Thank you to Blue Box Press and Jennifer L. Armentrout for the advanced reader copy in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Looking for a full summary and explanation for the ending of The Primal of Blood and Bone? See our full summary and ending explained.
The Primal of Blood and Bone is the sixth book in the From Blood and Ash fantasy romance series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Releasing on September 23, 2025, this book picks up directly after the events of A Soul of Ash and Blood, as Poppy begins to awaken the Primal of Blood and Bone. The prophecy once dreamt by the Ancients begins to unravel, as the very events Seraphena Mierel and Nyktos tried to prevent in Flesh and Fire come to pass. Kolis rises once more.
I’ve been enamored by this series since the moment I first opened From Blood and Ash. I was gnawing at the bars of my enclosure to get my hands on this book. After waiting months and years to find out how Poppy, Casteel, and Kieran’s story unfolds, I was feral when the PR package showed up at my door.
This post contains no spoilers! But this 800-page behemoth has fully devoured my life. It’s mature, dark, unexpected, and absolutely stunning. It gave me everything I crave in a From Blood and Ash book and then even more I didn’t see coming. A bunch of my theories were confirmed, others got so blatantly refuted I laughed at myself. And that diabolical ending? I’m clawing at the walls for the next book already.
Read my full ARC review of The Primal of Blood and Bone below.
The Primal of Blood and Bone
Description
In the shadows and flames, Primals will fall…
And from the blood and ash, new gods will rise.
What was dreamt.
Poppy was never meant to awaken, and the consequences are devastating and far-reaching, stirring ancient powers from their slumber and transforming Casteel and Kieran in ways even the Fates couldn’t have foreseen. But what that means is the least of their concerns. For now.
What was foreseen.
The Blood Crown has fallen, but what has risen is a far greater danger than they’ve ever faced. From flesh and fire, the Great Conspirator has returned to the mortal realm, and he wants only one thing. They must stop the true Primal of Death before he regains his strength, and it won’t be easy. Even weakened, his influence is undeniable. His power, unthinkable.
Has come to be.
While the future of the realms rests upon them, they won’t stand alone. The gods have awakened—each harboring their own blood-soaked secrets. But they must navigate an unbalanced realm, where every choice—past and present—has the potential to not only undo everything they’ve fought for but also destroy the very bonds that have Joined them together.
For the Harbinger and the Bringer of Death and Destruction has risen.
Tropes
- Chosen One
- Vampires
- Werewolves
- Mythology inspired
- Enemies to Lovers
Review
Overall Impressions 😊
If you haven’t noticed, this site has basically turned into a From Blood and Ash and Flesh and Fire shrine these past few weeks. And honestly? For good reason.
I am numb. Stunned. Overstimulated. Devastated. Satisfied but also starving? I am at a loss for words but also have too much to say. I’m not sure how that’s even possible.
This book feels so much more mature, darker, and wholly different in tone than the earlier installments. It wasn’t what I expected at all, but in a great way.
I’ve always been a Kieran girl (still am), but this book made me love Casteel too.
So much of what we’ve been discussing as a fandom for years feels deeply relevant now. And the book opens so many new doors that I can’t stop thinking about what’s next, not just for the FBAA series but for the entire universe.
I felt uneasy for most of the book, in the best possible way. I couldn’t sleep, and I woke up early so could finish it. I just had to know.
Yes, there’s a lot of processing and introspection, but honestly? In this book, it needs to be there.
Perfect For Fans Of… 🌟
You have to be invested in long series with payouts peppered earlier on. It’s very deep fantasy, interconnected universes and timelines, and it does a great job rewarding those readers who love catching on to smaller steps.
It’s that peculiar blend of modern language (“vibes”, “asshole era”, etc. have been used in the book lol) set in a fantasy universe. Kind of like Zodiac Academy? Either way, if you’re already invested in the series, you’ll enjoy this.
That being said, it’s definitely a bit darker than anticipated. Some trigger warnings are no joke.
Characters 👥
Okay so first things first, Poppy is great in this book. She’s mature, determined, and finding her own as a Primal and a queen. I am biased probably, but I prefer Poppy to Seraphena in this universe. I adored the way she grew.
I am invested in her and where she is going to end up (I am even more unsure by the end of this book, to be honest).
Kieran is great. I always thought The War of Two Queens a bit of his book, so he is not as central in this one.
You would’ve expected me to be devastated by that considering I am the captain of the Kieran-for-life-and-forever-and-ever fan club. But… hold that thought.
Listen. I was kind of a Casteel hater? Okay no, that’s not true. I kind of always found him aggressively mid and was a Kieran stan. He never made it to any of the top boyfriends list for me, just because he kind of felt flat this entire time. He was a devoted, possessive, former-rake-turned-good-husband MMC. There are so many of those.
Well… Scratch all of that.
I think it’s a bit because Poppy and Casteel’s relationship also matured. Since we’re 6 books in, they are not courting each other anymore, they’re doing life together as a couple.
Imagine the usual stuff married couples face but oh it’s the end of the world if we don’t face the problem sort of.
I found some of the side characters very enjoyable this book and some I’m hoping we’ll catch up with very soon!
Plot 🗺️
So… dang. A lot happens in this book. Like, a lot. The plot is pretty loaded, especially considering we’re in book 11 in this universe.
Good news, we learn a lot. We get a lot of questions answered. But… we get a lot more questions.
The world got a lot bigger, again. I love me some good worldbuilding and development, so it worked for me. Worked really well. But if you’re not into intertwined fantasy worlds, it might not.
I know some people get frustrated about the “processing” and inner monologues. I think they were less this book, or I found them very necessary and well placed, so I didn’t really mind them.
We have to know how they handle certain plot beats, and I found it valuable to read about. It made me empathize with the characters more.
The ending left me overstimulated as heck. I am a bit shocked and numb, mostly at the elegance of it. Like… it’s one of those things where, when things get revealed, you are like, wow that’s well planned. And it is.
Just… wait 🙂
That being said, I have no patience after that ending, and I must get the next book ASAP. PLEASE.
Writing Style and Narration ✍️
This has all the great markings of a JLA book, but it’s darker, more mature, and very elaborate.
I know some folks don’t like the modern language x fantasy crossover, but I’m a fan. I think it brings lightness when such darker topics are discussed.
Poppy is an internal monologuer, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed in any instances. She kind of processed stuff, which made me enjoy the book a lot.
I liked the banter and exchanges between the characters, in the face of plot that’s continuing to evolve.
But again, an atmosphere of heaviness and dark looming was present the whole book, which made the stakes feel higher and kept me on my toes.
And from the blood and ash, new gods will rise.
Okay so I’m emotionally bruised. I am overstimulated, satisfied but also starving for more.
As a seasoned JLA reader, I feel like I got what I needed from this book. And I need so much more.
I’m going to go back and catch up on the previous books and other universes (again) just to see where we are at with things.
Since I enjoy doing cross-universe detective work, I am very excited by that. That being said…
Damn. That ending was… man. I’m unwell. I need the next book yesterday.
As always, I’m working on summary and ending explained posts, but they won’t be out until the book releases, to give everyone a chance to read.
But come back if you want to be walked through that ending and what I think will happen next.
And please… let me know what you thought about it and where do we go from here?
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