A Soul of Ash and Blood

Blood and Ash, Book 5

By: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Narrated by: Tim Campbell

Length: 19 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Only his memories can save her…

A great primal power has risen. The Queen of Flesh and Fire has become the Primal of Blood and Bone—the true Primal of Life and Death. And the battle Casteel, Poppy, and their allies have been fighting has only just begun. Gods are awakening across Iliseeum and the mortal realm, readying for the war to come.

But when Poppy falls into stasis, Cas faces the very real possibility that the dire, unexpected consequences of what she is becoming could take her away from him. Cas is given some advice, though—something he plans to cling to as he waits to see her beautiful eyes open once more: Talk to her.

And so, he does. He reminds Poppy how their journey began, revealing things about himself that only Kieran knows in the process. But it’s anybody’s guess what she’ll wake to or exactly how much of the realm and Cas will have changed when she does.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout revisits Poppy and Casteel’s epic love story in the next installment of the Blood and Ash series. But this time, Hawke gets to tell the tale.

©2023 Jennifer L. Armentrout (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Narrator Tim Campbell returns to the role of Casteel Da'Neer in the fifth book in the Blood and Ash series.… Tim Campbell captures the sarcastic and flirtatious sides of the prince. Campbell's sonorous voice is as easy to fall in love with as the character of Casteel, making Campbell the perfect casting choice.”—AudioFile Magazine

“Expertly and vividly performed with the impressive narrative vocal styles of Tim Campbell, this…will have a very special attraction to fans of vampire romance fantasy fiction. Original, self-contained, and a must for the growing legions of Jennifer L. Armentrout fans.”—Midwest Book Review

Brilliance, as usual, ma’am :)

First of all, let me start off with a PSA to all those lovely reviewers complaining that this book is a re-telling: *clears throat* READ THE SYNOPSIS!!!!!!!!!! If you were trying to find some huge plot nuggets in this book and you were sorely disappointed then clearly you did not read the synopsis of the book. It’s been advertised as a retelling for the past year and I’m not sure why people thought this was going to move the story further that quickly. Additionally, the way that Jen does this book from Cas POV is hands down the BEST POV shift I’ve ever read. She managed to keep you intrigued while literally offering a simple POV shift. Additionally, for those of you reviewing the book after reading 5 chapters- that’s why you’re missing plot elements. The book answers a lot of questions, provides what I think is necessary character development for Cas, since up until this point all we see is Poppy’s character arc, and manages to somehow move the story forward. Jen, if you’re reading this, please know you did an excellent job and some people are just mad their own personal expectations weren’t matched. Well done, ma’am and keep up the good work :) Now I eagerly await the resolution of the heartbreaking cliffhanger from ALITF🥹🥹🥹

Rerun

While it was interesting to hear Casteel’s POV of the events of the first book, that was the entirety of this book save for one action scene at the end. Meh.

A stunning exceptional narration

One of the best narrations I’ve ever heard! This is Cas’ story and it’s a wild ride. This is the story you may not have realized you needed to hear. But believe me you do.

And the ending? No words. Except. I need the next part of this story NOW!

Better than I was expecting

I’m kind of laughing at the reviewers that didn’t know this was a retelling of book 1 from Cas’s POV as it clearly says that. I loved hearing Cas’s POV but was pleasantly surprised for the present chapters and the end!!! Omg I cannot wait to find out what happens! JLA is amazing and I would spend TWO credits in this book!

Not much development

I wanted to love it but there really was little that this book brought to the overall story. It makes me sad but this made me want to throw in the towel and not even continue with the series.

Recap

Seeing things from Cas’ point of view answered so many questions! Really hoped to move forward a bit more. As in true fashion, we are left with a huge cliff hanger! Can’t wait for the next book.

Recap of first two books

She could have made this book 3/4 shorter. It could’ve been a .5 book to the series. Or she could have added more of his thoughts in the first two. But to sit here and listen/read the first two books again but in mini stories through his words is a waste of time. I love these characters and so excited for next book. But I’m a bit disappointed.

I’m half way through. Opinion may change.

Loved this perspective!!

Love his voice, here for this love story!!! Every step of the way. Can’t wait to see what wakes up….

Love the narrator

Wonderful narrator and love the story. It was great getting Casteel’s POV. He’s my favorite book boyfriend. Definitely check out this series!

Love the POV switch/hate that plot didn’t progress

Having Cas’s POV during FBAA is fun and the way JLA wrote it was a pretty cool idea…but, I wish that the storyline progressed more. It’d have been better had she released his POV as a novella, or she had the majority of the book be present instead of past.