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skm's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I am so angry that I bought the sequels before finishing this book. The first half is alright, but the handling of physical abuse was horrible. The last line absolutely sums up the rest of the book: Poppy is given the illusion of choice, but the men have already made a decision regarding her life for her. Hawke's savior complex is gross, there are no likable characters in this book. The plot is nonexistent for the first 100 or so pages, then infodumped at random.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
talknerdybookblog's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Representation: Bisexual hero, supporting characters of colour
From Blood and Ash was really well written, and I liked the Heroine, Poppy. I was debating rating the book 3-stars but the fact that the Heronever once apologized to Poppy started the decline. And, it just got worse from there.
He's a player, a know-it-all, can never be wrong, and it's never his fault (there's always an excuse). Yet, he doesn't seem to understand that someone else's wrong does absolve him of his actions. No matter how horrible the Solis kingdom is, that doesn't excuse him tricking Poppy into believing he cared for her. And, before someone rebuts that he does care for her, given what he did to her (who he killed), what he allowed done to her when the truth comes out and how he slept with her (her first time) without coming clean, shows Poppy isn't a person to him. She's a means to an end... she's something to possess.
I appreciated that Poppy seems to realize at the end that there's a difference between lust and love and loyalty. But I would've preferred her not to get steamrolled by Hawke's good looks. In real life, if your lover were holding you captive, endangering your life, and only willing to help you with conditions... he would be the definition of toxic and abusive. So, I really don't understand how Hawke is romanticized after this.
Also, he actually used the fact that he was held captive and physically and sexually abused for decades as an excuse for his behaviour. So, another thing he was never told? That victims don't get free passes to be abusers.
Oh! And, he never got Poppy's consent when he bit her. I found that scene very offensive. Luckily, Poppy verbally consented to them sleeping together afterward – the bit doesn't influence her in that way, so it was legit verbal consent. But, the fact that I couldn't trust Hawke he wouldn't r@pe Poppy made me ill to my stomach.
I also loved how Poppy recognized how Hawke (and his people) might be right about her kingdom, but that doesn't negate the hatred within his kingdom. There's a reason two wrongs don't make a right, and Poppy's reception by Hawke's people illustrates how while fighting Poppy's kingdom, they have replicated their behaviour: hating people simply for their nationality, when they don't know the reality or beliefs of the person.
Finally, I got really annoyed with how Hawke kept deflecting accountability. Every time Poppy called him out on his betrayal, he would deflect and mock the fact that Poppy slept with him (which is so skeevy given that he knew she would've turned him down if she knew the truth), or lay blame at Poppy's feet for her kingdom's bad decisions. Yet, Hawke was alive pre-war and admits his people created the horrible vampyrs – they are HIS PEOPLES problem, so I do not understand how he can blame someone who was ignorant.
Does anyone else find it weird how Hawke teases Poppy for being "so violent"? When she only uses force when she's fighting for her life/freedom/in danger?
I'm unsure if I'm going to read this second book. Considering how offended I was by so many scenes in the last 20% I don't think I should read the next book. But, the premise was really good. I liked Poppy's characterization, and I'm a sucker for the Chosen One trope.
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• No OM drama
• Does (kind of but not really) have OW drama
– the Hero, Hawke, thinks Poppy is someone else when they first meet and he kisses her. Hawke thinks Poppy is one of her maids, but Poppy never meets with this maid in the book.
• Does have the Heroine pushing the Hero away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Murder
• Gore
• Torture
• Sexual assault
• Physical assault
• Mind control (mind r@pe) > ignores the Heroine's free will
• Abduction
• Confinement
• SEXISM
• Allusion to death of children (vampire's drinking their blood)
Ending:Cliffhanger
From Blood and Ash was really well written, and I liked the Heroine, Poppy. I was debating rating the book 3-stars but the fact that the Hero
He's a player, a know-it-all, can never be wrong, and it's never his fault (there's always an excuse). Yet, he doesn't seem to understand that someone else's wrong does absolve him of his actions. No matter how horrible the Solis kingdom is, that doesn't excuse him tricking Poppy into believing he cared for her. And, before someone rebuts that he does care for her, given what he did to her (who he killed), what he allowed done to her when the truth comes out and how he slept with her (her first time) without coming clean, shows Poppy isn't a person to him. She's a means to an end... she's something to possess.
I appreciated that Poppy seems to realize at the end that there's a difference between lust and love and loyalty. But I would've preferred her not to get steamrolled by Hawke's good looks. In real life, if your lover were holding you captive, endangering your life, and only willing to help you with conditions... he would be the definition of toxic and abusive. So, I really don't understand how Hawke is romanticized after this.
Also, he actually used the fact that he was held captive and physically and sexually abused for decades as an excuse for his behaviour. So, another thing he was never told? That victims don't get free passes to be abusers.
Oh! And, he never got Poppy's consent when he bit her. I found that scene very offensive. Luckily, Poppy verbally consented to them sleeping together afterward – the bit doesn't influence her in that way, so it was legit verbal consent. But, the fact that I couldn't trust Hawke he wouldn't r@pe Poppy made me ill to my stomach.
