I was hooked at the beginning and found this to be such an interesting and fun concept. Unfortunately by the time I hit 50% I was quite bored and struggling to keep going. The characters were a breeze of fresh air, but the plot fell flat after about 30%. I would definitely recommend to others who I think would love this, unfortunately I feel like I was possibly missing some information.

What I liked
3rd person with multiple POV
Female main character
Shadow magic
Arranged marriage
Enemies to lovers

What I didn't like
Struggled a little in the beginning with the writing style
Felt like the relationship went from enemies to lovers to happily married a little bit too quickly


A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash is a great example of the romantasy genre. I loved the enemies to lovers forced into an arranged marriage for political schemes tropes. The author had unique world building and I appreciated the different races from the differing kingdoms. I especially adored our main character Mal. She reminded me a lot of Manon (in the very best way) with the wyvern, her dark aura and mannerisms.
I struggled a little bit to get into the writing style in the very beginning and I do feel like we went from enemies to happily married a little quickly but these didn't deter me from rating this book 5 stars. I really enjoyed it and eagerly anticipate book 2!

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

*** I received this ARC copy of “a kingdom of shadow and ash” from through NetGalley ***


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 5
🌶️/5
📔 3rd person narration

Wow is all I can say!! I ate this book up! It is a long read, so buckle up and enjoy the ride! This book gives me all the ACOTAR / Fourth wing vibes with a hint of Queen Chartotte.

The relationship development between Mal and Ash was such a fun journey. I love how Mal is a strong female lead and held her own. Ash was toootally here for it too!

I loved all the side characters as well! With being 3rd person the author let us see numerous story lines at once which allowed for multiple romantic stories to unfold.

This book did have some spice, however , it wasn’t extremely descriptive. I’d say 1 / 5 on that scale.

Overall I’d highly recommend this book if you want a great fantasy book!!

This book was very well written and had an immense amount of world building that really made it a stand out. The romance felt a little lacking in earlier parts of the book with the main couple and the multiple POVs where a bit much. However the plot didn’t feel stagnant and the premise was well written and thought out.

Tropes
•Arranged Marriage
•Enemies to lovers
•Dark Magic
•Court Intrigue

The book was marketed to be a Romantasy but I definitely felt it was high fantasy. I loved the world building, the magical system, and prophecy aspects of the book. You have so much in the book from witches to wyverns and so much more. I personally would have loved a little more of romance written into the book. The book being written in third person and some of the characters names reminded so much of other popular fantasy books. I appreciated the MMC being a different style with his powers than the popular shadow MMC. Mal and Ash needed more to their love story than spending one day together then falling in love. Overall an okay read and good first book. Thank you NetGalley for giving me an eArc. I will be posting on my Goodreads my review as well.

This is the best book I have read this year so far by far!!
I absolutely loved everything about this story, the setting, the plot, the way the story was written, the multiple POVs - it was perfect and had me hooked from the start. The diary snippets from Tabitha at the beggining of each chapter was a clever touch lending weight to the curse and how it came about. I thought I had a theory about how this book would end but I was wrong - the end had a massive twist I did not see coming. It was very emotional for many reasons and yet it was the perfect end to this story to ready us for the second installment in the series.
I feel like this book is perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas and Rebecca Yarros - it also vaguely reminded me of the way the Game of Thrones series is written.
Overall I really cannot express how much I enjoyed this book. If I could give it more than five stars I would.

Thank you to Netgalley and J.F. Johns for the opportunity to read this as an e-ARC! I cannot wait for the second installment in the series!!

Thank you to J.F. Johns and NetGalley for allowing me to receive an e-ARC of this novel. I'm so glad I was given a chance to read this because I thought it was great! I went into this pretty much blind, I only read the blurb and no other reviews and since this is only my second ARC read, I wasn't sure what to expect. But, I am happy to say that I truly enjoyed this one!

