What do you think?
Rate this book
Blood and Ash #6.5
A Crown of Ruin
When everything falls apart, the truth of who they are is revealed.
Poppy has fallen into stasis, her body broken and power spent, carried beyond the mortal realm. While she lies suspended in dreams, Casteel faces a world without her—raw, wrathful, and altered in ways he doesn’t yet understand.
Left to steady a kingdom trembling under the weight of loss, Kieran shoulders what he cannot say aloud, even as the fractures between gods, mortals, and fate widen around him.
In the days that follow, grief becomes a guide, loyalty a burden, and love the only thing holding the realms together.
These are the pieces that fill the silence. The moments of wrath, ruin, resolve, and the spark of what must come next.
A Crown of Ruin reveals the unseen moments of love, loss, and change that happened between The Primal of Blood and Bone and The Throne of Bone and Ash.
Poppy has fallen into stasis, her body broken and power spent, carried beyond the mortal realm. While she lies suspended in dreams, Casteel faces a world without her—raw, wrathful, and altered in ways he doesn’t yet understand.
Left to steady a kingdom trembling under the weight of loss, Kieran shoulders what he cannot say aloud, even as the fractures between gods, mortals, and fate widen around him.
In the days that follow, grief becomes a guide, loyalty a burden, and love the only thing holding the realms together.
These are the pieces that fill the silence. The moments of wrath, ruin, resolve, and the spark of what must come next.
A Crown of Ruin reveals the unseen moments of love, loss, and change that happened between The Primal of Blood and Bone and The Throne of Bone and Ash.
161 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 26, 2025
1570 people are currently reading
3103 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer L. Armentrout
155 books158k followersHey Guys! Please note: I don't send out ARCs for review. If you're interested in reviewing a book of mine before release date, please contact the appropriate publisher. I also do NOT check my Goodreads email.
To email me, please use the below addy.
jenniferlarmentrout@live.com
# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Charles Town, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. In early 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications. Due to this diagnosis, educating people on the varying degrees of blindness has become of passion of hers, right alongside writing, which she plans to do as long as she can.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Tor, HarperCollins Avon and William Morrow, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her Wicked Series has been optioned by PassionFlix. Jennifer has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Reviewers Choice Award for Wait for You, the 2015 Editor’s Pick for Fall With Me, and the 2014/2015 Moerser-Jugendbuch- Jury award for Obsidian. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. Her adult romantic suspense novel TILL DEATH was a Amazon Editor’s Pick and iBook Book of the Month. Her young adult contemporary THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER is a 2017 RITA Award Winner in Young Adult Fiction. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.
She is the owner of ApollyCon and The Origin Event, the successful annual events that features over hundred bestselling authors in Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult Fiction, panels, parties, and more.
To email me, please use the below addy.
jenniferlarmentrout@live.com
# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Charles Town, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. In early 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications. Due to this diagnosis, educating people on the varying degrees of blindness has become of passion of hers, right alongside writing, which she plans to do as long as she can.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Tor, HarperCollins Avon and William Morrow, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her Wicked Series has been optioned by PassionFlix. Jennifer has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Reviewers Choice Award for Wait for You, the 2015 Editor’s Pick for Fall With Me, and the 2014/2015 Moerser-Jugendbuch- Jury award for Obsidian. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. Her adult romantic suspense novel TILL DEATH was a Amazon Editor’s Pick and iBook Book of the Month. Her young adult contemporary THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER is a 2017 RITA Award Winner in Young Adult Fiction. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.
She is the owner of ApollyCon and The Origin Event, the successful annual events that features over hundred bestselling authors in Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult Fiction, panels, parties, and more.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
December 27, 2025
I don’t actually know how I feel about this little in between I think I’m just ready for the series to be over as mean as that sounds..it’s all become just batshit crazy
January 7, 2026
This book is free on Amazon (Canada) for now. 🙂
✅ Kieran (but once again, he was not present enough to make it worth it)
🆗 Pace
🆗(❌) Plot
🆗(❌) Not that relevant overall
❌ Characters
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: deaths and mild gore
This series needs to end.
Honestly, it was not a bad novella, and the writing felt more like the first books of the series. It’s just that I was so annoyed with the 5th and 6th books, and so fed up with this author’s tendency to drag the plot for hundreds of pages instead of wrapping it up nicely, that I started this book with a little bias. I was ready to hate it, just as I hated Primal of Blood and Bone, but I have to admit that while it was not amazing or truly gripping, it was not bad.
