A Shadow in the Ember
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Fantasy Romance, New Adult
Release Date: October 19, 2021
Blurb:
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 al of Lasania- she's not the well protected Maiden but an assassin with one missions- 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.
Review:
Alright, this one took me longer than normal to get into. Why? Who knows, maybe I went into it in a funk, hell maybe it was the weather... Either way, once I sat down and started reading I didn't want to stop!
I know there are mixed reviews about this book and the FBAA series being alike...frankly they're similar but not identical. BUT I think they need to be similar since events in ASITE lead to events in FBAA and they're set in the same world. One of my favorite things about this prequel series is the introduction of the Draken. I love, love, love the Draken, especially Reaver and little Jadis.
Yes, this is exactly how I picture Jadis 🤣Breaking it down, things I liked:
- Nyktos, is it wrong to say that I might like Nyktos more than Casteel?! I'm not 100% sure yet, but I do love him already. He's big, sexy, protective, supportive, snarky and an alpha through and through.
- Seraphena. JLA does a great job creating female leads who have the fierce, independence that all women strive to have. Sera is no wilting flower and I love that she's not afraid to get her hands dirty and kick some ass.
- The world and word building in this book, just like all JLA series in my opinion, was amazing. The descriptions gave me vivid pictures of the Red Woods' trees and the Gyrms on the hunt.
- The tension and chemistry between Nyktos and Sera... YES! The smut in this is just *chef's kiss*. If you have virgin eyes, don't read the following quote!
"It's not your palm I want wrapped around my c**k right now. It's you I want. Tight and wet and warm.."
Some of the things I struggled with were the names of the characters at some points. I had to reread some parts to understand who was a God./Goddess, Primal, Godling, mortal and where the hell they all came from. While I am ALL FOR the creation of new worlds, realms, lands, beings. creatures, etc. I did get lost a couple of times and I'm a seasoned high fantasy reader.
Like the book nerd that I am, I got giddy when the story started setting us up for events in the FBAA series. I'm anxiously awaiting my return to Poppy and Cas and am on the edge of my seat for what's coming with Sera, Nyktos and how the worlds will collide!
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