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Why You Must Read Legendborn – A Superior Read for 2021

Reviewing Legendborn by Tracy Denonn is a 2020 debut novel. The first in a new fantasy ya series with an interesting spin on King Authurian legends. The books focus is secret societies and demon hunting.
Legendborn is described as “A heard-pounding YA fantasy series from debut author Tracy Denonn”. I felt my heart pounding right from the first page which I’ve heard others describe as a little bit of a slower build up. I was instantly hooked and intrigued by Legendborn and I wanted to know more. It quickly became a fantasy murder mystery with an intricate magic system, demons and secret societies.

Legendborn Paperback by Tracy Deonn with a frothy latte. Reading and coffee in perfect harmony,

Content Warnings for Legendborn and This Review:

Parental death, Racism, Alcohol Use, Memory Tampering and Loss.

Summary Review for Legendborn (non spoiler)

Originally, I purchased this on my kindle on an amazon and then got a paperback copy in my illumicrate box. Lots of friends have been recommending Legendborn; the hype is worth it. I am reading in January 2021 as part of a book group to help read books I actually own. My rating for Legendborn is 5/5 Stars.

The writing and pacing is fantastic. The plot makes me think of a sort of cross between Twilight and Shadowhunters. It is mordern/urban fantasy with a hidden world element that I really love. The insights into black lived experience is phenomenal and painful for the main character. This story does have a strong undercurrent of racism and misogyny. There’s a point in the book where it’s kind of said that Bree has two faults; being black and being a woman. I can understand this discrimination for being a woman. The way this was tied into the plot and the civil war is really well done. It made it more real as it dealt with real life issues. I was thrilled with the ending and I can not wait for more.

Where Can I buy Legendborn?

Full Review and Series Predictions (Spoilers)

I was instantly gripped when I started Legendborn with the image of the shimmery police officer talking about the main character, Bree Matthews and her mother’s death. It really drove empathy with the main character straight away and almost effortlessly. I already felt connected emotionally with the character and that’s something I’ve been struggling with for quite a while. It’s always impressive when an Author can connect you like that.

Discussing the start of Legendborn

We quickly learn in the early chapters of Legendbrn that Bree is really intelligent and is going to an early college programme and again right at the start there is talk of cliff diving and I’m just like this is going to be sending my heart in all kinds of places. Then we are introduced to Selwyn Kane who approaches Bree in a bit of a strange way and of course he is all tall, dark and brooding so naturally I want him to be the love interest in this. I’m not sure though. He tries to erase Bree’s memory but it doesn’t work so she stays hidden and watches the magic unfold. She hears a lot of terms she doesn’t understand and so it becomes her mission to find out more.

There is some racism in the start of the book, coming from the police officer and I found that really interesting to read as a white person reading the personal experience of a black person. I obviously can not fully comphrehend a back person’s lived experience with racism but it really gave you an insight into that sort of everyday casual racism and it did shock me.

The themes of racism really show how hurtful offhand comments and snide remarks can be

Because I was in Bree’s headspace hearing her reaction and it just made me so angry that he would speak to her like that – not because I don’t believe it happens but more because I have not witnessed it (white priviledge) and it was just a snippet in this lived experience. Like I was horrified because I have never had those assumptions made about me and I would hope I would never make those assumptions about anyone else (the conversation is doubting Bree getting into the early college programme on merit).

Holding up a paperback copy of Legendborn against a grey brick background

It was evidently and obviously because of her skin colour and even though it was still me reading about an experience rather than living it it made me angry. Again, that’s excellent writing but it’s also drawing on what goes on every day for people of colour and it’s not all about attacks and violence, it’s the sneers and asumptions and just lack of decency when having human contact.

