A Shadow in the Ember: A Flesh and Fire Novel (Volume 1)

Sooo - I really loved it. The author truly has an unique writing style, because she writes soo good. I loved the Characters Sera, Nkytos, Nektas, Reaver, and many many more.

Super Beginn der Vorgeschichte von From blood and ash. Viele Zusammenhänge zur Serie ergeben sich durch die Vorgeschichte, sehr gut geschrieben. Die Dynamik zwischen Ash und Sera verspricht auch einiges, freue mich auf den nächsten Teil :)

Ich mochte es. Besonders durch die zweite Hälfte, die sich doch noch von From Blood and Ash abgehoben hat. Zu Beginn hat mich die Ähnlichkeit gestört. Die Ähnlichkeit von Nyktos und Cas, die Ähnlichkeit von Sera und Poppy. Die ähnlichen Dialoge und Dynamiken. Die Ähnlichkeit in der Handlung und teilweise in Konflikten. Zuletzt wurde dennoch genug geschaffen, was sich abgehoben hat.

proper review following BUT I wanted to explain the 3 stars now lol: I get that this is a history repeats itself kinda thing and all, but then for the life of god, please make it shorter?? I didn't feel the need to read 632 pages of recycled material :(

Spannend und komplex

Ich bin tatsächlich froh, daß ich mich durch den meiner Meinung nach fürchterlichen Band 2 der Blood and Ash Reihe gekämpft habe um nun in diesem Band des Spinnoffs zu landen. Das Buch ist von Anfang an spannend, es enthält kaum Längen, die spice Szenen sind nicht zuviel und nicht zu wenig. Die Story wird immer komplexer und man hat einige Aha-Momente bezüglich der Blood and Ash Reihe. Ich bin gespannt wie es weiter geht.

Auch wenn ich ne Weile gebraucht hab um wieder reinzukommen hab ich die Geschichte wieder absolut geliebt und war begeistert von der Entwicklung der Charaktere. Dennoch fand ich, dass sich die Handlung zeitweise einfach zu sehr gezogen hat. Grade zum Ende hin kam dann aber endlich die gewohnte Spannung auf und ich warte nun sehnsüchtig auf Band 3.

LOVE IT

Sera ist dazu bestimmt ihr Volk zu retten. Sie soll den Primal of Death heiraten, ihn verführen, ihn dazu bringen sie zu lieben und ihn dann umbringen. Durch ein Deal der lange vor ihrer Geburt gemacht wurde, ist Seras Hand dem Primal of Death (einem mächtigen Gott) versprochen. Doch ups der Primal braucht keine Braut und lehnt sie am Tag ihrer Begegnung ab. Das Buch ging weiter als ich erwartet hab.. macht das Sinn? Ich dachte das Buch würde an einer bestimmten Stelle den Cut setzen (mit einem guten Cliffhanger), aber der Punkt war einfach schon bei ca. der Hälfte erreicht. Ich mochte die Entwicklung der Geschichte und wie sich alles langsam aufbaut und denkt es sei "einfach" solange bis man jmd davon erzählen will und erstmal 20min über die Hintergründe aufklärt, bevor man an den Content geht.