I also loved how Poppy recognized how Hawke (and his people) might be right about her kingdom, but that doesn't negate the hatred within his kingdom. There's a reason two wrongs don't make a right, and Poppy's reception by Hawke's people illustrates how while fighting Poppy's kingdom, they have replicated their behaviour: hating people simply for their nationality, when they don't know the reality or beliefs of the person.
Finally, I got really annoyed with how Hawke kept deflecting accountability. Every time Poppy called him out on his betrayal, he would deflect and mock the fact that Poppy slept with him (which is so skeevy given that he knew she would've turned him down if she knew the truth), or lay blame at Poppy's feet for her kingdom's bad decisions. Yet, Hawke was alive pre-war and admits his people created the horrible vampyrs – they are HIS PEOPLES problem, so I do not understand how he can blame someone who was ignorant.
Does anyone else find it weird how Hawke teases Poppy for being "so violent"? When she only uses force when she's fighting for her life/freedom/in danger?
I'm unsure if I'm going to read this second book. Considering how offended I was by so many scenes in the last 20% I don't think I should read the next book. But, the premise was really good. I liked Poppy's characterization, and I'm a sucker for the Chosen One trope.
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• No OM drama
• Does (kind of but not really) have OW drama
– the Hero, Hawke, thinks Poppy is someone else when they first meet and he kisses her. Hawke thinks Poppy is one of her maids, but Poppy never meets with this maid in the book.
• Does have the Heroine pushing the Hero away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Murder
• Gore
• Torture
• Sexual assault
• Physical assault
• Mind control (mind r@pe) > ignores the Heroine's free will
• Abduction
• Confinement
• SEXISM
• Allusion to death of children (vampire's drinking their blood)
Ending:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
samchase112's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Fear and bravery are often one and the same. It either makes you a warrior or a coward. The only difference is the person it resides inside.
I'm so torn about this one. The first third was utterly confusing and frustrating, the middle third much more interesting, and the last third action-packed and engrossing. I enjoyed Poppy as a narrator, and liked figuring things out along with her - except when it was easy to figure out twists she was blind to.HIS. GODDAMN. TEETH. COME ON. There were a lot of things that bugged me about it though, including the incredibly cheesy lines (ughhhhh so cheesy), the lazy world building (Atlantians???), and how quickly Poppy got over her grief in every situation. But I am definitely going to pick up the next book - mainly because I got it free, let's be honest - and I can say that I have enjoyed a vampire book. So there.
Read with the Intertextuals Book Club :)
I'm so torn about this one. The first third was utterly confusing and frustrating, the middle third much more interesting, and the last third action-packed and engrossing. I enjoyed Poppy as a narrator, and liked figuring things out along with her - except when it was easy to figure out twists she was blind to.
Read with the Intertextuals Book Club :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Sexism, Torture, and Kidnapping
sunsetcity's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was quite the wild ride. I definitely think that this was way too long and there was a lot of repetition, especially in Poppy's inner monologue. The romance was alright and I thought the ending was explosive enough for me to be interested in reading the next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
jodiesackettbrown's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Okay, waaayyy too much graphic sexual content for my liking, but that aside...WOW!
Without spoiling the delicious surprise toward the last fifth of the book, this is a wonderful bit of storytelling weaving and recasting bits of existing monster folklore with original myths in a masterful way. Though I could see a few story moves telegraphed in advance, there were loads of plot twists I didn't see coming--how delightful?!
I'm glad I stuck with this one--I almost didn't. The start was a bit slow and previewed the graphic sexuality that resurfaced more than a few times and the push for overt consent was a bit heavy handed. This caused me to start and stop reading about three times before I committed. I listened to this on audiobook and finally at about the 3.5 hour mark, I was solidly hooked.
Without spoiling the delicious surprise toward the last fifth of the book, this is a wonderful bit of storytelling weaving and recasting bits of existing monster folklore with original myths in a masterful way. Though I could see a few story moves telegraphed in advance, there were loads of plot twists I didn't see coming--how delightful?!
I'm glad I stuck with this one--I almost didn't. The start was a bit slow and previewed the graphic sexuality that resurfaced more than a few times and the push for overt consent was a bit heavy handed. This caused me to start and stop reading about three times before I committed. I listened to this on audiobook and finally at about the 3.5 hour mark, I was solidly hooked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, and Violence
baexlee's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I enjoyed this read, all though I saw right through the twist the entire time, I still felt a wide range of emotions through the entire reveal. The characters are captivating and grow on you as the story progresses.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexism and Torture
librariesoflindsey's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
0.25
This book contains many harmful stereotypes, romanticizes sexual coercion and assault, and fails at adding diversity. Furthermore it feels like every other similar popular YA/NA fantasy I've read (most specifically ACOTAR and the Cruel Prince). I would not recommend this book to anyone wishing to have a fun time reading a light hearted book, as this book is over all terrible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Please take the trigger warnings of sexual assault, coercion, and violence seriously. The main romance is a romanticization and normalization of sexual assault and manipulation.