Should I read the From Blood and Ash series before A Shadow in the Ember?

[Laura]

You should absolutely read From blood and ash first. While A shadow in the ember is set before From blood and ash, it's written assuming you've read From blood and ash first

[luna_inthesouth]

there are 3 books from the blood and ash series before the shadow in the ember, so you need to start blood and ash first

[Kelloggss22]

I really recommend going to Jennifer Armentrout's website and following her recommended reading order! From Blood and Ash and Flesh and Fire are technically two separate series (FAF being a prequel) but she wrote and released them in a specific order with the intention of them being a companion series read in an interwoven way. It's pretty cool how the plot pieces start to click together as you switch from the past to the present. It's all going to come together for the final two books.