Moving on then after Bree gets in trouble with the Dean she is given a peer mentor and he turns up all bright eyed and smart and is also part of the Legendborn. Nick is all charismatic and has a winning smile. I am not sure on him at the start of the book but maybe it’s because I find the dark and mysterious Selwyn more appealing? Who even knows. We learn that he dennounced his heritage to the Legendborn but he’s going to sponsor Bree to join so she can find out the truth about her Mother’s murder.

Getting some answers and firmly in middle book territory

Basically I got completely enthralled and could not put this book down. Every time I made a prediction about the book I was wrong and I kind of loved that I was. Basically, Bree has to do these trials to get into the secret society which are to test her skills, strength and combat. This book takes place just over a couple of weeks I think – its less than a month I’m sure and so there’s a bit of insta love in there between her and Nick. I’m not keen on Instalove but I think the instant connection is necessary.

Later down the line Bree has a conversation with William, the healer, who says relationships between Scions are basically forbidden because of the risk of mixing the lines and not knowing where the scion true bloodline is. This is vital for the ending as we find out but also will give the author the ability to stop the relationship with Nick.

After the final trial Bree hears Selwyn, the kingsmage sworn to protect Nick is out throwing trees around. Bree goes to check on him because he had the coutesy to offer her some final training so she wouldn’t loose in the combat round too badly. The conversation is heated and angry, things are said that are hurtful and then she goes back to the house, to Nick’s room, to wait for Nick who has gone to pick up his father. At this point we know Nick is the Scion for the Arthur line and he wants Bree to be his squire so he can help her find what happened to her mother.

The build up to the final act

Time passes and Bree dozes off to be woken by Sel returning and slamming doors. She goes to check on him a little while later and then confesses everything and he does agree with her. He ends up helping her to break into Lord Davis, Nick’s Father’s, study to find information about Bree’s mother. They find what they looking for and it reveals so much but Bree’s mothers death was complate accident.

We also find out about Selwyn’s mother which is devestating. Bree leaves really upset and then she can’t really shake out of it for a week or so. She’s supposed to be going to a gala selection dinner where the scions choose their squires and she doesn’t want to go. Her dad takes her out to pancakes and they chat and he gives her an old bracelet from her mother. Bree opens the charm bracelet box back in her room and is sucked into a mage flame memory.

Basically, her mother tells her loads of stuff about why she might be dead. She’s with a younger version of Bree. She confesses lots about the line and their magic and how it’s a cursed part of root magic called bloodcrafting. The curse is that the magic can only live in their bloodline at once, and is passed down mother to daughter.

This usually means that, as the best scion age is 16-21 or something that for the magic to awaken in Bree, her mother had to die. So her mother’s death wasn’t caused by a merlin but instead was just part of the curse from an ancestor. Bree’s mother is talking to someone else, a merlin, who then mesmers child Bree so she won’t remember this speech her mother is giving to teenager Bree.

What will happen next in the Legendborn series?

Here is the final act where everything is revealed about who Bree really is, why the family was cursed, why I think her and Nick’s relationship is doomed. Also, why I think Bree and Sel are going to end up as endgame and I honestly think that is a couple I ship because they have shared pain. There is another connection as well which is just really well done. I think with everything they have and learn they have what it takes to not only change how things are run within the secret society order. Bree and Sel also potentially have the power between them to beat the shadowborn and line of Morgaine. You will have to read it to find out what happens in the end!

January 18, 2021
A Focus on STEM Learning in 2021

I received the Crystal growing set in exchange for this post.

STEM toys are in their absolute prime right now. Children have so much choice to help them learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and it’s something I wish I had access too when I was growing up. As much as I’ve always loved humanities and English and literature there were times when I wanted to learn how to make things and STEM toys would have been the foundation for that. I would have loved a Crystal growing kit like this one that was gifted to my daughter to use. We haven’t had the time to use it just yet with Evie being with her dad for most of the Christmas holidays and it’s something she’s been eagerly waiting to do together but I’ll be posting a full review of the I’m Genius Crystals kit soon to show off our creations. You can purchase this alongside many other STEM toys from Toys and Bears.

