This week we are discussing From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout, Ch. 22-31.
Content Warning!!! This book contains situations and subjects related to: sexual assault, murder, torture, death, kidnapping, imprisonment, war themes, slavery, animal death, blood drinking, blood and gore descriptions, physical, psychological & emotional abuse, gaslighting, suicide mentioned, descriptions of dead bodies, and other adult themes.
Spoiler Warning!!! This post is full of spoilers for From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout.
Discussion:
Jacilyn: Hello friends and welcome to our third discussion of From Blood and Ash by Jennifer Armentrout. In this section, we have a whole lot of death, both fortunately and unfortunately. It gave me great joy to know that the Duke and Lord Mazeen are now dead and gone, but all the loss during the Rite attack, Viktor most of all….. It hits hard every time. Michaela guessed pretty early on that Viktor was going to die. After all, he’s probably the most important person in the world to Poppy outside of her brother.
Michaela: I am so relieved that the Duke and Lord Mazeen are out of Poppy’s life. I think I called Viktor’s death after maybe 20 pages or so of reading right at the beginning of the book. I knew he would die because she loved him too much for a story like this to let him live. His death along with the ladies in waiting were truly awful for Poppy to witness. Viktor’s last words repeating in Poppy’s head as she killed Lord Mazeen was one of the most heartbreaking things I have ever read, then Hawke physically restraining her and begging her to stop brought actual tears to my eyes. That was one of those scenes that will always stick with me, beautifully written while being such a horrible event.
Personally, I think the Duke and Lord got exactly what they deserved, especially considering the Duchess’ response to their deaths. That lady did not need a single moment to mourn those men clearly. I do feel a little betrayed by the Duchess I have to say. She knew what those men were like and yet did nothing to help Poppy, at the same time I realize she was probably facing abuse as well. I don’t know, it just felt like something could have been done to at least help Poppy and I don’t really get why that didn’t happen.
Let me tell you guys that this section is setting off all my suspicion sensors. I am constantly texting Jacilyn all my, what I call, ‘tin foil hat theories’ on what is actually happening. From the Rite my tin foil theory is that Hawke was involved with putting the Duke up there and bringing the Descenters to the castle or something similar. Also at the end of this section Kieran tells Hawke to “remember what your task is”! Bitch, I know that shit is either to kill the Maiden, make the Maiden not a Maiden anymore, or bring her to someone. Some sort of shit is going on that is going to make me mad at Hawke and I’m pre-broken hearted about it!
Jacilyn: That scene is horrible, but so important. I do appreciate that we have Tawny in the middle of the battle providing a bit of comedic relief by brandishing the alcohol bottle and throwing shit. She was not going to go down without a fight! That’s our girl. I get why they had to leave Tawny behind on the trip to the capital, but I hate having to leave her behind! I think she’s such a good character and I am not ready to be done with her yet.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Duchess experienced some abuse herself, but I don’t really think anything excuses allowing it to happen to Poppy. I am also not impressed that she tells Poppy that she “wouldn’t understand” - bitch, Poppy has had so many responsibilities put on her shoulders from a super young age, and she won’t even give Poppy the courtesy of an explanation. I’m not impressed with the Duchess in the slightest.
This section definitely gets the spidey senses tingling. Agnes clearly knew about the impending Descenter attack, and did a shit job of warning Poppy about it. There’s no doubt in my mind that Hawke had something to do with the Duke’s death, too. The choice of weapon was symbolic, and no one besides Hawke would be willing to take that kind of risk to avenge Poppy. Not even Viktor, which he clearly regretted upon his death. I don’t blame Viktor, though. He would have been sent away from Poppy if he stood up for her, and how is he supposed to protect her from a distance? Hawke is just reckless enough not to care about the consequences.
I love that the sexual tension gets acted upon a bit more in this section. As the resident Shelf Explored Smut Fan, I was so ready. The scene under the willow tree somehow manages to be hot and heavy, and sweet all at the same time. Every time Poppy chooses something for herself, my heart warms. And Hawke is incredibly respectful of her as well. It’s just such a special moment between the two of them. I hated that Viktor and Poppy got in that fight right before Viktor’s death. Imagine that being one of the last interactions you have with a loved one before losing them? Ugh, it just breaks my heart.
The sleeping scene in the Blood Forest is actually one of my all-time faves. It’s relatively chaste, all things considered, but like Hawke said…. No one else knew what was happening, but *they* knew others were there. It’s hot, and it’s yet another way that Hawke has given Poppy experiences she never thought she’d get to have as the Maiden, which makes it special, too.
Michaela: I think a lot more people are on the side of the Descenters than the Ascended are willing to see and/or admit. Even Poppy who has experienced constant abuse from the Ascended can’t see why people are going against the establishment. They’re so brainwashed to think it has to be this way and this is the best way when it clearly is not.
I love seeing Poppy choosing these experiences for herself, Hawke is giving her full ability to stop at any point. Anytime Poppy touches his arm or chest he pauses and doesn’t continue until Poppy tells him too or signals him too. We stan a respectful lover! I really enjoy the spicy scenes in this book because of how respectful Hawke is, there’s no point so far where I feel like Poppy is unsafe and I love that. It’s also written really well, it feels really intimate. I find that for me personally a lot of spicy/smut writing makes me cringe because some writing styles sound really silly or immature to me but the writing in this book is done really well and feels like realistic progression. Also, this is the kind of slow burn I am here for!
The Blood Forest is so freaking creepy, I’d like to learn more lore about it but I don’t know that this is the type of story to really give that to us. Also this Craven mist, *shivers*. I want more details about what that is as well. The Craven attack in the Blood Forest was awful, we get some up close and personal interactions when these creatures where we can see how horrible they are. The Craven’s themselves seem like a combo of vampire and zombie but more like The Maze Runner type zombie than a traditional zombie which I do appreciate. I’m desperate for my answers on this potential three different types of vampire. I need looooorrrreeeeee dropssssss!
Then we lost a few members of the party. Airricks’ death was so sad, we have only known him for a chapter or so, but Poppy taking away his physical pain and him seeing his mother. Just add that to heartbreaking moments in this book. Some sort of interaction is going to happen now because Hawke saw Poppy do it this time. I will say, I’m not sure why Poppy’s abilities need to be kept so secret. Everyone already believes she’s chosen by the gods, blessed by the gods, her having this ability can easily be added to her specialness. Not that the whole population needs to know but not sure why it's so secret that she has to suppress it because it's a “bad” thing. The rules of the Maiden are so twisted and honestly make no sense. Also, thinking about this the other night I find her only being able to expose her mouth to others to be vaguely sexual leaning. Like why not her eyes? Many cultures only show the eyes and the rest of someone's face is covered by a scarf or head dressing. It’s actually creepy to me that the Maiden is only allowed to show her mouth, which maybe it’s supposed to give me that feeling, if so it's a full success cuz I am creeped out. Everything having to do with the idea of the Maiden feels predatory and gross.
Jacilyn: The point about Poppy’s mouth is really interesting, and not something I’ve thought of before! It’s interesting that she’s able to show her mouth when she can’t even really have conversations with anyone. Also, imagine having to keep your facial expressions clear when your mouth is showing! I show way more in my lower face than I do my upper face, that’s for sure. I don’t know how Poppy does it!
Well friends, that is all for this week. Thank you for joining us, and we’ll see you again next time!
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