The way that the author writes is so beautiful. The descriptions, the characters and the overall world is a 10/10. I’m in love with the forbidden love and the story telling. Amazing book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash is a dark, tension-filled romantasy full of secrets, curses, and slow-burn betrayal. Mal Blackburn is a sharp, determined heroine with her own agenda—and watching her navigate a kingdom of fire, dragons, and dangerous politics was gripping. The setup leans into familiar tropes (forced marriage, enemies to lovers), but the execution feels fresh, especially with Mal’s secret past and the creeping presence of witch magic.

The beginning is a slow build, but once it picks up, it’s addictive. A solid start to a series that promises even more twists, tension, and emotional stakes.

Solid 4.25/5 for this one! With familiar Romantasy/Fantasy tropes all around, Johns' writing style is really compelling. We're provided with an array of characters that move the feast right along and are provided with a well put together twist at the end. An aware reader will be able to see all the hits coming from a mile away, but our cast of characters make each step really enjoyable.

I couldn't put this book down and was so pleased to have found something that read easy, well, and felt substantial without forcing me to "think too hard"-- I could be in the moment with each POV.

Thank you to J.F. Johns and NetGalley for the eARC!

Thanks to the ARC team for an advance copy!

I really loved this book - it's a romantasy-style dark romance, set in a world where there are several kingdoms that have different "races," of sorts. The main characters at the beginning are from one kingdom, the Wyverians - they're human-like characters but with horns, and they have shadow creatures and ride wyverns. Mal, the FMC, is fierce and strong, and she's definitely lovable, but she's always felt a bit different than the rest of her family. She finds out she's betrothed to Ash, the MMC, who's from a different kingdom (the Drakonians). Most of the story entails all of the different kingdoms coming together for the wedding, and the interactions between the kingdoms give Game of Thrones vibes. The relationship has some enemies-to-lovers aspects, and the drama around the gathering of the kingdoms is fun to read.

I do wish that some of the main characters were better fleshed out, and I would say that that could happen at the expense of taking some of the different kingdoms out. This does read like the first of a 5- or 6-book series, but I feel like the characters from different kingdoms each had stereotypical characteristics and were only described at a surface level.

Overall, I loved the book, but I'm totally ok with surface-level fantasy - I'm not the type of reader who gets too caught up in the fantasy details. It's a long book, but worth a read if you like dark fantasy romance with a enemies-to-lovers storyline.

A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash
Author: J. F. Johns
Releases May 31, 2025
**************************************************************************This is my honest review of the digital ARC I was given the opportunity to read. I have not been gifted or paid for my opinion or rating of this book.
***************************************************************************
So far this year (2025) I have read 7 different ‘first of an epic romantic fantasy series’ books. Out of those books, A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash was by far the best out of that genre. And out of ALL the books I have read this year, including all different genres, it is one of my favorites. I could NOT put this ARC down the first time I read it and then I read it a second time because I couldn't help myself!

The first quarter of the book kept my focus and interest so well that I read until I absolutely had to put it down and go do real life stuff. Midway through I was on the edge of my seat and acted like an irritable teenager if I got interrupted. And by the last quarter of the book I was holding my breath, completely ignoring real life while hiding so no one could interrupt me!

A Kingdom of Fire and Ash is perfect for anyone who loves epic fantasy where the world has a variety of kingdoms, characters, and mythological creatures. If you love prophecy, court intrigue, secret schemes, hidden identities, revenge, and shocking betrayals, with romance entwined you need to read this book because it has all of it!

The romance in A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash is a mix of arranged marriage, opposites attract, and slow-burn with what I consider door ajar scenes. There is plenty of yearning and angst between more than one couple that will have you on fire!

With all the different character POVs, as well as kingdoms, creatures, secrets, and agendas, etc., I was worried things would get confusing. But the story is written and flows so well that I was able to keep up with all the different aspects. The variety of personalities was perfect and I enjoyed their development and progression throughout the story. You get a sense of character depth with the third person writing and POVs.

When it comes to magic systems in fantasy books, I am not a fan of overly complex and confusing magic. Magic plays a BIG role in the plot A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash but it is not used by most of the characters and what is used is not overly complicated. You don't have to try and figure out complex intricacies about magic being used or by whom it is used before you can even grasp what is going on in the story.