The I’m Genius Crystal kit comes with everything you need to make a set of grow your own crystals and a really informative book on crystals and different creations you can make. There is also a useful leaflet talking about kitchen substitutes you can use as reagents to recreate the experiements. I think once you have the intructions booklet and an understanding of how the kit works it would be able to be done again or more experiements could be explored.

The foundation of STEM toys I think really starts with lego, or duplo, for the younger years and something my son loves to build things with. It’s colourful, versatile and really allows your imagination to lead in what you can create. There are plenty of other building blocks around too from branded names to low cost versions and made of a variety of different materials too. We also have plain wooden blocks and shape sorters for my younger son which have been great for his development and understanding of colour, size and shapes.

Children as well are drawn to our electronics because we spend so much time playing with our own gadgets I am always on the hunt for games and apps that can help develop their learning. We love video games so we are not a family that shy’s away from tablets and electronic devices but I do want to see some learning going on. We have access to audiobooks which are a great way to relax to and an alternative to reading. I remember Evie had a mathematics game which really helped her with her numbers and as a result maths is an area she does really well with in school.

Children will always learn best through play and to encourage their learning STEM toys can develop a passion for a subject that can turn into a hobby and a lifelong career. The possibilities really are endless and with so much choice at a variety of prices it makes it easy for parents to choose STEM toys to help develop their child’s interest and passion for inventing, creating and developing technical skills that will help them continously through their lives.

January 4, 2021
Stocking Fillers with Smiggle

Stationary lovers unite with some favourite stocking fillers sure to bring a smile and a giggle to little ones this Christmas.
Disclaimer: I received a gift voucher to purchase products online at Smiggle. All opinions remain my own.

How are you getting on with your 2020 festive shopping? Considering the year it’s been I’m feeling pretty organised for once! We have ordered our food shop, the tree and decorations are up and, most of the presents are bought for the family and our friends. What’s left is the stocking fillers from Father Christmas. I have a go to list of things for my daughter but this is the first year my son will really get a taste of Christmas magic, although he might not understand it all properly for a couple of years yet his little face seeing the tree and having his advent calender. He’s only two so stocking fillers for him will be pretty basic but I have a go to list of things each year for my daughter (which I’m sure my mum did with me!).

Regular readers of the blog will know my daughter, Evangeline, loves Smiggle and they have become our go to for stationary and school shopping supplies. Smiggle have a great range of stocking fillers online for children (and adults too, if you’re anything like me!) who love scented stationary, squishes and collectibles. There’s even our go-to Smiggle advent calendar which is a great alternative for those that can’t (or won’t) have a chocolate one. Evie always loves the advent calendar because it comes with a variety of stationary products of all shapes and sizes and really feels like a little gift each day. So far she has opened up days one and two and found a multi colour pen and tiny notebook. I don’t know about your children, but mine are always more amazed by things that are really tiny. I think I was when I was that age too!

Alternatively, Smiggle has such a range of products that if you have a resuable advent calendar and prefer a home made approach some of the scented goodies and character rubbers could make excellent fillers. Other stocking filler ideas could be the squishy toys, scented gel pen sets or a pot of galaxy goo. If you’re looking for more ASMR stocking fillers or gift ideas then there is fluffy sand and slime kits for kids that need that extra stimulation. I love the fluffy sand, it feels so satisfying!

Other things Evangeline loves from Smiggle are the moving sequin notebooks. We’ve had a few different ones over the years from unicorns to mermaid tails. The most recent one is this cute little panda notebook. There are a great range of character notebooks suitable for different tastes depending on your child’s favourite animals or colour. A lot of the stationary is a little on the quirky side too like these colourful bendy rubbers that remind me of marshmallow sweets.

What are some of your go to stocking fillers for your children?

