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jessjwhite's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.0
This felt like a waste of time. Essentially reading the same summary over and over again. The added spice scense from Miss Willa lacked derailed.
shes_book_obsessed's review against another edition
3.0
Visions of Flesh and Blood
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The exclusive scenes carried
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The exclusive scenes carried
bookdragon47's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
alana_maj's review
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ailishni's review against another edition
2.0
Rating: ⭐⭐
The main problem I had with VOFAB was the repetition.
Review
Visions of Flesh and Blood gives the reader an in-depth overview of the Blood and Ash/Flesh and Fire world, complete with name pronunciations, place names, the different orders of species and their histories, character profiles, their portraits and a plethora of information that will be essential reading for fans of this series. There are also a few bonus scenes that were not included in previous books that the reader can enjoy while we are waiting for the next release.
What I didn't Like
❌ Art Work
I will be honest and say that I was not impressed with the calibre of art work that was included in the book. I found that a lot of the portraits lacked definition in areas other than the face and it made the overall image unfinished and sloppy.
There are plenty of artists out there that have shared some incredible artwork of the characters through the years that would have been better placed in this compendium than what we were given.
This is just my personal opinion of course, but I do think that Vikter was not drawn as described in the books at all, nor were some of the other characters. I understand that this will be subjective to some, but when an artist ignores the author's description of a character, what is the point?
❌ Black and White Artwork
I was also disappointed to find out that the physical copies of this book will be in black and white. Now, I have bought book bibles like this before over the years and they have always been these big, colourful tomes that I have absolutely adored.
I thought we would be getting something similar here, but JLA has stated that the costs associated with this would be astronomical... I think if it couldn't be done right, then it shouldn't have been done at all. JLA could have released something smaller just for fans to refer to like a digital file to download with all the information instead of this semi story like book with poor imitation artwork.
❌ Willa's Narration
I was not a fan of Miss Willa perving on PoppyCas sexy times as it just seemed really fucking invasive. The commentary about wanting to join Cas and Kieran for the joining and then after she witnessed them during the joining, in a private and vulnerable scene, she immediately goes to see one of her "paramours" to slake her hunger. It was too much and really off-putting to read!
But no, the weirdness continues when we find out which "King" Willa slept with. It was none other than King Elian Da'Neer, Casteel's great-grandfather. Willa clearly had no qualms perving on the great-grandson of the man she had a 3 day fling with. It was simply too cringe to read, so I did my best to skim it...
I wasn't interested in reading about Vikter giving Willa a good time tbh... I can't see him as anything other than Poppy's father figure.
Willa really gets around. That's the main take away I got from this book. The fates lead her to significant people throughout history to... fuck, basically. Idk it didn't make sense to me or the overall story that was being weaved in between the facts of the world.
❌ Repetition
The repetition on character profiles throughout the book was not needed and further added to the unnecessary page count. There was an awful lot of regurgitated information for each character in this. Example: For each character profile, you will read the same scenes over and over as they all relate to Poppy, albeit from the character's POV which would lead one to think there would be new information from their side but there is not, it is all from the books we have read already. It was an exercise in page filling, nothing else. If I read Alastair Davenwell's character profile once, I read it at least 4 times in this book!
Verdict: I think the "Compendium" should have been released after the series ended and been given the time and investment it deserved to give the fans something special. Instead, JLA produced a filler-type storybook that focused more on Willa's sexual escapades, her thoughts on events in the world (that did not give us new info) and unnecessarily long and extremely repetitive scenes littered throughout the book. The artwork was of a questionable standard for a book like this and I am glad I didn't pay for the physical copy. This book only garnered 2 stars from me in the end.
The main problem I had with VOFAB was the repetition.
Review
Visions of Flesh and Blood gives the reader an in-depth overview of the Blood and Ash/Flesh and Fire world, complete with name pronunciations, place names, the different orders of species and their histories, character profiles, their portraits and a plethora of information that will be essential reading for fans of this series. There are also a few bonus scenes that were not included in previous books that the reader can enjoy while we are waiting for the next release.
What I didn't Like
❌ Art Work
I will be honest and say that I was not impressed with the calibre of art work that was included in the book. I found that a lot of the portraits lacked definition in areas other than the face and it made the overall image unfinished and sloppy.
There are plenty of artists out there that have shared some incredible artwork of the characters through the years that would have been better placed in this compendium than what we were given.
This is just my personal opinion of course, but I do think that Vikter was not drawn as described in the books at all, nor were some of the other characters. I understand that this will be subjective to some, but when an artist ignores the author's description of a character, what is the point?
❌ Black and White Artwork
I was also disappointed to find out that the physical copies of this book will be in black and white. Now, I have bought book bibles like this before over the years and they have always been these big, colourful tomes that I have absolutely adored.
I thought we would be getting something similar here, but JLA has stated that the costs associated with this would be astronomical... I think if it couldn't be done right, then it shouldn't have been done at all. JLA could have released something smaller just for fans to refer to like a digital file to download with all the information instead of this semi story like book with poor imitation artwork.