I freaking love this book and I cry that it’s over. did I just write a super long review? Yes. Am I stupid and totally deleted it accidentally? Unfortunate yes. I hate myself right now but let’s try to recreate my masterpiece of a review I wrote at 3am. But Lets start with the characters: Seraphena Mierel She totally is everything I wish for in a MC! She has all the sass, badassness and ability to defend herself not only physically but also verbally we already got to see and loved in Poppy. She is a stunning woman who totally deserves the world and more! It was so great so meet her and get a view inside her head since we only knew her as the Consort of Daddy Nyktos and nothing more. And SHE DID NOT DISAPPOINT! Also wir think she would live her granddaughter! They would get along well! Both enjoy stabbing their loved ones! Also love that she is the one who is responsible for Poppy’s abilities! Daddy Nyktos, Primal of death and totally swoon-worthy! I already loved him in the short moments we caught a glimpse on him in TCOGB. Gonna be honest, didn’t want to elaborate this because he is my bestie poppy’s grandpa? Kinda weird but after Asite I can only say: THIS MAN IS FINE AS FUCK! Sorry my dear husband Cas but I would cheat on you with him if he would want me! He is such a caring and thoughtful man but is still so sassy and humorous and intelligent! He knows what he wants and takes it but would never want to hurt anyone! And he totally is in love with Sera even tho he can’t admit it yet. Probably not even to himself. It’s okay, you will get there! He had to endure so much in his life and I’m sure there is even more we (or better Sera) don’t know of yet! But I’m confident he will heal over the time. Especially with such an incredible woman at his side. Like Nektas already stated: she helps him! She heals him and does not need her gift to do so! And I have to say I loved how Jen not revealed who he is for so long. It drove me crazy because I knew it had to be our Daddy Nyktos because obviously but the longer she didn’t reveal it the more freaked out I got. I got so paranoid if he maybe in fact is not Nyktos but really a dude from the shadowlands named Ash. Their relationship is so adorable I can’t. They are cute. The tension is just *chef kiss* They can’t keep their hands to themselves even when they are actually fighting. And we all know they love each other. They pretend they don’t but they totally do. We all know. They are such a powerful couple. They deserve to rule the world! And their spice scenes were also pretty damn great! All the angst and the hurt and the betrayal…. Really excited to see them trying to pull of the „Consort by name only“ thing. I give them a week! Short shout out to the draken. I loved them! Reaver? My man! So cute to see him as a baby! (Don’t tell him I said that). Jadis? Fucking adorable! And I loved to see daddy NEKTAS! He is actually a dad! And it was great to see more of him after we only caught a short glance at him in TCOGB! And also side note. This goddess Penellaphe? That was a funny moment. Really got me for a second there but i guess we know after whom our bestie poppy was named. Sir Holland being an actual god from the fates came totally unexpected for me. But I loved him! He reminded me so much of Vikter (still crying over him). Ok continuing with the plot of the book, the story and the whole world building. The story actually evolved very differently from what I expected. But I can’t say I’m mad at it. It was so captivating and awesome! I am so curious to find out how the story is going to continue! I guess we all know Sera is not going to die because you can’t tell me my man Daddy Nyktos doesn’t love her. You can’t convince me he is incapable of love. He already loves her! And I can’t blame him? Who couldn’t love our dear Seraphena! And i truly love how Jen combined the plot with the romance. They go hand in hand and add each other up perfectly. The whole world is pretty awesome. It’s this historic version of the world we already know and we got to see things we already from fbaa emerging. Jen stunningly managed to turn after-TCOGB-question marks into exclamation marks without it seeming line trying. She just casually weaved it seemless into the story and the world. Only thing I didn’t enjoy about this book was that it ended. I can’t wait till the next one or till The War Of Two Queens in March. This ending left me broken! As i already said they are going to handle Sera being destined to die. I absolutely do not worry about this. I loved that Sera turned out to be the Primal of Life! That’s so freaking cool and came somewhat expected and still unexpected! I proudly present: Daddy Nyktos, Primal of Death and Mommy Seraphena, Primal of Life! That’s an introduction! Her being Sororas soul or whatever… I don’t know. Not quite fond of it yet but knowing our Queen Jen she knows what she’s doing! Some of my favorite scenes were: - Nyktos and Seras first encounter. The tension. The banter. Yes

Ich werde nie Worte finden können, die meine Begeisterung für dieses Buch nur annähernd beschreiben können. Es war gigantisch, episch, phänomenal...aber auch fordernd, Romantisch und herzzerreißend. Ich bin absolut überwältigt von dem Weltenaufbau, den Details die in allem und jedem stecken, den Twists und Handlungen. Poppy als starke, junge Frau hat mich mehr als nur beeindruckt, ihr Wille und ihr Kampfgeist sind ungebrochen, genau wie bei Hawk - dem Mann bei dem mein Herz geschmolzen ist. Es wird wohl für immer mein All-time-fav-couple sein & ein Buch was ich nie nie niemals vergessen werden.

Why was this one again so good after the 3rd book in the blood and ash series was such a let down? I loved Sera & Ash and all the background knowledge we got. So let’s continue the ride. I’m only slightly confused of the reading order as I need to go back to the 4th book in blood and ash first. Would love to continue this series first 😭