I am gearing up to finish the most recent book in Jennifer L. Armentrout’s “Blood and Ash” and “Flesh and Fire” series. The big finale to these series is well on its way, and let me tell you it has been such a ride!

First of all, if you have not read the entire series up to date, do not progress any further! SPOILERS LIE AHEAD, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

So, let’s start with a bit of context. There are two series, one is the primary and the other is the prequel, if you read them in the recommended order online, it takes you on an amazing journey that spans across hundreds of years, joining the lives of two young women. The series is set in a fantasy world full of gods, monsters, magic, prophecies and lies. Oh, and LOTS of sexual tension that is to die for. Not to mention the romance *swoon*.

Ok, series one: “Blood and Ash”. Seven books published, with two more on the way as the final books for the series. Our main character is Poppy, the Maiden chosen to save the entire kingdom from the monstrous Atlantians that feast on their blood and leave their lifeless corpses behind, unless they arise again as soulless monsters called craven. The Ascended are those blessed by the gods to protect what’s left of humanity until the maiden’s ascension, Poppy has been preparing for this since her birth. However, she has a secret. She has a gift that allows her to take people’s pain away, she is able to sense a person’s emotions which is revealed through particular tastes in her mouth, and her life long guard has been training her in secret so she is able to protect herself, so the tragedy that killed her parents and nearly killed her didn’t happen again. She keeps her secrets, prepares for her ascension and survives the “lessons” of the duke that is meant to shame her. Until, her new guard steps in and turns her life upside down, Hawke. A forbidden attraction grows that threatens her destiny and his mission, of which they both have more than one. Poppy discovers a life she never knew she could have, the depths of her powers grow and her love for those around her knows no bounds. The biggest mystery of this series, is finding out who Poppy truly is and the truth behind the war between the Atlantians and the Ascended.

Series two: Flesh and Fire. This is the prequel series that provides the context for Blood and Ash, revealing across the four books (with no news of any more) what had led to the events of Blood and Ash. The main character is Sera, the first Maiden to be born, the one who sets the events in the first series into motion. She is a killer for the crown, her true identity a secret to everyone, especially since she had failed the realm on her eighteenth birthday and the Queen had never forgiven her. She spends her days and nights exacting the Queen’s revenge on her enemies, sending messages coded in death, blood and mutilation. While all she wants is the love of a family who hates her, a home in a kingdom that doesn’t even know she exists and to forget about the healing power that she held. Sera wanders the night aimlessly until she catches the presence of two gods, before she can decide what to do, a man hides her from them, his disgust in her presence obvious. His name, Ash, and he is the walking representation of seduction, except for his attitude which leaves a lot to be desired. Yet, Sera cannot get enough of him. They run into each other repeatedly, Sera often holding her own in a fight, until one day the King dies and his awful son decides to make an example of her with the help of a whip. Ash shows up, revealing himself as a god and takes her away, the truth of her apparent failure revealed to her and the opportunity to make things right for her people arises. Sera believes she knows what she is supposed to do, but the truth is never that clear. Her destiny had been decided many generations before her, and the gods have been playing with her life for just as long. Sera’s decisions and actions can prevent or start a war of the gods, and the repercussions of this will be felt for centuries afterwards, leading into Blood and Ash.

I strongly suggest reading the books in the following order, as each book in this order informs the context of the next book, slowly revealing pieces that clear up the events and the secrets revealed in that book:

1. From Blood and Ash (B&A)
2. A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (B&A)
3. A Crown of Gilded Bones (B&A)
4. A Shadow in the Ember (F&F)
5. The War of Two Queens (B&A)
6. A Light in the Flame (F&F)
7. A Soul of Ash and Blood (B&A)
8. A Fire in the Flesh (F&F)
9. Born of Blood and Ash (F&F)
10. The Primal of Blood and Bone (B&A) >> September 2025
11. Final Instalment (B&A) >> Spring 2026

So… The Primal of Blood and Bone was supposed to be the FINAL book, but JLA stated that the wrap to the series got so big that she had to split it into two parts. There is also a novella called Visions of Flesh and Blood, while it is not necessary to read it for the series (and I haven’t read it myself yet, so I am basing this entirely on what I have read from other readers), it’s my understanding that this book reveals some fun background information about Hawke and his closest people, among other stories told from the POV of the famous Miss Willa Colyns, who is also Poppy’s favourite writer.

Honestly, I rate this universe right up there with Sarah J Maas’ Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses and Crescent City. SJM’s universe was a beautiful creation, and I never thought I’d find a series that got close to it. JLA certainly managed to do that, but they are also amazing in their own rights. I can’t wait to continue this story, even though I don’t want it to end, I look forward to finding out the complete truth to Sera’s and Poppy’s stories.