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Kaitlyn‘s review of A Shadow in the Ember (Flesh & Fire, Book 1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Paranormal Romance published by Blue Box Romance 19 Oct 21

I’ve seen so many reviews raving that this is the best book and everyone’s favorite and they like it so much more than FBAA….I’ve been lied to.

At first I was excited to see Poppy was so similar to her grandmother and it made total sense why Nyktos had said Sera would like Poppy. But the more I read, the more similar Sera and Poppy became – until they were literally the same character with zero defining features. They’re exact carbon copies. I feel like JLA could have been a little more creative here and given them some distinctive qualities, instead of just writing the exact same character twice.

If we’re being honest, Nyktos is literally Casteel and it’s the exact same love story. This is just the first few books rewritten with the names changed. I mean, I love Poppy and Casteel and Nyktos and Sera, but there is NOTHING new here.

Giving it a C, because the characters are still wonderful, but I’m annoyed there is no new plot. Also, using phrases like “hot piece” and “lives rent free in my mind” in a story where there’s barely electricity and plumbing is straight up cringe.

The last few chapters were pretty interesting, but it wasn’t enough to tamp my overall annoyance.

Grade: C

Summary:

Born shrouded in the veil of the Primals, a Maiden as the Fates promised, Seraphena Mierel’s future has never been hers. Chosen before birth to uphold the desperate deal her ancestor struck to save his people, Sera must leave behind her life and offer herself to the Primal of Death as his Consort.

However, Sera’s real destiny is the most closely guarded secret in all of Lasania—she’s not the well protected Maiden but an assassin with one mission—one target. Make the Primal of Death fall in love, become his weakness, and then…end him. If she fails, she dooms her kingdom to a slow demise at the hands of the Rot.

Sera has always known what she is. Chosen. Consort. Assassin. Weapon. A specter never fully formed yet drenched in blood. A monster. Until him. Until the Primal of Death’s unexpected words and deeds chase away the darkness gathering inside her. And his seductive touch ignites a passion she’s never allowed herself to feel and cannot feel for him. But Sera has never had a choice. Either way, her life is forfeit—it always has been, as she has been forever touched by Life and Death.

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series: