Thank you, NetGalley, for the eArc in exchange for an honest review!

As soon as I picked up this book, I could not put it down. It was so good, and so well written!! If you are a fan of Throne of Glass, you will love this book! There were so many twists and turns, betrayals, romance, and more!

The book follows Mal Blackburn, who is the 4th born in her family. In her kingdom, the Kingdom of Darkness. There are never 4th borns in her kingdom. One day, Mal’s father tells her that the Fire Prince has asked for her hand in marriage to try and unite the kingdoms once again. Mal thinks that this is what she was born to, since typically all children who are born are scholars, fighters, or become kings/queens. Since she’s the 4th born, there was nothing she was born for like her sister and brothers. Destined to marry the prince and set the kingdom free from the curse on their kingdoms, she will do the unspeakable.

I loved Mal, she was such a strong badass character. She’s powerful and always true to herself. She doesn’t care if you don’t like her. I love how when she cared about people, she would do anything for them. She was such a selfless character throughout the book, always putting others first.

I loved the romance between Mal and Ash. It definitely starts as a slow born, but it is worth it! They grow to learn more about each other and form a bond. There is also a second romance between Kai and Alina. While the relationship is forbidden, they can’t stay away from each other. I love reading about

I loved the world that was built in the story. There were such captivating descriptions that it felt like I was in the world. Also, you can’t forget the stars of the show… the wyverns!! I can’t wait to read the next one because that ending was brutal!! I need to know what comes next!!

Read as an arc!! It was enjoyable that's for sure wasn't a big fan of the multiple POVs. I loved the tension between each couples and the forbidden love. Overall it's was a great book and was happy that I got the chance to read it!!

Politics made them allies, prophecy made them enemies, and fate has bound them in blood.

Rating 5 ★!!!

Peace comes at a price- and Mal Blackburn has every intention of paying it in blood. Eight kingdoms have lived in a hundred years of silence, cutting themselves off from each other, after the Great War that ended in the witch's annihilation. To end a hundred years of silence and the curse that followed, she agrees to marry the ruthless fire prince. But this is no love story. Her mission is deadly: kill the prince and end the curse haunting their lands. But nothing in the fire kingdom is as it seems, and the deeper Mal goes, the more tangled the web of secrets becomes. When the truth about her power and past begins to surface, one question remains—will she be the kingdom's salvation, or its undoing?

To say my jaw dropped would be an understatement!!! This is hands down one of my favorite reads of 2025! From the gripping enemies to lovers romance to the rich tapestry of political intrigue woven through each kingdom, this story is pure magic. The mythical creatures, diverse cast, and multi POV narrative had me completely immersed from start to finish.

Mal is an unforgettable FMC!! She is so fierce, loyal, and full of heart. Her devotion to her family and the way she grows to defend (and love) Ash absolutely wrecked me. And Ash? He’s the kind of MMC you want to wrap in armor and protect at all costs. His unwavering trust in Mal, his quiet strength, and his silent battles within himself and how Mal becomes his lifeline? SOBBING. Their love story is filled with emotional tension and I absolutely ate it up.

And don’t even get me started on the Wyvernian family. I devoured every moment with them. Their deep, unconditional love for one another was such a bright spot, and I found myself rooting for each of them. Kai stole my heart ugh he is SOOO smug, protective, and utterly devoted. His love story shattered me, and I’m clinging to hope for book two. Kage, the brooding brother with a heart he hides so well, completely snuck up on me. I didn’t expect to love him so much, but now I’m obsessed. I loved how diverse the characters were, we were able to glimpse into other kingdoms and learn their traditions, what mythical beats their houses accompany, and that was so much fun!

This is the type of fantasy book that i wished I lived in lol. The depth of the lore, the history of the kingdoms, and the layers of each character pulled me in and never let go. Five stars, without hesitation. I needed the sequel like yesterday! Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy arc!


My favorite quotes below:
It would be a sin to touch her. A sacrilege to let her go. But he would worry about the consequences later.

She squeezed his trembling fingers, grounding him. A silent vow. A quiet shield. A lifeline.

And Ash knew then, with a certainty deeper than marrow, that for her, he would fall to his knees and beg the Eight kingdoms. For her, he would walk away from everything.

He thought to have known hunger. But this-this was something else entirely. She was like a drug, a fever in his blood, and if he was not careful, he would drown in her.

That the gods were cruel-so unbearably cruel- to place him in her hands, to let her traste what it meant to be loved, only to wrench it away in the end.

A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash’s descriptive prose immediately immersed me in the unique world that Johns created. She was able to so perfectly weave so many characters and so many storylines into the plot but I was kept intrigued the entire time. She was able to pack so much into this plot: an ancient curse, betrayal, romance, political intrigue, familial bonds, magic, and magical creatures.

Mal was a fierce, wild, and unwavering FMC and the tension between her and Ash (as well as the other romance) kept me kicking my feet in the air! The supporting characters also added to the story, but lacked a certain depth.

Some elements, like the kingdom and house names (‘Kingdom of Darkness, House of Shadows’; ‘Kingdom of Fire, House of Flames’; etc.), felt lacking in creativity. The writing style also takes getting used to as I found it florid initially, but I grew used to it.

Overall it was a fun time!! Thank you NetGalley and J.F. Johns for this arc!

Thank you J.F. Johns and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book - this is my honest opinion.

Wow. This was such a fun read! You’ve got a nice mix of supernatural lore - phoenixes, dragons, wyverns, giant wolves… throw in an ancient curse and you're definitely in for a ride!

The eight kingdoms have been divided for a hundred years, ever since they destroyed the witches and cursed the land. Now, Mal Blackburn is sent to marry the feared fire prince to forge peace... but she has no intention of loving him. She plans to kill him and break the curse no one believes exists. But in the kingdom of fire and dragons, things are far from simple. The witches want revenge, no one’s being fully honest, and Mal quickly learns that everyone is hiding something - including herself.

I absolutely LOVED Mal. She was such a fierce FMC - calculating, courageous, and incredibly strong. She didn’t take ANYTHING from anyone. Ash, our MMC, starts off portrayed as a cruel prince, but really he’s just dealing with his own insecurities. Watching both of them grow was really satisfying.

When it came to romance, while Mal and Ash were the main focus, I was way more invested in Kai and Alina. I felt so much more tension and yearning between them, while with Mal and Ash, it all felt a bit too sudden.

One thing I would have loved, though, was to learn more about each kingdom’s customs. Some bits are mentioned, but never fully explained. Still, that didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the story.

And the plot twists?? I did not see them coming. I was gasping out loud! And that ending… I cannot wait to read the second book!

Nope. No thanks. I can see someone dying to make this book their whole personality, but not this little ducky. I was so intrigued at the start, but once we get to the fire nation, whops- wrong book- the fire kingdom, it just fizzled out, The weird triangle between Hagan, Kai, and Alina seriously got under my skin. The dichotomy of how Mal views herself, and Ash (like come on, couldn't come up with a better fire related name?!) views her, along with the different ways the kingdoms look at Mal, is so over exposed it's crazy, and gives whiplash. And I don't know if you realized this but the little chapter heading from Tabitha at the start of chapters 3 & 4 GAVE AWAY THE WHOLE PLOT, at lest if you have half a brain, you have a clear road map to where this is all heading. People who will like this book are only the die hard romantsy junkies (that live only for the vibes and tension) and those who have never read a book before in their life and haven't been exposed to basic plotting and story flow.

although the story was inspired by many well-known fantasy series, i still found it somewhat enjoyable. however, the pacing didn’t feel very smooth. the transitions between chapters were a bit disjointed, and the world-building came across as dark, dry, and gloomy. because of that, whenever i paused my reading, i didn't feel motivated to come back to it.

there were many characters —normally something I enjoy, as I love books with large casts— but unfortunately, none of them felt very relatable or deeply developed. (maybe Kai, to some extent.) as for the place names—kingdom of fire, kingdom of darkness, house of flames, house of shadows—perhaps they might have appealed to me when I was younger, but now they just felt... a little cringe.😬

at one point, i actually considered dnf’ing the book, but i ended up pushing myself to finish it.

wishing the author all the best in their future projects. many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

I absolutely loved and adored this. The Romance, the Spice…. DRAGONS!!! And look at that beautiful cover. This had me hooked from Page 1 and i could not put this down. I will definitely look into her back log.

A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash is a richly woven tale of dark magic, political tension and slow-burning romance that will captivate readers who enjoy court intrigue and enemies to lovers dynamics. J.F. Johns invites us into a world where dragons rule the skies, witches seek revenge and secrets simmer beneath the surface of every kingdom.

