Now I will be the first to admit that I have not read the Blood and Ash series. However, I have a very dear friend who absolutely loves it. So when she handed me A Shadow in the Ember and asked me to read it, I couldn’t say no. Not only is she a dear friend, but I trust her taste in books.
A prequel to the well-known Blood and Ash series, A Shadow in the Ember is book one of the Flesh and Fire series focusing on Seraphena and the Primal of Death.
Synopsis
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.
A Shadow in the Ember, by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A Note to the Reader
This is a Spoiler Free review, and therefore we will not be going into details to respect the book-lovers who have not yet read the book.
Also, this is my review, and my opinions. As with all things, I recommend reading it yourself and being your own judge in the end, but hope my review may provide you with some initial insight and some fun reading.
Thank you! 
World Building
This book had tons of lore given to us. Histories and how things worked in this world, the role of the Chosen, the workings of gods and Primals. There was a lot to take in, a lot to devour, and I appreciate how thorough the author was in giving us so much information. You’ve created this entire world and inhabitants, and you want the readers to not be confused. Which I appreciated.
I will say though, that as much as I loved all the lore, I didn’t always like how it was presented. This book has a lot of..conversations, where we are simply told the information. We have our MFC (main female character) asking a question and then another character giving her the lore or explanation. This happens a lot, and it kind of felt info-dumpy at times.
Like I enjoyed what I ate here, but also would’ve liked it served in more than one style. Again, just my opinion.
Slow Burn
Some books throw the romance at you right from the beginning, and for some stories that works. This one was almost a painful slow burn for me.
However, the author did a great job of giving us those in-between interactions with characters so we weren’t left high and dry. And when she delivers the spice…she delivers.
I will say, one of the spicy interactions did not sit well with me. I can see how a lot of people might like it. But for me, it was borderline bully-ish. And those just aren’t my thing so I was left with some bitter feelings.
The Banter
Now this, this Armentrout delivered in spades. The back and forth between our MFC and everyone is top tier. I love her attitude and I love the quick wit displayed by others, particularly our MMC (main male character). Some may think it got a bit repetitive, but I loved it. It played out like a movie in my head and I truly slipped out of the material world for a bit. Great back-and-forth. Devoured.
Huge Cast
For a book one, this story had a larger cast of characters than I expected. And I realize, knowing that it’s a prequel series, a lot of these guys and gals will pop back up probably in the Blood and Ash series. However, some of our MMC’s inner group were interchangeable in my mind and I’m going to be honest, I can’t remember their individual personalities. I remember a few, but there were a group of three I believe that were just names and they all could’ve been played by the same character in my head and it would’ve done the same thing for me.
Great Fight Scenes
Like the Banter, I felt the fighting scenes, or scenes of intense action, were very well done. I was able to visualize and play those little movies in my head with relative ease. And not just concerning our MMC or MFC, all the characters who saw battle or action were given great scenes.
When I don’t register the written words–but yet I do–and I am playing this kick-ass fight scene in my head like a movie? That’s a win. Love to read it, love to see it.
The Ending
The ending…what can I say without spoiling…
I had a storm of emotions rolling at the end of this book. The absolute last line of this book had me ready for book two. Like I was ready to continue this story. Immediately. It hyped me up, got me pumped, and I was ready to hit the ground running on book two.
But taking a step back to what occurred right before the ending…left me irritated with some characters. Quite angry actually. I got the sense of not only a bully, but a bully whose feelings had gotten hurt and it didn’t quite match with what I’d read up unto this point. So I was left not happy with some characters.
Now, I know this is probably on purpose. At least I’m hoping so. I’m definitely looking forward to someone delivering an apology in some way in book two.
Also want to say sorry if “The Ending” segment has left you confused…but trying to convey feelings without the details and spoiling can get difficult. Hopefully you get a sense of where I’m coming from.
My best piece of advice for understanding is giving this book a shot and reading it for yourself.
(Then let me know your feelings because I can’t be the only one! Can I?)
In Conclusion
Solid starter of a series.
If you’re reading this after reading some Maas series like ACOTAR or ATOG, or any other new adult/YA series where our MFC gets turned into a weapon/assassin, the beginning may seem slow. It was a 551 page book for me and I don’t think it got really good until the last quarter at least. And that’s why I gave it
on Goodreads. But the lore is super interesting, and that last 25% was gripping, and I was unable to put the book down.
Until Next Time,
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