From Blood and Ash(Blood and Ash #1)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
🌶️ Quick Spice Verdict
Heat Level
Explicit with forbidden tension
Spicy Scenes
~4 scenes
POV Style
First person (Poppy)
About From Blood and Ash
Poppy has lived a sheltered life as the Maiden, chosen by the gods and forbidden from being touched. When Hawke, a golden-eyed guard with a wicked smile, arrives, he challenges everything she's been taught — and ignites a forbidden desire.
Reading Vibes
🌶️ Spice Level Breakdown
From Blood and Ash builds tension masterfully before delivering explicit scenes. The forbidden nature of Poppy's situation — she's literally not allowed to be touched — makes every physical interaction electric. When the spicy scenes arrive (around the halfway mark), they're detailed and passionate. Hawke is confident and experienced, and the scenes reflect that energy. Expect 3-4 explicit scenes that escalate in intensity. The 'forbidden touch' element adds an extra layer of heat to every interaction.
Tropes in From Blood and Ash
Characters who start as adversaries and gradually fall in love
Destined partners, often in fantasy settings
A romance that defies social rules or expectations
Romance blended with fantasy world-building
An intensely protective love interest
Content Warnings
⚠️ Content Warnings
- Violence and gore
- Explicit sexual content
- Captivity
- Death
- Blood drinking
- Assault references
Should You Read From Blood and Ash?
✅ Perfect For You If...
- •Fans of forbidden romance with real consequences
- •Readers who love a confident, teasing male lead
- •Those who enjoy fantasy worlds with vampire/deity mythology
- •ACOTAR fans looking for their next series
- •Readers who want action AND romance in equal measure
⛔ Skip This If...
- •Blood and violence bother you — there's a lot
- •You want a quick, light read — this is 600+ pages
- •You dislike chosen one narratives
- •Major plot twists that reframe the romance frustrate you
Our Take
From Blood and Ash is the kind of book that grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. Jennifer L. Armentrout created a world that feels both familiar and fresh — there are echoes of ACOTAR and Vampire Academy, but the mythology around the Ascended and the gods is uniquely compelling. Poppy is a fantastic protagonist: sheltered but fierce, obedient on the surface but rebellious at heart. And Hawke... Hawke is the kind of love interest who makes you highlight every line of dialogue. His teasing, protective, slightly dangerous energy is irresistible. The forbidden nature of their connection — she literally cannot be touched — makes every stolen moment feel electric. The big twist at the midpoint reframes everything, and the second half of the book is a completely different (and arguably better) reading experience. The spice is well-earned and well-written. This is a must-read for romantasy fans.
What Readers Say
Average community spice rating: 4.3/5
content.warning.check
2024-11-30
“Great book but PLEASE check the content warnings. There's significant violence, gore, blood drinking, and captivity themes. The spice is high and well-written, but the dark elements are real. Poppy is an amazing heroine — fierce despite being sheltered. The twist genuinely shocked me. This is dark romantasy done right, but it's not for the faint of heart.”
hawke_is_mine
2024-10-08
“The forbidden touch element in FBAA makes EVERYTHING hotter. Poppy literally isn't allowed to be touched, so every brush of fingers feels electric. When the spice finally arrives, it's explosive. Hawke is confident, teasing, and knows exactly what he's doing. The big twist at the midpoint reframes the entire romance and somehow makes it even better??”
fantasy.romance.addict
2024-09-22
“Solid 4 on spice. The buildup is incredible — JLA knows how to write tension. The scenes are explicit and passionate, and Hawke's teasing personality makes them fun too. The world-building is complex (vampires but not really vampires?) and the action scenes are genuinely exciting. If you liked ACOTAR, you'll love this. Just be ready for a LOT of blood.”
📚 Series Information
From Blood and Ash is book #1 of 6 in the Blood and Ash series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is From Blood and Ash spicy?
Yes, From Blood and Ash has a spice level of 4/5 on our scale, which we rate as "Very Spicy (Explicit)." Detailed explicit intimate scenes. From Blood and Ash builds tension masterfully before delivering explicit scenes. The forbidden nature of Poppy's situation — she's literally not allowed to be touched — makes every physical interaction electric. When the spicy scenes arrive (around the halfway mark), they're detailed and passionate. Hawke is confident and experienced, and the scenes reflect that energy. Expect 3-4 explicit scenes that escalate in intensity. The 'forbidden touch' element adds an extra layer of heat to every interaction.
What is the spice level of From Blood and Ash?
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout is rated 4 out of 5 on the SpicyBooks spice scale. This means it's "Very Spicy (Explicit)" — detailed explicit intimate scenes. The steam level is: Explicit with forbidden tension.
How many spicy scenes are in From Blood and Ash?
From Blood and Ash contains approximately 4 intimate/spicy scenes. From Blood and Ash builds tension masterfully before delivering explicit scenes. The forbidden nature of Poppy's situation — she's literally not allowed to be touched — makes every physical interaction electric. When the spicy scenes arrive (around the halfway mark), they're detailed and passionate. Hawke is confident and experienced, and the scenes reflect that energy. Expect 3-4 explicit scenes that escalate in intensity. The 'forbidden touch' element adds an extra layer of heat to every interaction.
What tropes are in From Blood and Ash?
From Blood and Ash features the following romance tropes: ⚔️ Enemies to Lovers, ✨ Fated Mates, 🚫 Forbidden Love, 🐉 Romantasy, 🗡️ Touch Her and Die. These tropes are central to the story and shape the romantic dynamic between the characters.
Does From Blood and Ash have content warnings?
Yes, readers should be aware of the following content warnings for From Blood and Ash: Violence and gore, Explicit sexual content, Captivity, Death, Blood drinking, Assault references. We always recommend checking content warnings before reading if you have specific sensitivities.
Is From Blood and Ash part of a series? Do I need to read it in order?
Yes, From Blood and Ash is book 1 of 6 in the Blood and Ash series. As the first book, this is the perfect starting point.
Who would enjoy From Blood and Ash?
From Blood and Ash is perfect for: Fans of forbidden romance with real consequences; Readers who love a confident, teasing male lead; Those who enjoy fantasy worlds with vampire/deity mythology. The reading vibes are: Forbidden, Intense, Action-packed, Mysterious, Steamy.
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Ready to Read From Blood and Ash?
Now that you know the spice level, tropes, and content warnings — grab your copy!