Common Thread

The fifth book in Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Blood and Ash series, A Soul of Ash and Blood, is charming but uneventful. (It also follows two out of the three prequels in the Flesh and Fire series if you’re reading in the story’s chronological order.) As a huge fan of the previous six books in this universe, I was surprised by how very little in the plot actually progressed the story along. It starts off with a chapter continuing the storyline from the previous book following Poppy’s culling, but it quickly turns into a retelling of the first book, From Blood and Ash, from Casteel’s point of view. If you’ve ever wanted to read a book from the male POV, this is the book for you.

For those who aren’t familiar with the fantasy series, Blood and Ash follows a girl named Poppy, who, while initially chosen by the Ascended as their connection to the Gods, is enlightened by the Atlantians as to the truth behind ascensions. Over the course of four books, while falling in love with the King of Atlantia, she discovers her power by birthright as a deity, then a god, and finally a primal. Where we left off last, she is coming into her power as the Queen of Flesh and Fire and the true Primal of Life and Death.  

The new book has regular intrusions from the present involving Millie and Malik, as well as Delano and Kieran, that break up the storyline set in the past. The very last chapter of the book sets up Armentrout’s sixth addition to the series, currently called The Primal of Blood and Bone (according to Goodreads). The actual next book being released is another companion book told from Willa Collins’s POV, expanding on background information, history, and side stories regarding the characters we know. This will be released on February 20, 2024.

All of this being said, I sped through the book quickly, considering there is little new information in it. While I questioned why Armentrout felt the need to publish this book, I can also appreciate the new information Casteel and Kieran add to the realm as we know it. If it wasn’t for Kieran, this book wouldn’t be worth reading at all.

What Armentrout does achieve is returning this series to its roots of embodying the female gaze and humanifying Malik, Casteel, and Kieran. In the last book, The War of Two Queens, Casteel starts to come off as shallow, sexually-driven, and lustful. This book adds substance to his actual personality beyond his love for Poppy, including events showing his friendship with Kieran and brotherhood with Malik. Casteel is more empathetic and “good” than we have been led to believe – a smart move on Armentrout’s part. Most importantly, this book rights a lot of wrongs that the last book caused. Not only is it missing many of the annoying quips from the previous books (particularly regarding daggers and Poppy’s questions), but it also justifies the relationship between Poppy, Casteel, and Kieran.

Kieran and Casteel are, without a doubt, best friends, but this book ventures into showing that there might be more to their relationship. Rather than treating each other like brothers, they remind me more of frat boys who make out for fun but claim to be straight (not that either Kieran or Casteel make such a claim). It becomes clear that while both boys will pick Poppy over each other, there is a clear love between all three of them – romantic or platonic.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book because I enjoy these characters and Armentrout’s writing style. However, I don’t think it’s necessary as a continuation of the series. As a matter of fact, you could probably just read the first and last chapters and still be able to follow along with the rest of the Blood and Ash series. But if you’re looking to understand Casteel better, this is a great opportunity.