December 2, 2020
Reading Blood & Honey – Book Review: Heartrenching, Dark & Deadly

Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin is the second book in the series and follows Lou Leblanc & Reid Diggory after the events of Serpent & Dove. This is a YA Fantasy story with a dark edge.
Blood & Honey Book Review

Blood & Honey was released on 1st September 2020 and is the second book by Shelby Mahurin. I ordered the special edition from Fairyloot which has been delayed so I also bought the Kindle version of this book. Blood & Honey is 544 pages long and continues the story of Lou & Reid from Serpent & Dove. This book is very different from Serpent & Dove and I feel it’s important to go into this one with fresh eyes. This is not the romantic enemies to lovers tale we first read in book one because the relationship has already been established. It is, however, a continuation after the events of book one and builds up nicely for what I think will be an explosive finally to the trilogy. If you would like to order a copy I have an affiliate link for Blood and Honey below.

I am trying out a new way of reviewing books by using my kindle notes and annotations to talk about certain aspects in the book. Therefore, this review will contain spoilers, a summary and a book review. If you have not read this yet or do not want to be spoiled then please do not read. I really want to try and make this more of a discussion on the characters and the plot of the book rather than a spoiler free review. If you would like spoiler free reviews then this blog is not for you.

Reviewing Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin

I read Blood & Honey on my kindle and uploaded my thoughts and notes as I went through the book. If you want to follow me on Good Reads you can find more of these notes if you’re interested.

Blood & Honey felt really dark to me. The setting of it being in an enchanted forest, the appearance of the matagot and all the other magic around. What we learn of La Dame Rougue’s magic and how they could use tears but choose blood and the price they have to pay was really interesting. I felt this book was a little strangely paced at times, certain things were stretched out to give the appearance of two weeks passing which lead to a lot of character development but not much plot development.

I would personally say this is a heavily character driven book with some filler plot details and a pretty spectacular final 30% where most, if not all, the action is. The last part of the book holds the most plot development and foreshadows some interesting parts to expect from book 3. The appearance and addition to Claud Deveraux is an interesting one and I felt his revelation fitted well with the story but I’m not really sure what his motives are or what will happen with him next. I don’t think he’s really about good v evil, more of a spectator that shouldn’t intervene but feels he has to. Something bigger is afoot and I hope it’s revealed in the next book.

Kindle book cover of Blood & Honey alongside Ember Stag candles and Book Besties Book Sleeve

On Ansel Diggory

My first note from reading Blood & Honey was on Ansel Diggory and I don’t know if this was foreshadowing or if it was just because of his development but his feelig of hopelessness in the book was just incredibly sad. “But I was worthless in that fight, just like I’ll be worthless in the Blood camp.” – there are a few more like this from Ansel and each time my heart was breaking. Ansel is such a cinnamon roll character. He’s incredibly sweet and so wants to find his place in the world. He didn’t really believe in what the church were doing which is probably why he was so drawn to Lou and Coco even if he didn’t *know* they were witches right away.

Ansel’s Hopelessness

Ansel, throughout the book, does not feel like he is good enough. He doesn’t feel worth anything. He is so incredibly lost but it never comes across as him being a moody teenager. It is just really sad. It makes you want to wrap him up in a warm hug and tell him it will be okay. His training with Lou is painful because it’s not something he’s good at. His romance with Coco doesn’t come to fruition. Again, foreshadowing maybe but it really feels like these things are like severing ties. He isn’t good at fighting. He isn’t good at romance. He’s not feeling his best self. He is vulnerable and almost feels shame at being the ordinary in the group. He doesn’t feel special, and Lou trying to tell him he is in his own way just isn’t enough.

There were points were it felt like everything hadn’t quite broken Ansel yet. He wated to keep trying, to fight, train, with Coco. I think the fact that he still wants to try and protect others, that he still wants to be good, shows that the huntsme upbringing didn’t completely tear him down. He still had some spark of special left.

The Moment I realised…Who Dies in Blood & Honey?