❌ Willa's Narration
I was not a fan of Miss Willa perving on PoppyCas sexy times as it just seemed really fucking invasive. The commentary about wanting to join Cas and Kieran for the joining and then after she witnessed them during the joining, in a private and vulnerable scene, she immediately goes to see one of her "paramours" to slake her hunger. It was too much and really off-putting to read!
But no, the weirdness continues when we find out which "King" Willa slept with. It was none other than King Elian Da'Neer, Casteel's great-grandfather. Willa clearly had no qualms perving on the great-grandson of the man she had a 3 day fling with. It was simply too cringe to read, so I did my best to skim it...
I wasn't interested in reading about Vikter giving Willa a good time tbh... I can't see him as anything other than Poppy's father figure.
Willa really gets around. That's the main take away I got from this book. The fates lead her to significant people throughout history to... fuck, basically. Idk it didn't make sense to me or the overall story that was being weaved in between the facts of the world.
❌ Repetition
The repetition on character profiles throughout the book was not needed and further added to the unnecessary page count. There was an awful lot of regurgitated information for each character in this. Example: For each character profile, you will read the same scenes over and over as they all relate to Poppy, albeit from the character's POV which would lead one to think there would be new information from their side but there is not, it is all from the books we have read already. It was an exercise in page filling, nothing else. If I read Alastair Davenwell's character profile once, I read it at least 4 times in this book!
Verdict: I think the "Compendium" should have been released after the series ended and been given the time and investment it deserved to give the fans something special. Instead, JLA produced a filler-type storybook that focused more on Willa's sexual escapades, her thoughts on events in the world (that did not give us new info) and unnecessarily long and extremely repetitive scenes littered throughout the book. The artwork was of a questionable standard for a book like this and I am glad I didn't pay for the physical copy. This book only garnered 2 stars from me in the end.
iwazuminachem's review
Dnfed the series after book 2
Read a summary, not interested couldn't care less
Read a summary, not interested couldn't care less
nero1279's review
slow-paced
3.75
🎧AUDIO VERSION🎧
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ production / 5
🎤 NARRATED BY 🎤
Stina Nelson - she is Poppy, Cass and Kieran personified. Her voice is simply perfect for this series. Now that she has the enunciation of the word “eather” under control, this book was a delight.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ production / 5
🎤 NARRATED BY 🎤
Stina Nelson - she is Poppy, Cass and Kieran personified. Her voice is simply perfect for this series. Now that she has the enunciation of the word “eather” under control, this book was a delight.
ARTICULATION - clean and clear.
BREATHING – controlled, volume, consistent, project appropriate, low mouth noise
DELIVERY – solid and in the spirit of the text and author’s intent. Timing and pacing is extremely appropriate. Varied and not too predictable. No editing issues.
EYE BRAIN MOUTH CONTROL – accurate and effortless delivery.
CONSISTENT – high energy, good articulation, breath and pitch control.
ANALYSIS – understands the story arc and characters.
CHARACTERISATION – brings to life. Distinct and consistent in tone, attitude, age, accent. Voices match characters.
SEPARATION- clear and decisive for both performers.
INVESTMENT – the emotional connection helps with visualisation.
🌶️ spice / 5
😘 romance / 3
📚 STORYLINE 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 😘😘
WARNING, don’t listen to this one unless you have read ALL the other books up to this point. It is definitely a FAN book - and I loved it.
This book is exactly what the title says - a compendium, delightfully comprehensive too. While we have snippets of the delightful and incomparable Miss Willa woven in between, don’t expect this book to be a full narrative piece. Personally, I would NOT recommend this as an audio read. I think as a physical book it would make more sense and would be a great companion to the full series reads.
The snippets of narrative that are given throughout are delightful and decadent. As a fan it did have me questioning a few plot twists that should come. I think this book was a brilliant idea to get the whole and complete stories of both the “Blood and Ash” and “Flesh and Fire” series into one book. A great review of an epic story. The “fan” can easily see how the books are interrelated. Also a fantastic idea to have those stories reviewed with the knowledge that more the story will continue well into the future. Bravo Miss Willa and JLA.
🌶️ spice / 5
😘 romance / 3
📚 STORYLINE 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 😘😘
WARNING, don’t listen to this one unless you have read ALL the other books up to this point. It is definitely a FAN book - and I loved it.
This book is exactly what the title says - a compendium, delightfully comprehensive too. While we have snippets of the delightful and incomparable Miss Willa woven in between, don’t expect this book to be a full narrative piece. Personally, I would NOT recommend this as an audio read. I think as a physical book it would make more sense and would be a great companion to the full series reads.
The snippets of narrative that are given throughout are delightful and decadent. As a fan it did have me questioning a few plot twists that should come. I think this book was a brilliant idea to get the whole and complete stories of both the “Blood and Ash” and “Flesh and Fire” series into one book. A great review of an epic story. The “fan” can easily see how the books are interrelated. Also a fantastic idea to have those stories reviewed with the knowledge that more the story will continue well into the future. Bravo Miss Willa and JLA.
peepder's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
marblemine's review against another edition
May 2024: DNF @ 59%. This is a great book to read or listen to when you need a refresher. I'm going to wait to finish the second half of this book as it's a perfect recap prior to the release of the new Flesh and Fire book later this year.