This novel does a really great job of world-building; there's a LOT of world-building in the first half of the novel and I really enjoyed getting to know the main characters and the dynamics behind their familial relationships, the reasoning behind the arranged marriage that takes place in the book, and the cultural differences between each different kingdom. I really liked that the author provided more than one character's perspective in the novel (and I honestly liked that it was done in third, not first, person) and was able to show relationship and character development between so many of them without it feeling overwhelming. And while I love myself a morally grey MMC, I really enjoyed the fact that Ash was vulnerable and Mal took on more of the morally grey character vibes. I also really loved how she showed up for him when he needed someone to support him and how their relationship developed through kindness and patience. This was a true slow burn for Ash and Mal, but it is totally worth it, and I rooted for them every step of the way. I'm a romantasy/fantasy girl, so this book was truly was right up my alley--magic, and wyverns, and slow burn romance, oh my.

The build up to the climax of this book and the plot twist truly had me at the edge of my seat--I did not see that plot twist coming at all. All in all, I really loved this book and cannot wait to blab to all my bookish friends to run to read it once it comes out. I can't wait for Book 2, I need to see what happens because I'm too anxious and excited about it!

4.5 Stars from me!

I'll be sharing this review on my Goodreads, too.

4.5 stars!

This book was amazing, it was exactly what I had been craving in romantasy! I am glad I had the chance to read this before it blows up (which it will!!). I went into this pretty blind, knowing next to nothing, and my expectations were blown out of the water.

I loved the plot. I loved the characters. I loved the romances. Having more than one and sprinkles of more to come was great. I love Alina and Kai, I think they make a perfect couple. I had inklings about them getting together from the second the Blackburns arrived in the Kingdom of Fire. I also love Mal and Ash. Their story was heartwarming and I love how Mal was so accepting of Ash. Their relationship reminded me of one of my friends and her boyfriend, and it was really sweet. I love that we got to meet so many characters from all over the world, and I am hoping for even more expansion on the other kingdoms in the next book! I had a wonderful time reading this book and I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one, and this one isn't even out yet :,)

Thank you to Netgalley and J.F. Johns for the opportunity to read this as an e-ARC!

Unfortunately I had to DNF... I kept not wanting to pick it up so I decided not to put myself through a book I couldn't get excited about and just dnf it officially.

Totally mind blowing. The climax was the most intense 100 pages I have ever read.

A curse, A longtime war, Eight kingdoms were separated and never in touch after the war that annihilated the whole kingdom of the witch. Mal the princess of the Kingdom of Darkness was betrothed to a Fire Prince, Ash, to build back the relationship between the two kingdoms. But Mal was there wasn’t to marry and be a wife, she has a heart that needs to be stabbed, her husband’s heart. There is more to the curse than what they’ve been told through generations because the more they learn the more complicated it gets. The more Mal stalled her main purpose, the more her heart yearning for her husband.

I was expecting this story to be a normal fantasy, but the more you get into the story the darker it is to the point I was scared to move forward as the ending gets near. The beginning might be a bit slow but trust me after that you wish it was slower for your mental health. The angst was so good, the slow burn was as parr, the political conflicts were given more careful thought than any other fantasy romance out there. However people who came here for the romance and touchy-touchy scene might be a little bit disappointed and more shocked with how the story turns out. Just a little bit though because honestly me myself was expecting rainbow, sunshine and unicorn.

And our beloved main characters. Let👏 me👏 tell👏 you👏, wild girl and soft boy combo? Give me all of them. It’s rare to find a soft boy male character these days, geez. And our Mal? Is the strongest woman I have ever known. She is not the “you’re brave” or “your word can change the world” kind of strong but she is legitly strong, physically. Although their love interaction was not much, it probably got overshadowed by our second love interest, Mal’s brother and Ash’s sister, I like all of them regardless. I may come more to the romance at first but I stick because of the plot. And honestly I can’t wait for the next book, ma’am I’m waiting for you but don’t take too long or I might have to reread it again for the sake of angst.

Thank you NetGalley, Publisher and J.F. Johns for the ARC Copy!

I just finished *A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash* by J.F. Johns, and I’m still thinking about the world she created. The story follows Mal Blackburn, a princess from the mysterious Kingdom of Shadow, who is forced into an arranged marriage with Ash, the intimidating prince of the Fire Kingdom. What really drew me in was not just the enemies-to-lovers tension, but how Mal navigates this dangerous and divided world.