I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I worried, I gasped, I cursed, I kicked my feet. The surprises had me staring at the wall in shock. The secrets and betrayal had me reeling. The romance intensity left me hot under the collar. The characters and their family and friendship bonds had me feeling it all. And the cliffhanger….just, wow! You have been warned! 😉

***************************************************

-Kingdoms of Darkness/House of Shadows/Wyverians
-Kingdom of Fire/House of Flames/Drakonians
-Kingdom of Fauna/House of Wild/Fae
-Kingdom of Light/House of Sun/Phoenixians
-Kingdom of ice/House of Snow/Wolverians
-Kingdom of Air/House of Wings/Valkyrians
-Desert Kingdom/House of Sand/Desert Folk
-Kingdom of Magic/House of Power/Witches & Warlocks
-Kingdoms coming together after a century of separation and rivalry
-a prophecy with multiple versions
-an arranged marriage where she intends to kill him
-a MMC who stutters and an FMC who misunderstands his silence
-opposites attract at first sight but are destined to be apart
-a playful MMC who helps a prim and proper FMC come out of her shell
-broody and reclusive male stuck with wild and chatty female
-unbreakable brother and sister bonds
-reluctant allies
-forced proximity with sweet surprises
-yearning, angst, and steamy romance
-court intrigue and obligations
-meddling kings and queens
-shadow companions
-mythical creatures
-feasts, dances, and a wedding
-varieties of race, orientation, and creed
-secrets and hidden agendas
-shocking lies and betrayal
-torture, trauma, and murder
-intense loss and heartbreak

I enjoyed this book so much! The world-building wasn't overly complicated but was still unique and really pulled me into the story. I liked the differences that were described about all of the different kingdoms, and I could read more stories about each and every one of them because they were so interesting.

Another thing I liked is that the story had multiple different POVs and it wasn't only focused on Mal and Ash. I really grew to love each individual character, and I am looking forward to seeing where things go in future books. There is just so much left to answer! While the book leaves off on a really great spot to pick up again, there were still a lot of things that were tied up where we aren't left hanging which I always appreciate. The pacing was just great overall, and I really loved the characters and the slow burn romance. I can't wait for the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of this book!

'A Kingdom of Shadow & Ash' is perfect for fans of dark magic, enemies to lovers and slow-burn spicy romances.

I honestly think this is some of the best world-building I've come across in a long time. From the politics of the eight kingdoms and the emotional complexities of some of the key characters, I was hooked from the start. I also really enjoyed the way historical context to what was happening in the 'present day' was revealed to the reader as the story developed. The spice was tastefully done, and it served a purpose, e.g. to show the connection between characters. It did take a while to get to any real action, but it was well-worth the wait.

I would like to thank NetGalley and J.F. Johns for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This has the potential to be a really strong romantasy but it just didn't really hit for me. The plot is a tried and tested one and when done well can be fantastic but missed a bit. I've been pondering why I wasn't eating this up but I think its for a few reasons
* written from a third person which just made it that much harder for me to relate to the characters
* the story didn't really get going until a third of the way in
* didn't really believe the romance

Don't get me wrong, it was fine and a relatively quick read but just didn't grip me in the way I was anticipating

✨1.5 stars ✨

’The one risen from the ashes shall unite them all.’

I was approved for this arc on netgalley in exchange for an honest review, so as always here we go;

What to expect in this
* Feud between kingdoms
* Marriage of convenience
* Enemies to lovers
* Wyvern
* Slow burn
* Dark magic
* Curse

Unfortunately, I was just unable to get into this book and had to DNF at 50%. There was a few different things in the book that blocked me from getting the full experience.

I felt with the story telling, it missed that immersive experience of showing the world and instead only told me. It’s one of those things where I prefer the show not tell. The world does sound incredible but I just wasn’t able to feel truly drawn. The book had a quite a few moments where things were being hand fed to you. Once something was revealed, it felt like there was an info dump to try and make sure you knew everything about it.

I do think that this series has a really good opportunity to grow and a really interesting premise so I think that if you’re considering it to definitely try. I’m not the best at writing negative reviews, but I hope I did this with kindness.

Check TWs and CWs
Happy reading 🩶

Wow! I did not see those twists coming. Thoroughly impressed, will be reading the rest of this series 🤯

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 4 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I couldn't put this book down – absolutely loved it.

