Helpful, but...

This compendium is helpful...
... but if you really need to read it, it depends on some factors...

First, it's not a typical Jennifer L. Armentrout book. It's not a story, but sequences of information about every relevant characters of the Blood and Ash & Flesh and Fire.

It contains character art, profile, and a resume of what each one has already lived within the series. I think that it's helpful for readers' imagination and to get the context. Specifically as both series are connected to each other. Flesh and Fire is the backstory with Sera and Ash/Nyktos and Blood and Ash with Poppy and Cas their continuation. Both series are interconnected in some ways.

Further, this book contains more art like maps, pictures of crowns, and thrones and information about them.

The best parts are the bonus chapters, interviews with charthe readers have a liking, diary entries from Miss Willa, love letter exchanges...

Oh, that was fun.

But let's get tacheles: Do you need it?

If you read both series (meaning: Flesh and Fire + Blood and Ash), the answer is no. It is great to have the bonuses, but it doesn't add much to the story, if.

If you read only one of the series and want to get the backstory in easy doses, then the answer is yes, you should read this compendium.

Or if you don't want to read all the books again before starting the newest book in the series, the answer is a definite yes for reading this book, too.

conclusion:
For all the fans of the Flesh and Fire & Blood and Ash series. If you want a little bonus or if you're an aspiring author, this might be helpful in how Jennifer L. Armentrout did create this world and characters, and how she could still be up to date while writing the series.

book description:
VISIONS OF FLESH AND BLOOD: a Blood and Ash/Flesh and Fire Compendium is a comprehensive companion guide for background, history, reader-favorite information, art, and reference materials. Combined with original short stories and scenes from some of the world’s most beloved characters, as well as never-before-seen visual enticements, it’s a treat for the senses.

Told from the point of view of Miss Willa herself, the compendium acts like research material but reads like a journal and cache of personal notes, allowing the reader to revisit the characters and history they so love yet view things in a different way.

Great reference to get information regarding the series.
There's a nice detailed breakdown of the terms used in the series with meaning and background to certain terms along with description of the main characters in the books.
Love the artwork depicting the main characters.

Visions of Flesh and Blood serves as a thoughtful and much-appreciated recap of the FBAA and F&F series—perfect for readers who want a refresher before diving into the next installment or those simply in the mood to revisit the world without rereading the entire saga.

The book offers a comprehensive breakdown of key moments, many of which I had forgotten or only vaguely recalled. It was great to have those important beats brought back to the forefront, reminding me of why I fell in love with the series in the first place. Additionally, the inclusion of Willa’s journal entries added a personal touch, providing insights into her relationships with characters we've met before—something fans will undoubtedly appreciate.

Among the highlights are two bonus scenes, one from FBAA and one from F&F. The F&F scene, told from Nyktos’s perspective during that pivotal moment with Sera in the pools beneath the castle, was especially powerful. Experiencing such a key event from his eyes gave the scene new depth and made it resonate even more.

That said, there were a few things that left me wanting more or feeling slightly disappointed. Notably, the absence of character descriptions or profiles for Malec and Ires felt like a missed opportunity. These two characters are vital to the story and worldbuilding, so it seemed strange not to include even minimal information about them when so many others were featured.

The artwork, while capturing the essence of most characters well and staying true to the story’s established imagery, felt uneven. Some pieces were beautiful, but overall, the illustrations lacked polish. Given the wealth of stunning fan art out there, this felt like a missed chance to elevate the book visually. I expect this opinion might be unpopular, but I just had higher hopes for how the visuals could complement the narrative.

In sum, Visions of Flesh and Blood is a solid, enjoyable companion to the series—a valuable refresher and a nice way to deepen the reader’s connection to beloved characters and moments. While it could have been stronger in certain areas, it remains a worthwhile read for fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - Great Book for more in depth information on characters and their relationships. It has such a great breakdown of the world and the characters within.

What is included in this book?
🗡️World maps and glossaries
🗡️Character Profiles and Family Trees
🗡️Bonus Scenes and POVs
🗡️Beautiful Artworks
🗡️Timelines and Prophecy Breakdown

Whilst this compendium doesn’t advance the plot of the flesh and fire/FBAA worlds it does offer new perspectives and behind the scenes depth. While not essential for every reader, it can be a valuable resource for anyone looking to refresh their memory — and a keepsake/shelf trophy for the fans.

Ultimately, this book acts as a love letter to the fandom and really allows for better understanding of the characters and the world created.

Great book if you have not read the series in a while and cannot remember the characters/ need a refresher!

Thank you Netgalley for this e-ARC copy of Visions of Flesh and Blood!

This book is an extremely comprehensive go-to source for (almost) everything related to FBAA & FAF series. I imagine this is extremely helpful to have on hand if you struggle to remember the finer details of characters lives, lore, and worldbuilding. This series is set in such an immersive and deeply detailed world and I've certainly been lost a time or two myself. This could also be a helpful read for those of us who started these series a while ago and want to get brought up to date before we embark on the conclusion of the FBAA series.

