3.5 🌟

Mal Blackburn, the fourthborn princess of the Kingdom of Darkness, has to marry Ash Acheron, the prince of the Kingdom of Fire, to finally have peace between the kingdoms. But also there's a prophecy that "the chosen one" needs to kill "the cursed one" to stop a curse. It apparently refers to Mal as the chosen one. And you know with a vague prophecy like that, there is going to be drama 👀


It took about 10-15% of the book for me to actually get into the story, but once they actually got to the Kingdom of Fire, it started picking up.

The story is fun, and I had a good time reading this. Lots of court intrigue, spying, rivalries and alliances between kingdoms, backstabbing, etc. And magical creatures! I did find some parts predictable, and the romances didn't have as much buildup as I would have liked. BUT it was still a fun read!

There are a lot of really amazing characters! Mal's brothers, Kai and Kage, are both amazing in their own way. Not to be dramatic but I will die for Kai ❤️ Ash's sister, Alina, is also great. Lots of good sibling dynamics in this book!

I do wish the narrative followed the main couple a bit more. There are a lot of side characters who have their own storylines and POVs, which can be interesting, but I often wanted to get back to Mal or Ash.

For writing style, the 3rd person POV didn't bother me at all. There were a lot of single-sentence paragraphs, which is a personal pet peeve. I love them to emphasize a specific sentence, but when used too much it feels choppy to me.

Overall though, a good romantasy reminiscent of YA, but with more spice

4,25⭐

First of all, this was my first ARC to receive and I think I won the lottery, because I ate this up!

The character building is really well done and I enjoyed all the different POV's.

I absolutely adored Ash. He is a little different from all other fantasy MMC's and it made me like him just that bit more for it.
Mal is this strong and fierce FMC but somehow has a really sweet and caring side to her.
The development in their relationship was really well done, a true enemies to lovers. Although I felt that when they finally gave in to their feelings it was a little bit rushed.

The romance between Kai and Alina was epic! And if I'm being a 100% honest I thought it was even better than the romance between Ash and Mal. They just seem perfect for eachother and I desperately hope we will read more about them in book 2.

The bonds between the family members are so sweet. They stand by eachother and have each others back. Beautiful to read.

The plot was really cool, the plottwist a little bit predictable, but not less enjoyable because of it.

I can't wait for book two to be published and I truly hope this book will be released as a physical copy because this cover is to die for and I need it on my shelf!
All in all an amazing fun read, which I highly recommend!

If you like;
-enemies to lovers
-slowburn
-animal companions
-forbidden love
-forced proximity
-political games/betrayal

Oh, and a special shout out to Wren Wynter! Absolutely adorable and so fun! Her character has a special place in my heart. I would love to have to listen to her rambling all day.

A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash by J.F. Johns is an absolute must-read for anyone craving a dark, immersive fantasy experience. From the very first page, I was completely drawn into the intricately crafted world, a place where shadows dance and secrets lurk around every corner. Johns' world-building is nothing short of masterful, painting a vivid tapestry of lore and atmosphere that truly captivates the imagination.

The writing itself is simply stunning, weaving a tale that is both mysterious and angsty, with a palpable sense of tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat. But what truly sets this book apart is the romance storyline. It's a slow-burn that adds depth and complexity to the narrative, making A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash an unforgettable read that will leave you yearning for more.

I received this book as an advance review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book to be thoroughly enjoyable! We follow the journey of Mal Blackburn, the fourth child of the Shadow Kingdom, born with the purple eyes of witches—witches eradicated from the continent 100 years prior because a witch dared to fall in love with a Shadow Prince. The war concluded with Tabitha placing a curse upon the land, a curse that only Mal Blackburn and her soon-to-be husband, Prince Ash Acheron, can break. How can the curse be broken, you ask? Well, Mal must simply stab her husband in the heart. Simple, isn't it?

I absolutely adored the slow burn of the romance between Mal and Ash! I appreciated that they took the time to get to know each other instead of instantly falling in love.

The inclusion of multiple side characters was a definite plus for me; I enjoyed following their stories, particularly those of Alina and Kai.

I also loved Wren!

The ending had me completely captivated! I was in a state of shock for the final eighty or so pages! What a way to end a book. Now I eagerly await the sequel!

⭐ 4.5/5 – Intense, emotional, addictive

“𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨, 𝙖 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙨.𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚."

Let me start by saying — I don’t usually swear, but my immediate reaction after finishing this book was: 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗬 𝗦𝗛*𝗧.

This story is 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 — a dark, romantic fantasy packed with political tension, ancient grudges, and slow-burning stakes that had me hooked from beginning to end.

We follow Mal, a princess caught in a marriage alliance meant to reunite broken kingdoms. What unfolds is a gripping journey full of magic, mystery, curses, and unforgettable characters. The worldbuilding is intriguing — you've got wyverns, fae, witches, dragons (you name it!). Each kingdom feels distinct and alive.

The only thing that may feel a little jarring for some readers is the frequent shift between multiple perspectives— sometimes even within the same chapter. It adds depth, but it can take a moment to adjust to.

That said, the characters are absolutely the heart of this book. Every one of them — even the side characters — is beautifully developed with real arcs and emotional weight. The sibling dynamics? Next level. Their banter, loyalty, and protectiveness were some of my favorite parts. Kai is just absolutely 😘!

And the 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴? Yes, plural! Each one with its own flavor: broody, tender, protective, morally gray. For the first time, it genuinely felt like I was following multiple FMCs and MMCs because they all mattered so much. And the main MMC? He’s portrayed in a way I’ve never seen before in fantasy. You just have to see it yourself! Unexpected, refreshing, and so well done. The relationships are heartfelt, complex, and beautifully written.

You’ll love this if you’re into:
- Enemies to lovers
​- Romance with political intrigue (think The Cruel Prince energy)
- Slow-burn emotional payoffs
- “Who did this to you?” MMCs
- Strong heroines & unique love interests

Huge thanks to @netgalley and @jfjohnsbooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

OH MY GOD WHAT A BOOK!!!! When I say I devoured this book, I wasn't able to put it down and when I had too, all I could think about was when I could get back to reading it! I loved everything about it - the characters, the story, the world, the twists and turns, the history and the ending.
Chefs kissssssss!!!!
It really fell in that category of having just enough tropes - enemy to lovers, badass female protagonist, touch her and your d***, slow burn romance, to give that addictive feeling but also mixed with an incredibly thought out story, world, action, magic and plot twists.
The third person, multi POV really gave you a chance to get to know all the characters and story from every angle - it really made me think about both sides of the story, and who was actually right or wrong within the situation and I just loved the complexity of that.
Though what stayed consistent throughout the book was how much I absolutely loved badass Mal Blackburn- she definitely gave Manon Blackbeak vibes which of course I loveddd (even her name is similar ... hmmm haha). I cannot wait to see where her character goes because DAMN that ending!!
We do love a sexy, strong and fierce female protagonist, and this book gave us multiple! And I cannot stress enough about how every single women gave off a different vibe, but all were portrayed as strong.

Highly recommend this book for fantasy/ romantasy lovers - especially though who love Throne of Glass, ACOTAR, Fourth Wing.

I need the second book now please ..I beg.

thnx

Well what a start. It’ll break your heart and leave you wanting more. And that was only the first chapter!

Follow Mal into her arranged marriage with the fire prince. But there is a prophecy.. will she be the chosen one or the cursed one? Will she be able to kill him or love him? And will it be enough to save all 8 kingdoms?

If that wasn’t enough you have a side enemies to lover story of her brother Kai too. His passion to protect his family, as well as meeting the fire prince’s sister. Touch her and d!e vibes too.

Witches. Dragons. Wyverns. Magic.

Fans of - Fourth wing. When a moon hatched. Lightlark. Serpent & Dove. Scarlet Veil.

