Jennifer L. Armentrout

War is only the beginning…

From the desperation of golden crowns…

Casteel Da’Neer knows all too well that very few are as cunning or vicious as the Blood Queen, but no one, not even him, could’ve prepared for the staggering revelations. The magnitude of what the Blood Queen has done is almost unthinkable.

And born of mortal flesh…

Nothing will stop Poppy from freeing her King and destroying everything the Blood Crown stands for. With the strength of the Primal of Life’s guards behind her, and the support of the wolven, Poppy must convince the Atlantian generals to make war her way—because there can be no retreat this time. Not if she has any hope of building a future where both kingdoms can reside in peace.

A great primal power rises…

Together, Poppy and Casteel must embrace traditions old and new to safeguard those they hold dear—to protect those who cannot defend themselves. But war is only the beginning. Ancient primal powers have already stirred, revealing the horror of what began eons ago. To end what the Blood Queen has begun, Poppy might have to become what she has been prophesied to be—what she fears the most.

As the Harbinger of Death and Destruction.

Blood and Ash Book 4

The War of Two Queens

Dominika 

I stared at him for what felt like an eternity. "That's some sexist, patriarchal bullshit!"

This book is so bad but Im closeish to being done so I have to keep going. But fr it could be half as long without all the repetition!

Caroline Shah

Anna Stewart

“Remember what we told you in Evaemon?” 

I shook my head, my thoughts racing far too much to even begin to recall what he could possibly be referencing. 

His eyes caught mine, the gold glimmering in the starlight. “You have faced Craven and vamprys, men wearing masks of mortal flesh. Stared down Atlantians who’ve wanted to harm you, seized cities, and freed me,” he said, touching my cheek. “You’re more than a Queen. More than a goddess on the verge of becoming a Primal. You’re Penellaphe Da’Neer, and you’re fearless.” 

Kieran touched the other side of my cheek, turning my gaze to his. He smiled. “And you run from no one and nothing.”

Fingers touched my chin, startling me. My eyes flew open as my head was tilted back. The faint burn of gold pierced the shadows of the night. My heart sped up as Casteel drew his thumb along my lower lip. I started to apologize for waking him, but he lowered his head, brushing his lips across mine. The kiss was soft and so very sweet. I could never pick a favorite kiss of his, but these…these were special, tasting of love and devotion.

“From blood and ash,” I shouted, lifting the hand joined with Poppy’s. People echoed the words through the town and the valley. 

Poppy looked up at me and then faced the crowd as she lifted the hand that held Kieran’s. “We have risen!”

Kieran’s hand slipped from my shoulder as he sat up farther, stopping to drop a kiss where his hand had been before rising. The sweetness of the act tugged at my heart.

The humming cords of essence snapping and crackling around us waited, and golden eyes held mine. My ceaseless churning stilled, and I knew we were wildly dancing sparks, alive and on the verge of igniting until we were nothing but flesh and fire. 

Then I saw Kieran standing beside Casteel, shoulder to shoulder. Like they had been before I entered their lives. Like they always would be. I took in the proud, untamed planes of his face and the strong curve of his broad jaw. His skin was a mesmerizing silvery brown in the moonlight, and he reminded me of some otherworldly being I’d conjured from my imagination. Captivating and impressive in both forms, his eyes were the blue of winter, and the glow of eather behind his pupils was vibrant. My shields slipped again, and what I felt from him was the same as I’d felt before—sweet and soft. Not as intense as what came from Casteel, but no less meaningful. Nothing about Kieran was less.

I saw Casteel first bathed in the silvery moonlight. He truly looked as I had always believed a god to appear. A raging storm of flesh and bone, all exquisite angles and lines. His eyes were pools of honeyed gold as they locked onto mine, and I felt it slip past my shields. A sweet taste gathered in my throat, reminding me of chocolate-covered berries with a hint of cinnamon. His love and his pride filled me, and a wealth of emotions swelled once more.

Casteel’s lip brushed my chin. “And forever.” 

A ridiculous surge of emotion swelled in my throat, and with my senses locked down, I knew the sweet rush was all mine. Tears crowded my eyes. I loved them. Both of them. In different ways and for different reasons that I didn’t understand, but I really did.

I started to stand, but he clasped my cheek. “What?” 

“Nothing.” His left palm found mine, pressing our imprints together. “Nothing except that I’m in love with you. That I will always be in love with you, from now until our last breaths.”

“There really aren’t words other than that my reasons for agreeing to the Joining have very little to do with Cas being a King or you a Primal god and everything to do with the love I have for both of you.” 

My breath caught as a knot of emotion lodged itself in my chest. “Now you’re making this all emotional.” 

Kieran grinned, lowering his hand as I fought the urge to ask him what kind of love he felt for Casteel. For me. I knew it wasn’t a familial one and that it went beyond what one felt for friends. I also thought that it wasn’t the same as what he’d felt for Elashya or what Casteel and I felt for each other. But I also knew that what I felt for Kieran wasn’t the same as what I felt for Delano or Vonetta or Tawny. It was…more.

“I don’t know what I should call you. Queen? Highness? Neither seems fitting.” 

“Poppy,” I whispered. “Call me Poppy.” 

He bent his head, brushing his lips over the bridge of my nose as his mouth neared my ear. “I’ll call you whatever you like, as long as you call me yours.”

I liked control. Had always been that way. But with Poppy…watching her find her way, watching her live and love without shame? Nothing was more powerful. More earth-shattering. I’d gladly give up control over and over for this—for her.

“I may be the one standing, but it’s me who is still bowing to you.”

Finally, I looked at her, and all I saw was devotion in her eyes. 

To be on the receiving end of that? It made my fucking heart skip. 

“I truly don’t.” I lifted our hands, pressing a kiss to the top. “But I’ll make sure that I am worthy from now on.” 

“Then I’ll make sure that you realize you already are.”

“You once told me that I didn’t always have to be strong when I was with you. That it was safe for me not to be okay,” she said, and the muscles in my neck cramped. “You told me that it was your duty as my husband to make sure I knew that I didn’t have to pretend. Well, it’s my duty as your wife to make sure you know that, too. You’re my shelter, Cas. My roof and my walls—my foundation. And I am yours.”

“Why else would I be asking, if not for educational purposes, Cas?” 

I trembled. There was no stopping that reaction. “You shouldn’t call me that.” 

Her nose wrinkled. “Why? You like it when I do.” 

“That’s the problem. I like it too much,” I told her, and she smiled, wide and bright. And, gods, I could live on those smiles. Thrive.

There was a stillness about her now that had never been there before. Not exactly a calmness since there was still some frenetic energy about her, as if her mere presence influenced the air around her. But something about her was deep and settled now. A confidence? An awakening? I didn’t know. Whatever it was, she was the most beautiful being I’d ever seen.

There was nothing soft about it. We came together in a clash of teeth and lips and raw, overwhelming emotions. His hand dug into my hip as mine fisted his hair. The kiss was maddening. Feral. Possessive. It was the kind that one drowned in, and I’d never been happier to do so.

As she threatened meaning hurting Casteel. She would bring the sky down for him, and so would I tbh. Still can't blame her.

Perhaps I was the Harbinger. Because if she did as she threatened, I would drown in the blood I spilled.

We can’t save everyone, Kieran reminded me. But we can save the ones we love.

“From the first moment I saw you smile… And heard you laugh? Gods,” I rasped, and she shuddered, her beautiful eyes closing. “From the first time I saw you nock an arrow and fire without hesitation? Handle a dagger and fight beside another? Fight me? I was in awe. I’m never not in awe of you. I’m always utterly mesmerized. I’ll never stop being that. Always and forever.”

Poppy was…gods, she was grounding in a way only she could be. Her mere presence gathered all those fragmented shards that had broken off and floated away, piecing them back together once more.

Sidney Schaffner

I waited four books to finally see Poppy kick some ass. About time. No book man will ever beat Casteel. He is top tier. This one was a good change of pace after The Crown of Gilded Bones. It didn’t go at all in the direction I was expecting and it kept me on my toes. I didn’t think any part of this book was boring whatsoever. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Madison Keiran

3.5 stars. How many times are these fucking people going to have new realizations about what Poppy is. She’s mortal-no-she’s part Atlantian-no-she’s a deity-no-she’s a god-no-she’s a primal- GOOD GOD. Enough. Also could noooooot stop thinking about how when Cas and Poppy fucked after she rescued him that he had not bathed or used a toilet in FORTY DAYS. I know she got a yeast infection from that fr

rhegan🧋

took me like 4 months to finish this shit 😭😭 pretending the series ended at the second book.. seranyktos stay safe please 💔

big ab

this series is like a lot to process. i do think this one is much better than book 2 and 3. but i feel like the ending is still so confusing. we are still asking the same question that we asked in book 1… i feel like that specific conflict plot should be closed by now, but hey what do i know.

The war of two queens was a fantastic read, probably one of my favorites from this series. The plot quickly gained pace and there wasn't the back and forth between the characters like there were in the previous books. This book had many twists and turns and more built up mystery for the books to come 

I loved reading Poppy and Casteel's story and how their relationship with Kieran developed, I especially loved the Joining scene ... 

I loved that we got Cas's point of view in this book and we got to see more into his feelings and emotions, I think it was refreshing from Poppy's point of view 

I think the only thing I didn't like was the dialogue, for how well the world building and the rest of the writing is done I feel like the dialogue is not very well thought out, and alot of the modern day terms that are used are not very fitting for the high fantasy setting 

Overall The war of two queens was a pretty great book and I'm honestly so ready for Penellaphe to be a full on Primal in the books to come

June

The war of two queens was a fantastic read, probably one of my favorites from this series. The plot quickly gained pace and there wasn't the back and forth between the characters like there were in the previous books. This book had many twists and turns and more built up mystery for the books to come 

I loved reading Poppy and Casteel's story and how their relationship with Kieran developed, I especially loved the Joining scene ... 

I loved that we got Cas's point of view in this book and we got to see more into his feelings and emotions, I think it was refreshing from Poppy's point of view 

I think the only thing I didn't like was the dialogue, for how well the world building and the rest of the writing is done I feel like the dialogue is not very well thought out, and alot of the modern day terms that are used are not very fitting for the high fantasy setting 

Overall The war of two queens was a pretty great book and I'm honestly so ready for Penellaphe to be a full on Primal in the books to come

taryn

2.5 stars, again odd pacing, there was some good moments, some bad

emma

The beginning of the book puts you right into the action from where the last one left off. I do genuinely feel like it falls off and drags again until about halfway through. The ending really left me in a huge surprise and I’m genuinely nervous to start the next one! Here we go! 

Ashley Krajnak 

RTC, but yeah everyone was right this book is trash LOL

(Bre)anne✨

TW to be added later

RTC, but yeah everyone was right this book is trash LOL

a little predictable, but Poppy and Casteel’s relationship development always give me butterflies 🦋 

Megs

Estefany 

Well!!!!! Este libro fue una montaña rusa de emociones y contradicciones en mi. Tengo tantas cosas que decir sobre él, pero creo que mejor seré breve jaja o lo ntentaré.

El libro me gustó mucho más que el tercero y eso ya es decir mucho. Tenia miedo de leer este libro dada las criticas tan fuerte que ha recibido. No obstante, decidí leerlo, y no me arrepiento porque me gustó bastante, más especificamente la parte del desenlace.

El libro empieza un poco denso para mi, me costó engancharme en un inicio. Considero que habian muchas escenas de relleno que no eran necesarias, quizás po eso tardé más en leerlo. Creo que desde el capitulo 30 en adelante la cosa remontó para mi. Desde ahi no pude parar de leer con un alto grado de interés, por lo que disfruté mucho esa parte hacia el final. Lo devoré practicamente y me gustó el final en general del libro, con ese toque de incertidumbre que hace que quieras saber qué pasará después. Estoy deseando leerme el 5to libro, y el segundo del Spinn-off.