The author should have removed about 600 pages of repetitive and boring conversations in The Primal of Blood and Bone, and put these 160 pages at the end of the book instead. Poppy and Cas still annoyed me, but at least things happened, and it wasn’t just page after page of pointless blabla. That being said, I do not feel that this novella makes the plot progress any more than the previous book did. It's just extra scenes of action and Cas going off the rails.
I am still mourning my Cas. This is not him. He was out of character in Primal of Blood and Bone, and continues to be in this novella. He went off the edge, listens to no one, and thinks he’s cool because he is in his mas destruction and “I don’t give a fuck” era. I get that he is angry, but he is just unhinged in this novella. His emotions are all over the place, and he admitted that he would not care if the world burned down and thousands of people died, as long as he could have Poppy back, and that even though Poppy was better than him, he didn’t doubt that she would do anything for him, too. I’m all in for intense male leads, but this is becoming too toxic for me to enjoy.
I was hoping for more of Kieran, and was disappointed, once again. He gets 2 chapters, and that’s about it. The rest is mostly about Cas losing his shit, killing everyone, telling everyone how scary he is, and about Poppy being, again, asleep through it all.
In case you do not feel like reading this novella, especially after wasting hours of your life on the previous book, here is what happens:
❗️❗️Spoilers❗️❗️
1. From Blood and Ash ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Crown of Gilded Bones ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
4. The War of Two Queens ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
4.1 Cupcakes and Kisses ⭐⭐⭐
5. A Soul of Ash and Blood ⭐⭐.5
6. The Primal of Blood and Bone ⭐
Visions of Flesh and Blood ⭐.5
Flesh & Fire series
1. A Shadow in the Ember ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. A Light in the Flame ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. A Fire in the Flesh ⭐⭐⭐
4. Born of Blood and Ash ⭐⭐⭐
Follow me on Instagram 🙂
✅ Kieran (but once again, he was not present enough to make it worth it)
🆗 Pace
🆗(❌) Plot
🆗(❌) Not that relevant overall
❌ Characters
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: deaths and mild gore
This series needs to end.
Honestly, it was not a bad novella, and the writing felt more like the first books of the series. It’s just that I was so annoyed with the 5th and 6th books, and so fed up with this author’s tendency to drag the plot for hundreds of pages instead of wrapping it up nicely, that I started this book with a little bias. I was ready to hate it, just as I hated Primal of Blood and Bone, but I have to admit that while it was not amazing or truly gripping, it was not bad.
The author should have removed about 600 pages of repetitive and boring conversations in The Primal of Blood and Bone, and put these 160 pages at the end of the book instead. Poppy and Cas still annoyed me, but at least things happened, and it wasn’t just page after page of pointless blabla. That being said, I do not feel that this novella makes the plot progress any more than the previous book did. It's just extra scenes of action and Cas going off the rails.
I am still mourning my Cas. This is not him. He was out of character in Primal of Blood and Bone, and continues to be in this novella. He went off the edge, listens to no one, and thinks he’s cool because he is in his mas destruction and “I don’t give a fuck” era. I get that he is angry, but he is just unhinged in this novella. His emotions are all over the place, and he admitted that he would not care if the world burned down and thousands of people died, as long as he could have Poppy back, and that even though Poppy was better than him, he didn’t doubt that she would do anything for him, too. I’m all in for intense male leads, but this is becoming too toxic for me to enjoy.
I was hoping for more of Kieran, and was disappointed, once again. He gets 2 chapters, and that’s about it. The rest is mostly about Cas losing his shit, killing everyone, telling everyone how scary he is, and about Poppy being, again, asleep through it all.
In case you do not feel like reading this novella, especially after wasting hours of your life on the previous book, here is what happens:
❗️❗️Spoilers❗️❗️
1. From Blood and Ash ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Crown of Gilded Bones ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
4. The War of Two Queens ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
4.1 Cupcakes and Kisses ⭐⭐⭐
5. A Soul of Ash and Blood ⭐⭐.5
6. The Primal of Blood and Bone ⭐
Visions of Flesh and Blood ⭐.5
Flesh & Fire series
1. A Shadow in the Ember ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. A Light in the Flame ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. A Fire in the Flesh ⭐⭐⭐
4. Born of Blood and Ash ⭐⭐⭐
Follow me on Instagram 🙂
January 8, 2026
Well, damn! Happy holidays to us, I guess.
