Reviews

A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout

patricetweeks90's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

everydayweekends's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

mjlo1020's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Yuuuuup. This did it. Hit all the marks. Everything I’d want this book had and then some! There wasn’t a single point that was bored. I never wanted to put it down. 

What I loved:
- the world building: perfect blend of complex and comprehensive. Just enough to escape but not so much that I was inundated with too much info. There are also some info dumps throughout the book to make sure to pay attention to 
- plot + pacing: both were perfect! This story felt original enough and I was gripped from the beginning. My emotions were on a WILD ride 
- FMC: we love a strong, brave FMC with character flaws. I love this girl so much and she felt so relatable. Except for the glaringly obvious 😂
- MMC: YUUUUUUUP. HES PERFECT. Powerful, scary, hilarious, compassionate, possessive, complex, misunderstood. YUP. 
- Cliffhanger: maybe slightly predictable if I had slowed down to think about it more but still very amazing! 

Do I recommend it? ENTHUSIASTICALLY 

ladybug441's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

thebookedpath's review against another edition

5.0

Amazing! Once again, it pulled me in. Loved the ending. It just pushed everything over the top! I cannot wait for the sequel!

alexandra_ninelives's review against another edition

4.0

So many twists and turns my heart can’t take it. The tension and the emotional rollercoaster was 10/10.

readbykaylinn's review against another edition

2.0

2.5 stars. I am devastated that this was not another 5 star read for me within the series. I am in love with every aspect of FBAA. The first 50% of A Shadow in the Ember felt like a copy and paste of FBAA. Which wouldn't be a bad thing considering how much I love FBAA but I came into it expecting original relationships/content. The first 50% of this book put me in a reading slump because of how long it is and how long it took to pick up. After 50% in, it changes pace and gives a lot of new and intriguing information but, I felt I should not of had to wait that long for it to get good. I will of course still read A Light in the Flame (after War of Two Queens). I did like the end a lot though! Glad I finished this right after A Light in the Flame came out so I don't have to wait. So overall, glad I pushed through.

SOOOO excited to continue though, don't get me wrong.

kait_kosub's review against another edition

4.0

This is a really good first book into the prequel series! It has me invested and rooting for the main couple right away. Im very excited for the next one and have it preordered!

I will say that I hate that the couple aren't together/ on bad terms at the end of the book. Especially over something that could have been prevented. I wish that Sera just talked to Nyktos about how she was orginally going to try and defeat him but fell in love and changed her mind. I think that if she was honest he would have been understanding and forgive her but the way he found out was public and embarrassing so I understand why he doesn't trust her and is upset.

lindsayernest22's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

wisery's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

The big picture plot is interesting, but the characters are played out and the specific scenes are trite. I feel like I have read this story about these people many times before. The prose is well-written enough that the story didn’t drag too much, but I don’t feel like I need the sequel(s).