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Cover of A Shadow in the Ember

A Shadow in the Ember

Jennifer L. Armentrout (2021)

SubgenreFantasy Romance / Romantasy
Age groupAdult 18+
Content ratingR
Pages (Doorstopper (600+))
SettingContemporary
CSM age18+
Goodreads4.45/5 (252983)

Content levels

ViolenceStrong
Sexual contentVery Steamy
LanguageModerate

Protagonist archetypes

Chosen OneVengeance-Driven

Synopsis

#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout returns with book one of the all-new, compelling Flesh and Fire series - set in the beloved world of the Blood and Ash world. Born shrouded in the veil of the Primals, a Maiden as the Fates promised, Seraphena Mierel’s future has never been hers. Chosen before birth to uphold the desperate deal her ancestor struck to save his people, Sera must leave behind her life and offer herself to the Primal of Death as his Consort. However, Sera’s real destiny is the most closely guarded secret in all of Lasania—she’s not the well protected Maiden but an assassin with one mission—one target. Make the Primal of Death fall in love, become his weakness, and then…end him. If she fails, she dooms her kingdom to a slow demise at the hands of the Rot. Sera has always known what she is. Chosen. Consort. Assassin. Weapon. A specter never fully formed yet drenched in blood. A monster. Until him. Until the Primal of Death’s unexpected words and deeds chase away the darkness gathering inside her. And his seductive touch ignites a passion she’s never allowed herself to feel and cannot feel for him. But Sera has never had a choice. Either way, her life is forfeit—it always has been, as she has been forever touched by Life and Death.

Tags

Epic FantasyGods and MortalsHigh FantasyDark Fantasy

A Shadow in the Ember: content & age rating

Intended for adult readers (18+).

This adult fantasy romance contains explicit sexual content, strong violence including assassination themes and blood, and dark themes of manipulation and destiny. The protagonist is raised as a weapon and must seduce and kill a god.

What to know going in

This book has strong violence, very steamy sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include murder, dubious consent, and death (see the full list above).

Who'll love this

Adult readers will be captivated by the forbidden romance between an assassin destined to kill a god and the Primal of Death who begins to thaw her frozen heart.