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A Shadow In The Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout(Review Post)

Published September 6, 2021 by bookbesties

A Shadow in the Ember (Flesh and Fire, #1)

A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Make him fall in love with you, then end him…..

A Shadow In the Ember is I guess you could say a spinoff prequel to Jennifer Armentrout’s widely successful From Blood and Ash series. It takes place in the same world, just a reeeeeally long time before the events in FB&A. In this we meet Seraphena(Sera) who has been chosen and trined for one thing and one thing only. Make the primal of death fall in love with her, then end him. Its the only way she knows how to save her kingdom. But When that time comes, things don’t go as planned and now Sera has to face a new reality, Or so she thought. When the primal does come, he is like nothing she was expecting. The slow burn of Sera and Nyktos was one of the best ones I have read in a really long time.
I thought no one could beat out Poppy and Casteele(from Blood and Ash) for my fav couple, but I’m telling you now, SERA & NYKTOS have surpassed them so much and this only the first book in this series! Sera is everything you want in a strong female lead. Cunning, smart, fierce, strong and yet, vulnerable and loyal. And Nyktos is…he’s…well he’s Nyktos. He’s a Primal, THE Primal of death and gives of BDE(Big D Energy) BIG TIME! The book answers a few questions we may have from the Blood and Ash world, and tied in some key elements that we will need for the next book in the Blood and Ash world. It also left me with my pulse literally racing by the end and my mind blown.

I have been a long time reader of Jennifer’s and the way she wove this story into all the elements from the past and what I hope will come in later books is simply amazing.
I feel like I say this with every book she puts out lately, but this book was amazing! I’m speechless at how much this world has grown and how it keeps growing! I can’t wait for the next book!

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Grace & Glory by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Review Post)

Published June 3, 2021 by bookbesties

Danger, betrayal, and enticing forbidden love clash in book three of #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Harbinger trilogy!

When Angels Fall

Trinity Marrow has lost the battle and her beloved Protector. Even with both demons and Wardens on her side, Trin may not win the war against the Harbinger.

Bringing Lucifer back to the world to fight the Harbinger is probably a really, really bad idea, but they’re out of options—and the world’s ultimate fallen angel is the only being powerful enough to impact the outcome.

As Trin and Zayne form a new and more dangerous bond and Lucifer unleashes Hell on earth, the apocalypse looms and the world teeters on the end of forever. Win or lose, one thing is certain—nothing will ever be the same.

I was really sad to start Grace and Glory because I knew it was the last and I didn’t want it to end but I was super excited to see what happened to Zyne, Trinity and crew so I dove right in.

I was so nervous reading this book because I was super anxious for something to happen(If you know, you know) and it was so satisfying when it did! Trinity and Zayne have new things in their life to navigate but on top of that Trinity has so much more to do. She has to prepare for an epic fight, she has to figure out what’s going on with her lovable ghost buddy, she has to get the love of her life back AND pray she gets the help of the one being who is known for NOT helping.

That’s enough problems for 10 people let alone one. But Trinity handles that, plus a few added extra issues along the way with humor, sweet moments and fighting, lots of fighting.

I was very happy with the pace and progression of the ending. Sometimes a final book can be a mixture of too much info or feeling like it was rushed or questions left kinda open. I’m glad that Jen doesn’t do that and this book couldn’t have ended on a more perfect chefs kiss and a surprise ending that I didn’t see coming(and I can usually guess the endings of books).

Jen has managed to turn a person (me) who didnt like Zyne since his DE days into loving the mess out of him in is own series and be happy that he finally got his HEA. I’m going to miss Trin and the gang 😦

The Crown Of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout(Review Post)

Published April 21, 2021 by bookbesties

Bow Before Your Queen Or Bleed Before Her…

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book three in her Blood and Ash series.

She’s been the victim and the survivor…

Poppy never dreamed she would find the love she’s found with Prince Casteel. She wants to revel in her happiness but first they must free his brother and find hers. It’s a dangerous mission and one with far-reaching consequences neither dreamed of. Because Poppy is the Chosen, the Blessed. The true ruler of Atlantia. She carries the blood of the King of Gods within her. By right the crown and the kingdom are hers.

