The selected book for the book club I am involved with is one I am sorry to say I’m not particularly loving. From Blood and Ash is the first book in this series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and honestly, I’m having a hell of a time getting through it.
Ironically, I am the one who picked this book, which makes my dislike of it that much more difficult to process. Going by the synopsis, I was entirely under the impression this book would be right up my alley, and it arguably would be if the writing weren’t so poor.
The first half of the book sucks. Truly. I would even go so far as to say two-thirds of it is shit, but right around the third quarter marks some excitement finally occurs. When I tell you I quite literally would rather watch paint dry than re-read the first chunk of this text, please know I am not lying, nor am I being dramatic. It really is that bad.
I was gobsmacked to read that this book, in 2020, earned a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance. I probably sound like an overly critical bitch, but this genuinely annoyed me, because I don’t think such shit writing should be awarded with anything, especially when compared to authors in existence who are exceptionally talented and will never receive the warranted recognition for their work.
This book is about a young woman nicknamed Poppy. She lives in a kingdom in which she has been named ‘The Maiden,’ meaning she was chosen by the Gods upon her birth to eventually serve them. The Maiden is not allowed to show her face and must wear a veil at all times, along with a plethora of other ridiculous rules she must follow. The story follows Poppy as she approaches her ascension to the gods, and she is made out to be a simpering, childish and irritating girl who is torn between her duties and love.
Do not read this book. Rid of it. No questions asked.
Photo by Jonas Jacobsson on Unsplash
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