Definitely addicted!
Started off a little slow for me, but it really picked up and kept me interested! The world building was amazing and I’m going to obsess over it for awhile. I love when you get multiple point of views in a book, so thank you!!! Adding this in my top 10 favorite romantasies for sure! I need more ASAP!

Okay, so wow. Definitely a slow, slow start, but a very strong finish. I will say that in the beginning, I was growing tired of the focus on Mal's family and country because I just wanted to get to the goods (the male main character), but it was definitely important considering how the story continues. Plus, Mal is worth more than her romance!
The writing style felt a bit clunky and repetitive to me because it relied on dialogue; one can only read synonyms for "said" so many times before they grow bored. This definitely improves as the book went on (or at least became less noticeable). The content makes it worth it.
The characters were definitely different. Too often, books fall into stereotypes that make it seem as through the story is of one character told five different ways. This story does not suffer from that. Each character is unique to themselves. One specific strength about this book in particular is the difference in both diction and dialect. There are several characters that are identifiable by speech alone.
The ending was incredible. It was very, very far out of left field in my opinion, but there were definitely signs that pointed towards the ending. I'll say this; whatever you think is the ending ISN'T... And that I'm very excited to see how Mal solves her new delimma.
Overall, while this book was quite daunting to begin with, the plot itself was very compelling. I'll definitely be picking up book 2!

📚 ARC Review: A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash
✍️ Author: J.F. Johns
📅 Release Date: May 30, 2025
🏷️ Genre: Romantasy
🌶️ Spice Rating: 🌶️ 🌶️
⭐️ Star Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ .50
📖 Book Overview
An enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance full of fire, curses, and secrets. To end a century-old feud and a deadly curse, Mal Blackburn agrees to marry the cruel fire prince—with every intention of killing him. But in a land of dragons, vengeful witches, and buried truths, nothing is as it seems. And Mal’s own secret might be the key to saving the world… or destroying it.
✨ Initial Thoughts
I picked this book up because I loved Forth Wing and was looking for a book with dragons and secrets that could change the world. From the very first meeting, the tension between the leads was unmistakable. It gave me “I have to do this to save my people and there is no way I will catch feelings”, energy—and I was all in.
💘 What I Loved
This book absolutely delivered on giving me multiple story lines that weave and overlap while still keeping the story line well-integrated. I especially loved how Ash’s feeling toward Mal felt like he was pulled towards her even when they first met, like his desire was not his own. Ash’s vulnerability was a nice new perspective when it comes to the MMC. He made me feel sympathy for him and his sister throughout their interaction within the court system. Now let's talk about the romance, I fell in love with the push and pull of Ash and Mal but I craved the relationship between Kai and Alina’s and how there was so much yearning and banter between these two that had me kicking my feet every time their eyes met. The twist at the end was something I didn’t see coming and I found myself yelling at myself for not knowing that this was going to happen and how I will be able to go on without the second book.
😬 What Didn’t Work for Me
While I really enjoyed the book overall, I did feel like there were multiple spots in the book that I was dragging myself to read. The other thing was I felt a little overwhelmed with the 8 kingdoms and all the characters that belong to each kingdom. There were times I felt like I should have made a sheet to remind me which character belonged to what kingdom. By the end of the book I was more in tune with each of the characters and just wished for a slower introduction. Still, it didn’t take away from the magic or the romance—I was thoroughly invested.
🖤 Final Thoughts
If you’re into slow burn romance wrapped with impossible choices, you’ll want this one on your shelf. This book left me speechless with so many questions that I wont have answered till book two. A must-read for romantasy fans—it’s giving how can I wait till the next book energy.
✅ Would I Recommend It?
Yes — especially if you enjoy slow burn romance wrapped with impossible choices with a sprinkle of it's your destiny.
Maybe not for readers who want a fast pace in both plot and romance. But if you are willing to be patient you will be rewarded.
📢 Thank you to J.F. Johns and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts are my own!

“DEDUC ME IN TENEBRIS” — Guide me through the Darkness

I was immediately GRIPPED from the very first page of "A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash” POTENTIAL TO BE A SLAM DUNK on BOOKTOK w/ the ROMANTASY/FANTASY GIRLIES

SLOWWWWWWEST of the SLOW BURN — a tantalizing build-up where the “spice” doesn’t arrive until around the 70% mark && it wasn’t “smut for smuts sake” it was hot but still relevant & integral plot wise.

