Nope. No thanks. I can see someone dying to make this book their whole personality, but not this little ducky. I was so intrigued at the start, but once we get to the fire nation, whops- wrong book- the fire kingdom, it just fizzled out, The weird triangle between Hagan, Kai, and Alina seriously got under my skin. The dichotomy of how Mal views herself, and Ash (like come on, couldn't come up with a better fire related name?!) views her, along with the different ways the kingdoms look at Mal, is so over exposed it's crazy, and gives whiplash. And I don't know if you realized this but the little chapter heading from Tabitha at the start of chapters 3 & 4 GAVE AWAY THE WHOLE PLOT, at lest if you have half a brain, you have a clear road map to where this is all heading. People who will like this book are only the die hard romantsy junkies (that live only for the vibes and tension) and those who have never read a book before in their life and haven't been exposed to basic plotting and story flow.

although the story was inspired by many well-known fantasy series, i still found it somewhat enjoyable. however, the pacing didn’t feel very smooth. the transitions between chapters were a bit disjointed, and the world-building came across as dark, dry, and gloomy. because of that, whenever i paused my reading, i didn't feel motivated to come back to it.

there were many characters —normally something I enjoy, as I love books with large casts— but unfortunately, none of them felt very relatable or deeply developed. (maybe Kai, to some extent.) as for the place names—kingdom of fire, kingdom of darkness, house of flames, house of shadows—perhaps they might have appealed to me when I was younger, but now they just felt... a little cringe.😬

at one point, i actually considered dnf’ing the book, but i ended up pushing myself to finish it.

wishing the author all the best in their future projects. many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

I absolutely loved and adored this. The Romance, the Spice…. DRAGONS!!! And look at that beautiful cover. This had me hooked from Page 1 and i could not put this down. I will definitely look into her back log.

A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash is a richly woven tale of dark magic, political tension and slow-burning romance that will captivate readers who enjoy court intrigue and enemies to lovers dynamics. J.F. Johns invites us into a world where dragons rule the skies, witches seek revenge and secrets simmer beneath the surface of every kingdom.

At the heart of the book is Mal Blackburn, a determined and sharp-witted fourthborn of the kingdom of darkness. Tasked with ending a centuries-long feud by marrying the fearsome Fire Prince, Mal sets out not to forge peace but to end a curse by assassinating him. Yet, as with all clever twists on the enemies-to-lovers trope, nothing goes quite as planned. Ash, the Drakonian Prince, is far more complex than Mal anticipates, and their dynamic shifts in unexpected and deeply emotional ways.

The character development is a standout strength in this book. Mal begins as single-minded and fiercely independent, but as the story unfolds, she becomes more layered and empathetic. Ash, known for his cruelty, turns out to be a character with depth and vulnerability, which makes his interactions with Mal compelling and full of nuance.

While Mal and Ash take centre stage, it is impossible not to mention Kai and Alina. Their relationship crackles with tension and longing, and their presence adds an extra layer of emotional weight to the story. The yearning between them is beautifully written and leaves the reader eager to follow their journey in future instalments.

The worldbuilding is immersive, with each kingdom feeling distinct and full of history. Secrets lie in every corner, and the magic system is dark, dangerous and steeped in mystery. This book is perfect for readers who appreciate slow burns, layered character arcs and morally grey decisions.

An addictive start to a promising series, A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash delivers tension, romance and magic in equal measure. I cannot wait to see where J.F. Johns takes us next.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

This book is good. Its that simple. I was drawn to it because of the cover which is gorgeous. The title was a little meh for me as I feel it gets lost in the sea of all the other similar titles out there.

The plot is really good, all the classic things you'd expect to find in this type of story with several new elements added in. Adored the MMC, he was a breath of fresh air. And shockingly enjoyed the MFC when very often they are one of my least favorite characters in these types of books. But this one? She is extremely interesting and I found myself wanting to know more about her.

Which brings me to my one issue with the book. There are a lot of interesting points throughout about characters, places, customs, people, etc but not a lot of detail. I really wish the world building was better.

