-Review: A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer Armentrout-

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What’s It All About?

Born shrouded in the veil of the Primals, a Maiden as the Fates promised, Seraphena Mierel’s future has never been hers. Chosen before birth to uphold the desperate deal her ancestor struck to save his people, Sera must leave behind her life and offer herself to the Primal of Death as his Consort.

However, Sera’s real destiny is the most closely guarded secret in all of Lasania—she’s not the well protected Maiden but an assassin with one mission—one target. Make the Primal of Death fall in love, become his weakness, and then…end him. If she fails, she dooms her kingdom to a slow demise at the hands of the Rot.

Sera has always known what she is. Chosen. Consort. Assassin. Weapon. A specter never fully formed yet drenched in blood. A monster. Until him. Until the Primal of Death’s unexpected words and deeds chase away the darkness gathering inside her. And his seductive touch ignites a passion she’s never allowed herself to feel and cannot feel for him. But Sera has never had a choice. Either way, her life is forfeit—it always has been, as she has been forever touched by Life and Death.

My thoughts?

To clear up any confusion, ASITE is a prequel of the Blood and Ash series. Typically I’d say it’s fine to read a prequel first, but I do suggest starting with B&A. Yes, it’s wild for a prequel to come out before a series is finished- but trust the process? LOL

If you liked B&A, you’ll enjoy ASITE: heavy in dialogue (which I prefer), atmospheric with a dash of whimsy, bebe dragons, romance (a bit cringe), hilarity ensues,  fight scenes, woman in a gown & boots- this felt special to me, and cliffhanger hell.

I’m coming to terms with two things: 1) I am getting older, and naïve main characters annoy me; 2) Books are just 500+ pages now and filled with… filler.

Imagery was on point and beautiful. Character actions which are typically glossed over were well written, sometimes a bit too much, though.

3.5 overall, y’all. Like I said, if you’re a JLa fan, you’ll love it.

Oh! Fave quotes came in the first few chapters!

“This was my purpose. My destiny. My purpose. What I would do was bigger than me.”

“Make him fall in love, become his weakness, and end him.”


ARC PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. AFFILIATE LINK PROVIDES COMMISSION, AMAZON DOES NOT TELL CANDACE READS BOOKS WHAT TO POST. BECAUSE EW.


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