The enemy and the warrior…

Poppy has only ever wanted to control her own life, not the lives of others, but now she must choose to either forsake her birthright or seize the gilded crown and become the Queen of Flesh and Fire. But as the kingdoms’ dark sins and blood-drenched secrets finally unravel, a long-forgotten power rises to pose a genuine threat. And they will stop at nothing to ensure that the crown never sits upon Poppy’s head.

A lover and heartmate…

But the greatest threat to them and to Atlantia is what awaits in the far west, where the Queen of Blood and Ash has her own plans, ones she has waited hundreds of years to carry out. Poppy and Casteel must consider the impossible—travel to the Lands of the Gods and wake the King himself. And as shocking secrets and the harshest betrayals come to light, and enemies emerge to threaten everything Poppy and Casteel have fought for, they will discover just how far they are willing to go for their people—and each other.

And now she will become Queen…

OH MY GOD

Where do I really even start? This book blew me away!

I am going to try and do this without soiling anything, which is so hard because it all was amazing. I sat on this review because I had to process everything and I still don’t know if this review will adequately relay all of my feelings.

After all the ups and downs from A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire I thought Jennifer couldn’t top it, it was seriously my fav book this far. how could she make me love Poppy, Cas and the gang more? Oh, but I was wrong, so, so wrong. This book starts with so much happening it left me screaming,

“That’s how you start a book!”

This book started on 100 and ended on 100000! The excitement doesn’t end there. This book picks up exactly where the last book left off with Poppy, Cas and crew thrown into a new deadly situation. I was on the edge of my seat for the first 100 pages and couldn’t put the book down enough to even sleep.

New revelations leave Poppy to question who she is and what really happened the night of her attack and her and Cas have to navigate a new life, new rolls and new feelings. So many feelings.

The twist and turns this book took me on were heartbreaking,emotional and phenomenal! I laughed, I felt things, and I cried, man did I cry! New characters were introduced and old side characters were showcased( Shoutout to Delano and Vonetta, my personal fav ;-)) more and I loved it! I was happy that a few of the theories that I guessed were correct and others were not. And the steam?

The steam was steamier, the swoon was swoon-er and everything was just so much more. I have been a JLA fan for a long time, since her first book back in 2011 and this was by far the best book Jen has ever written(so far) and defiantly my 2021 top read(so far).

Bravo Jen, BRAVO!

The Brightest Night (Origin Series Book 3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published October 20, 2020 by bookbesties

#1 New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout returns to the world of the Lux with this steamy, shocking third installment of the Origin series that will leave readers reeling.

The hardcover edition of The Brightest Night includes a bonus short story, and the first printing will be signed by the author.

He is the darkest star.
She is the burning shadow.
And together, they will bring about the brightest night.

Less than a year ago, Evelyn Dasher was a normal girl, living a safe, rather unremarkable life—a life that was a total lie. Now she’s learned the truth about who she was and what she is.

Hidden within Zone 3, she knows that if she loses control of her dangerous abilities again, she not only puts everyone in the secret community at risk, but also the beautiful, deadly inhuman Luc. He will do anything to keep her safe. Lie. Barter. Beg. Kill.

But there are truths that not even Luc can prepare for, and as Evie’s abilities evolve, the consequences of everything he’s done turn devastating.

Luc is stepping into the darkness. But Evie might already be lost to the shadows.

LUC!!!!