Overall highly recommend this book.

4.25⭐️ I was so excited to receive an ARC of Kingdom of Shadow and Ash and yes, I totally got sucked in by the cover first. It’s absolutely stunning and gave me high hopes right off the bat.

This story is rich with world-building and layered with magic systems that actually made sense (which is rare sometimes in fantasy). It took a little time to settle in, but once I did, I was fully hooked. The characters were all distinct and memorable, and I felt emotionally connected to each of them in different ways.

It definitely falls into the high fantasy category, and the third person POV really worked in giving us a broader view of the world and its conflicts. I appreciated how every perspective added something meaningful to the overall story.

J.F. Johns is definitely an author I’ll be following—I’m already looking forward to seeing where they take us next.

This book had everything I crave in a romantasy—shadowy magic, high-stakes betrayal, and deadly secrets. The world was dangerous and intoxicating!

The character arcs were layered and believable, with growth that felt earned and real. The political intrigue was just the right amount of messy, and the story never lost momentum. From the opening chapter to the final act, I was fully locked in. It hit me with twists I didn’t see coming.

This was a phenomenal read. I’m already counting down the days for book two. If it’s anything like this one, I’m in for another wild ride.

Ahhhhhh!!! I’m screaming!

The God of Shadows!

Wow, wow, wow. I am blown away by this story!

If you love wyverns, dragons, wolves, blood, fighting, enemies to lovers, and so much more, this is not a book you want to miss out on!

———
Mal Blackburn doesn’t know where she comes from, but that doesn’t stop her from learning that she’s a part of a big prophecy that is intent on her murdering the Fire Prince.

After being propositioned from the fire court, Mal accepts the burden of marrying (to murder) the fire prince and unite her kingdom with theirs, as well as to end a century long curse.

There are many twists and turns throughout this book that left me sad, enraged, engrossed in the final pieces clicking together. I cried at the Nyx’s death, and smiled when Mal realized killing Ash would only mean he can be reborn again.

I cannot wait for book 2!

This book had everything I look for in a romantasy: dark magic, murder, political intrigue, wyverns (yes, wyverns!), forbidden love, and a plot that was an absolute wild ride. I was hooked from the very beginning, and things only got more intense once the wyverns came into play—those scenes were some of my favorites.

The character building was really well done, with noticeable growth throughout the story that felt natural and engaging. The pacing stayed steady the entire time, keeping me interested from start to finish. And the ending? Absolutely insane. It was gut-wrenching, emotional, and packed with twists that I didn’t see coming.

Honestly, there wasn’t much I disliked or wished had been done differently. The only reason it’s not a full 5 stars for me is because, while I really enjoyed it, I wasn’t completely consumed by it in the way my top-tier, 5-star reads usually make me feel.

That said, I’m so excited to see where this series goes next—I can’t wait to get my hands on book two!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, JF Johns, and Independent for the ARC in return for my honest review.

Tropes:
💫 Forced Proximity
💫 Enemies to Lovers
💫 Arranged Marriage
💫 Lost Heir
💫 Strong FMC
💫 Chosen One
💫 Multi POV (3rd person)

Key themes:
☀️ Witches and Warlocks
☀️ Dragons and Wyverns
☀️ Kingdoms at war
☀️ Curses
☀️ Dark Magic

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶/5

This book has all the classics for a Romantasy book. Overall, I enjoyed this book. There were a lot of things that kept me on my toes and wanting more but the pacing was just off. Like some places felt rushed and others just lingered on.

There was a lot of world building in this book. Definitely setting the stage for future books. I did enjoy the world set up but I did get slightly overwhelmed but it did redeem itself in the end.

Mal Blackburn (FMC) was the fourth born in a kingdom where only 3 children are produced by the royal family. What is her fate going to be? She was literally the spare child but she was born not like her siblings. She was born with Purple eyes. The same color that Witches have, but she was no witch right? Like she can't be. No one in her family was a witch.... we see her truly come into who she was meant to be as the story progressed. We find out her history and who she must kill to relieve her land of a curse that was set forth 100 years ago...