Some cool bonuses we get are character art, diary entries of miss Willa, and a couple of bonus scenes.

All in all, not essential to the reading journey but extremely helpful if you need it.

love this for my reread of both series before FBAA book 6 is out in September !
I adore both flesh and fire and from blood and ash with my whole heart, the worlds that JLA has created are so beautiful and unique, i never want this series to end !

3 stars so far but unfortunately this book was a dnf for me.

It felt like the same story over and over again. After reading all the other books in the series, this wasn't something new. Things keep repeting themselves and this book didn't feel like worthy of my time.
I hate to say this by the way because I really wanted to like this one.

It's on the dnf pile for now, and maybe I will pick this one up again in the future.

I still want to thank Netgalley for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I so love the From Blood And Ash series! This was a great addition to the series full of fun and fills in the gaps of questions we fans so needed!!

Currently trying this whole series and the companion book was actually helpful especially since I tend to jump around a lot.

I don’t usually go for companion books. They tend to pull me out of the story world instead of deepening it. But this one caught my eye—and I’m so glad I gave it a chance.

Visions of Flesh and Blood is better than most books of its kind. It doesn’t just rehash plot points or toss in pretty artwork. It actually feels like part of the world, and a big part of that is the choice to frame it through Miss Willa’s perspective. Using her voice as the anchor was absolutely the right call. Her presence ties everything together in a way that feels emotionally grounded and true to the series.

It still doesn’t hit quite as hard as the main books, which is why it lands at four stars for me. But it’s thoughtful, fun, and adds real texture to both the Blood and Ash and Flesh and Fire series. If you’re already deep in your feelings about these characters, this is a cozy and clever way to revisit that world.

Miss Willa deserves her own cult following at this point. Just saying.

Visions of Flesh and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout, published by Blue Box Press is a Blood and Ash/Flesh and Fire Compendium. It is a reading guide for readers and fans at the same time. Told in Willa's POV, the unentbehrliche world guide, with important references to characters, their families, their relationships.
Exquisitely written, irresistibly told, I wouldn't miss it.

Visions of Flesh and Blood is a companion novel to the From Blood and Ash and the Flesh and Fire series.
It basically is a big collection of all the characters information and some new material.

I decided to DNF this one at almost 50%. I tried to read it, but I ended up skipping most parts and because of that I couldn't even enjoy the new content. So, it would be fair to stop reading and continue with something else.

This book feels very, very, very unnecessary. If you wanted to refresh your mind before diving (back) into this series, it would have been easier to just Google the From Blood and Ash wiki and read that. I think you would end up with the same amount of information.

I do love this series, but this book was just not my book.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me this arc. All opinions are my own.

For fans of the Blood and Ash and Flesh and Fire series, Visions of Flesh and Blood is a must-have companion.

This beautifully curated compendium is more than a reference—it’s a celebration of the world Armentrout has built, offering deep dives into lore, timelines, character arcs, and exclusive content that enriches the reading experience.

Told through the voice of Miss Willa, the guide blends humour, heart, and insight, making it feel like an extension of the series rather than a separate entity. Whether you’re brushing up before the next release or just want to spend more time in this universe, this book delivers.

It’s especially helpful for anyone who wants to reconnect with the intricate world-building and relationships that span both series. With stunning artwork, behind-the-scenes details, and commentary, it’s the perfect refresher and a joy to explore.

Highly recommended for lovers of the series; this is the bridge between books you didn’t know you needed.

This companion book is a fun, spicy, and delightfully entertaining addition to the series—especially for fans of Miss Willa Colyns, who truly steals the show. While it doesn’t move the main plot forward, it offers great character moments, gorgeous artwork, and helpful recaps. It’s perfect for readers looking to revisit or refresh their memory of the series, though some may find it less essential and would prefer the next full installment. Still, a charming read for collectors and devoted fans alike.

Did we advance the plot? No. Was this delightful and hilarious and super spicy? YEP! It was exactly what I needed with this series. Miss Willa Colyns might be my favorite fictional character right now. You get it Miss Willa and thank you for your service.

Nice little companion for people who love and collect the books. Glossary of everything, art, back stories on characters and summaries of books to jog your memory. Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this.

Was this enjoyable to read? Yes
Did I feel like it was really needed? Not really..,.
While it was fun to read I felt like it really didn’t add that much to the storyline.I know it was a .5 and not a full book but instead of a bunch of shorter parts I would rather have the next book already.
The art was definitely cool to look at and might have been my favorite part of the book.
I’m going to rate this 3/5 stars because while I did enjoy it really wasn’t so needed and I just want the next books in the series already

This was a really great addition to the series and perfect for readers who need a refresher on pervious events and characters of this world.

Wonderfully written and highly recommended. Companion book for Blood and Ash & Flesh and Blood full of background information and history for readers.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.