The War of Two Queens (Part 2 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]

Blood and Ash [Dramatized Adaptation] #4, Part 2

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

From the desperation of golden crowns…

Casteel Da’Neer knows all too well that very few are as cunning or vicious as the Blood Queen, but no one, not even him, could’ve prepared for the staggering revelations. The magnitude of what the Blood Queen has done is almost unthinkable.

And born of mortal flesh…

Nothing will stop Poppy from freeing her King and destroying everything the Blood Crown stands for. With the strength of the Primal of Life’s guards behind her, and the support of the wolven, Poppy must convince the Atlantian generals to make war her way—because there can be no retreat this time. Not if she has any hope of building a future where both kingdoms can reside in peace.

A great primal power rises…

Together, Poppy and Casteel must embrace traditions old and new to safeguard those they hold dear—to protect those who cannot defend themselves. But war is only the beginning. Ancient primal powers have already stirred, revealing the horror of what began eons ago. To end what the Blood Queen has begun, Poppy might have to become what she has been prophesied to be—what she fears the most.

As the Harbinger of Death and Destruction.

Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!

Genres: Audiobook, Fantasy, Vampires, Romantasy, Dark, Magic

10 pages, Audiobook

Published October 29, 2025

About the author

Hey Guys! Please note: I don't send out ARCs for review. If you're interested in reviewing a book of mine before release date, please contact the appropriate publisher. I also do NOT check my Goodreads email.

To email me, please use the below addy.
jenniferlarmentrout@live.com

# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Charles Town, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. In early 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications. Due to this diagnosis, educating people on the varying degrees of blindness has become of passion of hers, right alongside writing, which she plans to do as long as she can.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Tor, HarperCollins Avon and William Morrow, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her Wicked Series has been optioned by PassionFlix. Jennifer has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Reviewers Choice Award for Wait for You, the 2015 Editor’s Pick for Fall With Me, and the 2014/2015 Moerser-Jugendbuch- Jury award for Obsidian. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. Her adult romantic suspense novel TILL DEATH was a Amazon Editor’s Pick and iBook Book of the Month. Her young adult contemporary THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER is a 2017 RITA Award Winner in Young Adult Fiction. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

She is the owner of ApollyCon and The Origin Event, the successful annual events that features over hundred bestselling authors in Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult Fiction, panels, parties, and more.

Reviews

[Danielle Farkas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have only a vague idea of what’s going on at this point, and the dialogue is painful at times, but i still enjoy the ride

[Lucie V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a long review, buckle up.

✅ 2 POVs
✅ Characters
✅ Relationships (yes, I’m talking about Kieran, Poppy, and Cas)
✅ Intense romance
✅ Smut
✅ Plot and pace
✅ Action
✅ Angst
✅ Drakens! 🐉 (but not enough of Reaver…)
🆗 Not enough of Netta, Delano, Naill, and Emil
🆗 Poppy keeps on leveling up…
❗️❗️ I recommend reading A Shadow in the Ember before reading The War of Two Queens.
🔥 Spice level : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5

_______________________

Second read:I know the fact that Poppy and Kieran get close in this book annoyed many readers, but I didn’t mind it the first time around, and I do not mind it now. It is made very clear that while they care for each other, the love they feel for each other is not even close to what Poppy feels for Casteel. Sure, Kieran sleeps in his wolven form next to Poppy, but she spends every minute of every night thinking about Cas and wishing for his return, and the fact that they develop such a strong bond through their hurt and grief makes the joining less jarring and out of nowhere, in my opinion.

_______________________

4.5 stars I think… Please don’t hate me, and I apologize in advance for the long review.

Together.
Always.
And forever.

I think it’s the first time I’m afraid to receive hate because I loved a book. 😬
➡️ Yes, I loved it.
➡️ No, I don’t think there was any emotional cheating.
➡️ No, I wouldn't mind a throuple in the future books, even though I am hoping for Kieran to find his one true love.
➡️ Please keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion and preferences and that we can all share them respectfully.