The setting is one of my favorite parts of the book. Each kingdom feels distinct and alive, from the eerie, mist-filled halls of Mal’s home to the fiery, unpredictable lands ruled by Ash. The political tensions and ancient grudges between the kingdoms are always simmering in the background, making every interaction feel loaded with meaning. I loved how the world-building wasn’t just about scenery-it shaped the characters’ choices and the risks they had to take.

Mal is a character I found myself rooting for right away. She’s clever and resilient, constantly adapting to survive in a court where everyone seems to have their own agenda. I appreciated how she never lets herself become a pawn, even when she’s surrounded by enemies and forced into impossible situations. Her internal struggles-balancing loyalty to her family, her growing feelings for Ash, and her own sense of right and wrong-felt authentic and made her journey compelling.

The dynamic between Mal and Ash kept me hooked. Their relationship is full of mistrust and sharp banter at first, but as they’re forced to work together, you see layers of vulnerability and understanding develop. It’s a slow burn, and I enjoyed watching them challenge each other and gradually let their guards down.

If you love fantasy with rich world-building, high stakes, and complex characters, I definitely recommend *A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash*. It’s a story that pulls you in with its atmosphere and keeps you invested with its heart. I can’t wait to see where Mal’s journey goes next.

I would like to thank J.F. Johns and NetGalley for sending me the eARC of A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash by J.F. Johns, expected to release May 2025.
Unfortunately, I DNF’d at 33%. I was going to write a more detailed review about how I dove into this book very excited to read an enemies to lovers fantasy romance, but unfortunately that is not what happened. The experience of reading this book, for me, was overshadowed by the way in which the author decided to describe a black/brown person’s skin tone as “dark as bark.” That choice of words shocked me out of the story. I stopped reading for a bit and tried to pick it back up from where I left off, but I remained unsettled by that phrase.
Up until that point, I liked the slow pace and the world building. I thought the story had potential to be epic. Hopefully, in the future, more care can be put into how diverse characters are described.

This book has everything you need in a new fantasy series, such as intricate world building, a unique storyline, political intrigue, witches, wyverns and old Gods. I’m obsessed with all the characters, there are multiple stories happening within the main story which sounds like it could be confusing but it is well executed. The main male character is not what I expected, he has a vulnerable side that is refreshing & endearing. Whereas, the main female character is more broody, dark, and morally grey which is a nice twist for once. This book was so addicting...I need the next book in the series immediately!

I am thank for to NetGalley and J.F. Johns for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.

I sadly DNF this book. From the description, it sounded like something I was really going to like. I think the pacing was a little all over the place and I found that I couldn't connect to the characters as much as I would have liked. This simply was not for me and that is okay! I feel like those who enjoy the build-up to a story might like this one and for those who enjoy intriguing world building with a darker more gothic tone. I will not be rating this as I couldn't finish the book, but I also can't submit my thoughts without a star rating. I am going to put three stars as I don't believe it is fair to rate any lower without finishing the story. Please give this one a try if the premise sounds interesting to you, you might end up liking this a lot more than I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Author for giving me an arc copy in exchange for my honest review.

Overall 4.25 stars!

Premise: Two kingdoms try to broker peace and unite 7 kingdoms through the arranged marriage of the Fire Prince and Princess of the Wyverians while simultaneously secretly plotting their deaths trying to lift a 100 year old curse.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! It was an absolute pleasure to read this book!
The development of the characters and the development of the slow burn romance was well done. I really enjoyed the authors focus on the minor characters as well and the focus on character interactions which really fleshed out the story and felt relating to the characters easy.
The 3rd POV also enables the reader to be able to see several aspects of the story that the characters are not privy to. Although some readers might feel 3rd POV would not help them empathise with the characters, I personally feel it helps one empathise with more than one character.
The characters are all strong in their own right and minor characters do stand out well.
Overall I really enjoyed the story, the characters and direction the story seems to be heading in however I’m not overly fond of most characters ending up a Seer.

With such in depth world building I couldn’t put this book down!
It had everything I wanted and everything I didn’t know that I needed!
Wyverns
Dragons
Witches
Fae
Wolves
Shadow Walkers
Phoenixs!!

