From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash, #1) in Book Nerds Unite

Oct 15, 2021 ~Calliope~ rated it really liked it

3.75 Stars

Nov 21, 2021 Lila rated it really liked it · review of another edition

First, I gave this book a 3 out of 5 stars but then I realized I gave 3 stars to far worse books and changed my mind to 4 stars.

I like the concept of the book, a Maiden and all the mysterious Craven. I found both Poppy and Hawke infuriating at times, but I absolutely adore Vikter. I hope it was all untrue and we miraculously see him in the sequel (I am aware how unrealistic that is, but a girl can dream).

I actually whooped when we realize that the Duke is dead and call me dark, but I really en ...more

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Apr 08, 2021 claire rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

AHHHHH I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCHHHHH AHHHHH!!!!! I WANT TO READ THIS BOOK AGAIN EVEN THOUGH I JUST FINISHED IT AND BOOK 2 IS ALREADY AVAILABLE HUHU I JUST CAN'T GET OVER WITH THIS BOOK!!!! I DO NOT KNOW WHEN WILL THIS HAPPINESS STOP!!!

ALL I WANT NOW IN THIS WORLD IS TO HAVE A BOOK IN HAWKE'S POV. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING INSIDE THAT PRETTY HEAD WHILE ALL OF THESE ARE HAPPENING!!!!

Update: I FOUND IT WAHAHAHAHA. Click this link to read the Red Pearl's scene in Hawke's POV. HUEHUE https://dl.book ...more

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Feb 01, 2021 ☾ Nikki. ✿ SUGARVOGUE. rated it really liked it

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Mar 20, 2022 beflowersandbooks rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I knew it! I’m so proud of myself that I saw the ending coming! 😁

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Jun 14, 2021 Jaid rated it it was ok

Shelves: ya-fantasy, booktok, new-adult

I changed my rating. The more I think about it, the less I liked it.

I was let down big time by this book. Probably because of my expectations. But to be fair this series was hyped up like nobody's business on Booktok, a community I cannot trust but for some reason still fall into the trap of whatever is recommended next. On top of that, in the intro the author promised a high fantasy. When I think of high fantasy I think of LOTR, ASoIaF, His Dark Materials, The Chronicles of Narnia. Some of my f I changed my rating. The more I think about it, the less I liked it.

I was let down big time by this book. Probably because of my expectations. But to be fair this series was hyped up like nobody's business on Booktok, a community I cannot trust but for some reason still fall into the trap of whatever is recommended next. On top of that, in the intro the author promised a high fantasy. When I think of high fantasy I think of LOTR, ASoIaF, His Dark Materials, The Chronicles of Narnia. Some of my favorite books I've ever read are high fantasy/high fantasy subgenre, so you have to deliver if you're giving me a high fantasy book.

This book? Did not give me any of it. The little world-building was just info-dumping throughout. Spelling vampire different is literally the bare minimum for languages. And there were so many uses of modern-day phrases. I know it's picky, but it throws me out of the setting completely. I don't know who I have to beg to give me a quality high fantasy novel with romance written by a woman...this is going to end in me writing one I swear.

That aside...how many times...do we need to...use ellipses...to indicate...hesitation? Homegirl was so unsure of everything it made me unsure if I could keep reading her internal monologue. If I could go back and read it with 75% of them removed, maybe I would've been able to enjoy it more. And how does someone have such a high status like "The Maiden" (also you never forget she's the maiden she says it to herself every third paragraph), rebel so much and still manage to have the personality of a wet mop. All that rebellion and she didn't once try to learn her true purpose? She was painted as a badass but why would someone so "headstrong" just be so complacent about her own future...oh yeah she's like seventeen. The book could've been so much better had she been taking an active part in her own destiny. Instead things just...happen to her.

I will credit the author - she can write sex/sexy scenes. But every other interaction with the love interest was a snooze fest. It just felt inconsistent. He was boring unless he was horny. Ugh. I want depth.

The plot twists were obvious, and not in the way that makes you feel clever for figuring out what's going to happen. So it falls very short.

Overall, this story is good for the romance I guess? But honestly, if I want to read explicit enemies-to-lovers with a high fantasy background, I'll just read some Harry Potter fanfiction on Ao3. ...more

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May 30, 2021 AK rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed, unfinished-series

Well, first things first, this was a great book. I can certainly see the appeal others may have towards it. I suppose it can be partially compared to ACOTAR, not in terms of writing or character development, but based on certain similarities in the plot in the latter half, but that's probably just me.

Penellaphe Balfour has been told her whole life to act as the Maiden that she is, Chosen by the Gods. Her life has been restricted by a set of rules and all she wants in life is the freedom to be ab ...more

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