“I’m not worthless, but I still don’t believe you. I can’t fight. I can’t cast enchantments. Let me prove I can do something—” This just felt horribly foreshadowing. It was the final line for me really that made me know what was going to happen to Ansel and my heart started to break all over again for him. His last conversation with Lou in the tunnels before the confrontation was hard and something I think Lou is really going to battle with in the next book.

If you’ve read the book then you’ll know at the end of Blood & Honey that Ansel dies. I had a feeling someone would die but I guess throughout the story it’s kind of hinted at that it will be Reid although with him being a narrator it didn’t make sense to kill him off. Ansel’s death is absolutely heartbreaking.

On Beauregard Lyon

Beau is the complete opposite to Ansel. He doesn’t feel sorry for himself or feel like he’s worthless but he is frustrated with his father and the status quo. I ended up realling liking him and felt he had a few moments of quiet genius when he put his arrogance aside. What I do like about Beau is he’s one of the males in the book that doesn’t agree with the system and he wants change because he doesn’t want to see people like Ansel – despite the love war – from suffering. I am convinced Beau is a good guy really. At least beyond the whips and jokes he knows what’s right or wrong despite what he’s been told. Reid struggles with this with his huntsmen beliefs. It seems Beau has questioned what’s right/wrong and I am here for it.

On Coco Monvoisin

Coco is a princess and I am here for it. She is such a good person, she’s so loyal and seeing her family at the blood camp really tore at me. The guilt she was feeling even though she was trying to protect Lou and keep her safe really made me so sad. Coco is absolutely the most resolute, strongest character in this series so seeing her vulnerable side was really interesting. I honestly think her and Lou will be able to bring both witch camps together again with the disposal of La Voisin & La Dame des Sorcieres. I love how she tries with Ansel because she knows he’s a good person and I think her infuriation at Beau was funny. I loved that she had some LGTBQ representation as well i this book as that’s really important. She is just beautiful and strong and really held everyone together. Someone needs to look after Coco.

Flickerwix Canvas Collection – Coco Character art

On Reid Diggory

“Blue pigs. Fury coiled in my throat at the slur. These men didn’t realize all the Chasseurs did to ensure their safety. The sacrifices they made. The integrity they held. I eyed the men’s rumpled clothing in distaste. Perhaps they lived too far north to understand, or perhaps their farms sat too far removed from polite society.”

Reid. I like Reid. I really do. But he is a bit of a snob, especially when you consider his roots, and what we now know about his heritage. I know he’s still dealing with his loss of identity a bit but the huntsmen life really did sink in. Sometimes it makes me angry that he just accepted without question but then I guess that’s why he was captain because he was just how the archbishop wanted him to be from his early brainwashing. It is frustrating to read how he still views the chassuers as the right way to live and behave. However, he has a lot of work to undo here. He’s never had to question anything at all and this is testing every single one of his boundaries.

Reid has great character development in the second half of the book

Reading ‘Reid Labelle’ for the first time was really strange and it was the first time you see another of his names. I think he has four in this book. Lyon, as he’s the king’s son, Labelle, as he’s Madame Labelle’s son, Leblanc as Lou’s husband and Diggory the name he grew up with which is given to oprhans. I guess he has all of these identities pressing on him and he’s trying to find out who he is throughout the book. The world Lou and Coco come from is Matriarchal so he would have taken these names if things had been different.

When Reid says “All because of me. My beliefs.” I think this is a really important realisation for Reid, outside his bubble where people don’t respect the Chasseurs and what they do or don’t believe witches are evil or whatever other reason they don’t like the huntsmen. Growing up sheltered and praised, duty bound, to finally learning and listening. A revelation and so doubt another knock for him.