Ash Acheron (MMC) the prince of the Fire Kingdom. Heir to his throne but Arranged to marry Mal who is from an enemy kingdom. The two are literal opposites. I low key feel like he falls first but it kind of is mutual in the timing but he does show it first!

The ending 20% will leave you hooked that's for sure! Im excited for the book to come out. I hope that the AI cover changes but overall, i am happy with the book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️3/5 stars

While the premise of kingdoms, magic and wyverns is familiar this book offered elements of surprise with burdens of emotions. I loved Mal and how confident she was throughout this entire book. I felt upset that she and everyone else knew the kingdoms fate was upon her shoulders. I loved the fast paced chapters and story line, the character development was something else.

I wasn’t a fan of the dual POVs, I found them quite difficult to follow. However I’m glad we got to see Kai and Alina develop and I want more of them in the second book 🤞🏻

Thank you so much to Netgalley and J.F.Johns for allowing me to read this fantastic story early, I would definitely recommend friends to pick this up.

Mel is my type of person I liked her. I was surprised by this book I don't usually like fantasy, but this one had me hooked. I need more.

Really enjoyed this book, well written, great storyline and great characters!!! It hooked me in really easily

A classic romantasy setup - fallen kingdoms, lost magic, and a heroine at the centre of it all. While the premise is familiar, A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash still manages to offer moments of surprise and emotional weight. I liked the dual POVs and the slow-building romance, though I did find the worldbuilding a bit surface-level at times.

The plot moved quickly, sometimes at the expense of deeper character development, but I appreciated the emotional beats and the high-stakes finale.

🌑 Tropes you’ll find: Chosen one, lost heir, brooding protector
📖 Overall: Fast-paced and fun, ideal for readers who love fantasy with a romantic core

This book, this book, this book.

Okay. First of all, I did notice a lot of similarities in names and themes when it comes to the Throne of Glass and ACOTAR series. I’m not sure if it’s coincidence or not.

But.

It took a whole different twist. Like… I started panicking in the last 20 or so pages because I wasn’t aware there will be a second book. I thought the ending would be rushed which I am very very glad it wasn’t.

My favorite characters for sure are Mal, Kai, Kage, and Ash. I may have crushes on the males.

I’m very curious to see what happens next. But the fantasy on this book is incredibly. I really enjoyed the world building and the differences between different kingdoms. I also enjoyed how there were multi-layered perspectives on each character. For example, from Mal’s POV in the beginning, she seemed lost. Not weak but vulnerable. And yet, when we’re introduced to her from Ash’s perspective, she’s a fierce warrior. Cunning and dangerous. I thought it was awesome.

I definitely can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy as a little trophy since I was very fortunate to read the ARC of this book.

A big thank you to NetGalley and also to J.F. Johns and the team handling all of this. I can’t wait to read book 2!

Really struggled to connect with this one. The premise intrigued me, but the execution didn't land for me, particularly with the way characters were handled, I didn't gravitate towards any particular character, and found it difficult to keep track of all of their motivations throughout the story.

