Flesh and Fire Series Book Review: And Recommendations

A Shadow in the Ember, by Jennifer L. Armentrout ★ ★ ★.5 Worth Reading A Light In the Flame, by Jennifer L. Armentrout ★ ★ ★ ★ Loved it!

1/31/2023

Should you read Jennifer L. Armentrout's Prequel Series to Blood and Ash?

A Shadow in the Ember, by Jennifer L. Armentrout
★ ★ ★.5 Worth Reading
A Light In the Flame, by Jennifer L. Armentrout
★ ★ ★ ★ Loved it!
[No Spoilers] The prequel series, Flesh and Fire, by Jennifer L. Armentrout surpasses the original story by a mile! The characters are more likable, the relationships are far more complex, and overall, the plot has a stronger foundation.

I am trudging through the Blood and Ash series, and have almost moved on several times, but the Flesh and Fire series convinced me to stick it out, if only for the overlap. Truthfully, I feel that both series would’ve benefited from a more chronological timeline.

What can I say about the story? I find the idea of the Primals and Gods at the forefront of this series to be much more interesting than what’s happening in Blood and Ash. The Primals of Life and Death feel like a greater mythology that I want to keep learning about. There are deeper layers to the plot, and frankly, it’s just not as confusing as Blood and Ash.

What doesn’t work? The repetition. The plot is complicated, in this series and in Blood and Ash. You can easily get lost in all of the background information and false histories. However, the constant dialogue between the characters and the Sera’s inner dialogue, repeating what we already know and trying to figure out the truth about the past is hard to get through at times. I feel like the premise is all there and unique but the execution is lacking in certain areas.

However, I do really appreciate the main female character, Sera. There’s nothing more frustrating to me than a powerful female lead who is independent, fierce, and courageous, only to later have her portrayed as perfectly innocent and untouched, basically for the benefit of the male lead. I appreciated the role reversal here. Besides that, I could read about Nyktos all day!

Click here to purchase A Shadow in the Ember.

It is far easier to be lied to than to acknowledge that you have been lied to.”
― Jennifer L. Armentrout, A Shadow in the Ember

Heartmates usually only occur between two people whose unions are linked to some great purpose.”
― Jennifer L. Armentrout, A Light in the Flame

I was entirely hooked by book two. Thankfully I started this one right before Christmas and didn't have many distractions because I would've neglected all of my responsibilities!

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.

The truth about Sera’s plan is out, shattering the fragile trust forged between her and Nyktos. Surrounded by those distrustful of her, all Sera has is her duty. She will do anything to end Kolis, the false King of Gods, and his tyrannical rule of Iliseeum, thus stopping the threat he poses to the mortal realm.