3.75 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest answer!

I really enjoyed this book! First point, the cover is gorgeous. Caught my attention immediately.
This book follows the story of Mal, the rare fourth child of the Kingdom of Shadows, who is set up to marry Ash, the Fire Prince and heir to the kingdom. Contrary to what's popular now, Mal was the mysterious and dark character, while Ash, who seemed the brooding type at first, is really a softie at heart and has a stuttering problem that makes him very anxious and timid. While the premise was good, I felt like the romance between these two went from avoiding each other for 70 % of the book with minimal interactions, to in love all of a sudden. It kind of lost me there.
I felt like secondary romances were better developed than the main one.
However... I honestly loved the concept and most of the execution! I'm seriously looking forward to reading the next one in the series!!

I really enjoyed this one. The writing is atmospheric and haunting and the characters are multifaceted and fleshed out. I enjoyed the gothic feel to the story as well as the fantasy, it is the perfect book for the autumn.

This book was intoxicating and I simply could not get enough of it.

Let's start with our cast of characters - chef's kiss, every single one of them. I loved how the author brought balance to each of the characters - it made them believable and entertaining to journey alongside.

Mal has made her way to my list of favorite female protagonists - I love how cunning, capable, and completely badass she is, while also balancing very real feelings of insecurity due to being cast out. Her struggle to accept her identity as the unheard of fourth child, and a woman with purple eyes of a witch, gave her character a vulnerability that balanced out her strong character. She never doubts herself - just her place in the world. Her fierceness is confident but not in anyone's face, and I loved how it lent her an almost understated lethal energy.

I would set fires for Kai. He was by far my favorite character in the book, and I hope we get to see more of him in the sequel (and hopefully other books, as I hope this will be a longer series!). His ability to be the strong guardian and protector of not only the future queen, but all of his siblings, paired brilliantly with his humor and sense of ease. Like Mal, he is quietly confident in his abilities, but unlike her, he loves to be the star of the show with his outgoing personality. I loved that he was kickass with a sense of humor, but was also able to be there for his siblings when they needed him.

The camaraderie between all four siblings was excellent - I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the dynamics between them, and can't wait to see more in future books.

Ash's character paired perfectly with Mal. I loved that he was not the perfect prince character, and struggled with his own insecurities, leading to him holding himself back when it came to Mal and communicating with her. It added an extra edge of tension that played out wonderfully.

Alina was a character that I struggled with, because at times I loathed her and at times I loved her. Ironically, she was the character that I most related to, which is likely why I struggled with her at times! I loved how her character develops throughout the book - by the end, I was completely rooting for her and I can't wait to see what she'll do next in the sequel.

I also have to give a special shoutout to Wren Wynter for being the most lovable character. I would love to sit down with her for an afternoon and listen to her talk at me.

I loved the world building - each kingdom was rich in description and characters. I'd love to see more glimpses into each kingdom in future books. The premise of the prophecy kept me locked in throughout the story, and the inclusion of the gods/goddesses was extremely interesting to me.

I also enjoyed the writing. While at times, some passages felt a little too inorganically flowery to me, I enjoyed how descriptive the writing was, and the pacing was perfect. I was never bored, and I was always excited to read more. I ate this book up. I'm also a sucker for epigraphs, so I loved hearing from Tabitha at the start of each chapter.

The ending was so packed with action that I'm still processing a few of our losses. The twist with Mal and Ash's characters at the end was fun, and I am on the edge of my seat to read how their story will unfold. I am unashamed to admit that I have ordered physical copies of the first and second book so that I can get answers to my questions as soon as possible. I hope this series will continue, I would love to hear more from each of these characters in any capacity.

One of my favorite reads of the year!

The authors writing is absolutely captivating wow I haven't been able to get this book out of my head it's 10/10 if I could give it that! so much action and twists and turns the ending is left on a cliffhanger and I need to know what happens ! the plot was amazing I was hooked into the unique world and kingdoms in a heart beat I can't wait to see what is next the author made you feel like you were apart of the book in so many ways !

I enjoyed this one. The writing is atmospheric and haunting; the characters are multifaceted and fleshed out. I enjoyed the gothic feel to the story as well as the fantasy. Mal Blackburn is made to marry a prince from a neighboring kingdom but has secrets she keeps and a job that must be done.

Thank you for the opportunity to read an advance copy. Apologies for the delay in feedback! Overall, this was an intriguing fantasy with a strong foundation in world-building, though at times the sheer amount of information and multiple POVs made it a bit difficult to keep track of everything. That being said, who doesn’t love Dragons, magic and throw in a curse and I’m sold!

