A SHADOW IN THE EMBER (#1 A Flesh and Fire Series)

 A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout is the first book in the A Flesh and Fire Series.

The Story focuses on Seraphena Mierel who was Chosen by birth to fullfill a deal made by her ancestor to the Primal of Death in an act of desperation to help his people. Sera in honour of the deal must become the Consort to the Primal of Death.

She had been groomed all her life to be whatever is required to make the Primal love her and then assassinate him but what happens when she gets to know the Primal of Death and finds out that he is not what she had expected him to be, will she continue wih her task?

Rating -★★★★/★★★★★  

So everyone knows that this is a prequel to From Blood and Ash Series and you might have some questions regarding it so let me clarify some 

1) Can I read A shadow in the ember without reading From Blood and Ash?

YES you can read ASITE without reading FBAA.

2)I've read FBAA, when should i start ASITE?

After the third book i.e The Cown of gilded bones

3)Should i read FBAA to understand ASITE?

No, not necessarily. The events that happen in ASITE has happened centuires ago from the events of FBAA, if you have read FBAA you might find some things that explains stuffs but this does not hinder you experience.

From hereon there would be Spoilers for ASITE so you've been warned...

Okay!!! did I like the book ?? Yes! but I would say it was a bit of a slow start for me, The first twenty chapters were a bit dragging and I do understand that we need to know about Sera's life and the people around her but those people didn't really peak my interest aside from a particular handsome god.

I did not like the way Sera was treated by her mother and don't even get me started on Tavius but surprisingly the King seemed fine...not good but fine. I actually have nothing more to say about her so called family , Ah yes Ezra was a good step-sister to her and that is all.

 Now to the Primal of Death Nyktos, I love him (not as much as Casteel but close enough).We Don't really have the complete back story of how or what had happened when he was captured by Kolis but we do know that the incident has carved a scar on him. Nyktos's lack of interest/ belief on love actually makes sence since he has seen what Kolis had done in the name of love to Sotoria and his father's love for his mother was the reason why she was killed and so it is pretty obvious that he dosen't have a good opinion about love and when he was getting closer to Sera it was more than what he normally would offer then knowing that she had actually planned to kill him would have hurt a lot...aww poor Nyktos. I actually am pissed about the way he dosen't accept what she is feeling even after reading her emotions but yes I understand. 

Sera is strong and all, but her feeling of lonliness and the want to be close to someone and not be hidden away is clear and understandable with how she was brought up. Sera not being worries about getting killed actually explains that she herself didn't think that she would live for long which pretty much explains her reckless and impulsive behaviour. 

I loved the gods in the Shadowcourt Ector, Saion, Rhain, Rhahar, Aios, Bele, Theon, Lailah. You have heard of their names incase you've read FBAA but to know them and have conversations between them was lovely. Nektas and his baby girl Jadis are just too cute especially when he had her in his arms wrapped around a blanlet in human form. The Draken are really facinating to me....i really enjoy them more than the Wolven which is surprising. Can't wait to see more of Draken and oh yes Reaver ....Can't wait to have more of him. 

The whole plot about Kolis who was actually the Primal of Death had somehow managed to shift his place with the orignial Primal of Life i.e Nyktos's father who is apparantly his twin as an act of revenge of some kind for Sotoria was complicated but intriguing as well. And the prophecy was damn the way it mentioned Poppy and Casteel, i can't.... i was really exited.

Sir Holland Being an Arae was unexpected but the last chapter was just wow, the informations and the possibility that Sera would die because her body cannot handle the culling and the only solution is for Nyktos to love her give her his blood and Sera thinking to herself that Nyktos is incapable of love......oh no dear the fear he has on his face when he heard that Sera has to die says otherwise.

I really love the chemistry between Nyktos and Sera, they understand each other aside from that one fact of Sera's plans to kill Nyktos but on an emotional level they are just perfect for each other, The spice in the book just ......phewww.....loved it and every time Nyktos calls Sera "liessa" just makes my heart flutter.

In conclusion the book good and i enyoyed it a lot, can't wait for the next book to see how Sera and Nyktos's relationship progresses.I do have a feeling that both the FBAA series and AFAF would meet at some point in the upcoming books. Anyways thank you for reading my rant about this book. C YA!!!