This book was absolutely phenomenal. It took me a little bit of reading to get into because the writing is very visually descriptive. However, once I got into it I honestly couldn’t stop. This is a “read until 2am because I can’t put it down” kind of book.

The characters are very well written, especially the females who are all unique and enchanting in their own way (Wren!).

The world building was excellent although I did find myself getting confused between the kingdoms and the houses. I loved that they all differed according to the weather/climate (Kingdom of Ice, Kingdom of Fire, Kingdom of Darkness etc) and the fact that they all had differing looks and attire it was such a cool element to learn about.

The last 100 pages blew me away… I was teetering on a 4/4.5 star rating but the last 50 pages specifically were fantastic.

Can’t wait to read book 2, I just hope it has MAJOR Alina/Kai storylines!!

Started out interesting and good, then the writing fell flat for me and the pacing too slow. The premise felt unique and interesting, but it became too YA in the writing style for me and then I struggled to connect to the characters. I felt like there were too many povs, I don’t mind multiple but then they need longer chapters for me to be able to get into that specific pov.

After the Eight Kingdoms went to war, because of a broken marriage contract, ending with the destruction of the witches kingdom, the seven kingdoms left have a tense relationship. This book follows Mal, the fourth born to the throne of the Kingdom of Shadows and based on what history says, she should not have been born. She gets offered the opportunity to go to the fire kingdom to marry the fire prince, known for being cruel and malicious, to mend the relationship between the two kingdoms. However, there is a prophecy that states the way to end the curse is to kill the fire prince and Mal sets out to do just that.

*DNF at 10%
10% This feels like a very standard Romantasy at the moment. Like there’s nothing special that grabs my attention. It feels very basic. I also think there is too much time and back and forth conversations between Mal and Kai before she goes to the fire kingdom. It felt unnecessary since we know Mal goes to marry the fire prince anyway. There is also a weird tension between Kai and Mal. It almost feels incestuous. There isn’t anything pushing me to want to continue. I like faster paced books and the fact that it takes over 10% to get to the advertised plot is a little too slow for me. Nothing is really explained in this book. I don’t know what the curse is, why everyone is eating rotten fruit, what rumors have been spread about the fire prince that makes everyone hate and fear him, etc. i think I should have a better understanding of the book and be more invested at 10%. I might come back later when I am in a better headspace to read this book, but I don’t think it’s for me at the moment.

Thank you to NetGalley and to J.F. John's for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

This book was incredibly well done - the writing was fantastic, the darkness, the magic, the wyverns (I'm obsessed), the political schemes, forbidden love, and the way that this book just flowed was simply incredible. This kingdom, this entire world, is so vivid - the way that the author writes just brings it all to life with vivid and colorful descriptions which made it easy to feel as I was there also. I FELT the emotions, I felt the challenges, it was so beautiful.

An issue that I see with a lot of romantasy books as of late is either this over the top, impossible to follow, world building - where it's intense and there's very little room left over for real character development. OR you read the books where the characters are explored in great detail but the magical system and world is left with more holes that aren't filled. However, neither was the case here - the world building is engaging and creative, the magic of it all was really explored and it all just felt so rich. I loved the multiple points of view as well and each character was so well developed and they had such beautiful voices all their own - it was really nice being able to get inside each of their heads.

The one tiny "negative" I had was just on the pacing - some of it didn't feel very smooth and coherent. There was also a bit of a rush at the end and either I would have liked to have more pages to have it drawn out a bit more with the same detail as the rest of the book - and I know - a reader wanting more pages on a 550+ page book?? That's a bit controversial I know but this is just one of the books I feel like I want even more from. I can't wait to see what comes next in the seres though - that's for sure!

THIS BOOK!!!! If you like fourth wing and ACOTAR, this will blow your mind. It's everything you love in a romance fantasy book, Wyvern, shadow riders, werewolves, angst!!! They come from such different backgrounds, enemies to lovers, grumpy moody MMC. Loved seeing all the relationships from different kingdoms come together. Loved this so much!!!

I enjoyed this one! The story had me intrigued, the writing was very descriptive (though, sometimes I felt like it was too wordy), and some of the twists got me.

There were some things I didn’t care for, but overall it was a fun read.

This book has 8 kingdoms. It has amazing world building, and Johns was very descriptive with everything they wrote. The lore was well written and FASCINATING. It was so easy to get lost in. This world is one that I did NOT want to leave.

The characters are otherworldly (literally). The POVs were interwoven, and the pacing was set up so that it was easy to follow the timeline. Other people may disagree but for me it was good.

This book was a great read for me, some people may not like the pacing (slow burn), or the multiple povs. I recommend this book if you enjoy fantastic world building, slow burns, action and mythical creatures.

I WILL WARN YOU: BEWARE PLOT TWISTS.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and JF John’s for this arc❤️.

2.75 ⭐️

Thank you Netgalley for this E-ARC. I was so excited when I got accepted for this read. However whilst at times I found it really enjoyable, the majority of the time I found the story seemingly dry and it tended to drag on. The execution of the chapters seemed almost puzzled up for me so I found myself feeling quite bewildered at times, this story also has a lot of characters in it - which usually I really enjoy in a story, but due to the lack of world building and character development I found myself struggling to connect with them.

The plot of this story truly was fascinating, especially as I really enjoy my fantasy books however I truly believe that in a way it was poorly executed. I will say though that the last 20% truly saved itself, but the majority of the book felt kind of repetitive for me.

A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash took me completely by surprise - in the best way. I was graciously offered this ARC directly by the author, J.F. Johns, after requesting it via NetGalley, and I couldn't be more grateful. You will find here my honest review.

From the very first chapters, I was swept away by the fluid and well-written style, the immersive descriptions (never too much, never too little), and the carefully layered worldbuilding. The universe feels both fresh and familiar, with interwoven house dynamics, magical symbols linked to mythical creatures - dragons, wyverns, wolves, giant snakes - and an interesting sense of lore and legacy.

I became truly emotionally invested in the romantic slow-burn between Mal and Ash, and in my opnion, was truly excellent. Emotionally intense, beautifully paced, and "spicy" in just the right way - open-door yet never overtly explicit in a way that breaks the mood. The chemistry builds gradually and feels earned, which made it all the more satisfying.

Beyond the central couple, the dynamics within the Blackburn siblings were a highlight for me and sometimes even brought a little lightness to the story. One character who truly intrigued me was Kage - the calm, calculator and cerebral one, always observing in the shadows. I can't wait to see where his arc leads next!

The strategic undercurrents initiated by the numerous Houses, head to each Kingdoms, with their tension, loyalties and shifting power balance added a rich political layer to the plot.

What I particularly appreciated was the balance between action, intrigue, character development and backstory. The last few chapters had me holding my breath! Many revelations and so much suspense - I would have loved further elaboration regarding the ending as it seemed a little abrupt to me. So... the stakes are high and this only deepened my desire for book two.

Some familiar elements may feel *too familiar* to seasoned fantasy readers - references to some themes (duality ice and fire), certain names or house rivalries that may echo Throne of Glass, Game of Thrones or even Blood and Ash. However, I felt this book stood on its own, a loving tribute to classic romantasy tropes with its own fresh twist.

If you enjoy rich politics, slow-burn, magical stakes or emotional tension - you will likely fall in love with this book too. I cannot wait for *A Kingdom of Sand and Ice*, book 2 of this series Kingdom of gods! And the talented author J.F. John’s is certainly one that I will follow.

overall a really enjoyable read!

heavy kingdom politics, magic powers, arranged marriages, alliances and enemies - this book has it all!

definitely full of adventure, sorrow, strength, love and some pretty hard choices that have to be made…

After spending time with the Fire Prince, Ash, a once easily tasked mission now seems impossible to complete for Mal Blackburn. Princess of the Shadow King, soon-to-be Fire Prince’ wife, Mal’s life is completely different from that of her siblings and for two reasons that equal one - her eyes and a curse sent upon all kingdoms… will she defeat the witch’s curse and save everyone or will she save the Fire Prince and doom them all??

EEEE so so good! so so thankful for this Netgalley arc - exceeded my expectations and sent me on a journey across so many interesting kingdoms meeting new and interesting characters along the way! it was constantly giving me ACOTAR and GOT vibes!! if either of those are you jam then READ THIS👏🏼👏🏼

also not only is this cover to die for but so is the arc cover - literally obsessed✨ check it out now and order a copy from amazon, so worth it! can’t wait to see what in store for book 2!

Unique magic system
Wyverns
Political intrigue
Forbidden love
Murder
And even some good old fashioned back stabbing!
What more can a girl ask for?

This is going to be a BIG booktok favorite! It was definitely a five star read and I cannot wait for book two!!! That ending!!!

Overall definitely think it was a good book. The Fantasy was really good, the pacing was a little wonky but I am a little picky so might have just been a personal thing. Still would recommend.

"She longed to feel the weight of her sword slicing through flesh, to see crimson bloom across her fingers, to hear the gasping chokes of those who deserved it."

~ A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash, J.F. Johns

☆☆.75/5

Mal Blackburn, the fourth child of the King and Queen of the House of Shadows, finds herself thrown into an arranged marriage with the Fire Prince, Ash Acheron, hoping to bring the seven war-ridden kingdoms together again. The eighth kingdom, The Kingdom of Magic, filled with witches and warlocks, is a rising threat against which the seven kingdoms must stand united or fall one by one. This is a story of love and pain, of duty and choice. Finally, a story about a curse, a chosen, and a cursed.