The dynamic between the “chosen one” and the “cursed one” is beautifully complex, filled with forbidden love and intricate motivations. Mal’s powers are described in such a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, particularly when the revelation of her true nature…

And let’s not forget Kai and Alina — their romance is captivating and leaves you yearning for more. (pls pls pls book 2!)

The plot twists are another highlight, consistently subverting expectations. Just when you think you have the story figured out, J.F. Johns pulls the rug out from under you. The final 20% of the book left me breathless, reeling from the unexpected twists and turns that had me questioning everything I thought I knew. Those last few reveals left me eager to see how these threads will weave together in the sequel, "A Kingdom of Sand and Ice."

I was gifted an ARC from the Author of this book in exchange for an HONEST REVIEW via #NetGalley!

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC copy! I appreciate the opportunity to submit my honest review.
This was such an amazing, exciting and refreshing story!
I absolutely love the FMC and MMC, they are so dynamic.
Personally, I have struggled with stuttering my whole life, and to read about a character who also struggled with it was so amazing.
J.F.Johns wrote this book in such an amazing way.
Recently I have struggled with Romantasy due to the fact that it all runs the same, however this story had such a fresh take on fantasy.
Yes it had witches, yes it had dragons, yes it had mythical creatures...
However, this is a new spin I have never seen before.
If you loved fourth wing, TOG and Quicksilver this is def.a read for you!
I can't wait for book two!

I loved this book! A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash pulled me in from the very first page. The journey J.F.Johns takes us through is full of rich world-building, intense stakes, and of course a heroine you can’t help but root for. Mal is THAT girl. The story blends dark magic, slow-burn romance, and political intrigue that had me hooked from the start and continues throughout.

The overall pacing and emotional depth was there. I loved the switching of POV’s, the characters felt real, the tension was high, and the ending?! I’m sorry. My jaw was on the floor!!

A strong start in this first book and I can’t wait for the second in this Kingdom of Gods series. Big, big thanks you for the ARC!

Kingdom of Shadow and Ash was an amazing book filled with court politics, prophecies, and magical beings! It follows Mal Blackburn, a princess of the Kingdom of Shadow who is destined to break a curse by killing her betrothed. As she gets to know the Prince of Fire, she must navigate the expectations placed on her and her developing feelings while she decides between love and duty.

This plot in this book was intriguing! I felt like I couldn’t put the story down. It’s driven not just by our main characters, but also a unique cast of secondary characters as well. At times it was a bit jarring jumping between many different points of view, but ultimately it was an interesting way to learn more about the expansive world and information to carry our main characters forward.

After that ending I was blown away! I am so excited to keep reading in book 2 so I can learn more about this world and fates of the characters in it!

Definitely check this book out if you are a fan of:
-Arranged marriage
-Slow burn
-Court intrigue
-Witches
-Wyverns and dragons
-Family dynamics
-Prophecies and curses

Thank you to J.F. Johns and NetGalley for the ARC!

4.5 ⭐️ This book reminded me why I love fantasy romance so much.

The world-building was intriguing and easy to follow, the kind that immediately pulls you in without feeling overwhelming.

Mal might be one of my all-time favorite FMCs. She’s dark, powerful, and so deeply layered. Ash’s kind heart and unexpected vulnerability made him such a grounded, lovable character.

Kai and Alina’s romance also stole my heart. I desperately want more of them in the sequel. Honestly, every POV pulled me in. I usually don’t like a ton of perspectives, but I truly cared about every character here.

While I predicted a couple of the bigger plot twists, the cliffhanger at the end still shocked me. This was my first time reading this author, and her writing style is stunning. Can’t wait for book two!

Thank you to NetGalley and J.F. Johns for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The RayView: ✨✨✨✨
The HeatRay:
How It Be Spicin’?: 🌶️🌶️.5
.
Oh boyyyyy. Honestly, this was a slow start for me. Five percent in and I dreaded picking it up because I was so bored. 😅 I persevered and oh my goddess I could not put it down. So many twists and turns, a few I hadn’t even expected which left me speechless. I absolutely loved that for once the MMC wasn’t the all encompassing strong one. Yes, he’s built like a brick wall, manly, etc etc. But the anxiety he holds that worsens in public brings him crashing down to earth for me because same. 🤷🏼‍♀️😂 Living through Mal and Ash’s siblings and what was happening in their lives alongside Mal’s gave the story more depth when everyone came together at the end. I’m intrigued to learn what happens next!