At the heart of the book is Mal Blackburn, a determined and sharp-witted fourthborn of the kingdom of darkness. Tasked with ending a centuries-long feud by marrying the fearsome Fire Prince, Mal sets out not to forge peace but to end a curse by assassinating him. Yet, as with all clever twists on the enemies-to-lovers trope, nothing goes quite as planned. Ash, the Drakonian Prince, is far more complex than Mal anticipates, and their dynamic shifts in unexpected and deeply emotional ways.

The character development is a standout strength in this book. Mal begins as single-minded and fiercely independent, but as the story unfolds, she becomes more layered and empathetic. Ash, known for his cruelty, turns out to be a character with depth and vulnerability, which makes his interactions with Mal compelling and full of nuance.

While Mal and Ash take centre stage, it is impossible not to mention Kai and Alina. Their relationship crackles with tension and longing, and their presence adds an extra layer of emotional weight to the story. The yearning between them is beautifully written and leaves the reader eager to follow their journey in future instalments.

The worldbuilding is immersive, with each kingdom feeling distinct and full of history. Secrets lie in every corner, and the magic system is dark, dangerous and steeped in mystery. This book is perfect for readers who appreciate slow burns, layered character arcs and morally grey decisions.

An addictive start to a promising series, A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash delivers tension, romance and magic in equal measure. I cannot wait to see where J.F. Johns takes us next.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

This book is good. Its that simple. I was drawn to it because of the cover which is gorgeous. The title was a little meh for me as I feel it gets lost in the sea of all the other similar titles out there.

The plot is really good, all the classic things you'd expect to find in this type of story with several new elements added in. Adored the MMC, he was a breath of fresh air. And shockingly enjoyed the MFC when very often they are one of my least favorite characters in these types of books. But this one? She is extremely interesting and I found myself wanting to know more about her.

Which brings me to my one issue with the book. There are a lot of interesting points throughout about characters, places, customs, people, etc but not a lot of detail. I really wish the world building was better.

Overall highly recommend this book.

4.25⭐️ I was so excited to receive an ARC of Kingdom of Shadow and Ash and yes, I totally got sucked in by the cover first. It’s absolutely stunning and gave me high hopes right off the bat.

This story is rich with world-building and layered with magic systems that actually made sense (which is rare sometimes in fantasy). It took a little time to settle in, but once I did, I was fully hooked. The characters were all distinct and memorable, and I felt emotionally connected to each of them in different ways.

It definitely falls into the high fantasy category, and the third person POV really worked in giving us a broader view of the world and its conflicts. I appreciated how every perspective added something meaningful to the overall story.

J.F. Johns is definitely an author I’ll be following—I’m already looking forward to seeing where they take us next.

This book had everything I crave in a romantasy—shadowy magic, high-stakes betrayal, and deadly secrets. The world was dangerous and intoxicating!

The character arcs were layered and believable, with growth that felt earned and real. The political intrigue was just the right amount of messy, and the story never lost momentum. From the opening chapter to the final act, I was fully locked in. It hit me with twists I didn’t see coming.

This was a phenomenal read. I’m already counting down the days for book two. If it’s anything like this one, I’m in for another wild ride.

Ahhhhhh!!! I’m screaming!

The God of Shadows!

Wow, wow, wow. I am blown away by this story!

If you love wyverns, dragons, wolves, blood, fighting, enemies to lovers, and so much more, this is not a book you want to miss out on!

———
Mal Blackburn doesn’t know where she comes from, but that doesn’t stop her from learning that she’s a part of a big prophecy that is intent on her murdering the Fire Prince.

After being propositioned from the fire court, Mal accepts the burden of marrying (to murder) the fire prince and unite her kingdom with theirs, as well as to end a century long curse.

There are many twists and turns throughout this book that left me sad, enraged, engrossed in the final pieces clicking together. I cried at the Nyx’s death, and smiled when Mal realized killing Ash would only mean he can be reborn again.

I cannot wait for book 2!

This book had everything I look for in a romantasy: dark magic, murder, political intrigue, wyverns (yes, wyverns!), forbidden love, and a plot that was an absolute wild ride. I was hooked from the very beginning, and things only got more intense once the wyverns came into play—those scenes were some of my favorites.

The character building was really well done, with noticeable growth throughout the story that felt natural and engaging. The pacing stayed steady the entire time, keeping me interested from start to finish. And the ending? Absolutely insane. It was gut-wrenching, emotional, and packed with twists that I didn’t see coming.