I feel like I’m Luc’s biggest fan, I have re-read the last book in this series(The Burning Shadow) a million times because I love him so much. The Brightest Night picks up exactly where TBS left off, with Luc and Evie and their bunch finally at a safe location after running from the big bad. People, Luxen, Hybris and human alike are kinda weary of Evie and are keeping her at an arm’s distance. All expect Luc, never Luc. This book, to my delight, it JAM-PACKED with a lot of Luc and Evie goodness!! There were so many good moments between them, sweet and funny and also a little steamy. Evie has to basically control what’s controlling her all the while exploring her budding romance with Luc as well as uncovering her memories. With all our favorites from the Lux world sprinkled in, this book will answer a lot of Evie’s questions as well as the readers. Like how much her life intertwined with Luc’s even before she meet him (for the second time) and how far Luc is willing to go to protect her, even from herself. But, in true JLA fashion, it will also leave you with a lot of questions, like what happed to the(Spoiler) and a jaw dropping ending that no one saw coming.

I laughed and blushed and laughed so more, then I cried..so hard. With a year until the last one come out, I will defiantly be re-reading this one as much as the last!

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire: A Blood and Ash Novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout(Review Post)

Published August 12, 2020 by bookbesties

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes a new novel in her Blood and Ash series…

Is Love Stronger Than Vengeance?

A Betrayal…

Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she was falling in love with. Thrust among those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maiden. But what she does know is that nothing is as dangerous to her as him. The Dark One. The Prince of Atlantia. He wants her to fight him, and that’s one order she’s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.

A Choice….

Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. His truths as sensual as his bite. Poppy knows better than to trust him. He needs her alive, healthy, and whole to achieve his goals. But he’s the only way for her to get what she wants—to find her brother Ian and see for herself if he has become a soulless Ascended. Working with Casteel instead of against him presents its own risks. He still tempts her with every breath, offering up all she’s ever wanted. Casteel has plans for her. Ones that could expose her to unimaginable pleasure and unfathomable pain. Plans that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she’s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation.

A Secret…

But unrest has grown in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Whispers of war have become stronger, and Poppy is at the very heart of it all. The King wants to use her to send a message. The Descenters want her dead. The wolven are growing more unpredictable. And as her abilities to feel pain and emotion begin to grow and strengthen, the Atlantians start to fear her. Dark secrets are at play, ones steeped in the blood-drenched sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to shake, and the skies start to bleed, it may already be too late.

Pre-OrderHere

Grab the fist book, From Blood and Ash Here

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In this highly anticipated sequel to Jennifer Armentrout’s successful fantasy series, From Blood and Ash, A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire picks up right where it left off.

This is probably going to be one of those reviews where I can’t say too much so as not to spoil anything but also where I want to just SCREAM how excellent this book was.

We find Poppy left dealing with a wide range of emotions left from a betrayal that cut her deep. Not really a reader of fantasy(I think I read, maybe three before this) This sequel had it all. Action, suspense, drama and romance. It had all the romance.

“There is no side of you that is not as beautiful as the other half. Not a single inch isn’t stunning.”

I don’t usually watch much fantasy shows, I mean, I’ve never seen one episode of GOT and I’m okay with that, but if it’s anything like AKoF&F then sign me up! The action was off the charts, suspenseful and entertaining to where it was playing out in my head like a movie scene.

What I loved most about this sequel is the journey that BOTH Hawke and Poppy take, individually and together as they both work toward a common goal.

I didn’t think that Jen could outdo From Blood and Ash as being my top read of 2020, but she did! I immediately started rereading AKoF&F(even though I have about 4 more reviews to read and do) and it is easily, EASILY my top read of 2020!

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BookBesties.com vonetta

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About Jennifer L. Armentrout

Join JLA’s mailing list for exclusive material and giveaways http://bit.ly/JLANews
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# 1 NEW YORK TIMES, # 1 International, and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout lives in West Virginia. She also writes under the name J. Lynn. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write. She shares her home with her husband, his K-9 partner named Diesel and her hyper Border Jack Apollo, and a slew of farm animals that include alpacas, goats, and sheep.

The Queen by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Review Post)

Published July 14, 2020 by bookbesties

51hRT9UdidL From #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes the next installment in her Wicked series.

The King must have his Queen….

