#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout returns with book one of the all-new, compelling Flesh and Fire series—set in the beloved Blood and Ash world.
Born shrouded in the veil of the Primals, a Maiden as the Fates promised, Seraphena Mierel’s future has never been hers. Chosen before birth to uphold the desperate deal her ancestor struck to save his people, Sera must leave behind her life and offer herself to the Primal of Death as his Consort.
However, Sera’s real destiny is the most closely guarded secret in all of Lasania—she’s not the well protected Maiden but an assassin with one mission—one target. Make the Primal of Death fall in love, become his weakness, and then…end him. If she fails, she dooms her kingdom to a slow demise at the hands of the Rot.
Sera has always known what she is. Chosen. Consort. Assassin. Weapon. A specter never fully formed yet drenched in blood. A monster. Until him. Until the Primal of Death’s unexpected words and deeds chase away the darkness gathering inside her. And his seductive touch ignites a passion she’s never allowed herself to feel and cannot feel for him. But Sera has never had a choice. Either way, her life is forfeit—it always has been, as she has been forever touched by Life and Death.
With A SHADOW IN THE EMBER, author Jennifer L. Armentrout delivers an immersive, edge-of-your-seat prequel set in the Blood and Ash world.
Years before what transpired with Casteel and Poppy, the story of Seraphena and Nyktos takes shape. Sera—a Maiden born to serve a singular purpose—is the promised Consort to the Primal of Death. A nefarious Rot spreads across the kingdom of Lasania and only Sera can stop it. She must make the Primal of Death fall in love with her, then end him before the Rot consumes people and land alike.
But he is nothing as expected, igniting an unexpected fire within, and challenging everything she’s been raised to believe. As danger looms and her closely guarded truth threatens to destroy the connection which has forged, Sera must for once take the reigns of her own life and unbeknownst to her, set into motion a series of events we know all too well.
This companion series starter brimmed with tension and emotion—even more so than I expected. While Sera and Poppy share many qualities, there was something about Sera that made me like her even more. She was both vulnerable and strong, guided by her own (arguably questionable) moral compass. Similarly, there was so much more to Nyktos than expected, and together, their chemistry exploded off the page.
Armentrout entrenches you even deeper in this fascinating world shrouded by secrets. The storyline kept me rapt, and every character, hero and supporting, was masterfully drawn, bringing the narrative to life in a way that truly exceeded every expectation.
This is no ordinary prequel—it’s a must-read fantasy that leaves you clamoring for more.
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