The War of Two Queens: Blood and Ash, Book 4

I read all four books in 4 days and I am highly considering doing it all over again:)
I’ll start with no spoilers:Effin fantastic! As my title says I just spent the last 4 days doing nothing but reading this so far four part series. I loved them all for the attention to detail and the characters development over time. I knew going into this one (I bought the Kindle version as there was no way I could wait until May for hardcover lmao) that it had mixed reviews. In my personal opinion I found it all enjoyable and don’t agree with others saying not to read it, each reader has their own experiences and lives in their books differently and you really don’t know until you know, right? Without spoilers I say even if you’re on the fence, go for it. Don’t let others opinions scare you off because you may have a different journey then they did. If you liked the others, just read it. I am honestly thinking about starting all over again to reread and catch small details I may have missed knowing what I know now.Now for some spoilery bits, don’t continue if you don’t want some details :)The whole “emotional cheating” while Cas is captured I frankly do not see. And neither did I see any issue with the Joining. Poppy and Kieran are the ONLY ones who understand what the other is going through in any way. You can see how Cas’s imprisonment wears on Poppy and Kieran individually but also together. Netta couldnt suport Poppy, Delano or the others couldnt have for her or Kieran, not the way they could for each other. They were both missing a part of themselves in a way only they could understand. Even though Cas and Kierans “bond” is no longer, their true bond goes WAY beyond what was broken. Especially after what Kieran went through the first time Cas was captured. They were there for each other in a way that no one else could have been. And in a way that Cas hoped and knew they would be. I didn’t see Kieran trying to seduce Poppy, they had time to figure out their own bond that was made different and grown through the Primal Notam and through having to rely on just each other for awhile. This world does not have our societal norms cast onto it unless you put them there yourself. Poppy and Kieran obviously love each other but BOTH have stated and described it as nothing like what Cas and Poppy have and them “questioning their love” that I saw in other reviews was not how I took that scene. It was them communicating in a healthy manner that what was happening did not lessen what they had and reassuring each other that this was ok.In the scene after Cas is freed and him and Poppy have their.. reuniting lol and Poppy is sleeping, when Cas and Kieran are able to have their official reuniting, you can see their bond as well. How deep and real they’re love for each other goes is beyond being brothers, there is nothing that isn’t shared with the other in a single glance. There is no love lost between Any of them.Same with the Joining, which has been pointed at since the very beginning so it should be no shock to anyone that it happened or why. Cas and Poppy discussed it, Poppy and Kieran discussed it, Cas and Kieran discussed it and the three discussed it together and all were on the same page. The differences in how they loved each other were also taken into account and that if and when Kieran finds his love that they would without question redo the Joining to include them.It’s described in the beach scene that the Wolven are all a very open and casual people. They see nothing wrong with nudity, and sensual acts with anyone that is a willing participant, physically or just watching. I feel like Kieran showed Poppy the beach scene from his view to show her its ok, after being so sheltered from the world everything is new to her. I dont think he was trying to seduce her at all but to say, I was watching you as well, there’s nothing wrong with that, especially given the occasion and how the Wolven are as a people. Sensuality and being turned on by others sensuality is normal.It’s also stated right before the Joining that the Wolven consider it a great honor to be able to do it (especiallywith the King and Queen), and more so for Kieran, Poppy and Cas because of the bond the three of them already share from what theyve been through together. I feel those that had an issue with it have placed our/their societal norms and their personal feelings into a fantasy world that has its own norms. I feel as though it was written quite tastefully and the way it wasn’t exactly known who was doing what, because it didn’t matter, the three of them and their bonds both old and new are what mattered. Blood drinking is typically an intense act in this world, they all knew that and along with the power of the Joining I saw it as just an addition to it, following what they felt and trusting their bonds with each other. I do not think it means they are now suddenly in a Poly relationship. They are just what they are. Kieran may join in again, or maybe not, and those are both fine with me. In the tent on the eve of battle Poppy wakes to find Kieran with them and doesn’t question it, it just feels right. Who else would Kieran be with the night before it may all be over?? He would be with those he is most strongly bonded to. When Poppy and Cas share a steamy kiss in there, of course Kieran knew but that didn’t mean it evolved into another threesome. They took solace in each other’s company and it helped them all sleep better which they sorely needed.Off of the main hot topics that divided the readers, I loved all the details. Some thought there was too much travel filler but I prefer hearing about all the little details! I hate when I know its a two week journey and they leave and jump cut right to where they need to be, there’s things going on during the journey, characters are developing with each other, not just the main ones. And yes many side characters took a back seat in a way in this book, but also didn’t. We learned a lot about the “main” wolven and what their personal lives were about, we met many new and I assume important characters as well. But given that most of the book Cas was captured, it kind of makes sense that there was this sense of almost tunnel vision. She couldn’t think about Cas but at the same time, that’s all she could think of. And if it wasn’t that, it was her responsibility to her people and planning battles. She couldn’t just “hang out” as much in this book.All in all I’m honestly considering starting again all over lol I haven’t been this enthralled in a series in many years and I do not know what to do with my life until whenever the next book comes out. This is a serious book hangover as I keep replaying parts in my head and wanting to go back and reread little details I may have missed before.My hopes for the next book of course is a happy ending with Cas and Poppy, I dont think I could stand it if they were separated for any reason. And Kieran better be right by their side through it all! I know for most “plots” there has to be some death and sadness but I am over the storyline trope of “the main characters can’t be happy bs” like they have all gone through SO much already, please let the three of them and maybe whoever Kieran finds make it. PLEASEEEE lol I also want to hear more about Tawny and what/who she is now and how she plays into the future. Also Malik and MIllie! I know it would take some time to rebuild trusts with the Atlantians, but I do not think they are inherently bad now. They have shown that they want to fight for what is right and I think they will be key players in the war to come. I am excited for Cas, Poppy, Kieran and Nektas to go and find Ires and Jadis, they will not be without their injuries both physical and mental but I hope they are going to be ok. There is so much that I could say but I will just be impatiently waiting for news on the next book 🙂