Bestowed the forbidden Summer’s Kiss by the King of the Summer fae, Brighton Jussier is no longer just human. What she is, what she will become, no one knows for sure, but that isn’t her biggest concern at the moment. Now Caden, the King, refuses to let her go, even at the cost of his Court. When the doorway to the Otherworld is breached, both Brighton and Caden must do the unthinkable—not just to survive themselves, but also to save mankind from the evil that threatens the world.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

OR GET THE WHOLE SERIES HERE

I was so excited for this book because it was the final one and it was set to be THE BEST ONE and it was!!

The storyline picked up exactly where it left off, Brighton is recovering after her terrible and horrible ordeal and just got some rather shocking news. While she tries to navigate her flashbacks of what’s real and she also has to deal with her feeling for Caden and the future they will have. She knows what the right thing is but her heart…well that’s a different story. But obviously someone wants her gone and the list of people who are capable of it is long.

I loved that in this story the King, Caden, Kind of said YOLO and went with what was in his heart and DARED someone to questions him. He had no qualms about pursuing things with Brighton, and she was the one who put a stop to it this time. That was a twist, but I understood where she was coming from and why. The friendship that she forms with Tink in this made me Love him(I previously didn’t) and it was jut what and who she needed to help her through this.

This particular trope that Jennifer had bought us with this last novella in the seires happens to be ONE OF MY FAVORITE TROPES EVER! So this, in my mind, was perfect!

I was able to riddle out the whodoneit in the end but not predicted the ending. I am sad to see this world ending though and it makes me want to re-read the Wicked series all over again.

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BookBesties.com vonetta

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Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout(Review Post)

Published June 9, 2020 by bookbesties

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Dangerous secrets and forbidden desires lead to shocking consequences… Don’t miss book two of the fantastical Harbinger trilogy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout.

“Jennifer L. Armentrout’s intoxicating new fantasy is her best yet!” —New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter on Storm and Fury

Half-angel Trinity and her bonded gargoyle protector, Zayne, have been working with demons to stop the apocalypse while avoiding falling in love. The Harbinger is coming…but who or what is it? All of humankind may fall if Trinity and Zayne can’t win the race against time as dark forces gather.

As tensions rise, they must stay close together and patrol the DC streets at night, seeking signs of the Harbinger, an entity that is killing Wardens and demons with no seeming rhyme or reason. Forbidden to be with each other, Zayne and Trinity fight their feelings and turn to unusual sources for help—the demon Roth and his cohorts. But as deaths pile up and they uncover a sinister plot involving the local high school and endangering someone dear to Zayne, Trin realizes she is being led…herded…played for some unknown end. As anger builds and feelings spiral out of control, it becomes clear that rage may be the ruin of them all.

OUT NOW!!!

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So, let me start by saying that I was never a huge fan of Zayne. In fact, I could have done with out him getting his HEA, Harsh I know but I was neither for him nor against him. When Storm and Fury came out I fell in love with Trinity and Zayne was just there, again neither for nor against. Well all that changed with Rage and Ruin.

This picks up exactly where it left off from S&F with Trinity still reeling from the betrayal, hurt and change she has had to go through. Now Zayne and Trinity have to navigate this new life together, finding the Harbinger, stop whoever is killing all the wardens with help from some familiar faces, and stopping the ever growing attraction they have toward each other.
This book, for me brought back the old Zayne who I had started to love in the original stories(See White hot Kiss) he was in but quickly fell out of that because of other things. NOW, I am firmly in the Team Zayne camp.
In this exciting continuation of the Harbinger series this book is filled with action, angst and sometimes heartbreaking goodness. I always feel that if you read an Armentrout male that you didn’t really care for, through her vivid way she writes, she always bring you back around to loving, if not LOVING him.
The ending of this book is explosive and (insert heartbreaking part) but it def leaves you wanting more, as always with Jen’s books.

Vonetta

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From Blood And Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Review Post)

Published March 31, 2020 by bookbesties

from blood and ash

A Maiden

Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers.