The three stars are for Kieran, and the ten seconds Sera and Nyktos showed up.
Although this is not a novella per se, these chapters felt like the earlier books. The writing and the tone were more familiar, grounded, and delivered so many of the elements that POBAB lacked. There was real humor and strong emotion, along with new revelations that actually moved the plot forward. Most importantly, the story had depth.
I’m still not a fan of Casteel’s murder rampage and not caring about his people or the mortals. I'm ready for him to be put in stasis for a while and I hope Nyktos or Kieran is the one to do it.
Poppy being in stasis again is frustrating, but after everything she’s endured, it makes sense. What I absolutely did not expect was the level of body horror she was subjected to; it was disturbing, difficult to read, and honestly shocking. I had to stop reading that part a couple of times because it was a bit much. That said, JLA really took it there and that took guts. It was also effective for the story's arc.
Enough with that damn promise! They made one mistake while they're at war, there is the looming threat of a psychotic True Primal of Gods, hundreds of gods loyal to him, and two kingdoms in shambles. Priorities! That should not be the thing to break this trio. I'm so over it.
Getting Kieran’s POV was both a gift and a heartbreak. I loved seeing some level of reconciliation between him and Casteel, but I’m so tired of watching Kieran carry the weight and guilt of everything on his shoulders. He deserves peace, happiness, and the longest hug imaginable. Why is he still babysitting Casteel who claims to be in control? Why is he afraid to use his powers? What are his powers?! Yeah, we still don’t know.
I also hated that another beloved Primal fell. I knew it was coming, but it was still sad to read. On the bright side, I was glad to learn some of our favorite side characters are still alive. There’s a clearer path forward for the next book, which makes me excited (and nervous) to see what comes next.
And finally, I need more Millie and Malik! They are unbelievably unhinged and hilarious whenever they’re on page, and their energy is the perfect balance to all the darkness and tension.
Overall, these chapters were a nice addition but it felt like a course correction. It would have been better to have this in the actual book.
The three stars are for Kieran, and the ten seconds Sera and Nyktos showed up.
Although this is not a novella per se, these chapters felt like the earlier books. The writing and the tone were more familiar, grounded, and delivered so many of the elements that POBAB lacked. There was real humor and strong emotion, along with new revelations that actually moved the plot forward. Most importantly, the story had depth.
I’m still not a fan of Casteel’s murder rampage and not caring about his people or the mortals. I'm ready for him to be put in stasis for a while and I hope Nyktos or Kieran is the one to do it.
Poppy being in stasis again is frustrating, but after everything she’s endured, it makes sense. What I absolutely did not expect was the level of body horror she was subjected to; it was disturbing, difficult to read, and honestly shocking. I had to stop reading that part a couple of times because it was a bit much. That said, JLA really took it there and that took guts. It was also effective for the story's arc.
Enough with that damn promise! They made one mistake while they're at war, there is the looming threat of a psychotic True Primal of Gods, hundreds of gods loyal to him, and two kingdoms in shambles. Priorities! That should not be the thing to break this trio. I'm so over it.
Getting Kieran’s POV was both a gift and a heartbreak. I loved seeing some level of reconciliation between him and Casteel, but I’m so tired of watching Kieran carry the weight and guilt of everything on his shoulders. He deserves peace, happiness, and the longest hug imaginable. Why is he still babysitting Casteel who claims to be in control? Why is he afraid to use his powers? What are his powers?! Yeah, we still don’t know.
I also hated that another beloved Primal fell. I knew it was coming, but it was still sad to read. On the bright side, I was glad to learn some of our favorite side characters are still alive. There’s a clearer path forward for the next book, which makes me excited (and nervous) to see what comes next.
And finally, I need more Millie and Malik! They are unbelievably unhinged and hilarious whenever they’re on page, and their energy is the perfect balance to all the darkness and tension.
