Reviews tagging 'Murder'

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

237 reviews

noragoudie's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

At first I was doubtful, but I actually enjoyed this book! It was a great world build with compelling characters and a romance that did suck me in. I will say the weakness of this book is that the tropes and storylines have all been done before in various other narratives, but that’s also what I enjoy about the story: It feels like a more mature version of some of the dystopian novels I loved in the past!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Physical abuse

Minor: Sexual harassment

wrinnola's review against another edition

funny mysterious slow-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? Yes

3.75

Predictable and mildly infuriating at times, but overall an enjoyable read.

I wish I hadn’t figured out all the plot twists in the first half of the book. Waiting for Poppy to figure it all out was tedious, and I kept finding myself asking “is there a plot to this book?” Felt like nothing was happening between the Red Pearl and Victor’s death. I understand the need to show a slice of her life, with the Duke’s abuse and her gilded cage, but it probably could’ve been half the length it was.

Not my favorite YA romantasy, but I will be reading the second book, so take that as you will. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Blood

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment

nonotyoshi's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

very predictable plot

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

zomigi's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The first chapter of this was tough to get through (too much info-dumping about the worldbuilding all at once instead of sprinking it in more gradually) but I'm glad I stuck with it, because I really enjoyed it. The characters were great, witty banter, intense action scenes, hot smut scenes.

I do hope we get to see more of soft Hawke/Cas in the next book, because while the hate fucking was fun, I also felt a little betrayed like Poppy at the tarnishing of Hawke/Cas's image, even though I knew it was coming to some degree.

I am still laughing about the names chosen for some of the people and places, though.

Anybody named "Hawke Flynn" I expect to look like Zoolander doing Blue Steel! Granted, it turns out to be a fake name, but I laughed again to find out his real name is CaSTEEL! Any Tawny Lyon, seriously?? And having the kingdom named Atlantia is just weird if it's not underwater (I actually have no idea yet, maybe it is!).

Anyway, other than giggling at the names, I enjoyed this a lot and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

tguccione's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child death

laurachignall's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

littlered22's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I really liked it. Found the world building to be a little confusing but I know as I continue it'll make more sense. Loved the characters. Had me kicking my feet and smiling a bit 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Murder

Moderate: Confinement, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, and War

glddstwmn's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Check TWs before reading!! Graphic descriptions of abuse and gore. 

UGH, my heart hurts a little after this one. :(

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War

Minor: Rape

readinglawyer29's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

SPOILERS










I'm not giving this book a 5 stars because there were some things that annoyed the hell outta me (for instances, almost the names of the characters suck, the worst being the MC... I'll never get over it), but the story is great, the pace is perfect, the twists surprised me and I LOVED how the author depicted Poppy's sexual awakening and first experience. Also that there was a strong focus on HER pleasure, which is refreshing. I loved seeing Poppy feeling more and more empowered throughout the book, she is a badass and I'm here for it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Child abuse and Child death

Minor: Misogyny

lotsofbubbles's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

I really enjoyed this book. In the beginning I had a hard time to keep picking up the book again, and then suddenly I finished te book bij reading over 300 pages in one sitting (and missing lots of sleep by doing so because I couldn't put the book down). The characters were very lovable and this book managed to make me love and cry. I also helped me to rediscover my fondness of vampires and werewolves that I thought I had "matured out off".

I would definitely recommend this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Torture, Blood, Grief, and Murder

Minor: Confinement, Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment