Jennifer L. Armentrout

Author Jennifer L. Armentrout revisits the first novel in her phenomenal Blood and Ash series. But this time… it’s Hawke’s turn to tell the story.

Filled with new scenes, insights, and a few surprises, A Soul of Ash and Blood is a must-read for fans of From Blood and Ash and the love story of Poppy and Hawke.

A Soul of Ash and Blood

It’s funny because it’s true! They are adorable 🥰 

Chrissie Smith

 “By the way," he said, glancing at Kieran and me as we started down the hall once more. "You two are...adorable." Kieran's forehead scrunched as he brushed dust from his shoulder. I don't think I've ever been referred to as adorable before, but thanks." He paused. I think.”

"Just so you know," he bit out, lifting his pointed chin, "I’ve got  my eye on you, Flynn." Most do," I replied, then winked. 

Emil Da'Lahr was a motherfucker. One either enjoyed being in his presence or spent the entirety of that time ploting various ways to murder him, something I truly believed brought Emil a perverse level of joy. 

Yasss!!!! I love K even much for this!!!!

A heartbeat passed. "Caning her?" Anger simmered in my gut as I nodded. "Fucking gods." His eyes, a brighter shade of blue now, met min "Make it hurt." "I plan to."

Laura de Francisco

“A Maiden with a wolven-bone dagger and, at the very least, no fear when it comes to using it?" One side of his lips tipped up. “Why do I have a feeling we may have underestimated her?" I let out a short, low laugh. "Because I think we did."

Kieran's brows creased further as he looked at me like I was missing half a brain. “What do you think lust, respect, admiration, and caring for someone adds up to?”

I didn’t realise the next book isn’t released till June rip 

Lily

90% of this book is the same as the first book of the saga but from Casteel's point of view. 

Anita

3.75 ish. A little slow but was interesting to hear the story from the other point of view. 10/10 ending that I did not see coming at all though!!!

Alissa 

Linsey Mombert

Honestly wanted to DNF so badly. Basically just skimmed to get any info that may be interesting. Definitely could’ve been a novella or extra chapters added to special additions of B&A

Syrina

A soul of ash and blood was amazing, this book is definitely my favorite of this series. It was so nice to read From blood and ash but told from Casteel's pov, we got to see more into his thoughts and learn a bit more about his past

The present day chapters were a bit unnecessary because nothing really happened in them, but it was still fun to read. Some of my favorite chapters in this book were with Casteel and the Duke, and the scenes at The Red Pearl. 

To be honest nothing much happened in this book until the very last chapter but it was still enjoyable. I feel like no one is talking about what happened in the last chapter, but I still can't wrap my mind around it

I have so many questions—Is Casteel a Primal now as well ? Does Poppy have her memories ? Is Poppy who I think she might be from the Flesh and fire series ... I need the next book right now !

June

Major spoilers

A soul of ash and blood was amazing, this book is definitely my favorite of this series. It was so nice to read From blood and ash but told from Casteel's pov, we got to see more into his thoughts and learn a bit more about his past

The present day chapters were a bit unnecessary because nothing really happened in them, but it was still fun to read. Some of my favorite chapters in this book were with Casteel and the Duke, and the scenes at The Red Pearl. 

To be honest nothing much happened in this book until the very last chapter but it was still enjoyable. I feel like no one is talking about what happened in the last chapter, but I still can't wrap my mind around it

I have so many questions—Is Casteel a Primal now as well ? Does Poppy have her memories ? Is Poppy who I think she might be from the Flesh and fire series ... I need the next book right now !

I finished A Soul of Blood and Ash last week and I loved it. It was so much fun to go back and see Casteel’s POV. Even though I loved the book I don’t think I would reread it therefore I’m giving it a 4/5.

“When I was around her, I didn’t think of the past or the future. I simply lived.”

“Poppy… she was worth the risk. To give her a chance to actually live.”

“Nothing is ever simple… And when it is, it’s rarely ever worth it.”

Kennedy

I finished A Soul of Blood and Ash last week and I loved it. It was so much fun to go back and see Casteel’s POV. Even though I loved the book I don’t think I would reread it therefore I’m giving it a 4/5.

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Fav Quotes:
“When I was around her, I didn’t think of the past or the future. I simply lived.”

“Poppy… she was worth the risk. To give her a chance to actually live.”

“Nothing is ever simple… And when it is, it’s rarely ever worth it.”

Genuinely hate to say it but this really felt like a filler book. I liked seeing Cas POV but honestly didn’t learn any new information from it at all. Looked forward to the present chapters more than anything and there were really only 2 present chapters that were actually worth something!! I’m still excited for the next book to see how this whole thing gets wrapped up! 