The map at the beginning, while helpful in theory, appeared a little too childlike for the tone of the book IMO, but it’s about the story

The romance is a very slow burn which I really enjoyed. Who doesn’t love a bit of tension. The pacing dipped somewhat in the middle for me, but there are enough open threads that I’m curious to see how things develop in the next installment.

Looking forward to where the story goes next!
3.5 ⭐️(rounded up to 4)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.25 stars, rounded up to 5)

Thank you to NetGalley and J.F. Johns for the copy of A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash!

This was such a strong start to the series, and I’ll definitely be continuing. The world-building is detailed but easy to follow, and even though there are a lot of characters, the author did a great job reminding us how everyone connects so it never felt overwhelming. While the story is supposed to center on Mal and Ash, I actually found myself more invested in Alina and Kai.

I also really appreciated how clearly the characters were written. The likable ones actually felt likable, and the unlikable ones were convincingly so, which is surprisingly rare in fantasy. The focus on female strength and feminism was another highlight for me.

My favorite part, though, was the sibling relationships. They were so endearing and heartfelt, and I loved the interactions within each family. The dynamic between Wren and Kage was a lot of fun as well.

So why not a full 5 stars? Mainly two reasons. First, the POV shifts weren’t always smooth. I often had to read a few lines before figuring out whose perspective I was in, which pulled me out of the story. Second, the pacing leaned a little too heavily toward setup. Most of the book focuses on introducing the world, characters, and themes, with the action only really kicking in near the end.

Still, this was an engaging start, and I’m excited to see where the series goes next!

Its good. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and i liked the male love interest for not being totally perfect as you might find in other books. I also liked the romance beetween the side characters.

One of the problems i had with this book is that a few of the chapters/paragraphs seemed to be placed there as filler and were not really necessary. A pacing problem maybe. I also do not like the cover.

Overall, i enjoyed what i read and am looking forward to the sequel.

A massive thank you to J.F. Johns and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an arc of A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
2.75 ⭐️
The cover of this book is stunning. The blurb drew me in but the execution just didn’t do it for me. Too many character povs, took focus away from the main plot. I didn’t feel the chemistry between Mal and Ash, the two main characters. I was more interested in Kai and Alina’s storyline more. All of the action happens in the last 15% of the book and then it ends abruptly.

A curse casted upon 8 kingdoms...100 years later will the curse be broken? We're following multiple POVs, mainly focusing on Mal Blackburn and Ash Acheron. I have to admit the first 50% of this book felt like it was dragging along. After the 50% mark I finally felt like we were getting somewhere. Mal and Ash are meant to be enemies but I wasn't convinced of that. Also, the side plot of Alina and Kai was so random to me and I'm not sure if that was necessary. I have to admit the last 25% was ADDICTING. I was so invested, I can feel my heart racing. The ending was a little confusing, but also a little predictable if you paid attention enough. All in all, I would recommend this book to those who want to get into romantasy. If you've read a lot of romantasy, I don't think this will be your cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley and J.F. Johns for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!

I've had this book in my TBR for awhile. I saw so many amazing reviews that I was really looking forward to reading it. While I don't think they were far off, I do think there was a little overhyping. This story was a VERY slow burn - which is fine. I assume as it's a fantasy that it will likely be in a series where the romance needs to be dragged out.

The romance here is subtle, quiet, and beautifully done.
It simmers in the background, never overshadowing the plot but still hitting all the emotional beats. If you love a slow burn (like... painfully slow) where a lingering touch or using someone's given name feels more intimate than a kiss, you'll adore it! I hope the second book explores this aspect a little more (yes, l'm a sucker for romance, though this book doesn't necessarily need it).

I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately I didn’t. I did enjoy the overall storyline but the characters felt disingenuous.

A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash by J.F. Johns is an incredible, intricate, and immersive tale with impeccable writing that keeps the reader ensnared and awestruck.

With a phenomenal plotline, intricate and detailed world building, as well as in-depth characters, this is one of the top 2025 fantasy releases that I have read thus far. I found each character and interaction held significance in some way. Between all of these factors, it's easy to tell how passionate the author was for their story and what they wanted to share with various kinds of readers.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to what follows next!

Thank you NetGalley and J.F. Johns & team for the review copy.

This books contains scenes of blood and sexism. This book made me have the same reading experience with ACOTAR and fourth wing, because every chapter was something/ someone new. What I loved about this book was that it has multiple povs. However it’s in 3rd person and it doesn’t tell you which pov we are reading but it wasn’t too confusing or complicated, but it did feel fast-paced. If your a fan of hidden powers(my favorite), shy mmc, arrange marriage, world building, sibling bonds, high stakes, forbidden romance, slow burn; nothing happens until 67%🌶️🌶️.Then I highly recommend this book. Kind of leaves on a cliffhanger. On to book 2.