Overall, these chapters were a nice addition but it felt like a course correction. It would have been better to have this in the actual book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2025
This novella was 100x better than the primal book. I can’t believe Cas is batshit tho. :(
January 5, 2026
4.5🌟
this isn’t funny anymore bc i cried during this book like why is this happening to me😭😭 i’m glad we got this novella but womannnn the last book better be a masterpiece like 6🌟 material
pre-read: JLA, this is not gonna fix the pain you've caused but i'll read it nonetheless
this isn’t funny anymore bc i cried during this book like why is this happening to me😭😭 i’m glad we got this novella but womannnn the last book better be a masterpiece like 6🌟 material
pre-read: JLA, this is not gonna fix the pain you've caused but i'll read it nonetheless
December 27, 2025
JLA is really starting to piss me off lmaooooo.
She keeps putting words on paper and they’re just not doing anything for the story here. I 100% believe that she didnt like the backlash from all the negative reviews of POBAB so she decided to put out this bullshit of a novella.
Book 5- regurgitated info from the first 4 books, just from Cas’s POV
Book 6- no new information, once again regurgitated conversations and a pointless argument that results in Cas being a whiney bitch the entire fucking book
Book 6.5- what in the fuck even was that? It’s all over the fucking place. No new information! Surprise surprise. Just Casteel STILL being insufferable.
Listen. I UNDERSTAND HIS RAGE. but good fucking lord! In the span of one page he says he wants to hate Poppy, but wants to be inside her and blah blah. Get the fuck over yourself Casteel oh my god.
I seriously just don’t know if I have it in me to finish this fucking series anymore.
She keeps putting words on paper and they’re just not doing anything for the story here. I 100% believe that she didnt like the backlash from all the negative reviews of POBAB so she decided to put out this bullshit of a novella.
Book 5- regurgitated info from the first 4 books, just from Cas’s POV
Book 6- no new information, once again regurgitated conversations and a pointless argument that results in Cas being a whiney bitch the entire fucking book
Book 6.5- what in the fuck even was that? It’s all over the fucking place. No new information! Surprise surprise. Just Casteel STILL being insufferable.
Listen. I UNDERSTAND HIS RAGE. but good fucking lord! In the span of one page he says he wants to hate Poppy, but wants to be inside her and blah blah. Get the fuck over yourself Casteel oh my god.
I seriously just don’t know if I have it in me to finish this fucking series anymore.
December 28, 2025
why was this better than THE ENTIRE LAST BOOK
December 29, 2025
The way this (semi) HEALED me from TPOBAB ending, thank you JLA for this Christmas gift!! I cannot wait to dissect each chapter and theorize further for The Throne of Bone and Ash. I am foaming at the mouth for more Kieran POV's, I love them so much! I am beyond thrilled especially that Kieran and Casteel are on better terms now. I need my throuple stronger than ever. I can't wait for the final book!
January 1, 2026
this was lowkey insane? anyways i love casteel.
January 1, 2026
First read of 2026!
Why did I enjoy this more than book 6??? These were chapters that SHOULD have been in book 6. I beg that JLA hires editors that say no to her because someone needs to!
I will say Cas in the last chapter needs a slap. I hope Poppy comes back in book 7 and puts him in his place cause he's just acting like a massive dick now and I'm bored of it.
Why did I enjoy this more than book 6??? These were chapters that SHOULD have been in book 6. I beg that JLA hires editors that say no to her because someone needs to!
I will say Cas in the last chapter needs a slap. I hope Poppy comes back in book 7 and puts him in his place cause he's just acting like a massive dick now and I'm bored of it.
December 28, 2025
I love a little sneaky in between book. And I love this series… I do. But, the fact that this has been dragging on for so many years, and it just gets more complicated and less fun. I’m just ready for it to be all done. Forgive me
December 27, 2025
I need more!!!! Cas, my poor baby!!!!
January 2, 2026
4.5☆ ty jla for feeding us crumbs while we wait for the final book 😩 the aura cas has is 🤌🏼🤭
December 29, 2025
Maybe actually even 3.5? I am SO confused 😭 BUT I WILL BE CALM ABOUT THIS. OK.
We get 1.3k pages of… whatever THAT was in book 6, and NOW the actual plot shows up in a free 130-page novella?? Be serious.
At this point I’m no longer even trying to understand the structure of this series, I’m just here to see what level of unhinged chaos comes next. This novella ABSOLUTELY changes the story again.
Maybe book 7 will be a cookbook. Maybe it’ll be a compilation of everyone’s diary entries from before they met. Who knows. I don't know. I. DON’T. KNOW. And honestly, I wouldn’t even be surprised if book 7.5 reveals this was all a dream inside Poppy’s dream inside someone else’s vision OR THAT HELL IS REAL AND THIS IS WHAT IT IS. And it will NEVER be over. NEVER.
