing Jennifer L. Armentrout as a formidable voice in adult fantasy fiction. While the novel doesn’t revolutionize either genre, it executes familiar elements with enough skill and emotional depth to create an addictive reading experience.
The book rewards readers seeking escapist fantasy with romantic elements, though those looking for groundbreaking innovation may find the experience more comfortable than challenging. Armentrout’s greatest achievement lies in creating characters and relationships that feel authentic within the fantastical setting, making readers genuinely invested in both romantic outcomes and larger plot revelations.
For fans of Armentrout’s previous work, this represents a successful evolution into new territory. For newcomers to her writing, it provides an excellent introduction to her ability to blend emotional storytelling with engaging plot development. The novel establishes a world rich enough to support multiple books while telling a complete story that satisfies in its own right.
Most importantly, From Blood and Ash captures that elusive quality of making readers lose track of time while reading—the mark of truly engaging storytelling that transcends genre conventions through the simple power of characters readers care about facing situations that matter.
From Blood and Ash is the first book in the ongoing Blood and Ash series, with five published novels and a sixth forthcoming. The series continues to explore the mythology and relationships established in this inaugural volume, expanding the scope and stakes with each subsequent installment.
