I began this series after I finished another series by Armentrout. Sometimes what you really liked in one series by an author doesn’t translate into a different series, but once I started these books I couldn’t put them down! So many plot twists, forbidden love, and a world making that is quite extraordinary! If you love fantasy, this series is an amazing experience!

Poppy’s life has never been her own. Ever since the traumatic childhood event when her parents were killed, she has been raised to be The Maiden, who upon her Ascension will usher in a new era for her kingdom. But the cost of being The Maiden is extremely high. She cannot be touched or spoken too, and must wear a veil so that no one can see her face. Locked up in the castle, her life is severely circumscribed, her only duty is to be found worthy of the gods so that she can save the kingdom from those who seek to destroy it.

But despite all these limitations, Poppy has found ways to circumvent the rules that keep her so isolated. She trains her body by learning how to fight with a sword. She also finds that she has the power to ease the pain of those who are sick or dying and often slips passed the walls of the castle and offers her skills to those who are in suffering.

When a new guard named Hawke is assigned to her protective detail, she begins to question her role as The Maiden. He challenges her assumptions, questions her role as the Maiden and her strong physical attraction to him threatens her worthiness to be The Maiden. Suddenly everything she thought she knew about herself, and the kingdom that she is to help transform are in question. Who is Hawke? Can she trust him? What does he want from her? As she tries to answer those questions, she begins to unravel the mystery of who she is and her real life purpose.

Sexy, engaging, with lots of fun, snarky dialogue, Armentrout has created in Poppy, a feisty heroine who knows her own mind. Hawke faces a moral dilemma as he finds himself caught between his love for Poppy and his true purpose in getting close to her. The supporting characters are equally important and add depth to the plot and our understanding of the world they inhabit. This was a fascinating and engaging series!

The books in order are as follows: From Blood and Ash, The Kingdom of Flesh and Fire, Crown of Gilded Bones, War of Two Queens, The Soul of Ash and Blood, and the last book in the series coming out in September of this year is The Primal of Blood and Bone. Enjoy!

Benda’s Rating: **** (4 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Lauren and Marian

Book Study Worthy? Yes, as long as everyone like fantasy!

Read in e-book/e-library format