[Emily’s Review]: A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout

A Shadow in the Ember
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Flesh and Fire #1
Pages: 645
Published by Blue Box Press
Release Date: October 19 2021
Source: Author
Format Read: ARC, eBook
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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.

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

MOVE OVER CASSEROLE.
WE NEED TO MAKE ROOM FOR NYKTOS!

Jennifer L. Armentrout’s latest installment in the Blood and Ash saga is actually it’s own series, and a prequel at that.
In A Shadow in the Embers, we are introduced to new characters, and to characters we are already familiar with.
IT’S AN ORIGIN STORY Y’ALL!
If you’ve already read the first three novels in the Blood and Ash series, then pat yourself on the back. You’ve done your homework!
Because all the world building for A Shadow in the Embers was done in a different series, and over the course of three different books, readers are able to fully immerse themselves in Sera’s world with zero hesitation. Having this book already in context made reading an otherwise complicated saga so much palatable! We get to skip the tedious stuff and get right to the fun stuff!
I’m typically not a huge fan of long sagas that span over tons of books and have lots of “spin offs”. But if this trend continues. JLA may make a believer of me yet
I think it’s also worth noting, that this book is placed PERFECTLY between A Crown of Gilded Bones and The War of Two Queens.

A Shadow in the Embers delivered the answers to questions that had been burning in me since From Blood and Ash was first published! It explains a large portion of the shit that left our heads spinning in the Blood and Ash series. That in and of itself made this book worth the read, but that is definitely NOT the only reason to read it!

I am trying very very hard to keep this review spoiler free, so I’m not going to say too much about the plot itself, except that there are approximately nine hundred and fifty five twisty twists that will keep you on your toes. There is a prophecy that I anticipate will absolutely blow up online once this novel is published. The over all story is so exciting and you really will get lost in it. But it is also a book that when you re read it (AND YOU WILL RE READ IT), you’ll definitely pick up on lots of stuff you missed the first time around. It also might be the sexiest book Jen’s written (in my humble opinion), and the big reveal at the end is going to explode your ever loving minds.

Let’s talk characters.
Because you’re about to have some new favorites.
1. Sera. The absolute mamajama, bad ass heroine who ain’t afraid of nothin! I adore her! She is funny and sensitive and so strong. She also doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. There is never any point where she thinks that ignoring a problem is an option. She takes on the hard conversations and situations. She also takes ownership of her actions, her words, her sexuality and the space she occupies. And, she kicks ass. So that’s pretty awesome.
2. Nyktos. There is so much more to Nyktos than meets the eye. He’s gorgeous (obviously). His layers have layers, there is so much to peel back it’s a little daunting. But when you get to his core, boy oh boy will you be shocked. He is vicious with his words and he’s going to break your heart just a little bit. But I think you’ll forgive him in the end, I sure as heck did.
3. DRAKEN. So much to say here. They are the Mr. Miagi’s of the Shadowlands and honestly, they all need more page time. Did I mention this is an origin story? BECAUSE IT IS. Just remember that.

Are you afraid to start this book and be left hanging?
WELL.
Worry not my bookish friends, Jennifer does not abandon us cliffside at the end of A Shadow in the Embers. Because if you read the Blood and Ash novels, guess what!
WE ALREADY KNOW THAT THEY END UP TOGETHER!
We don’t know how long it takes, or what roads they travel, but we know where they wind up.
So chin up you big babies, it’s all gonna be okay!

There was literally not a single thing wrong with this book. It was excellent.
Keep an eye out for chapter 20. It’s perfect.

A Shadow in the Embers is a vital and exhilarating addition to the From Blood and Ash world. This novel is Jennifer Armentrout at her absolute finest. She truly out did herself.