All's Fair in Love and Blood
Jennifer Peel
5.0
A Shadow in the Ember: Flesh and Fire, Book 1
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
About this book
Bound by a desperate ancestral bargain, Seraphena Mierel was never meant to have a future of her own. As a Maiden shrouded in the veil of the Primals, her life was sacrificed before she was even born. But beneath the facade of a royal consort lies a far deadlier reality: Sera is a trained assassin, sent to the court of the Primal of Death with a singular, blood-soaked mission. She must seduce the god, become his greatest weakness, and ultimately end his life to save her kingdom from a rotting plague.
This lore-rich prequel to the beloved Blood and Ash series masterfully blends high-stakes urban fantasy with a slow-burn, forbidden romance. The tension crackles as the lines between predator and prey blur, forcing Sera to question everything she has been conditioned to believe. As she navigates the seductive, dangerous world of the Primals, she discovers that her intended victim might be the only one who truly sees the woman beneath the weapon.
For readers craving an epic paranormal romance, this story delivers a mesmerizing dive into darkness. With its intoxicating blend of power, betrayal, and undeniable chemistry, it is an essential pick for anyone seeking a captivating, character-driven journey where every touch could be a death sentence.
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2026
- ASIN
- B092P12K71
Reader Reviews
January 15, 2026
A Shadow in the Ember is a prequel for anyone who has read From Blood and Ash, including those who loved it and even those who might have struggled with some of the writing in the original series. It features rich, dense world-building and deep lore that really pays off as the story unfolds. While the first half of the book shares a lot of DNA with From Blood and Ash, such as mistaken identity and a lack of communication, it definitely feels like a more polished and improved version of...
February 1, 2026
Have I read this book 3 times? Yes. Will I read it again? Also yes. This book is the first in the Flesh and Fire series (often referred to as the \"prequel\" to From Blood and Ash). The Flesh and Fire series is my Roman Empire--books that I return to again and again because they stir my soul. The characters, the story, the world building... everything about this book and this series has my heart in an iron grip. A grip I am happy not to break. The world building is absolutely exquisite. Set...
October 31, 2023
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) Jennifer L. Armentrout's \"Shadow in the Ember\" is a mesmerizing journey that immerses readers in a world where characters, plot, and a forbidden romance are intricately intertwined. The Characters (★★★★☆): \"Shadow in the Ember\" introduces us to a fresh set of characters that bring a new dimension to the Blood and Ash world. Seraphena, the fierce and determined protagonist, is a captivating figure whose journey from vulnerability to strength is a testament to Armentrout's...
December 11, 2022
I didn’t think it was possible to love a series more than FBAA - until JLA released ASITE. The foreshadowing and ties back to FBAA will have you plotting theories with red string. Not only has JLA written fantastic books, she’s created a world we never want to leave. No other series has made me feel so many emotions as this one, even days and weeks after reading it. As bittersweet and doomed as Sera and Nyktos’ fate seems to be, I don’t want the story to end. JLA has a talent for weaving a...
October 20, 2021
I’ve been a huge fan of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s writing for a while now. And when I started reading the Blood and Ash series last year, I got hooked immediately and I’ve devoured all three books in the series ever since. So when I found out that there would be another book based in the world of the Blood and Ash series, I got super excited. And when ‘A Shadow in the Ember’ got announced, I immediately pre-ordered it. ‘A Shadow in the Ember’ pulled me in right from the very first page. In this...