Ashley Krajnak 

Loved but was desperate for longer present chapters 🥺 especially with Millie & Poppy 

Renae Morran

There’s no point in this book existing but that’s okay. Cas’s POV really didn’t provide any more insight into his character than we already knew. It would have a been a better opportunity to give him some more depth, and instead it was just about him wanting to screw Poppy all the time, which is already the theme of FBAA. Also, I’m sorry Jennifer but you need to find an editor. No one in their right mind would let things like “what in the fuckity fuck” and “does today end in Y” get through to the final manuscript. Embarrassing. 

World building is awesome, and it’s fully overshadowed by Jennifer being a cringemeister. 

Madeleine Winterich

There’s no point in this book existing but that’s okay. Cas’s POV really didn’t provide any more insight into his character than we already knew. It would have a been a better opportunity to give him some more depth, and instead it was just about him wanting to screw Poppy all the time, which is already the theme of FBAA. Also, I’m sorry Jennifer but you need to find an editor. No one in their right mind would let things like “what in the fuckity fuck” and “does today end in Y” get through to the final manuscript. Embarrassing. 

Smut written fairly well per usual. 

World building is awesome, and it’s fully overshadowed by Jennifer being a cringemeister. 

I stayed up till 4 am reading this book, it might be one of my favorites in the series. I'm gonna be anxiously awaiting the next one.

Guinevere Filiaggi

There wasn't much to this book for as thick as it was. There wasn't really much to move the overall story forward.

Akane

could’ve been a novella but i love casteel 

gracyn neely

I can’t believe how long it took me to finish this book but I did it! I finished it. It was basically like re reading from blood and ash but with cas’s pov, like she said it would be, but she had pieces of what’s happening after The War Of Two Queens in between. I think it’s important to at least read those parts because they give you information about what’s going to happen or what could happen. I enjoyed it especially the scene with the duke and Cas. The ending though! The ending! Are you kidding me!? First off cliffhanger and secondly he can do that now?! Ugh! Lol 

Kaitlyn Grooms

Cassss you sweet baby angel. I gotta say I didn't like this one as much as the others, because it's basically just telling us what we've already read, but I do like how it fleshes Cas' character out a bit more since previously he was just a horny guy following our badass goddess around.

Kate B-L

freya.nightwolf

I don't know what to do with myself right now! I loved this book so damn much, I didn't want it to end. I fell in love with Cas all over again and even harder. I laughed, I cried, I was shocked, I was crushed... I've been through all emotions possible. This book crushed my heart and gave me hope at the same time. 

The existing words are insufficient to express what I felt reading this book. From the bottom of my heart, Jennifer, thank you for this magnificent book. I only experienced this once, when I read A Court of Mist and Fury, and again, just like with ACOMAF, ASOAAB came just at the right time, when I needed it the most. A Soul of Ash and Blood is right there next to ACOMAF, to the books close to my heart. These two are my salvation. 

I loved every page, every chapter, every new extra scene, I loved everything. It was so interesting to read the chapters that I already knew from the first book, but from a different POV and to have both characters' feelings on display, how they felt, how they thought, how they plot, how they saw things... absolutely amazing! 

Cas, you crushed my heart. I can say that I fall in love with him all over again and even harder because his heart holds a lot of emotions and all those walls that he built around him... I'm so happy he has Kieran and Poppy in his life. 

Kieran, I take my hat off to you. I saw a whole new side of Kieran before he even met Poppy and he is a true friend and a true brother to Cas. I loved how he took Poppy under his wing and respected her for her, and not necessarily for Cas. 

The "PRESENT" chapters are gold. I loved the way the past crosses with the present and how Cas sees and understands things now. I loved "PRESENT X". This one made me cry and also gave me hope for them. This one is one of my favorites. 

I was so happy to revisit New Haven. I missed Elijah and Magda and I was so happy to see more of Elijah's smirk :)) I have a lot of favorite chapters, but the best one - not going to spoil which one, but those who finished the book will know - is mind-blowing. I don't think I even breathe through that chapter. I really thought he was going to eat that... "sack of meat" :)))

I NEED ALL THE BOOKS IN CAS'S POV!!! "THE DUKE" GOT MY SMILING LIKE A MANIAC AND I FELT A MORBID SATISFACTION READING THIS ONE :)) "POPPY" got me laughing so hard I thought I was going to stop my own heart :))) I always wondered what he thought and heard staying at her door, but f***ing hell, this one got my laughing with tears. 

I can't wait for the next books. I don't even know which one I want first, just that I want all of them. AND I DON'T WANT THIS SERIES TO END!

Loved this retelling from casteel’s POV!! Also i loved the ending and can’t wait for the next book. I love this world so much!!

Bethany Williamson

I wasn't certain what to expect from this book, with it being a retelling of the first in the installment. But while reading it, it felt amazing getting a second side of the events while also progressing the story. I'm even more excited to read the coming books! Definitely read if you loved the first book, but it does need to be read in it's publishing order, as this book is basically one big spoiler 

A Soul of Ash and Blood

Reviews

Popular highlights