Thank you for destroying my soul with this ARC NetGalley & J. F. Johns

Ummm ya, where to start?
I need the next one in the series rn. riiiiiiiight now!
World building, beautiful. Character development, chef's kiss. Different stories all crashing together in the end, a masterpiece.
The last 50 pages?????? Put me in a chokehold, hot diggity dog. Carnage, pure carnage to my soul.
This story wrapped itself up with a neat little bow and then lit that bit*h on fire in preparation for the next.

If I may, I have one singular criticism. I found many of the character's names VERY similar to those of another fantasy series out there.
Other than that, no notes. & as Britney says, Gimme Gimme More.

Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review/feedback.

I'm left speechless - frustrated even, wanting more. Now I have to wait for a long time for the second installment, for my questions to be answered.

As a reader, I am always trying to dive into a book without any expectations, and that's what I did. Reason why this book impressed me.

Characters-wise, we were first introduced to a really strong FMC. No doubt, a badass. Then there's this bond between siblings. The male lead, unexpectedly, is a vulnerable one. In fact, there wasn't any character growth for Ash in the first installment. I loved each and every character, especially the minor ones. They were not overshadowed by the female lead. Exactly my cup of tea. The banter between two supposed enemies. I highlighted and noted more than I should.

World-building was there, but I must admit, it was lacking. Though it still painted a picture in my head. Brief introduction about each 8 kingdoms was enough for me to love it. Their different traditions, magic system, physical appearance, animals, and even the color of their eyes were discussed! So distinct!

There's this journal-like entry in the beginning of each chapter, nonetheless, instead of making the storyline predictable, it's the other way around. Pacing was a bit fast, but manageable. Conflict and challenge was there from the very beginning until the very end.

Ending was rather fast and rushed, but the revelations still surprised me. I was reading the book thinking that I have it all figured out, until I didn't. The twist at the end, the betrayal, never crossed my mind. J.F Johns created a great masterpiece, one that left a reader anticipating the next part.

If you're looking for a book with tropes like arranged marriage, curses, slow-burn romance, betrayal, chosen and/or cursed one, and more like these, then this book is the perfect next read!

'A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash' by J.F. Johns drops readers into a world on the brink of war. Mal Blackburn's arranged marriage to the ruthless Fire Prince sets a powder keg of political backstabbing and seething resentment ablaze. Johns skillfully weaves an enemies-to-lovers trope, overlaying it with high tension, betrayals, and a mysterious curse.

The story, although at times feeling a bit unbalanced in pace as it explores different envoys and court intrigue, finally pays off with a satisfying payoff. The second half is full of twists, some foreshadowed, others truly unexpected, leaving the reader gasping. Although the second romance provides its own level of intrigue, Kage is a standout character.

Johns is a master of creating tension and a convoluted network of secrets. Ideal for readers who enjoy slow-burn romances, dark magic, and intricate court politics, 'A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash' will be the scorching beginning of the Kingdom of Gods series, with you impatiently waiting for the second book.

ARC Review – A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash by J.F. Johns

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash is a dark and addictive fantasy that had me hooked from the very first page.

Think enemies-to-lovers, ancient curses, dragons, and a world dripping with danger, betrayal, and court intrigue. STUNNING. That ending wrecked me, and I need book two now. 🐉🔥💔

This book checked every single box I crave in a fantasy:
✨ Addictive, dangerous magic
🐉 Dragons and wyverns
💔 Betrayal, murder, and rebellion
🔥 Slow-burn romance, tension, and SPICE
⚔️ High-stakes court politics and brutal twists

Mal is everything I love in a main character—fierce, intelligent, calculating, and unapologetically powerful. She doesn’t shy away from the shadows; she owns them.

The world-building is phenomenal—rich with magical creatures (hello, wyverns and giant wolves!), ancient curses, courtly deception, and rebellion simmering beneath the surface. It’s a world brimming with dark magic and danger, but also moments of raw emotion, loyalty, and dry humor that hit you when you least expect it.

Not to mention that ENDING? Gut wrenching in the best way. No spoilers, but the emotional damage is real and I'm already writing an e-mail to my therapist. I’m already counting down the days until the next installment is released.