We get 1.3k pages of… whatever THAT was in book 6, and NOW the actual plot shows up in a free 130-page novella?? Be serious.
At this point I’m no longer even trying to understand the structure of this series, I’m just here to see what level of unhinged chaos comes next. This novella ABSOLUTELY changes the story again.
Maybe book 7 will be a cookbook. Maybe it’ll be a compilation of everyone’s diary entries from before they met. Who knows. I don't know. I. DON’T. KNOW. And honestly, I wouldn’t even be surprised if book 7.5 reveals this was all a dream inside Poppy’s dream inside someone else’s vision OR THAT HELL IS REAL AND THIS IS WHAT IT IS. And it will NEVER be over. NEVER.
December 28, 2025
Easy 150 pages to fly through in one sitting! I was so happy to see the last scene of Primal expanded to understand what happened to Poppy! Don’t be fooled, you still get some emotional moments in these few chapters, but they’re worth it ! So grateful JLA shared this!!!
December 31, 2025
This novella was only slightly better than its predecessor (book 6). I say "slightly" because out of this whole thing there was only 1 chapter that felt like it moved the plot forward (Poppy seeing a memory of Kolis).
The whitty comebacks that had me hooked in the earlier books has just desolved into using the F word alot along with modern insults.
Also, how many times can the writer use the phrase "Ruin and wrath" in relation to Casteel before she realizes we get the hint that he is somehow connected to the next series she has already started?
This didn't even feel like a course correction, just more nothing. Not all chapters are meant to be shared or put into a book.
The whitty comebacks that had me hooked in the earlier books has just desolved into using the F word alot along with modern insults.
Also, how many times can the writer use the phrase "Ruin and wrath" in relation to Casteel before she realizes we get the hint that he is somehow connected to the next series she has already started?
This didn't even feel like a course correction, just more nothing. Not all chapters are meant to be shared or put into a book.
December 30, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4 for Goodreads. Another reviewer said it best - this was a much much needed course correction.
This felt more like JLA, felt like the plot was moving forward with new things happening rather than just a regurgitation of all the things we already knew happened in the other books.
Feeling more hopeful about the final book now. I really hope we get more of our favorite F&F characters. They’re so crucial to the overall story.
Also (I’ve always said this) I really love how she allows us as the reader to explore sympathy for Kolis and understand his villain arc. Very entertaining and thought provoking.
This felt more like JLA, felt like the plot was moving forward with new things happening rather than just a regurgitation of all the things we already knew happened in the other books.
Feeling more hopeful about the final book now. I really hope we get more of our favorite F&F characters. They’re so crucial to the overall story.
Also (I’ve always said this) I really love how she allows us as the reader to explore sympathy for Kolis and understand his villain arc. Very entertaining and thought provoking.
December 28, 2025
literally just cas being ungodly edgy
the fleeting scenes with poppy were good and sera’s half second appearance was 10/10
feels like a JLA apology letter after book 6 but ….. womp
cas and kieran scene did warm my heart I won’t lie!!!
the fleeting scenes with poppy were good and sera’s half second appearance was 10/10
feels like a JLA apology letter after book 6 but ….. womp
cas and kieran scene did warm my heart I won’t lie!!!
January 1, 2026
This was the most brilliant thing mother Armentrout could’ve done...
A little novella to bridge the HORRIFYING ending of TPoBaB so we are ready for the final showdown? AND FOR FREE!? Iconic. Stunning. No notes.
Also I really appreciated that they all straight up admitted how dumb the miscommunication was instead of dragging it out forever. Cas was absolutely next level.. feral, OP, evil, sexy. Top MMC of all time FOR A REASON.
I liked that things calmed down here so we’re in a really good place heading into the last book. Theon though… wtf 😭 that hurt. Very excited to see more of the OG primals in action in the next book tho because that’s peak🤌🏻
Also extremely curious about the whole ruin/wrath situation & how that’ll play out.
But yeah that final paragraph from Cas about finding poppy had me like omfg… yep let’s go mamma is ready 🤩
A little novella to bridge the HORRIFYING ending of TPoBaB so we are ready for the final showdown? AND FOR FREE!? Iconic. Stunning. No notes.