Obviously reading a lot of fantasy you can feel like tropes and storylines are overdone but I felt like this book stood out from the mass produced fantasy/romance/dark books that I usually read. The twists and turns had me gripped and needing more.
If you like forced proximity, enemies to lovers, badass fmc and the cinnamon roll mmc then this book is for you!
Book 2 as soon as possible please.
I will also be sharing my review on Goodreads.
Thanks so much to netgalley for the arc of this book and obviously the author for writing such an amazing book.

This book was just okay. I did find it heavily inspired by other popular books in the genre, particularly in case of the magic system and even character names. The place names felt a bit like placeholders and the specifics of each kingdom was quite superficial and stereotypical. I did appreciate the MMC, as it’s different from the overused “shadow daddy” trope. However the relationships and character dynamics were just off, which is disappointing in a romantic fantasy.

This was so so good!
I loved the world and the different characters in the book.
The story has multiple POVs but it is written in third person.
I thought the plot was unique and really thought out.
I really enjoyed Mal, our FMC. I actually don’t think she had much character development throughout the story but I don’t think it was needed! Mal was pretty much a badass from the beginning in my opinion and actually gives off some Manon from TOG vibes.
I liked how all the characters came together and the plot twist?? When I first started the book I was mildly confused but it all came together perfectly.
I cannot wait until book 2 comes out!

Release date: May 31, 2025

Thank you J.F. Johns for providing me with this ARC in exchange for a review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Quotes I love:
“I will not apologise for who I am.”

“They call us savages,’ she whispered. Mal’s fingers curled into a fist. ‘Then let us show them what savages are truly capable of.’”

“‘If you cannot fathom why a woman should be able to defend herself,’ she spat, pivoting on her heel to face her brother, ‘to protect her own body, her children, her land—then you know nothing of true pride.’”

“She was the kind of woman who not only turned heads as she passed, but who could just as easily outwit those around her in a battle of words. And that, perhaps, was the most dangerous thing of all.”

“‘Sometimes, when we never say no, the other person begins to believe the word does not exist.”

“‘You are not a nobody. You are the fucking sunshine,”

“Sometimes loving someone else is so painful that you feel like you cannot breathe. Just looking at them and knowing that they are yours and you are theirs is the most beautiful feeling in the world.”

“And he would spend the rest of his life learning her, unraveling her, falling more and more in love with her with every passing day.”

I absolutely loved this book. Thank you so much for giving me the opertunity to read it early. Its exactly what I look for in fantasy. Huge world building, all the different kingdoms, different magic weilders, dragons. Honestly it's a fantastic world that had me drawn from the very beginning. I have linked it in my linktree for people to pre order. I've done a couple of videos already and will do another one and ive posted on my goodreads. My tiktok account is kims book coven

In A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash, J.F. Johns invites readers into a darkly enchanting world of magic, betrayal, and forbidden love. With her signature flair for fast-paced storytelling and emotionally charged characters, Johns delivers a fantasy adventure that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant.

The story centers around Adara, a young woman burdened by a deadly curse and hunted by those who fear what she might become. When she is taken to the kingdom of Vareon—a realm steeped in darkness and ruled by a mysterious prince—Adara must navigate dangerous court politics, unravel secrets about her past, and confront a destiny she never asked for.

Johns excels at building tension, both in terms of the overarching plot and the sizzling chemistry between characters. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Adara and Prince Kael is filled with angst, slow-burning intensity, and unexpected tenderness. Fans of romantic fantasy will find plenty to enjoy, particularly in the emotionally charged dialogue and the moral ambiguity of its central players.

The world-building is ambitious, mixing classic fantasy elements with fresh twists. Shadow magic, blood ties, ancient prophecies, and political intrigue come together in a well-woven tapestry. While some aspects of the lore might feel familiar, Johns gives them her own spin, ensuring the story stays engaging.

If there’s a minor critique, it’s that certain character arcs could have used a bit more development, especially among the secondary cast. However, this feels like the beginning of a larger saga, and the foundation laid here promises even more complexity and depth in future installments.

A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash is a gripping, emotionally intense fantasy with high stakes, a touch of darkness, and a heart-pounding romance. Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, From Blood and Ash, and The Shadows Between Us.