Warning: Some reviews contain minor spoilers, but I keep the best parts vague. Check out my Reading Ranting page for more reviews and thoughts on reading.
I’ve read a few of Jennifer’s books before. I liked the Titan and Wicked series, though I’ve yet to read Brave. From Blood and Ash is very different to her previous books.
What I liked…
I really liked the beginning of this book. Poppy’s curiosity beyond her current situation was nicely established early on. Hawke was also a fun interaction in the opening chapters.
The main issues of the world evolved nicely and kept a nice pace in the plot with room for sub-plots.
What I didn’t like…
Talking. OMG. So much talking with circling conversations that didn’t lead to enough to warrant that much talking. I found myself skimming them and not losing any understanding.
Poppy became a little less YA and more squirmy pubescent teen when it came to discussing sex, which would be okay if she started that way, but the opening chapters were very much YA, so it felt like a cheat.
Hawke became way too patronising for my liking, and he seemed to pick on Poppy for her shortcomings way too much.
The romance got a bit cheesy and cringe-worthy at times with dragging scenes. I love romance in fantasy, but this got weird. And a few scenes… I’ve read those exact scenes before.
If you like heavy romance in your fantasy, severe immaturity, and the age old werewolves vs vampires, then this is the book for you.
Stay tuned for book 2 and 3 review.
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