“The pain was more than worth it. I would spend an eternity taking these bites if that meant she was safe. That it wasn’t her in this cell. That she wasn’t the one in pain.”

The very first chapter of this book is from Cas’s POV, and I was happy to have some chapters from his perspective, finally. I know many readers thought that the book was long and boring, but I was hooked from page 1. As Casteel is held prisoner by the Blood Queen, Poppy is raising her army. She has the drakens and wolvens behind her, but she also needs the support of the Atlantians if she hopes to win the war, kill Isbeth, and save her King.

The Gods and Primals’ history and significance are more important in this book, hence my recommendation to read ASITE first. I thought that the main villain in this series would be the Blood Queen and her allies, but I realize now that I was sorely mistaken and that the war has only begun. There are mentions of characters that we meet in ASITE, and while this book would be enjoyable even if you didn’t read the first book of the spinoff, I think it is more engaging if you know the characters from the spinoff already.

We can’t save everyone, Kieran reminded me. But we can save the ones we love.

This book is filled with heartache, rage, sorrow, angst, and love. The suffering and anguish Casteel endures broke my heart, and seeing Poppy and Kieran in pain and desperate to find him and save him before it was too late was just as painful. I do love angst, though, so I was happy to get my dose of it. The villains are also so cruel and easy to hate. Oh, how I wanted to see Callum and the Blood Queen die a painful and slow death. I hate them so much, but at the same time, I’m happy that I hate them because it means that I am so much more involved in the story.

“Whether she ruled over all the lands and seas or was the Queen of nothing but a pile of ashes and bones, she would—will—always be my Queen. Love is too weak an emotion to describe how she consumes me and what I feel for her. She is my everything.”

Poppy becomes even more confident and assertive in this book. The stakes are higher than ever before, and she tries her best to win a war without killing innocents or destroying cities. She also has to deal with the Atlantian generals who are doubtful about her and her ability to rule, and we can see how she hurts and how the weight on her shoulders is slowly becoming too much. Cas, as usual, was a perfect supporting husband. Never tries to stop her or tell her that she couldn’t do what she wanted to do. He trusts her completely and gives her the power over her life that she didn’t have in all of her years as The Maiden. Their love is inspiring and beautiful… It’s also full of passion and sexy moments 😏 (that being said, them having sex after Cas spent over 40 days without a bath, shower, or toilet was NOT sexy).

“Don’t forget what he means to me, Poppy. I’ve known him my whole damn life,” he said. “We shared the same crib more times than not. We took our first steps together. Sat at the same table most nights, refusing to eat the same vegetables We explored tunnels and lakes, and pretended that fields were new, undiscovered kingdoms. We were inseparable. And that didn’t change as we grew older.” His voice roughened, and he dropped his forehead to mind. “He was and still is a part of me.”


I reached over, clasping his shoulder. “We are not brothers of the same blood. We are not friends due to some bond,” I told him, and his gaze met mine. “We are not loyal to each other because of courtesy or tradition or title. We have always been above all that. And, in a lot of ways, we’re two halves of the same whole. Different than Poppy and me, but not that much different. You know that.”

Cas and Kieran’s love and fierce loyalty for each other are so wholesome and heartwarming. I love them with all my heart, and seeing how much they care for each other and would do anything for each other was beautiful. This is some higher-level bromance here. I’ve loved Kieran from the start, and he truly shone in this book. He showed a more sensible and deep side of himself, and I really hope he will be able to find someone worthy of him before this series ends.

I shot him a glare. ”Would you like to help, or do you just want to stand there and watch me get yelled at by an old woman?”
“Is there a third option?”
My eyes narrowed.

Poppy and Kieran get closer to each other emotionally and physically in this book. I know that some readers saw this as “emotional cheating”, which I respect, but I did not see it that way. They are both going through the same emotional pain after losing Cas, and they are doing all they can, including risking their lives in crazy plans to save him. Cas himself does not mind them getting closer and does not see it as cheating, nor does he see Kieran as a threat. Sure, Kieran and Poppy care for each other, but it is not the same love Poppy and Cas share. On the contrary, Cas is the one bringing them all together, and I truly believe that Poppy will need both of them to keep her in check in the future with her growing powers and this damn prophecy saying that she’s the Harbringer and that she will remake the realms.

Emotions clogged my throat, and I didn’t know if it belonged to them, me, or if it was a combination of all of us.

The three of them love each other. Poppy and Cas can love Kieran without loving each other less. They both love Kieran, and it is heartwarming, sweet, and beautiful. Their also loving Kieran, and Kieran loving them, does not diminish the heartmate bond and the fact that they would do anything for each other.

‼️MILD SPOILER BELOW ‼️
(But seeing how every hateful reader ranted about chapter 44 on every social media, you probably already know about this mild spoiler)…

“I fought the urge to ask him what kind of love he felt for Casteel. For me. I knew it wasn’t a familial one and that it went beyond what one felt for friends. I also thought that it wasn’t the same as what he’d felt for Elashya or what Casteel and I felt for each other. But I also knew that what I felt for Kieran wasn’t the same as what I felt for Delano or Vonetta or Tawny. It was…more.”

I love how the relationship between Cas, Poppy, and Kieran gets deeper with each book. It is clear that Cas and Kieran have a special connection, and seeing how Poppy grew on Kieran and how she learned to rely on him and to love him was precious. I am happy that Kieran was more important in the plot this time and that he was more present throughout the book. We can see that things are starting to change between Poppy and Kieran. Of course, her heartmate remains Cas, but she feels something more than friendship for Kieran. I know that many people were against the idea of The Joining or against the idea of Kieran getting involved in Poppy and Casteel’s relationship, but to me, it just makes sense that they got to that point.

Now, about all those hateful and rude comments… I do believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I respect that 100%, but I also believe that there is a way to share one’s opinion while remaining civilized and respectful.

I saw many hateful reviews saying that the fact that Poppy was growing closer to Kieran while Cas was imprisoned was disgusting, that The Joining made no sense because Cas would never share Poppy, and that the scene just came out of nowhere to please a few horny fans on Facebook.

➡️ The concept of The Joining was introduced in the second book. From the very start, Poppy shows that she is not disgusted by the idea of sharing blood between 3 people and maybe something more in the heat of the moment.

➡️ Poppy was always intrigued by The Joining, and never said that she was against it. She always left the door open to the possibility of it happening, if it was what was expected of her.

➡️ There are also a few hints of Poppy and Kieran potentially getting physically closer and the fact that it does not bother Kieran and only makes Poppy mildly embarrassed (the scene where he is behind her as Cas drinks from her, when they’re all sleeping together while traveling to Atlantia, or when he was holding Poppy while she was drinking from Cas and also having sex with him in the third book).

➡️ I also distinctly remember in the second book, when Poppy awakens to find Kieran sleeping right behind her while she was cuddling Cas, she says that it was as if Cas was a magnet that drew them both. She mentioned that again in this book.

➡️ There is also that moment on the beach, after the wolven wedding, when Poppy watches Kieran and Lyra, and we learn later that Kieran watched Poppy and Cas too that evening…

➡️ The hints were there, and the fact that they are now sharing the same anguish and pain with the temporary loss of Cas can very well explain why they grew closer to each other. Also, Poppy and Kieran developing a stronger and more intimate bond does not mean that she wants to replace Cas or that she loves him less.

➡️ Now, concerning the comments stating that “real men don’t share,”… Let’s keep in mind that Cas and Kieran share a very strong, ancient, and unique bond. They’re not just best buddies; they grew up together, and they trust each other with their lives. Their connection is a strong one. Cas did not get jealous or angry at Kieran the few times he saw Poppy naked or had a front-row seat for some intimate moments, nor did Cas get angry or possessive when Poppy saw Kieran naked. More than once.

“Nothing and everything had changed between the three of us since the Joining. Our relationship remained as it had been, but there was an intimacy now that hadn’t been there before. A closeness. A bond we were reminded of every time I felt our hearts beating in tandem.”

‼️END OF THE MILD SPOILER‼️

Seeing Reaver in his mortal form was already an utterly unexpected experience. But seeing him completely, absolutely naked whilst crouched on a pillar took the oddness of the situation to a whole new level.

"You’re just saying nonsense. You both are nearly the same height and size,” I said.
“I believe your vision could use improvement,” the draken responded, and I rolled my eyes.
“You could use an attitude improvement,” Kieran retorted.
“I ate a lot of ham,” I announced to Kieran before Reaver could fire back another barb. Both males looked at me. “A lot. You’d be proud.”
“While I’m glad to hear that,” Kieran began, “that was a little random, Poppy.”


“I get it. Kieran almost stepped on your tail.” I turned to the wolven. “Reaver almost bit your hand. Stop whining and get over it.”
“He almost stepped on my entire leg,” Reaver corrected. “Not my tail.”
“And he almost bit my arm off.” Kieran’s eyes narrowed. “Not my hand.”
I stared at them. “You two are… I don’t even know.”

I adored Reaver and his “I don’t really give a shit” attitude in this book, but I would have loved to see more of the drakens. Reaver’s an odd one for sure, but he added many funny moments in this book, and I want more of him in the next one! I am also curious to see if something more might develop between Kieran and him, because the way they are annoying each other might hide some other feelings… There is tension between them, and I’m not sure it’s 100% angry tension, if you know what I mean.
EDIT: Apparently, the author already confirmed that it would not happen, but it would have been nice. I like their snarky interactions and how Reaver just didn’t seem to give a shit about anything besides burning humans and annoying Kieran.

I would have loved to have more of Delano and Netta. While I am happy that Kieran was more important, most of the book follows him, Poppy, and Cas, and we do not really know what is happening with the Atlantian army, with the other wolvens, and with the drakens that stayed behind. I feel that Poppy did not have any time with them, or the generals, or the other “important” Atlantians, which would help her gain their trust and know better how to organize her army.

Also, a special mention to Malik and Millie, who are both quite intriguing, Millie even more than Malik. I fully expect to see them again in the next books, and their role in this war is not over. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil anything, but let's just say that there is potential for me to like these two in the next books if they make good decisions.

Overall, I did love this book very much. The last 10% were intense, and I am already excited for the next book. I know that many people were disappointed, but all I can say is to at least give it a chance, and not base your opinion only on all the 1-star reviews 9especially since many of those 1-star reviewers did not evenread the book), and hopefully, you will enjoy it as much as I did!


1. From Blood and Ash ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Crown of Gilded Bones ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Visions of Flesh and Blood ⭐.5


Flesh & Fire series
1. A Shadow in the Ember ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. A Light in the Flame ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. A Fire in the Flesh ⭐⭐⭐
4. Born of Blood and Ash ⭐⭐⭐

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[Holli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too spicy for me, for the amount of story content, especially. I fast forwarded parts. I still liked the characters and the story.

[Shelby Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me this whole series could just stop right here. It was such an amazing book and I honestly feel fulfilled with how this ended. We finally know what the heck Poppy is unless for some reason Jennifer L. Armentrout changes it in the next book. She seems to surprise us in every book with a new name for what Poppy is. I don’t know if I’ll read the next one. I feel content and a little bored with all the war, but who knows my mind might change when the next graphic audio comes out for the next book. 😂

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy A War of Two Queens, especially in the GraphicAudio format, which made the action, emotion, and chaos feel extra immersive.

That said, while I liked this one overall, I definitely felt like it dragged in the quieter moments between all the chaos. There’s so much happening, but somehow I’m still a little confused about who everyone is ....gods, primals, dieties, demis and what’s actually going on because it feels like everyone only ever half answers anything. At this point in the series, I really wish I felt like I understood more than I do.

Every book keeps peeling back another layer of secrets and reveals, which is fun in theory, but it also means the characters keep making mistakes over and over again because they’re constantly working with incomplete information and honestly, it can get a little frustrating lol.

I also feel like this could have been a really solid place to end the series before the additional god level reveals came into play. It had the emotional weight and big moments for it.

Overall, I still had a good time with it and I’m invested enough to keep going, but I’m definitely craving a little more clarity from this series moving forward.

[RoXXie | The Art of Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will DNF this series here.
I'm so tired of all this sentimental swooning that results in sex scenes where the female protagonist can't believe what's happening. Most of the sex scenes end up being pointless filler that just pads out the book. I don't have a problem with steamy scenes in general; when done right, they add depth and emotion to the plot. But here, they were simply too much and just made me roll my eyes.

I thank the narrators for their hard work, and that's the only reason for the four stars. The plot itself was simply awful.

[Debra Rohlfs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoooooly pancakes…

The death of Isbeth… that was PAINFUL to watch in my head, but also OH so satisfying.

[Heather Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so sick of this cash grab series at this point….. am I still going to finish it out? Yes absolutely

[Jessica Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m just very confused at this point. So many gods and the hierarchy is hard to follow.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Just Have to Say
“Exploded” as a descriptor for every emotional state and using Setti as a unit of measurement might genuinely be Armentrout’s favorite literary habits.

Book Rating: ★★★★☆
Impressive. A thoroughly enjoyable and well-crafted book. While it might not redefine the genre, it’s absolutely worth the time and attention.

Spice Rating: Hot
Hot. A couple of explicit scenes heat things up, but they’re well-integrated into the story. These moments enhance character relationships and serve a purpose beyond the bedroom.

Book Recap
Two weeks after the events of The Crown of Gilded Bones, Casteel is imprisoned beneath Carodonia, unfed, injured, and spiraling toward bloodlust under the control of Isbeth, the Blood Queen. Poppy, Kieran, and their allies gather in the Pinelands to plan a rescue, only to be met with brutality at every turn; bodies lining city walls and a box delivered to Poppy containing Casteel’s severed finger. As Poppy struggles to contain her growing power, she dreamwalks to Casteel through their heartmate bond, offering comfort while realizing his condition is worsening.

The group’s efforts to reclaim Oak Ambler but Vessa, is exposed as Isbeth’s agent, using ancient magic to destroy the draken. As Poppy’s rage mounts, she learns more of the prophecy naming her the Harbinger of Death, a role she fears will turn her into something monstrous. Meanwhile, Casteel learns Isbeth is not a true god but a Demis, and Malik who we all long believed a captive, reveals himself as complicit, acting out of devotion to his heartmate, Millicent.

The book ends with revelations layered atop violence. Millicent is revealed to be Poppy’s sister. Kieran is cursed by Callum, forcing the group into impossible choices involving Malec’s entombed body. Poppy, Casteel, and Kieran perform the Joining, binding their lives together. When Isbeth attempts to summon Kolis, the true Primal of Death, Poppy ascends fully after encountering Seraphena, the Primal of Life. Isbeth is destroyed, the fallen are resurrected, but the victory is hollow as Kolis has awakened, and the true war apparently is only just beginning.

Review
I love a good dramatized audiobook. The consistent voice cast across the series genuinely enhances the experience. That said, this is the book where I started to feel the strain of Armentrout’s storytelling habits. Early in Part One, my engagement dipped hard. The scale of events keeps ballooning, but the character pool remains small, and only a handful of people have any real agency. The stakes rise, but the world doesn’t feel big enough to support them.

Part Two did pull me back in somewhat. The emotional beats landed better, and the tension sharpened, but by then the pattern was too familiar. Information is constantly delayed because someone interrupts, a fight breaks out, or sex takes priority. Important revelations feel rationed. The dreamwalking scenes were heavy with longing and angst, but they also felt convenient for pushing the plot along.

The Joining didn’t shock me. I saw it coming from the previous book and spent more time wondering whether we were heading toward a throuple or a narrative contingency plan in case Casteel didn’t survive. New mythological elements continue to appear exactly when needed, and while I’m still entertained, the emotional impact has dulled. I no longer feel for the characters as I am swept away by momentum. I was fully invested in the early books, and that makes the gradual disengagement here especially disappointing.

[swirlyyyy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always the graphic audios are AMAZING for this series. I recommend these to people who want to read the series but are intimidated because of how dense it is, LISTEN TO THESE!!! You won’t regret it. The voice actors are my fav Kieran and Cas their accents 🥵🫡, listening to these graphics VS reading the book is definitely different… you can hear and feel their emotions and it makes the story so much more wholesome. THE JOINING in not so graphic, graphic detail. Kieran biting Cas and drinking from him and then cas drinking from Kieran while they are both naked and 🍆 ….and as poppy watches them together and she’s getting all hot and bothered and Cas is amused and intrigued by it. 🥵 SO HOT. I listen to these and don’t understand how people think they aren’t gunna be a throuple…that man LOVES her and casteel knows this. The love they share for each other is beautiful and goes beyond sex. The joining was done well and it was so beautiful… although I do wish it was more descriptive 🤭 kieran blushing when he sees poppy and trying to hold himself together but losing it because of her?! I need more of that.

[Pink · Rating 3 out of 5]

pros to these adaptations
1. each character actually has a different narrator
(which is what regular audiobooks need to be doing. )
I can do without the sounds and music. which usually drowns out the voices and the sound effects are repetitive to the point of being annoying.
2. they usually cut out unnecessary parts (probably could cut out more in this particular series though)

Cons to these adaptations:
1. They split them into 2 or more parts for 💲 scheme
There is no other reason for it.
2. This causes issues with being put in order
3. this causes them to be more books than actually are
4. this causes issues with being able to borrow them from libraries, with limited borrows and holds at a time, 5 books turns into 10 and that's usually the limit. So 5 books hog up your entire limits and usually very long waits.
6. ebooks dont sync with them
7. THEIR sexual & intimate scenes are very fake and poorly done. even just kissing is done really badly

[Kimberly (Kimsbookaddiction) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graphic Audio Review

Voice acting is top tier 🙌🏽

I loved this one. The ending didn’t leave me infuriated like the last one. I wanted so much more Casteel in this book but of course his ass was captured by the blood queen and we don’t get him back until like 60% into the book! 🤦🏽‍♀️
But while Cas is away, Poppy will slay 💁🏽‍♀️ she is such a badass Queen. I also loved her deeper connection with Keiran in this one. What a lucky lady to have two men who are obsessed with her. I’ve never been so envious of an FMC.

There were plenty of twists and turns but I liked how it all played out. I’m super excited to start The Primal of Blood and Bone. Still super invested and loving this series.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mit der Serie bin ich fürs erste fertig, die Folgebände werde ich nicht mehr lesen / hören. Immer die gleichen Dynamiken, die gleichen Themen, gefühlt alles nur per Dialog erzählt. Es zieht sich einfach, und nach dem 458. Mal ist der Witz, dass Poppy zu viele Fragen stellt und alle erstechen will auch einfach mehr als alt.
Die Serie hatte ihre guten Momente, aber es geht mir zu sehr bergab. Hätte ich nicht gezwungenermaßen einige lange Zugreisen gehabt, wäre es mir sehr schwer gefallen, diesen Band überhaupt zu beenden.

[Twi Shipper · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was excellent. I love the full cast voice acting and the production value. It's a great way to re-read or experience a story.