📖✨ Review: A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash by J.F. Johns ✨📖
4.5/5

Okay besties, I cannot stop thinking about this book 😭🔥.

First of all, can we talk about Mal?? My new queen of morally grey sass. She’s fierce, messy in the best way, and absolutely refuses to play by anyone else’s rules. I wanted to high five her half the time and scream “NOOO” the other half because she makes the most chaotic choices—but in a way that feels so real.

And then there’s Ash. ASH. 😮‍💨🔥
He’s dangerous, sharp-edged, and just the right amount of cocky. The tension between him and Mal?? OH. MY. GOD. Every single scene with them had me clutching my Kindle like it was a lifeline. One second they’re ready to stab each other, the next I’m like “kiss already, PLEASE.” The slow-burn enemies-to-lovers is perfection. My girly heart was squealing the entire time.

The plot? Think arranged marriage, curses, and a mission that could ruin everything. It’s dramatic, it’s high-stakes, and it had me flipping pages at 2am whispering “just one more chapter” (spoiler: it was never just one more).

The world-building? Obsessed. Eight kingdoms, tangled politics, dragons and wyverns (!!!), witches and curses… it’s lush and dangerous and I feel like I could wander into it tomorrow.

Honestly, this book gave me everything. Drama ✅ magic ✅ tension ✅ romance that made me kick my feet ✅. My only tiny complaint is that sometimes I wanted things to slow down a touch so I could live in the moments longer—but that’s also why I need book two like… yesterday.

✨ If you’re into Fourth Wing vibes, court intrigue, and slow-burn enemies-to-lovers that will have you squealing into your pillow, this one is for YOU. ✨

This book has so good world building and the characters are really well written. Forbidden magic, forgotten curse and the different kingdoms - I absolutely loved this. Dragons and fake marriage - two of my favourite things in books. This book is full of dark secrets, hidden magic, ancient curses. The plots are so unexpected and the ending? Brutal! Can’t wait to read the second book in the series.

A kingdom of shadow and ash got me hooked straight from the beginning! The world building and the political differences between kingdoms is so captivating. The characters story and personality… just amazing!! The twists and turns of the story, so compelling. The ennemies to lovers slow burn romance was impeccable. It was such an addictive reading. I loved it and can’t wait to read the next one!!

J.F. Johns’ "A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash" is an enthralling fantasy that captivated me from the very first page. If you’re a fan of gripping tales like "Fourth Wing," "When the Moon Hatched," and the beloved "Twilight," you’re in for a treat. This novel weaves together elements of rich world-building, complex characters, and a plot that is as dark as it is enchanting.

From the outset, Johns introduces us to a realm where shadows dance and ash whispers secrets of the past. The protagonist, a fierce and determined heroine, embodies the same strength and resilience that fans of "Fourth Wing" have come to adore. Her journey is not just a quest for power but a profound exploration of identity and belonging, reminiscent of the emotional depth found in the relationships of "Twilight."

The romance in "A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash" is intoxicating, echoing the passionate connections that made "Twilight" a phenomenon. Johns crafts a love interest who is both enigmatic and compelling, creating a dynamic that pulls at the heartstrings while keeping the reader on edge—much like the tension-filled moments between Bella and Edward. Their chemistry is palpable, and it is this relationship that adds another layer of complexity to the already thrilling plot.

Additionally, the intricate world-building in this novel rivals that of "When the Moon Hatched." Johns paints vivid landscapes that come alive, immersing readers in a world where magic is both a blessing and a curse. The lore is rich, filled with creatures and legends that enhance the overall atmosphere and keep the reader engaged. Each chapter unfolds like a new layer of an onion, revealing secrets and surprises that make it impossible to put the book down.

What sets "A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash" apart is its ability to balance dark themes with moments of hope and resilience. The characters face insurmountable odds, yet their journeys highlight the power of friendship, love, and self-discovery. This balance is reminiscent of the emotional arcs seen in "Fourth Wing," where characters grow and evolve through challenges.

In conclusion, "A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a beautifully crafted fantasy filled with adventure, romance, and a touch of darkness. J.F. Johns has created a masterpiece that stands tall alongside "Fourth Wing," "When the Moon Hatched," and "Twilight," offering readers a journey they won’t soon forget. Don’t miss the chance to dive into this mesmerising world—your next favourite book awaits!

*arc read*
These are my own opinions-
I really enjoyed this book! I love the character development and the way the story goes
Only thing I don’t know if this was just my copy but there is multiple povs and no headings to say what pov it is! But that’s only a small note! Abit slow at the start but I think that’s due to character building and world building but once I got into it I COULD NOT STOP.

THE ENDING

📚 dark magic
📚 forbidden love
📚 third person POV
📚multiple POVS
📚 dragons,wyverns
📚 slow burn
📚 forced proximity