…you need this on your TBR like yesterday.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ACR:

I was hooked so easily considering it's 3rd person, but having the multiple pov's really kept me intrigued, even though there was one character pov I wasn't overly obsessed, it was intential to the storyline.

The actual plot I think moved a little bit slow and the ending could have happened a bit earlier on or 50 more pages could have been added because it felt rushed. The plot twist at the end I somewhat predicted and was well thought out, leaving you guessing how the 2nd book will start.

The characters I adored and I was expecting them to be different expecually Ash (Fire Prince.) He's not like the other MMC's in romanasy's I've read or heard about. He was sweet and protective when needed to be, but cold and aloof. The scenes we got with him and Mal (Shadow Princess) had the tension and the slow burn I was wanting. Mal was not whinny or weak, she was fierce and strong and stood her ground when she felt it was right.

Kai (Shadow Prince) and Alina (Fire Princess) had be at chokehold. The angst and chemistry they had was too good. Kia was the carefree, protective cheeky to what Alina needs, she was held back by her parents and Kingdom, she wants to live and chose her own destiny and Kia saw potential in her.

- 3rd multiply pov's.
- Prophecies and Gods.
- Animals/ creatures as companions.
- Family dynamics.
- Slow Burn.
- Forbidden Romances.
- Enemies To Lovers.

Goodreads:"Goodreads: see what your friends are reading" https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/231692639
Fable:
Check out this review of A kingdom of shadow and ash on Fable. https://fable.co/review/d3103a69-75f4-472a-bde4-66284675957a/share
StoryGraph: megan_r1

Thank you Net galley

I really enjoyed this book, It was a very easy fun read.

It took me a while to get into but then I did really like all the POVS. Romance to plot was perfect and would defiantly pick up the second book.

4.25 ⭐

Thrilling Dark Twisty Exhilarating

I loved this book! I fell in love with the characters and enjoyed the plot. I never knew what was coming next and ATE. IT. UP!

The ending has me clawing at the bits for the next book. It was dark, morbid and exhilarating! I could not put this down!

There were times where I was confused on whose POV I was reading but it came together. During some POV's some characters had different personalities/characteristics than during other POV's.

Ex. in the beginning the MMC seemed like an arrogant A hole from the FMC perspective, a hopeless weak boy from the sisters perspective and a sarcastic witty character from his perspective. I understand that everyone has a different view point on people (especially based off what they are told or how they are expected to react) but the other characters seemed to stay the same no matter the POV.

A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash has the foundation of a wonderfully deep and unique fantasy world. The main character—particularly Mal was extremely compelling; she embodies the essence of a badass warrior princess, while the prince’s soft side adds a sincere and intriguing contrast. Despite these strengths, the story ultimately falls a bit short—not due to a lack of content, but rather how that content is handled. The pacing often felt a bit too slow, and while the book introduced strong ideas and plotlines, many of them felt underdeveloped or unfinished. The use of multiple character POVs was a nice touch, though I found myself less interested in some perspectives than others. Overall, this fantasy novel has the potential to be great but ends up feeling somewhat disjointed for me.

This book was fun but for me unfortunately it was a bit long. I understand why we needed everything fot the story to end were it did. But if I am reading a book for too long I kind of just wish for it to be over at the end. And I understand that this is a me problem. If I would have just read this book and not the other I did at the same time maybe this would have been rated higher. But I still believe it to be a good book and 4⭐️ is also a great rating. Ash was like a breath of fresh air. He was nothing like the standard MMC:s we usually see. Mal was freaking awesome. I pictured her exactly like the art on the front cover, badass! There is something great about a book with a lot of different types of people and magical creatures and powers. You never know how everything is going to work together. I am exited to read the next book in the series and find out where the story is going to go after a wild ride of an ending.

5 ⭐ WOW. wow. This book gave me the same feeling as when I first discovered Throne of Glass. I was immediately engrossed in the world, and Johns does a fantastic job developing an intriguing plot without sacrificing on the world building. The world itself is intricate, filled with a rich and well developed history and a conflict that makes our main antagonists (the witches) extremely nuanced. You can understand exactly why they have turned to violence and revenge, and at times, despite our main characters actively fighting against them, it is hard to fully vilify them. I LOVE when authors are able to accomplish this.