Also I really appreciated that they all straight up admitted how dumb the miscommunication was instead of dragging it out forever. Cas was absolutely next level.. feral, OP, evil, sexy. Top MMC of all time FOR A REASON.
I liked that things calmed down here so we’re in a really good place heading into the last book. Theon though… wtf 😭 that hurt. Very excited to see more of the OG primals in action in the next book tho because that’s peak🤌🏻
Also extremely curious about the whole ruin/wrath situation & how that’ll play out.
But yeah that final paragraph from Cas about finding poppy had me like omfg… yep let’s go mamma is ready 🤩
December 27, 2025
This surprise novella was much needed after the ending that was The Primal of Blood and Bone. Taking place after that book but before the new book that is yet to come out, we get some much needed info and scenes in the aftermath. Told from Poppy, Casteel, and Kieran, these three are not having a good time. Poppy has fallen into stasis after her fight with Kolis. Casteel is well… you can imagine what Casteel is going through without her. And all the power he has now and how he is coping. And Kieran is trying his best to hold everything around him together and try to show Casteel he is there. We can some interesting information from this novella. But it definitely made me excited for the final book that is hopefully coming soon. You definitely don’t want to miss this!
January 2, 2026
I don’t think this book added anything to the previous book or to the series. The constant repetition of certain words/ sentences makes me want to pull my hair out. The fact that we had 2 chapters describing the exact same thing happening -just from different POVs- was certainly a choice. Honestly, the whole book was written as if JLA was told they needed a certain amount of words for this book but she did not have any ideas what to write. I would give this book 2 stars but this is my first read this year. I definitely did this to myself though. I can’t wait for this series to be over.
January 3, 2026
This was such a great lil Christmas surprise! POBAB left me in agony and this really gave my bleeding heart a band-aid. Thankful for the scene between Kieran and Cas that gave me a smidge of relief and I am LIVING for the Dark Lord era!! Thank you Jen 🫶🏻
January 3, 2026
The last book was a shitshow, but reading this novella was worth it just for Cas realizing what a selfish and egotistical prick he was in the previous book:
I also liked that Cas and Kieran finally talked. It only took them 1000+ pages to do so.
What I didn’t like: how power-hungry, arrogant, and self-assured Cas became. His power seemed to have no limits, and he used it at every opportunity.
I don’t like where the series is going and what it has become. The vibe now reminds me of the last Harry Potter books—dark and depressing.
So now we learned that even the heartmates connection isn’t safe and can be rejected at any point? What a joke.
I really hope the next book is going to be the last one and that it closes every plot line. I know there will be Malik and Millie’s book(s), but I’m not sure I want to know their story. I’m just getting tired of this world.
“I should’ve listened to him. To Kieran. Talked to her before it all came undone.”
I also liked that Cas and Kieran finally talked. It only took them 1000+ pages to do so.
What I didn’t like: how power-hungry, arrogant, and self-assured Cas became. His power seemed to have no limits, and he used it at every opportunity.
I don’t like where the series is going and what it has become. The vibe now reminds me of the last Harry Potter books—dark and depressing.
So now we learned that even the heartmates connection isn’t safe and can be rejected at any point? What a joke.
I really hope the next book is going to be the last one and that it closes every plot line. I know there will be Malik and Millie’s book(s), but I’m not sure I want to know their story. I’m just getting tired of this world.
December 28, 2025
Even though this was only a Novella it was SO good. All the chapters in this gave me everything I wanted out of the last book. Give me all the details on what happened after kolis and poppy fought. This just gave so much more detail and understanding to what happened at the end. This gives me so much hope for the final book.
January 3, 2026
Apparently there wasn’t room for these chapters in the 6th book, but having read this, I strongly think these could/should have been included and a whole lot of book 6 could have been edited out. Problem solved, no need for a novella!
December 29, 2025
Honestly? This was so informative and I feel like I know more than I did at the end of Primal, which is great considering I had a heck ton of questions. This makes me even more excited for Throne!
January 2, 2026
yeah i don’t care what you say about the series as a whole, Casteel is THE top book husband. i won’t accept anything else.
January 4, 2026
This has settled my heart some after the turmoil Primal of Blood and Bone wreaked on it.
January 4, 2026
I’m mad that this little novella of extra chapters was better than TPOBAB all together 🥴😂
Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews