Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Blood and Ash #6.5

A Crown of Ruin

Rate this book
When everything falls apart, the truth of who they are is revealed.

Poppy has fallen into stasis, her body broken and power spent, carried beyond the mortal realm. While she lies suspended in dreams, Casteel faces a world without her—raw, wrathful, and altered in ways he doesn’t yet understand.

Left to steady a kingdom trembling under the weight of loss, Kieran shoulders what he cannot say aloud, even as the fractures between gods, mortals, and fate widen around him.
In the days that follow, grief becomes a guide, loyalty a burden, and love the only thing holding the realms together.

These are the pieces that fill the silence. The moments of wrath, ruin, resolve, and the spark of what must come next.

A Crown of Ruin reveals the unseen moments of love, loss, and change that happened between The Primal of Blood and Bone and The Throne of Bone and Ash.

161 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 26, 2025

1978 people are currently reading
6508 people want to read

About the author

Jennifer L. Armentrout

165 books159k followers
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.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
2,439 (45%)
4 stars
1,781 (33%)
3 stars
943 (17%)
2 stars
169 (3%)
1 star
45 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 494 reviews
Profile Image for Sarah Richman Burns.
168 reviews
December 27, 2025
I don’t actually know how I feel about this little in between I think I’m just ready for the series to be over as mean as that sounds..it’s all become just batshit crazy
Profile Image for Lucie V..
1,249 reviews3,682 followers
February 3, 2026
This book is free on Amazon (Canada) for now. 🙂

✅ Kieran (but once again, he was not present enough to make it worth it)
🆗 Pace
🆗(❌) Plot
🆗(❌) Not that relevant overall
❌ Characters
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: deaths and mild gore
🔥 Spice level: 🌶️ / 5

This series needs to end.

Honestly, it was not a bad novella, and the writing felt more like the first books of the series. It’s just that I was so annoyed with the 5th and 6th books, and so fed up with this author’s tendency to drag the plot for hundreds of pages instead of wrapping it up nicely, that I started this book with a little bias. I was ready to hate it, just as I hated Primal of Blood and Bone, but I have to admit that while it was not amazing or truly gripping, it was not bad.

The author should have removed about 600 pages of repetitive and boring conversations in The Primal of Blood and Bone, and put these 160 pages at the end of the book instead. Poppy and Cas still annoyed me, but at least things happened, and it wasn’t just page after page of pointless blabla. That being said, I do not feel that this novella makes the plot progress any more than the previous book did. It's just extra scenes of action and Cas going off the rails.

I am still mourning my Cas. This is not him. He was out of character in Primal of Blood and Bone, and continues to be in this novella. He went off the edge, listens to no one, and thinks he’s cool because he is in his mas destruction and “I don’t give a fuck” era. I get that he is angry, but he is just unhinged in this novella. His emotions are all over the place, and he admitted that he would not care if the world burned down and thousands of people died, as long as he could have Poppy back, and that even though Poppy was better than him, he didn’t doubt that she would do anything for him, too. I’m all in for intense male leads, but this is becoming too toxic for me to enjoy.

I was hoping for more of Kieran, and was disappointed, once again. He gets 2 chapters, and that’s about it. The rest is mostly about Cas losing his shit, killing everyone, telling everyone how scary he is, and about Poppy being, again, asleep through it all.

In case you do not feel like reading this novella, especially after wasting hours of your life on the previous book, here is what happens:

❗️❗️Spoilers❗️❗️




1. From Blood and Ash ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Crown of Gilded Bones ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
4. The War of Two Queens ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
4.1 Cupcakes and Kisses ⭐⭐⭐
5. A Soul of Ash and Blood ⭐⭐.5
6. The Primal of Blood and Bone
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 ⭐⭐⭐

Follow me on Instagram 🙂
Profile Image for Amber Nay&#x1f5a4;&#x1f4ab;.
169 reviews22 followers
December 27, 2025
JLA is really starting to piss me off lmaooooo.

She keeps putting words on paper and they’re just not doing anything for the story here. I 100% believe that she didnt like the backlash from all the negative reviews of POBAB so she decided to put out this bullshit of a novella.

Book 5- regurgitated info from the first 4 books, just from Cas’s POV

Book 6- no new information, once again regurgitated conversations and a pointless argument that results in Cas being a whiney bitch the entire fucking book

Book 6.5- what in the fuck even was that? It’s all over the fucking place. No new information! Surprise surprise. Just Casteel STILL being insufferable.

Listen. I UNDERSTAND HIS RAGE. but good fucking lord! In the span of one page he says he wants to hate Poppy, but wants to be inside her and blah blah. Get the fuck over yourself Casteel oh my god.

I seriously just don’t know if I have it in me to finish this fucking series anymore.
Profile Image for F.C. Frias.
143 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2026
Well, damn! Happy holidays to us, I guess.

The three stars are for Kieran, and the ten seconds Sera and Nyktos showed up.

Although this is not a novella per se, these chapters felt like the earlier books. The writing and the tone were more familiar, grounded, and delivered so many of the elements that POBAB lacked. There was real humor and strong emotion, along with new revelations that actually moved the plot forward. Most importantly, the story had depth.

I’m still not a fan of Casteel’s murder rampage and not caring about his people or the mortals. I'm ready for him to be put in stasis for a while and I hope Nyktos or Kieran is the one to do it.

Poppy being in stasis again is frustrating, but after everything she’s endured, it makes sense. What I absolutely did not expect was the level of body horror she was subjected to; it was disturbing, difficult to read, and honestly shocking. I had to stop reading that part a couple of times because it was a bit much. That said, JLA really took it there and that took guts. It was also effective for the story's arc.

Enough with that damn promise! They made one mistake while they're at war, there is the looming threat of a psychotic True Primal of Gods, hundreds of gods loyal to him, and two kingdoms in shambles. Priorities! That should not be the thing to break this trio. I'm so over it.

Getting Kieran’s POV was both a gift and a heartbreak. I loved seeing some level of reconciliation between him and Casteel, but I’m so tired of watching Kieran carry the weight and guilt of everything on his shoulders. He deserves peace, happiness, and the longest hug imaginable. Why is he still babysitting Casteel who claims to be in control? Why is he afraid to use his powers? What are his powers?! Yeah, we still don’t know.

I also hated that another beloved Primal fell. I knew it was coming, but it was still sad to read. On the bright side, I was glad to learn some of our favorite side characters are still alive. There’s a clearer path forward for the next book, which makes me excited (and nervous) to see what comes next.

And finally, I need more Millie and Malik! They are unbelievably unhinged and hilarious whenever they’re on page, and their energy is the perfect balance to all the darkness and tension.

Overall, these chapters were a nice addition but it felt like a course correction. It would have been better to have this in the actual book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Alexis.
141 reviews3 followers
December 27, 2025
This novella was 100x better than the primal book. I can’t believe Cas is batshit tho. :(
Profile Image for mina (romantasy version)⋆. &#x1065a; ˚.
138 reviews13 followers
January 5, 2026
4.5🌟


this isn’t funny anymore bc i cried during this book like why is this happening to me😭😭 i’m glad we got this novella but womannnn the last book better be a masterpiece like 6🌟 material









pre-read: JLA, this is not gonna fix the pain you've caused but i'll read it nonetheless
Profile Image for Katelyn C.
254 reviews53 followers
December 29, 2025
The way this (semi) HEALED me from TPOBAB ending, thank you JLA for this Christmas gift!! I cannot wait to dissect each chapter and theorize further for The Throne of Bone and Ash. I am foaming at the mouth for more Kieran POV's, I love them so much! I am beyond thrilled especially that Kieran and Casteel are on better terms now. I need my throuple stronger than ever. I can't wait for the final book!
Profile Image for ciana.
194 reviews139 followers
January 1, 2026
this was lowkey insane? anyways i love casteel.
Profile Image for ✨⚡  Kelcey (felinebooktrovert) ✨.
660 reviews624 followers
January 15, 2026
4.25 stars

Almost redeemed the massive disappointment the previous book was.

This helped heal some of those wounds and it was pretty great to see Cas unhinged but still his old self shining through.

I think I am going to pretend that books 4 and 6 don't exist (I did love 5 from Cas' POV) and that 3 leads into seven, which is what should have happened in the first place.

All of my fingers are crossed that this last book is a powerhouse ❤️‍🔥
Profile Image for Luce.
776 reviews339 followers
January 1, 2026
First read of 2026!

Why did I enjoy this more than book 6??? These were chapters that SHOULD have been in book 6. I beg that JLA hires editors that say no to her because someone needs to!

I will say Cas in the last chapter needs a slap. I hope Poppy comes back in book 7 and puts him in his place cause he's just acting like a massive dick now and I'm bored of it.
Profile Image for Erika.
178 reviews4 followers
December 27, 2025
I need more!!!! Cas, my poor baby!!!!
Profile Image for Alex.
141 reviews2 followers
December 28, 2025
I love a little sneaky in between book. And I love this series… I do. But, the fact that this has been dragging on for so many years, and it just gets more complicated and less fun. I’m just ready for it to be all done. Forgive me
Profile Image for KorenaJo.
95 reviews55 followers
January 25, 2026
⭐⭐⭐
This novella was quick paced and action packed
Profile Image for Taylor Krasinski.
117 reviews70 followers
December 28, 2025
Easy 150 pages to fly through in one sitting! I was so happy to see the last scene of Primal expanded to understand what happened to Poppy! Don’t be fooled, you still get some emotional moments in these few chapters, but they’re worth it ! So grateful JLA shared this!!!
Profile Image for Jordan Miner.
374 reviews59 followers
January 2, 2026
4.5☆ ty jla for feeding us crumbs while we wait for the final book 😩 the aura cas has is 🤌🏼🤭
Profile Image for Vero.
299 reviews
December 29, 2025
Maybe actually even 3.5? I am SO confused 😭 BUT I WILL BE CALM ABOUT THIS. OK.

We get 1.3k pages of… whatever THAT was in book 6, and NOW the actual plot shows up in a free 130-page novella?? Be serious.

At this point I’m no longer even trying to understand the structure of this series, I’m just here to see what level of unhinged chaos comes next. This novella ABSOLUTELY changes the story again.

Maybe book 7 will be a cookbook. Maybe it’ll be a compilation of everyone’s diary entries from before they met. Who knows. I don't know. I. DON’T. KNOW. And honestly, I wouldn’t even be surprised if book 7.5 reveals this was all a dream inside Poppy’s dream inside someone else’s vision OR THAT HELL IS REAL AND THIS IS WHAT IT IS. And it will NEVER be over. NEVER.
Profile Image for noemi.
183 reviews3 followers
January 9, 2026
i can official say that i am ready to be done with this series.

the preface to this novella was that these chapters would answer some questions left answered by the end of book 6 and spark some new questions. the first chapter was rather enjoyable - even though it gave me whiplash - as it explains what is going on with Poppy after the previous book ended on a major cliffhanger.

however, the rest of the chapters did not answer any questions and didn’t really spark new ones. it seemed to me like yet another reiteration of ideas and comments already made (multiple times) in previous books. Cas is still a brooding menace and i was hoping at least to see more of Kieran or any hint to the cruel demise of baby D, my favourite side character. i am not sure in understand i see the point of this novella, but here goes nothing.

i still look forward to reading book 7 to find out how the story will end, however i genuinely hope we won’t get yet another over-700-page book full of filler chapters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Krista Gallitelli.
44 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4 for Goodreads. Another reviewer said it best - this was a much much needed course correction.

This felt more like JLA, felt like the plot was moving forward with new things happening rather than just a regurgitation of all the things we already knew happened in the other books.

Feeling more hopeful about the final book now. I really hope we get more of our favorite F&F characters. They’re so crucial to the overall story.

Also (I’ve always said this) I really love how she allows us as the reader to explore sympathy for Kolis and understand his villain arc. Very entertaining and thought provoking.
25 reviews
December 31, 2025
This novella was only slightly better than its predecessor (book 6). I say "slightly" because out of this whole thing there was only 1 chapter that felt like it moved the plot forward (Poppy seeing a memory of Kolis).

The whitty comebacks that had me hooked in the earlier books has just desolved into using the F word alot along with modern insults.

Also, how many times can the writer use the phrase "Ruin and wrath" in relation to Casteel before she realizes we get the hint that he is somehow connected to the next series she has already started?

This didn't even feel like a course correction, just more nothing. Not all chapters are meant to be shared or put into a book.
Profile Image for Makenzie.
19 reviews
December 28, 2025
literally just cas being ungodly edgy
the fleeting scenes with poppy were good and sera’s half second appearance was 10/10
feels like a JLA apology letter after book 6 but ….. womp
cas and kieran scene did warm my heart I won’t lie!!!
Profile Image for Becky Parker.
213 reviews
January 10, 2026
I feel like I need this series to end now. I love blood and Ash and I loved the fire and flesh series even more. However, the last book was just 1266 pages that could have been an email.

I hated the way that the last book ended but this little novella did put my mind at ease with regards to Casteel.

I can tell JLA is building for the big finale but I feel it is time now. I hope the next book is the finale.
Profile Image for tay ⋆⋆ ☾&#x16913; ⋆⋆.
189 reviews
January 3, 2026
This was such a great lil Christmas surprise! POBAB left me in agony and this really gave my bleeding heart a band-aid. Thankful for the scene between Kieran and Cas that gave me a smidge of relief and I am LIVING for the Dark Lord era!! Thank you Jen 🫶🏻
Profile Image for Ashley.
82 reviews1 follower
January 3, 2026
Apparently there wasn’t room for these chapters in the 6th book, but having read this, I strongly think these could/should have been included and a whole lot of book 6 could have been edited out. Problem solved, no need for a novella!
Profile Image for Laura Hopkinson.
24 reviews
January 4, 2026
I’m mad that this little novella of extra chapters was better than TPOBAB all together 🥴😂
Profile Image for Madison Day.
51 reviews23 followers
January 1, 2026
This was the most brilliant thing mother Armentrout could’ve done...

A little novella to bridge the HORRIFYING ending of TPoBaB so we are ready for the final showdown? AND FOR FREE!? Iconic. Stunning. No notes.

Also I really appreciated that they all straight up admitted how dumb the miscommunication was instead of dragging it out forever. Cas was absolutely next level.. feral, OP, evil, sexy. Top MMC of all time FOR A REASON.

I liked that things calmed down here so we’re in a really good place heading into the last book. Theon though… wtf 😭 that hurt. Very excited to see more of the OG primals in action in the next book tho because that’s peak🤌🏻

Also extremely curious about the whole ruin/wrath situation & how that’ll play out.

But yeah that final paragraph from Cas about finding poppy had me like omfg… yep let’s go mamma is ready 🤩
Profile Image for Sabrina.
1,474 reviews119 followers
December 27, 2025
This surprise novella was much needed after the ending that was The Primal of Blood and Bone. Taking place after that book but before the new book that is yet to come out, we get some much needed info and scenes in the aftermath. Told from Poppy, Casteel, and Kieran, these three are not having a good time. Poppy has fallen into stasis after her fight with Kolis. Casteel is well… you can imagine what Casteel is going through without her. And all the power he has now and how he is coping. And Kieran is trying his best to hold everything around him together and try to show Casteel he is there. We can some interesting information from this novella. But it definitely made me excited for the final book that is hopefully coming soon. You definitely don’t want to miss this!
Profile Image for Alexandra II the nine lives of my library.
809 reviews15 followers
January 2, 2026
I don’t think this book added anything to the previous book or to the series. The constant repetition of certain words/ sentences makes me want to pull my hair out. The fact that we had 2 chapters describing the exact same thing happening -just from different POVs- was certainly a choice. Honestly, the whole book was written as if JLA was told they needed a certain amount of words for this book but she did not have any ideas what to write. I would give this book 2 stars but this is my first read this year. I definitely did this to myself though. I can’t wait for this series to be over.
Profile Image for Bozena.
1,062 reviews20 followers
January 22, 2026
I know I read it too quickly, out of the series, but I couldn't say no. NetGalley doesn't often give me Jennifer L. Armentrout books, so I tried, and today I got the audiobook.

I haven't read The Primal of Blood and Bone yet, but that didn't bother me at all.
I think it's even good to have the explanation beforehand.

Yes, I'm waiting for the German version of The Primal of Blood and Bone, and I'm going to read it even faster now.

I missed Poppy and Casteel so much 😭
I don't care in what order I read their stories, as long as I read something about their lives, stories, and love.

I don't just love the characters.
I love Jennifer's writing style.
It's so unique that I would recognize it anywhere.
Simply a beautiful writing style and a special way of telling a story.

For everyone who has already read The Primal of Blood and Bone, it's a must-read page-turner.
I enjoyed every second.

Now I'm waiting for the German version of The Primal of Blood and Bone 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Soon...the review will be continued...😉🤩❤️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 494 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.