From Blood and Ash

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer Armentrout

July 29, 2025

This month's read got some big reactions in a variety of directions. We knew from the beginning that opinions were going to loud and some people were already multiple books into the series. With that in mind, we started the meeting with two rules: 1) Let's make sure we're not speaking over each other and 2) let's keep the discussion to book 1 only. Within three minutes, the rules were thrown out the window. Nonetheless our discussion was lively and entertaining, and this may have been one of our most fun meetings in a while. Since opinions were so varied, we invited two members of wildly differing opinions to write a blog piece for us this week. So Please! Take a peak the book's champion and the book's dissenter before making up your mind about whether to read From Blood and Ash. If you've already read it, let us know in the comments which side you're on!

The Book's Champion: Katie Thrasher

“You’re an absolutely stunning, murderous little creature.” What a line, and what a book! While our book club has chosen fantasy epics in the past, From Blood and Ash was one that instantly drew me in on the first page all the way through and past the last page (currently in the 3rd book). There’s nothing light about this book (or series from what I can tell), and from our book club meeting, you may wildly disagree with me, but I highly recommend our July read! When we first meet our protagonist Poppy, though lacking in control for majority of her life, she appears on the precipice of taking back that control in a world that has been designed to keep her caged. Some book club members disagreed with Poppy’s choices at times. However, most agreed that she is a total badass whose skills are highlighted throughout the book. I won’t give spoilers, but I will say to be prepared for secrets to be revealed, worlds to be built, and lots of steamy scenes. 5/5

The Dissenter: Hannah Harlow

There are always two sides to every story. That is why you, dear reader, are getting TWO perspectives on this month’s Bookends Book Club pick, From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout. As Stephanie wrote in the previous blog post, we are a fantasy loving bunch of folks overall. If the story includes a witch, some paranormal activity, war amongst kingdoms, spicy romance, and/or lots of magic - most of us are 10 toes in. That reason is why I was excited (but not for long) to jump into From Blood and Ash.

Before I attempt to completely derail you from wanting to read this 10-ish book series, let me give you a quick review: Penelophe, known by those close to her as Poppy, is The Maiden. She is destined for Ascension and lives an insanely restricted life under strict rules - she cannot be seen unless she wears a veil, she cannot be touched, she cannot engage in romantic relationships, and so much more. But, of course, in walks her new guard, Hawke. What do they do? They embark on a forbidden romance. The story continues to highlight the challenges she faces that conflict with her duty as The Maiden and lead her to the discovery of secrets about her true identity and the kingdom she has spent her life calling home. Sounds so good, right? 

Let me preface, I read this specific book in 3 days. I enjoyed it overall. I needed a good dose of fantasy because I have been in a pregnancy reading slump, and if this were a stand alone book, I’d probably give it higher reviews. Were there some parts that felt dull? Sure. Did the world building fall short? I’d say so. Did some of us have to read half of the book before we even understood the plot? Ok, yeah maybe. I am not ashamed to say that we fantasy lovers (or maybe it’s just me…) have been absolutely spoiled by authors like Sarah J. Maas, and this book just did not hit the same. It was pleasant-ish, but the wow factor was absent. However, I continued to read the second book and half of the third book. The third book is now filed away under “DNF” - which I NEVER do. Keeping my opinion on the first book separate from the influence of the others is extremely difficult, and ultimately I am here to discourage you from opening this book and expecting the series as a whole to be impressive or worth your time/money. It will be plot-less, out of pocket smut paired with repetitive, lazy writing that made most of us feel nothing but irritable and unentertained (Sorry, Katie!!) 

Although most of us didn’t fall in love with the book and the books that followed - which really tarnished our taste for the entire experience - I love the bickering and sarcastic jabs it brought out amongst us bookclub friends. It was a lively discussion with a group of opinionated, strong women. If anything is for certain, it is that we know what we do/don’t like and we voice it! There were various perspectives shared with a lot of good humor to boot. Let’s just say we left bookclub with a “we can agree to disagree” type of understanding. Although the book/series will not be getting a gold star from the majority of bookclub members present this week, I believe I can speak for us all when we say we hold respect and love for those who more deeply appreciated this book. However, you’re still wrong ;)