A duty

The entire kingdom’s future rest on Poppy’s shoulders, something she’s not even quite sure she wants for herself. Because a Maiden has a heart. And a soul. And a longing. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in, and tempts her with the forbidden

A Kingdom

Forsaken by the gods and feared by mortals, a fallen kingdom is rising once more, determined to take back what they believe is theirs through violence and vengeance. And as the shadow of those cursed draws closer, the line between what is forbidden and what is right becomes blurred. Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being found unworthy by the gods, but also her life when every blood-soaked threat that holds her together begins to unravel.

OUT NOW!

In this exciting new novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout, she introduces a fantastical world filled with immense detail, and characters who are poignant and fierce, Jennifer truly has out done herself!

I have been a long time avid reader of Jennifer and I can say that as her debut high fantasy novel she KILLED IT! Whenever I see ‘high fantasy’ I don’t really know what to expect because it’s always the authors take on what high fantasy is to them and you just never know. Poppy has been hidden away her whole life, and has a duty to her people and kingdom but has always longed for more…more than just sitting in her room, more than just the few people who are allowed to speak to her and def more than no one ever looking at her fully without her veil in place. And that longing only grew since Hawke came to the castle. There is much that Poppy is unsure of, so question, but the one thing she does know is that she is drawn to Hawke and she is not sure why. But then things start to happen and Poppy’s world is turned on its axes leaving her with even more questions and uncertainties.

This story gripped me from the beginning to end. This is a different take on Vampires and I loved every second of this high paced, fun witty and surprising plot twisting story.

As always Jennifer has a way with making readers fall in love with her Hero’s and Hawke is no exception…..

“With my sword and with my life, I vow to keep you safe, Penellaphe… from this moment until the last moment, I am yours.”

That’s not to say that her Heroien is anything less than amazing..Poppy is strong minded and an all around BAD A!

This book is at my top read for 2020 and Jennifer captured perfectly all the aspects of a first book in a series to keep you wanting more. Action, suspense comedy and romance. I can’t wait to see where this world and these characters lead us next!

Vonetta

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The Burning Shadow by Jennifer L. Armentrout(Review Post)

Published October 8, 2019 by bookbesties

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#1 New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout returns to the world of the Lux with The Burning Shadow, the steamy, shocking second installment of the Origin series that will leave readers reeling.

When Evelyn Dasher crossed paths with Luc, she was thrown headfirst into the world of the Lux—only to discover that she was already far more involved in their world than she ever suspected.

Because the Luxen aren’t the only ones with a hidden past. There’s a gap in Evie’s memory, lost months of her life and a lingering sense that something happened, something she can’t remember and nobody is willing to tell her. She needs to find out the truth about who she is—and who she was. But every answer she finds only brings up more questions.

Her search for the truth brings her ever closer to Luc, the Origin at the center of it all. He’s powerful, arrogant, inhumanly beautiful, extremely dangerous…and possibly in love with her. But even as Evie falls for him, she can’t help but wonder if his attraction is to her, or to the memory of a girl who no longer exists.

And all the while, a new threat looms: reports of a flu-like, fatal virus that the government insists is being spread by Luxen. A horrifying illness that changes whoever it touches, spreading panic across a country already at its breaking point.

OUT NOW ($5.99 at time of posting)!!!!

The Burning Shadow by Jennifer L. Armentrout

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holy CRAP this book was good! So many turns and WTF moments and the surprise ending that I DID NOT see coming..just wow! Jennifer has hit this one out of the park!

I have been a long time fan of this author and this world and diving back in gave me all the feels. This book pics up right were the last book(The Darkest Star) left off. After having discovered the truth about herself Evie is thrust into living a life she has no idea how to live and feelings she has no idea how to navigate. Luc is still by Evie’s side and as the feelings she has for him grows, so does her confusion on who and what she is…to him, to herself, to everyone.
Evie thought things would die down after the showdown from the last book, but when people start mysteriously getting sick she learns that it was only just the beginning.
Armentrout has outdone herself in this fast paced, can’t put down goodness! I found myself Laughing, crying and thoroughly SHOOK, with twist and turns I didn’t see coming. Armentrout has woven suspense, action and FEELING into a great sequel with a promise of more and exciting things to come.
This is how you write a freaking sequel!!