Our main character, Mal, is extremely fierce and unyielding, and I truly enjoyed her as our FMC (if Manon from TOG is your favorite, you will no doubt LOVE Mal!). Every time Johns described her vicious smile, I could see it so clearly in my mind. And Ash... ASH!! Our MMC has so many layers to him. He is a deeply misunderstood character, who is a warrior but often times his greatest battles are within his own head. He has a stutter, and the weight of this and the constant worrying about what others will think of him is enough to drown him in anxiety, so much so that he often avoids speaking in more than one or two word sentences, and avidly avoids large groups. He is a kind yet fierce soul, despite his (false) reputation for cruelty across the kingdoms. This is a common theme we see throughout this book, as our characters are constantly fighting against the expectations imposed on them to forge their own paths.

This book contains multiple POVS, and I really enjoyed this aspect. We get the POV of both major characters and side characters, and I never felt like I was lost or that a certain POV didn't meaningfully contribute to the story. Everything felt purposeful.

Without giving any spoilers, I will say that the ending left me feeling a bit confused, and I am still unsure of how to interpret it. It felt a bit like it came out of nowhere, and maybe there were little breadcrumbs spread throughout the book, but I didn't pick up on them. Either way, I absolutely can not WAIT for this book to be released and for everyone to see how incredible it is. Mark my words, this is going to be a hit! I absolutely devoured it in two days.

Thank you SO much J.F. Johns and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Firstly, I enjoyed the world over all. I like the idea of all the different kingdoms and animals. I also get the pacing overall - we have to get where we're going in a timely fashion so that we can get to a second book. However, going from hating someone with a vehement passion to loving them in like 5 days was unbelievable to me overall. The main characters were ok, unremarkable I suppose. Overall, this was readable and decent but just ok. I probably won't read the sequel.

⚔️Eight kingdoms in the brink of war.
👑An arranged marriage to broker peace.
🩸One curse that can end them all.

Filled with fantastical creatures, dragons, wyverns, plot twists, and court intrigue-this dark fantasy is perfect for fans of “Fourth Wing”, “From Blood and Ash”, and Manon from “Throne of Glass”.

📖 Synopsis: Mal Blackburn is the 4th born child of the House of Shadows-a child born with no inherited role and mysterious purple eyes. Her lack of familial position has her feeling without a purpose in life, until her parents arrange to have her married to the Prince of the Fire kingdom. The Fire Prince, Ash, is rumored to be a ruthless monster; yet Mal views this as an opportunity. She doesn’t want to capture the prince’s heart-she wants to stab him in it. There has been a curse upon the eight kingdoms for the past 100 years, and a prophecy foretold that one of the royals must die for the curse to be broken.

But all is not as it seems here. Mal is hiding her own potentially deadly secret, outright war is at the doorstep, and everyone around her has an ulterior motive as to whose death is required to lift the rumored curse.

******

I love a good character-driven story. While the world-build and plotting are immersive, it’s the characters that truly shine here. Each one has threads of own side plots weaving together throughout the book, getting the reader emotionally invested in what is happening. As a “feelings” type of reader, that is what I want to be…emotionally invested in the story. ❤️

I also loved the magical creatures in this story, especially the shadow “spirit animals” that are assigned to the Drakkonians at birth. I loved how the creatures weren’t just part of the world, but were immersed with the characters as mirrors of their own personalities.

This book did end on a cliffhanger and I already am looking forward to the continuation of Mal (and everyone else’s!) journey.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early!!!

Wow. I didn't know what to expect going into this book, having never read the author's work before. While it started a little slow for me, once it got going I was absolutely hooked! Mal is a really great fmc who is strong and confident and truly caring. Ash is not your typical mmc and just tugs my heartstrings. The familial relationships are really touching and I appreciated the closeness and camaraderie shared between siblings. Kai is my man and I need more of him in book 2. Overall, I laughed, I cried and my heart was pounding. The ending has me dying for more and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book!