Flickerwix candle art for Reid Diggory

Reid desperately wants to belong to something or someone

There were parts that made me sad too, that throughout the book, particularly when Reid is without Lou, he is desperately seeking connection with someone. He doesn’t have Lou, or Ansel. His mother is kinda infuriating to be honest. He killed his father figure. He’s alone. He’s against everything he thought he knew. He seeks family. It really makes me sad because right now the last thing he needs is being hunted down, he needs some time to discover himself and figure things out. I guess there’s nothing like putting someone under pressure to work that out though!

On Lou LeBlanc

I didn’t have a lot of notes on Lou from my kindle read. Lou Leblanc is one of my favourite fictional females because she’s really badass. In Blood & Honey this is no different but there was a really important point made. When you start messing with memories and magic you lose a piece of yourself. This is so important I think and we see it come to fruition when they’re fighting Bas later in the book as he has no recollection of who she is. It is mentioned not to mess with memories but it seems Lou has done this a few times now, in Serpent and Dove and through Blood & Honey. Perhaps even before because she was hardly doing any magic and what she did do was in secret to prevet Morgane from catching her.

In Blood & Honey we see Lou spiral into madness and her magic. I had real vibes of Lady Macbeth and Cersei when reading some of Lou’s chapters as there were times when she was quite cruel. This must be the result of the memory removal changing her personality. I desperately hope it can be fixed in the third book as, even though she agreed to stop, her encounter at the end of the book makes me think all will not be as it seems. I worry for one of my favourite characters. She has put herself in quite a dark place and this has torn holes in who she is. The last part of the book she is much less ‘mad’ with the help of friends she see’s she is turning into Morgane and she doesn’t want that. I think we still have a way to go with Lou. I worry about how Ansel’s death will be a part of her in the next book, I worry that we have’t seen the extent of her madess and it will get worse before it truly gets better. However, I am hopeful that good will win against evil and even though everything requires a balance I hope Lou and Reid get their happy ending.

OTP Lou Leblanc and Reid Diggory character art from Serpent and Dove

Who is the true villian of Blood & Honey?

This is an interesting one here I think. We have Morgane as the obvious villian. King Auguste who just seems like an asshole. I am completely unsure of Madame Labelle’s motives but I don’t think she’s a bad person. I think La Voisin and Nicholina are kind of working with Morgane but also for themselves. I think they want to destroy the leadership of the Dame Blanche and reverse the roles. I think they’re in this for revenge. I don’t trust them though at all. The last scene it seems like they do some kind of magic on Lou and I’m not sure how that will play out but it worries me. I think the chasseurs aren’t exactly bad but they’re kind of in over their heads now. I think by the end of the book we will see the end of witch hunting as well as the deaths of the king, Morgane and La Voisin.

Have you read Blood and Honey? What did you think? How do you think the next book will play out?

October 2, 2020
Why Reading From Blood and Ash will make 2020 better

From Blood and Ash is a new series by Jennifer L Armentrout and is followed by A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire. It is full of dark, sensual, slow burn romance and a wonderfully captivating fantasty world of Gods and monsters.
From Blood and Ash Book Review

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout is the start of an amazing series that I just can’t get enough of. It is a new NA series and around 622 pages long. It is a fantasy series focusing on the main protagonist Poppy, the Maiden, who has been sheltered and kept away from human contact apart from a select group of people until she reaches the age of Ascension. She is kept veiled in public and is favoured by the Queen. When someone close to her is murdered, her guard is replaced with Hawke Flynn, a smoldering and gorgeous solider. Is everything as it seems? No, of course it isn’t! This will contain spoilers as I go through the book. If you don’t want to be spoiled then please do not continue reading! You can purchase From Blood and Ash and the sequel below using an affiliate link.

From Blood and Ash is a brilliant read for so many reasons. Poppy is a lovely character. She’s relatable and funny and fierce and protective. She has been sheltered all her life and wants to live a little before her ascension. She misses her brother and her parents. She’s a fighter. She’s sneaky. Her description of spiders is completely accurate and something anyone with arachnaphobia will identify and agree with.

