Of blood and ashes
Of blood and ashes -or From Blood and Ash, by its original English title—is the first volume of a saga of fantasy and romance written by the American author Jennifer L. Armentrout. The work was published in Spanish by the Puck publishing house in 2020. Since then it has become one of the books new adult most recommended on platforms like YouTube or booktok.
This first installment of L. Armentrout. aroused an intense fever in the community assiduous to fantastic erotic titles. The impact on readers was such that had a positive impact en the sales of that volumes following published by Puck. The titles later are: A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (2020) A Crown of Golden Bones (2021) The War of the Two Queens (2022) A Soul of Ash and Blood (2023) and The Primal of Blood and Bone (2024)
Synopsis of Of blood and ashes
the maiden
The protagonist and narrator of this story it's poppy, a young woman of almost nineteen known as the Maiden —La Doncella, in Spanish—. She was appointed to serve the gods in a rigorous ritual about which, in reality, he does not know much. Unlike the "chosen" in other literary sagas, Poppy despises the role they have made her fulfill, to a large extent, for what it implies.
In the best style of the vestals, la Maiden she must remain chaste and pure to fulfill her duty to her society. Poppy can only leave the castle where she is kept wearing a white dress and veil that shows her status. At the same time, very few people are allowed to talk to her, no one is allowed to touch her, and most of all, the Maiden must not, under any circumstances, feel pleasure.
An invisible face and a fierce heart
Poppy is seen as the Maidennever like herself. Although everyone notices her and expects a lot from her in her role, no one bothers to meet her. Despite her loneliness, she is a strong and courageous young woman. that —in addition to the respective studies intrinsic to her role as chosen one— she learned to fight, and always carries her favorite dagger with her.
In addition to the pressure being put on Poppy, the protagonist is an orphan, for which reason she has always had to live in the care of a man of ancestry who beats her. Maybe it's because of all that pain that the gods gave him a incredible donation: the one of power understand everyone's feelings around it. She shouldn't use her talent, but Poppy hardly ever does what she's expected to do.
a forbidden attraction
Poppy lives in a fantastic kingdom, but an ancient evil is about to loom over her lands to devastate everything she knows-including the ritual she is supposed to perform to safeguard the integrity of her people. When one of his guards dies nearest security guard, fed up with her confinement and not being able to see the world, Poppy—disguised—leaves the castle and heads to the Red Pearl bar.
Es over there where known to the prototype of the perfect man on duty: Hawke, a brave and strong guard —as well as physically attractive and irresistible— who has never lost a battle. Hawke assists Red Pearl in meeting certain mundane needs when Poppy walks into her room. He mistakes her for a courtesan and proceeds to perform a forbidden action: she touches her more than anyone else has.
The consequences and revelations
When Hawke becomes Poppy's new security guard, and they both discover their respective identities, he doesn't seem too intimidated by the fact that she is the Maiden. Actually, thanks to the "illegal" relationship that the protagonist begins to build, she discovers herself. At par, man undergoes an evolution that gives a twist to history.
It could be said that the main characters share a friendly bond that soon turns into a very strong attraction. This situation leads to a enemies to lovers, and then to a strained relationship which, in the end, transforms into a deep love that leads both Poppy and Hawke to put themselves on the line for each other. All of this occurs as they try to unravel the convoluted political aspirations of those around them and bring all the kingdoms to safety.
The darkness and the breakdown of concepts
of blood and ashes is a fiction and adventure title aimed at an ambiguous audience. Although the book deals with adolescent themes as the construction of the true personality or the sexual discovery, it also includes a number of free very spicy scenes. The relevance of Poppy's erotic life rivals the curse that threatens her kingdom.
On the other hand, the world of Of blood and ashes is rich in descriptions. Jennifer L. Armentrout glides through the boobs very naturally. That is why he takes his time to reveal the details inherent in the construction of his universe, the secrets that inhabit it and the true nature of some of his characters, who, in reality, are the common thread of the plot.
About the author, Jennifer L. Armentrout
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Jennifer L. Armentrout is one of those authors who have caused a sensation in the bookstagram and booktok communities. This 42-year-old American writer She has always felt very attracted to sagas that mix romance and fantasy.. Among her favorite readers are The Forbidden Games, The Secret Circle A Crown of Golden Bones y The Vampire Diaries.
As she read, L. Armentrout realized that she wanted to convey to people those sensations that she herself felt when enjoying the books she loves, her need to write grew. Her career had some initial setbacks, however, Only from 2011 to 2019 he had published fifty-three of his works, showing that she only aspired to an opportunity to become a true storyteller.
Most Popular Books by Jennifer L. Armentrout
lux saga
- Shadows (2012);
- Obsidian (2011);
- Onyx (2012);
- Opal (2012);
- Origin (2013);
- Opposition (2014);
- Oblivion (2015)
The Dark Elements Trilogy
- Bitter Sweet Love (2013);
- Hell's Kiss (2014);
- Hell's Caress (2014);
- Hell's Breath (2015)
Fairy Hunter Trilogy
- fairy huntress (2014);
- demihuman (2016);
- Brave (2017);
- The Prince (2018);
- The King (2019);
- The Queen (2020)