INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

I’ve decided to give a quick reaction early on in reading the book given how long it is. This means I can give initial reflections on the opening before I’m in too deep into it. I will come back and update this once I have read more. I'm currently on page 413, 7% of the way through.

WHY DID I PICK THIS UP?
I'm a huge fan of Jennifer L. Armentrout and this series specifically. I think I was somewhat aware that this book serves as a kind of encyclopaedia for the world, so wasn't sure what I'd get.

WHERE DOES THE BOOK START: The book begins with a quick intro from Miss Willa (who I loved by the way, so looking forward to learning more about her) before then going into pronunciation guides, glossary, and then a bit of an encyclopaedic exploration of lots of different features of the world, e.g. Craven.

DOES THE BEGINNING DRAW YOU IN? I'm really sorry to say I'm struggling a bit with this one. I'm not the kind of reader who pours over pronunciation guides and glossaries - I like the world to unfold itself as I read the book rather than feeling like I need to study a textbook before I start reading. I was a bit surprised that I don't think any of the content I've read so far has given new information that wasn't already revealed through the course of the story.

WHAT KIND OF READER MIGHT LIKE THIS? This is really for deep deep fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and this series, and of those fans, the fans who want every bit of information they can possibly get their hands on.

AM I EXCITED TO READ MORE? I'm hoping that a bit later on there will be more story-style content, or things that I don't already know. I'll keep going but it looks like there will be over 10,000 pages before I finish entirely and honestly not sure I'll make it. But I will try!

4/5 stars! I'm confused by the negative reviews of this. It feels like readers' expectations were that this would somehow read the same as the novels do, when this is clearly a guide to the world and additional backstory and info on characters. I read it as what it was marketed as and really appreciated the glimpse behind the curtain. It adds in a thin storyline from the perspective of Willa Collins, but the gold was in the easter eggs of the rest of the series.

This is a great reminder of the Blood & Ash world before a new book. It's a companion, not a novel, it's fun, informative and beautiful.

It’s hard to give a star rating on this one because it was a compendium! I loved the background info and the recaps. That’s super helpful coming into the next book.

The two bonus scenes were great! Love JLA and her writing.

Overall, super helpful and maybe not the most necessary but I’ll take anything she wants to give me!

Super helpful compendium, I know I’ll be referring to it during my re-reads! Loved the pictures and revisiting the characters in detail.

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

I chose this title as I have previously read this author but not for some time

I absolutely loved this
The writing was suspenseful and every bit as good as previous titles I've read

Recommend this highly

I thought this was a perfect compendium for the Blood and Ash series with a few extra treats from Miss Willa thrown in. Anyone who enjoys the Blood and Ash/Flesh and Fire world will enjoy this summary. It’s helpful whether you read it straight through or just use it for reference while you’re reading or rereading the series! I love that the publisher gave us this wonderful reference guide!

My copy of Visions of Flesh and Blood was provided by NetGalley and Blue Box Press for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This compendium scratches an itch for those just wanting to return to the world of Blood and Ash. Unfortunately it doesn’t add much new material to the series. This is definitely a bonus kind of book, not something you need but no wrongs committed either. I enjoyed the POV but certainly would have preferred a continuation of the series instead.

What perfect timing to get this eARC!
I had just finished From Blood and Ash, and this novella made for such a fun in-between read before diving into Flesh and Fire. It's like a fictional history book… with a lot of steamy sex stories. 🔥

Honestly, it’s not essential to the main plot, but it adds some extra flavor to the world and gives us more background on characters we've already met (and maybe wanted a little more of 👀). I loved getting those bonus details and let’s be real, it was just fun.

A quick, spicy, lore filled detour for fans of the series. Definitely worth the read if you're craving a little more of this world before the next big installment. However, you do not need to read this since the stories and information in this book does not help progress the story. It's more of a background information on some characters with some fun stories.

Thank you Blue Box Press for the eArc.

Helpful? Sure. Need to read? Absolutely not. Save yourselves 😭. Jennifer L. Armentrout, I love you, but this is a filler episode no one asked for. Two cash grabs in a row and we’re still no closer to the actual plot? Either she’s stalling because she doesn’t know what’s next, or she’s milking this series dry. Fans aren’t here for Miss Willa’s erotic POVs—we just want to know what the hell is going on with Poppy. The never-ending cliffhangers and unnecessary side books are exhausting. JLA could’ve written this better—or, hot take, not at all. Just give us the next two real books and end the series. It’s overdone, we’re tired, and we’re begging. Please. 🙏🏼

Great story, amazing characters. It’ll keep you hooked from the first page. 100% recommend this book

This book wasn’t what I’d call a necessary read. I went in knowing it wouldn’t push the story forward, so that wasn’t the problem. The issue is that it felt overly drawn out and didn’t really deliver anything new for fans who’ve kept up with the series.

Here’s what to expect:

This is not a continuation of the main storyline.
If you remember the details from the previous books, much of this will feel like a recap—nothing groundbreaking, just reorganized info you likely already know.
It functions more like a deep dive into the lore and characters—what they look like, their personalities, and their journey so far.
Think of it as a reference guide rather than a novel. While that could be helpful for some, it gets repetitive quickly if the story is still fresh in your mind.
It covers the history, creatures, and world mechanics in great detail, but without the pull of a plot, it starts to drag.
Unless you’re in desperate need of a refresher or love exploring background details in exhaustive depth, this one might not hold your attention

Visions of Flesh and Blood is a captivating companion to the Blood and Ash series, packed with rich lore and intricate world-building that JLA fans will devour. The detailed insights into the characters and history are a treat, though at times the dense information can feel overwhelming a a little long in parts. It’s not a standalone read, but for those invested in the series, it’s a rewarding deep dive. Loved the glimpses of familiar faces and the tease of what’s to come! Looking forward to the next, always love JLA

It is what it says on the tin, 4 stars, everything you need to find any information for both flesh and fire and from blood and ash series. My only wish was that it had more short stories from miss willa diaries or of the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and JLA for this ARC

Visions of Flesh and Blood is definitely one for the fans—like, superfans. If you’ve devoured every book in the Blood and Ash and Flesh and Fire series, you’ll probably love this. It’s packed with lore, quotes, character breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes insights… but if you’re not already all-in on the world, it can feel like a lot.

I’ll be real: I mainly picked this up for the Poppy and Casteel content (because yes, I’m still emotionally invested in them), and skipped to the bits I actually cared about. I haven’t finished all the spin-offs, so some of the Nyktos/Sera stuff went over my head or just didn’t hit like it was supposed to.

That said, the artwork is stunning, and there are some cool extras scattered throughout—especially if you’re into deep lore or want more context for certain moments in the series. But if you're more of a casual reader or just not hooked on every thread of the saga, this might feel more like a collector’s item than a must-read.

Definitely not a starting point for the series—read this after all the main books or you'll probably feel a bit lost. But if you’re a JLA ride-or-die fan, this is a fun addition to your shelf.

First off, this book is absolutely beautiful. I own the physical copy, and it looks stunning on my shelf alongside the rest of the series!

I’m a big fan of the series and all the characters, but I have to say—I wasn’t entirely sold on Miss Willa’s POVs. They didn’t feel essential, and honestly, I would have preferred the next main book instead. Her character also came off as a bit too odd and unsettling for my taste.

That said, the book does include a helpful recap of previous events, which is great if it’s been a while since you read the earlier books or need a quick refresher.

I enjoyed this companion to the series - I love the naughty diary entries from Miss Willa and all in all it was a great time.

This was a nice way to recap everything that has happened in the From Blood and Ash and Flesh and Fire series. It's a good way to get some reminders of important moments before the nest book comes out. I also really enjoyed the bonus scenes.

I got through this pretty quickly, as it isn't a huge book (being a companion story) but was also good to fill a few gaps inbetween the main books too!

JLA never misses and I love every world she creates. I love that we have companion books to give us more depth and background an drive deeper into details that we weren't given before.