Hawke is just *hearteyes* he is seductive and sarcastic and funny. He has a bit of darkness to him that makes Poppy curious during their interactions. He teases her a lot but most of all he doesn’t try to be her knight in shining armour. He knows she can protect herself and he lets her do just that. Although, it’s clear he does’t want to her to get in any harm.

Hard to deal with themes are presented well to build sympathy and character development

There are some scenes in From Blood and Ash which are a little harder and heavier on the heart. Poppy has been orphaned. Her parents were attacked and murdered but her and her brother escaped. During this attack Poppy was facially disfigured which is hidden most of the time because of the veil she has to wear. For the last few years she has been living with the Duke and Duchess, away from the heart of the kingdom and the Queen of Solis who made her the maiden. The Duke is incredibly cruel to her. There is a humiliating scene where he and one of the ascended lords beat her with a cane just for being who she is. It’s really horrible and her strength and resolve really shines through in those moments. From Blood and Ash has a few harder to read scenes but they are dealt with well, not too graphically but enough to build sympathy with the character and provide understanding and reasoning for certain actions.

I have been reading From Blood and Ash on the kindle app on my phone.

From Blood and Ash has a death that will make you cry

Throughout the series we see how important Vikter is to Poppy. He trains her to defend herself, he tries to make her life more passable than it is. I feel we don’t get the full story with him because of his death. I feel like he might have tried to get Poppy away somehow maybe. It frustrates me that he didn’t do more to stop the Duke but then I also think he thought if he did defy the Duke he would be replaced and then who would look after Poppy? You really feel Poppy’s pain from this throughout the second half of the book and even in A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire. His death comes at a time when the rise is under attack and later, Poppy blames Hawke for this.

The slow burn romance and sexual tension

This is done so well. The romance is seductive and steamy and written well. Poppy is curious which allows her to be confident despite feeling like she’ll be clumsy. Hawke very obviously knows what he’s doing. More men need to read seductive sex scenes and fantasy romance books by women because it focuses on female pleasure and we all need more of that. The scene in the blood forest where no clothes are removed is probably one of the steamiest things I’ve ever read!

The slow burn romance adds to the sexual tension and build up of the relationship which is just so good. It also really makes you feel conflicted during the big reveal where you find out who Hawke really is because he’s hot and sexy but also has done some pretty bad things.

But that’s the thing that does frustrate me with Poppy a little bit. I don’t think Hawke lied to her all that much, apart from his true identity and I feel her frustration and anger and “hatred” of him is a bit unjustified. But then she’s young and she feels betrayed and her whole world has been turned upside down. Anger at Hawke, or now we know, Casteel is the only thing she can really control after he reveals who he is.

The sequel to From Blood and Ash is called A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire and is available to buy and read now!

I just loved this book

Obviously having read the second one I’m trying to keep to the contents just of From Blood and Ash but it’s tough. I really loved it though. It was just such a page turner. I really loved the world building through this and the fact that there is all sorts of mythology surrounding the story. There are plenty of narrative hooks to keep you going like why was the duke so cruel? Who is Hawke? Who was the first maiden? Why were Poppy’s parents missing? Why is Poppy the maiden? What happens at the ascension? What really happened to Ian, Poppy’s brother?

I love how the end of the book answers pretty much all of these questions and then right on the last page it ends with Casteel telling Poppy they’re going to get married. And then the book ends and you’re just like what, you can’t leave it there? You don’t really see Poppy’s reaction until the second book so it’s just keeps you wanting to find out more. The pacing is good, it was a little slow at first and is clearly in two parts of before the battle and then after the battle. The transition is really seamless and done with enough conflict to warrent a change of pace and narrative.

One of my goals for 2020 is to read 52 books or around one a week. Some might be new, some are ones I’ve had for a while or been meaning to read, some I haven’t quite finished yet and some will be recommendations from others. You can see all the books I’ve read so far on my Good Reads 2020 Reading Challenge.

September 28, 2020