Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an EARC of A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash. This definitely started off a little slow but then got really good at the end. I definitely would be interested in reading the next book. I love that Mal was show as a strong lead and not someone soft. The only thing I wish the book had was the new characters name when it switched story lines. Overall fun book with lots of opportunity for side stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author, J.F. Johns, for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. Where to start? This book is a lot to unpack, from the kingdoms to the houses, to their pets, to their magic.

This book has everyone’s favorite tropes and creatures all wrapped up in one neat little package. Wyverns, dragons, Pegasus, valkyries, witches, wolves, shadow pets, and more? While the pacing did not always “flow”, never once did I lose interest. The world building is exceptional, I felt like I was there with the characters and could connect on an emotional level to what was going on at the time. Speaking of characters, the story is written from 3rd person POV. I would normally love this, but it could get confusing at times. There were the 2 main POVs that you would follow of Mal and Ash, but at times there could be up to 6 or so POVs that were read throughout the book.
The side characters all get their moments, and you get to fall in love all over again. There is chemistry, there is action, there is betrayal, and the slow-burn romance killed me.

I was jaw-dropped, I shed tears, I laughed, but mostly I gasped. Book two has a LOT of potential.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
I can totally see this book blowing up on BookTok—it has everything fantasy fans love. There are wolves, wyverns, witches, dragons… all the magical creatures you could want! And yes, it’s definitely a romantasy.

Mal is the fourth-born in the powerful Blackburn family, which is super rare. She’s always felt different from the rest of them—and it turns out, she is. When she’s told she has to marry the heir to the Draconian throne, she’s not exactly thrilled. But Mal has her own plan… even if things don’t go the way she expects.

I don’t want to give too much away, but this was such a fun, fast-paced read. I’m already excited for the next book in the series!

Thank you to @netgalley and the author for the ARC 💜
When I saw this cover, I immediately had to request to read this! And it did not disappoint.
You get a Princess who is an anomaly amongst her people and a misunderstood prince who she is forced to marry. When the two find out about a prophecy that involves them, all hell starts to break loose.
Most of the exciting stuff happens towards the end, as it happens with most slow burn books and it ends on a cliff hanger, which makes me even more ready for book 2.
I loved the world building in this too and would actually love a novella or such going more into depth regarding each kingdom and its people.
This story is done through a 3rd PPOV which was interesting considering the amount of characters we’re introduced to. I don’t think I’ve read many Fantasy books with that POV but it did not take away from the storyline.

I’m going to be completely honest I had an absolute blast reading this book. Is it perfect? No. But come on.Witches, dragons, wyverns, SNAKES SO BIG YOU CAN RIDE?? Oh also enemies to lovers, multiple love stories happening at once, goth kingdom, etc. The FMC Mal is fantastic and is so unapologetically herself. Her siblings are just as easy to love. I feel like it’s hard to bring a true sibling relationship to life on paper but this author was able to do so easily.
I don’t want to say too much as it would give so much away but if you loved Manon Blackbeak from Throne of Glass you’ll love this book. And Mal’s brother Kai gives off heavy Cassian vibes.
This author is not afraid to do what needs to be done when it comes to the story
Completing this book while a severe thunderstorm was occurring was fantastic. I’m excited for the rest of the series!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJMO84pRUjP/?igsh=MWNoY3J3OWxlcGIxag==

This was such an immersive high fantasy romance book. This book has a little bit of everything.
Strong FMC🏋️‍♀️
Disability Representation ♿️
Fae🧚
Dragons 🐉
Wyverns 🐦‍🔥
Witches & Warlocks 🧙‍♀️
Spies 🕵️‍♂️
Plot Twists🌪️
Spice 🌶️

This book was paced very well where the story wasn’t dragging but it didn’t feel rushed either. There are a lot of descriptions in this book, which is to be expected from the first book of a high fantasy series. It made me feel like I was there in the story. There was spice but it wasn’t overdone. There also wasn’t a lot of repetition of the same wording. I absolutely loved Mal our main FMC. She’s so full of inner strength and not afraid of embracing herself.
I gave this 3 🌶️’s which in my ratings list is a ‘few graphic scenes’. This is a 4 ⭐️’s or otherwise known as ‘I couldn’t put it down’.

This is written in third person with multiple POV’s. Therefore there are multiple romances going on, and you’re able to get inside more people’s heads.
You mainly have Mal, Kai, and Kage Blackburn from the House of Shadows. Then you have Ash and Alina Acheron from the House of Flames. You also get to experience some side characters point of views like Wren and Hessa.

🐦‍🔥Mal Blackburn is a Wyverian, born an anomaly as the fourth child (with the usual three) in the Kingdom of Darkness - House of Shadows. She has purple eyes, which is a trait of the witches that have been seeking revenge for years. 🧙‍♀️A seer tells Mal in order to break the curse of the witches she has to kill the Prince of Fire. Then the prince’s family proposes an oath marriage of allegiance, to hopefully start making peace between the houses.

🐉Ash Acheron is a Drakonian, from the Kingdom of Fire - House of Flames. He is the Fire Prince with a vocal disability in the form of a stutter. This is hidden from his court as it makes him appear weak. Ash tries to keep his distance from Mal, even if he is intrigued by her strength. Women from his court are not brazen, and do not fight for themselves.

Kai and Alina feel a pull between each other that she tries to deny. Kai goes back and forth between embracing his desires, and staying away from her. At first I did not think that I would enjoy Alina’s POV based off the fact that she seems like the perfect spoiled princess. My love for her snuck up on me. I couldn’t imagine having to be forced into something you’re not. I am looking forward to seeing her personal growth.

Overall I loved this book and will be needing it physically because the cover is absolutely beautiful. I can’t wait to see all that will be revealed in the next book, and how the ending information will be taken into heart. Keep your eye out for J.F. John’s work!

Ok this story is really really good!

Mal Blackburn is the anomaly of her family, and with purple eyes to boot she has always felt like she didn’t belong. As the expendable princess, she is shipped off to marry the ‘cruel’ fire prince Ash Acheron to reunite the kingdoms after a century-long feud.
Turns out there’s a prophecy in play which leads to all sorts of tragedy and chaos.

First up, I really really enjoyed the familial bonds in this story, it was heartwarming to read of the closeness of the siblings in each kingdom.
This story had me fully invested. I love the characters, Mal is a fierce FMC and Ash is a rare vulnerable MMC which is quite rare. There was no side character that I wasn’t obsessed with - Wren is adorable, the desert sisters were amazing. Kai and Alina?? Here for it. The animals! A great idea.
The world-building was so immersive and I could really picture the environments clearly.

I will say some of the writing got a bit repetitive - ‘And yet.’ is used far too much. I also found some odd parts to be a little contradictory. The book could have done with further editing imo. The battle/fighting scenes are not explained that well and can be a bit confusing to understand what’s going on. The intimate scenes are also a little all over the place -it’s difficult to know what’s actually going down (pun intended).
The truth of Mal’s true origin seemed a little forced and just stuffed in, though I’m sure we’ll learn more about that in the next book.

I am really excited to see how the story continues and can’t wait for the next instalment of the series!

Thank you J.F.Johns and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC early.

I really liked the overall premise of the book - the plot was very interesting and I loved all of the characters. The chemistry between everyone was incredible

It did feel like a lot of inspiration has been taken from other fantasy series. I feel like it was very throne of glass esque. I wish the world building was a bit more detailed and consistent

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