I was drawn to this book to request it because of its cover. They say `don’t judge a book by its cover` but I am so glad I did. I loved it just from look of it and I was right. It is swoon worthy. From the very beginning I was hooked. It started with a tragedy that caused a witch’s curse, this then gave us little snippets of history at the start of each chapter. Almost like a story within a story. It was fast paced and unravelled little secrets as it guided you through the present storyline, which was fun and kept you guessing throughout. There seems to be a forbidden love that transpires and effects the realms in this fantasy world.
This book gave me Game of Thrones vibes with lands of witches, wyverns/dragons/phoenix riders, seers and wolves. It was clear from the start that there were a lot of lands and realms to understand but they were well written and created interesting world building but at times it was a bit of an effort to keep track (like Game of thrones). I had to put some information to one side and revisit later. Even so it kept me intrigued to carry on and see what happens next.
Fans of Throne of glass will devour this book- especially the Manon and Dorian story + mix it with Queen Charlotte- Bridgeton vibes but in a magical realm and you have this book waiting to be eaten up.
I found this to be a multi-layered book, that had three gripping storylines in one.
First being the chapterly journal entries into the past,
Mal and Ash (fire prince) arranged marriage for political alliances,
And our Kai and Alina`s potential love story.
Until I figured out the layers of this book I wasn’t quite sure which I was more invested in but I found myself falling for Kai, he is funny, protective, reckless, a loveable rogue that has Carrion Swift (Quicksilver) and Ridoc (fourth wing) side character draw and appeal.
I wasn’t sure who I was rooting for Mal and Ash or Kai and Alina but feel harder for Kai and Alina, I found myself looking forward to their story parts and was totally invested in their love. Whereas Mal and Ash had to grow on me but totally did and was fully invested. But we do need a more detailed duel POV book for Kai and Alina, as I just couldn’t get enough, please!!
Once I got over my small bump in the middle with story layers, I ate this book up. The last 150 pages were on fire and I raced through them as I couldn’t put it down. I loved the character progression, the twists and turns. I cannot wait for book two. I would want to re-read this again before the next one to lay the foundation again for the second instalment.
I would recommend this book to others, it’s a five-star read for me.
I am eager for it to be released, as I now need the Bookshelf trophy of it.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and J.F.Johns for allowing me to read this fantastic story early, I cannot wait to tell everyone about it on my socials and convince them to pick it up. As they don’t know what they are missing.

This was a really interesting read. It felt a little more YA but overall a great read. It hooked me in right from the get go, and a lot happens. The characters were enjoyable and the romance is fun. Thank you so much for this ARC opportunity!

A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash had me instantly hooked with its dark magic, deadly politics, and dragons—what more could a fantasy lover want? It ticks all the boxes for high-stakes romantasy: an arranged marriage with enemies-to-lovers tension, powerful prophecies, ancient curses, court intrigue, and of course, magical creatures like wyverns and giant wolves. The setup is compelling from the start.

Mal, the fourth-born daughter of the Kingdom of Darkness, is such a fierce, calculating lead. I was drawn to her from the beginning—she’s the kind of sharp, unapologetic female character I love to follow. Her mission? Marry the Fire Prince to bring peace… and then kill him. No big deal. But underneath the political games and duty, there’s a prophecy lurking, one that threatens to change everything.

I really loved the complexity of the world, but I’ll admit, the story wasn’t without its bumps. The multiple POVs—though interesting—were a bit jarring at times. Just when I’d settle into Mal and Ash’s story, the narrative would shift to her brother Kai and Ash’s sister Alina, or Kade and Wren, characters from other kingdoms. While I appreciated getting to know each of them, I found it hard to fully connect with anyone because the switches were so frequent. I was craving more depth and time with the main couple to really buy into the romance.

Also, let’s talk spice. This is listed as adult, but the romance is definitely more on the YA side. There’s a slow burn, but not much payoff in terms of steam, which might disappoint readers expecting more heat. Personally, I didn’t mind the lower spice level, but I know some readers will go in expecting more.

BUT—credit where credit’s due—the last 15%? Absolutely wild. The twists had me gasping, and that ending left me dying for the sequel.

..."If it meant protecting her kingdom- she would sacrifice herself to the flames."

Wow. I devoured this.

Kingdom of Ash and Shadow by J.F. Johns had me hooked from the very first page. The world-building is vivid and immersive, wrapped in a dark, enchanting atmosphere that draws you in completely. Every detail deepens the sense of mystery, rebellion, and magic. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

The enemies-to-lovers trope is done so well here, full of slow-burn tension, sharp dialogue, and unexpected vulnerability. Add to that some jaw-dropping plot twists, sprinkle in some wyverns, and this book becomes an absolute rollercoaster.

If you love fantasy with rich lore, complex characters, and a romance that simmers beneath the surface, Kingdom of Ash and Shadow is a must-read. I’m officially obsessed.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC and to the author J.F. Johns for bringing me on this magical journey.