Dotterns bok och hon tycker det är för mycket sex i den.

After the end of TCOGB, this became on of my most anticipated books of 2022. After the cliffhanger of the last book, I couldn’t wait to see what happens with Poppy and Cas’s story.The War of Two Queens was an epic continuation of The Blood and Ash Series! The pages are filled with love, friendship, war, death and so much more, this book was impossible to put down. I devoured the book so quickly. The series continued to unfold in a way that was not only intricate but has me so invested and wowed at how Jen can tie everything together in a way that makes my head explode! And each character own my heart in their own special ways. With twists, turns and epic reveals you will be glues to this book from start to finish!From the start you are consumed with happiness and worry; I was so excited to read Cas’s POV and experience his thoughts and feelings but with the end of the last book you know he is not in a good spot. It hurt to see him go through something so horrible again and I wanted to become stabby for him. I was so anxious reading his chapters and was just waiting for Poppy’s and Cas’s reunion. The things he would do for love, for Poppy and his friends was just everything. You could feel emotions right of the page, bur even going though the worst he would preserve and have hope and determination.Poppy was dealing with a lot throughout the book; her husband sacrificing himself, the revelations about her family and bloodline, and dealing with her powers but she tried to remained strong and determined, I loved her for it. you could feel her pain at moments, the trials she had to go through and the horrible heart wrenching lessons she learned kept giving me all the emotions. During the book Poppy’s heart wasn’t whole. For the first time in a while she was separated from Cas and she ached for Cas. For knowing the horror that he must be going through. I’m so glad she has Kieran by her side, and how he helped her through everything. Their relationship really grew in this book and he had her back without any hesitation.Even through the sadness of some parts, there was also so many moments that made me laugh and smile. I loved the side characters so much, especially Reaver, Delano, Netta. We got a better look into what type of people they are and I loved! I would not be okay with anything happening to any of them. They added the lightness that was needed in the moments of darkness. I loved having Reaver and the Drakens, they added to the story. I loved the different places we went too, and seeing Poppy become the queen that we wanted to see her as. I loved her growth in this book, and how she became even more of a badass. And even though it was sad Cas wasn’t there I liked that she was able to do it on her own and find herself on her own.The plot was filled with more twists and turns that were shocking and just made everything click into place. There was some great badass moments with Poppy and her army. The title of the book really lived up to the story, and the last few chapters caused me to have my heart in my throat with shock, happiness and my mind blown. I was on the edge of my seat with this book. You will meet new characters, learn new information, and have your mind blown again and again. and once you finish I will guarantee you will be sitting there for at least ten minutes trying to process everything and also wish you had the next book immediately. And while this story is within the From Blood and Ash Series, the ties into A Shadow in the Ember and it’s story. I defiantly feel like there will be some sort of crossover with the books with how the stories are intwining. It is a must read before you dive into this book, and will help understand plot points again.Jen continues to wow me with each book in this series and the rest of the series is defiantly going to be epic! A lot of questions were answered, there was great scenes and epic battles and I couldn’t be happier! Jen’s books always take you on a wild ride and you will not be disappointed with this book!

You just got to read it. totally worthy