As per my rating, there are a few things I disliked about this book. Firstly, the beginning was so verbose that it was hard to keep reading. Every sentence was laced with "fantasy" sounding words, which gave the impression that nothing was ever regular or insignificant. This, in turn, made it difficult to discern when important events or places were being described. As the story progressed, this stopped being an issue.
Secondly, tied with the first point, and one of my main issues with it, was that the story felt like it was being told at me, instead of to me. Especially in the beginning, everything was bluntly stated and then explained, leaving absolutely no space for the reader to think about the events and connect the plot on their own. At one point, the over-explaining became so frequent that I considered stopping. This, just like the first point, got fixed as the story progressed, and I attributed it mainly to an increase in dialogue.
Now, let's talk about the multiple POVs. Usually, I love reading a book with more views since it gives more context to the story, but here specifically there were more than five. It is really difficult to have so many storylines at the same time and have them all be of high quality. The chapters were not long, so often, the POV would change right after an interesting event, making it difficult to connect with the next character's perspective, and generally disturbing the flow. This also significantly slowed down the plot.

My favourite part of the book was the last 30 or so pages, where the plot twists were well thought out, and the story finally picked up pace and intensity. Even though it was hard for me to believe that Mal and Ash hated each other in the beginning, the relationship they struck after truly committing to one another was entertaining to read. I also really liked how the protagonists were flawed, but learnt to live and develop with their flaws, not despite them.
Also, I would like to take a moment for the stunning cover!

All in all, this was an entertaining book that, while it has its lows, definitely had highs. I'm not sure if I will be picking up the next book, but I truly wish the author all the best!

What a brilliant read.

The plot was so well written - intricate and twisty but still completely comprehensible and well paced. It’s written in 3rd person with chapters from multiple characters (and not just FMC and MMC, but supporting characters as well). However unlike a lot of books that have 4+ character POVs, it’s not at all confusing, so really well done there.

The relationship between FMC and MMC is great - forced marriage, enemies to lovers, all that good stuff. It maybe goes from
‘meh’ to ‘let’s bang all night long’ a smidge fast, but it wasn’t insta-love at all. However! The relationship between side characters Kai and Alina is way more interesting (and I am already looking forward to seeing Kai’s reaction to what happened to Alina at the end). Their relationship makes total sense and is really well fleshed out.

Kingdoms, wyverns, murder plots (plural), ‘touch her and you die’, witches, complex and well developed characters, a hell of a twist at the end, what’s not to enjoy.

WOWOWOWOW. This story felt like a quiet storm—a slow build, a steady ache & then suddenly you’re drowning in emotions. I finished it & just sat there—completely wrecked in the best way. 🫠💔

The eight kingdoms are so well-crafted & vividly described. From the way people speak to their strengths, even down to the little details like clothing—it’s all so immersive. ✨️

I don’t usually reach for 3rd person books because I struggle to connect with the characters sometimes—but THIS?! This was so well done. Some chapters don’t flow perfectly into each other, but I feel like that was intentional to give each POV its own voice & pace—it worked for me! 👏🏼

Mal is rough around the edges but so quietly desperate to love & be loved. She’s carrying the weight of duty, curses & impossible choices. And Ash—my soft man. He battles anxiety & a lifetime of people expecting him to be a monster. The way he loves Mal is so gentle—it’s a love that builds in glances, in careful words & in the way he shows up for her. 🫶🏽 Their love isn’t fast & it isn’t perfect—it’s slow, painful & earned. I was clinging to every moment, desperate for them to finally find peace together. 😭

As for the rest of the crew...Alina did have me side-eyeing her a few times, but she pulled through in the end & I kinda love her for that. If we’re talking favorites—Kai Blackburn & Wren Wynters stole my heart. They’re the kind of characters that make the story feel real—so unapologetically themselves & fiercely loyal to those they love. 🔥

I haven't been able to finish this book. I truly wanted to like it and the world building was very interesting. However, the writing was a struggle for me along with so much description.

I loved this story! it was different to anything I have read before.

Ash and Mal were so cute, and it was different kind of MMC than a book I have read before.

The only thing I didn't like was that the side characters relationship developed a lot faster than the the main characters but I think this will pick up from where it left off in Book 2 and really bring the story together.

Can't wait to continue the rest of the story when Book 2 is published!!

🩷 Book Review 🩷
📚 A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash
✒️ J.F. Johns
💫💫💫💫💫

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was amazing and unique and un-put-downable!
The writing style is just truly breath-taking and draws you in so well that you feel immersed. My favourite aspect was the character growth. It felt genuine and a part of the story, not as a second thought process like some other books I have read.
Despite having the core elements of already written fantasises, the story was vastly different and enjoyable.
Book 2 cannot come fast enough!

My first J F John’s book. It was really promising. I enjoyed the world building and the characters stories. I look forward to more by this author.

I absolutely loved this book. I honestly couldn’t tell where the book was going to end up next. I loved the twists in the book and honestly didn’t see most of them coming. They were so unexpected and shocking. And the story itself was so captivating I absolutely loved it and can’t wait for the next book.