Honestly, there wasn’t much I disliked or wished had been done differently. The only reason it’s not a full 5 stars for me is because, while I really enjoyed it, I wasn’t completely consumed by it in the way my top-tier, 5-star reads usually make me feel.

That said, I’m so excited to see where this series goes next—I can’t wait to get my hands on book two!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, JF Johns, and Independent for the ARC in return for my honest review.

Tropes:
💫 Forced Proximity
💫 Enemies to Lovers
💫 Arranged Marriage
💫 Lost Heir
💫 Strong FMC
💫 Chosen One
💫 Multi POV (3rd person)

Key themes:
☀️ Witches and Warlocks
☀️ Dragons and Wyverns
☀️ Kingdoms at war
☀️ Curses
☀️ Dark Magic

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶/5

This book has all the classics for a Romantasy book. Overall, I enjoyed this book. There were a lot of things that kept me on my toes and wanting more but the pacing was just off. Like some places felt rushed and others just lingered on.

There was a lot of world building in this book. Definitely setting the stage for future books. I did enjoy the world set up but I did get slightly overwhelmed but it did redeem itself in the end.

Mal Blackburn (FMC) was the fourth born in a kingdom where only 3 children are produced by the royal family. What is her fate going to be? She was literally the spare child but she was born not like her siblings. She was born with Purple eyes. The same color that Witches have, but she was no witch right? Like she can't be. No one in her family was a witch.... we see her truly come into who she was meant to be as the story progressed. We find out her history and who she must kill to relieve her land of a curse that was set forth 100 years ago...

Ash Acheron (MMC) the prince of the Fire Kingdom. Heir to his throne but Arranged to marry Mal who is from an enemy kingdom. The two are literal opposites. I low key feel like he falls first but it kind of is mutual in the timing but he does show it first!

The ending 20% will leave you hooked that's for sure! Im excited for the book to come out. I hope that the AI cover changes but overall, i am happy with the book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️3/5 stars

While the premise of kingdoms, magic and wyverns is familiar this book offered elements of surprise with burdens of emotions. I loved Mal and how confident she was throughout this entire book. I felt upset that she and everyone else knew the kingdoms fate was upon her shoulders. I loved the fast paced chapters and story line, the character development was something else.

I wasn’t a fan of the dual POVs, I found them quite difficult to follow. However I’m glad we got to see Kai and Alina develop and I want more of them in the second book 🤞🏻

Thank you so much to Netgalley and J.F.Johns for allowing me to read this fantastic story early, I would definitely recommend friends to pick this up.

Mel is my type of person I liked her. I was surprised by this book I don't usually like fantasy, but this one had me hooked. I need more.

Really enjoyed this book, well written, great storyline and great characters!!! It hooked me in really easily

A classic romantasy setup - fallen kingdoms, lost magic, and a heroine at the centre of it all. While the premise is familiar, A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash still manages to offer moments of surprise and emotional weight. I liked the dual POVs and the slow-building romance, though I did find the worldbuilding a bit surface-level at times.

The plot moved quickly, sometimes at the expense of deeper character development, but I appreciated the emotional beats and the high-stakes finale.

🌑 Tropes you’ll find: Chosen one, lost heir, brooding protector
📖 Overall: Fast-paced and fun, ideal for readers who love fantasy with a romantic core

This book, this book, this book.

Okay. First of all, I did notice a lot of similarities in names and themes when it comes to the Throne of Glass and ACOTAR series. I’m not sure if it’s coincidence or not.

But.

It took a whole different twist. Like… I started panicking in the last 20 or so pages because I wasn’t aware there will be a second book. I thought the ending would be rushed which I am very very glad it wasn’t.

My favorite characters for sure are Mal, Kai, Kage, and Ash. I may have crushes on the males.

I’m very curious to see what happens next. But the fantasy on this book is incredibly. I really enjoyed the world building and the differences between different kingdoms. I also enjoyed how there were multi-layered perspectives on each character. For example, from Mal’s POV in the beginning, she seemed lost. Not weak but vulnerable. And yet, when we’re introduced to her from Ash’s perspective, she’s a fierce warrior. Cunning and dangerous. I thought it was awesome.

I definitely can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy as a little trophy since I was very fortunate to read the ARC of this book.

A big thank you to NetGalley and also to J.F. Johns and the team handling all of this. I can’t wait to read book 2!