The War of Two Queens (Part 1 of 2) (Dramatized Adaptation)
Blood and Ash, Book 4
By: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Narrated by: full cast, Katie Boothe, Torian Brackett, Stewart Crank, Tony Nam, Lise Bruneau, Todd Scofield, R.J. Bayley, Deepa Samuel, Khaya Fraites, Troy Allan, NJ Agwuna
Series: Blood and Ash, Book 4
Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
Release date: 08-25-25
Language: English

[Sohyun · Rating 4 out of 5]

first read the book, then listened to the audiobook.

definitely enjoyed listening to this one in audio form! a lot happens in this book and the first three books prepare you for this one. listening to it, I almost feel like the book could have ended here. the joining scene was really great in audio form. that was my favorite part of this book, actually.

i'm not sure if i'll listen to the next audiobook in this GraphicAudio series only because (SPOILERS FOR A SOUL OF ASH AND BLOOD)I know that the majority of the book will be a recap of TBAA but in casteel's POV.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic Plot: Poppy seeks to rescue her husband and end the war.

This was a non-stop ride from beginning to end, and the end was pretty wild. The relationship between the main characters deepens. We find out a *LOT* more history affecting the story and the realms. For a book title that proclaims war, most of this is really about preventing/avoiding battle, until the very end when all hell breaks loose. I really enjoyed it.

[Kyra Bookdragonmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally!!!! After 3 and a half books we have some resolutions. Did more things come up? you bet, do they seem pulled out of a hat? most definitely, but others were finally dealt with and FINALLY the threesome and basically triad I have been waiting for happened!!!!! 💜 I need more of just them.
Ok, this series is not great, but by the gods it's fun. I listened to this entire book in less than a day

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is five stars for the GraphicAudio adaptation — the voice actor casting, the music, the sound effects, they all remain phenomenal.

truthfully, i think this is my least favorite of this series so far (considering im behind with the new releases whoops) — tbh i was just annoyed with the villains and i was over the constant back/forth (like why are we entertaining her???) but im back in to see how this other storyline wraps up

[Katie Samoyedny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed part 1

The cast is great but the story itself is starting to feel long and dragged out.

There were some parts that felt unnecessary . Longer is not always better. Sometimes shorter can create just as enjoyable of a read/listen.

Series has a lot going on with all the diff names, creatures etc. And it’s hard to keep track of it all.

[sophslilbookcorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still absolutely in love with the graphic audios for this series.
I had forgotten what happened at the end of this book as it’s been so long and the emotions hit me like a ton of freaking bricks but I will absolutely be continuing with them.

[Madison Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars for the weird poly thing that Kieran, Polly, and Cas have going on. Just no. no. no. no. Part 2 of this book was basically them banging the ENTIRE TIME. I was kinda over it... I get it, you are hot for the men. But I was just so nope about the poly thing.

[Cindy Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So powerful!! So sexy, so special. Listening to these audios, I feel like I can picture every character and everything that is happening. It really is incredible! Love this series. Even better the second time around.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ongoing standing ovation for all the voice actors. 🙌

Unsurprisingly (to anyone anywhere ever because I’m pretty sure I say some iteration of this every time but) roses, confetti, bras, knickers, ALL the clothes and some fangirly squeals thrown at the stage for Stewart Crank because 🫠🫦⚰️

[Kristina Brand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just as good as reading for the 1st time! This series has my heart!

[Ciarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series has me absolutely engrossed. I love everything about it. The world just draws you in and the characters are my everything. The graphic audio actors are AMAZING. No notes.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

(⚆ᗝ⚆) Me the whole damn time!

[Amanda Brezina · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILER***

Anyone else thrown off by this throuple? lol idk I think it’s just getting a little too much for me 😂.

[Krissie Pooh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gahhhhh!!! These books are so good and the graphic audios just make them so much better. This one was fantastic, especially with all the spicy scenes in the second half of that book :-)

[Karen Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

GA audio adaptation is perfection