Ahora bien, vamos al drama. Respecto a la polémica que surgió y las criticas tan fuertes que recibió la autora, decidí spoilearme, sí lo hice. No aguantaba la curiosidad por saber qué error tan grave había cometido la Jenni. Cuando leí lo que era, y ya después de haber leído el libro y haber leido especificamente las escenas que generaron el drama, me pregunté: ¿Y eso era todo?. Todo el hate y drama era solo por eso?, a mi entender fue una exageración, teniendo en cuenta que es un libro, Y que es ficción. Vamos a ver, pensé que la autora habia matado a alguien jajaja.

POSIBLE SPOILER
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Respecto a eso, diré lo siguiente, lo cual es MI OPINION. Yo me veía esa situación de Poppy, Cas y Kieran venir desde libros anteriores, y honestamente, creo que la autora tardó en hacerlo ocurrir. La verdad es que me sorprende que las personas no lo vieran venir, si se sentia la tension gestandose en libros anteriores. A mi en lo particular, no me molestó. Quizás no es lo que yo hubiese preferido, pero no es que voy a hacer un drama por ello. Al contrario, disfruté ese giro y esas escenas, llamenme retorcida si quieren jajaja. Y aqui hago un inciso, y es que lo único que no me gustaría es ver que hay una relación más cercana entre Kieran y Poppy sin Casteel, es decir, quisiera que lo que tenga que surgir entre ellos, sea siempre en presencia y del agrado de los tres. No obstante, puedo entender el desacuerdo de muchos al querer que la relacion de Poppy y Casteel sea exclusiva sin terceros. Cada quien es libre de sentir agrado o no respecto a eso y es totalmente respetable pero, de ahí a querer humillar, cancelar, insultar, lanzar hate e incluso amenazar a la autora por esa razón, me parece una falta de respeto como una gran catedral. Recordemos que ella es humana, siente y padece como cualquier otro, y todo ese drama generado seguramente la hizo pasar un mal trago lo cual me parece una gran pena porque es muy probable que ahora ella no sea capaz de sentirse segura de si lo que tenia planeado para los libros posteriores sea lo correcto. Ella no tiene porqué complacer al lector siempre, ella tiene que sentirse bien con lo que escribe y disfrutar del proceso aún el resultado no sea del agrado de muchos, y aún ella cometa errores porque es HUMANA, no hay necesidad de castigarla porque tu pienses diferente a ella. 

Asi que calm down people, quedan más libros en los que la cosa puede cambiar completamente. Seamos un poquito abiertos de mente, y no prejuzguemos sin tener el resultado final. Disfrutemos de los libros con sus altas y bajas, estemos o no de acuerdo con lo que se escribe, y sin ofender a la persona que escribe. Jennifer es mi autora favorita, y hay libros de ella que no me gustan tanto o en absoluto, de hecho, esta saga no es de mis favoritas de ella, y no por eso me siento con el derecho de criticarla o destruirla con comentarios hirientes. No deja de ser un libro, no deja de ser ficción.

Por otro parte y dejando de lado el drama, he de decir que con este 4to libro noté que se le está dando un engrandecimiento tan bestia a Poppy que ya la siento como un personaje inalcanzable, la autora deberia bajarle un poquito a eso jajaja, aún asi, AMO a la Poppy patea traseros. Quisiera que Casteel tomara más relevancia en la historia nuevamente, siento que se ha quedado un poco por detrás de Poppy, y pese a que ella es la clave de todo, quisiera que él fuera su igual en protagonismo. De igual forma, quisiera que su relación evolucionara más allá de solo escenas íntimas, y sí, sé que son almas gemelas y todo eso pero, quisiera que como pareja exploraran otros aspectos de su relación. Ya veremos cómo avanza la cosa, con todo lo que les ha caido encima y les sigue y le seguirá cayendo, tampoco es que tengan mucho tiempo para más jajaja.

Thoroughly enjoyable, loved watching Poppy come into her power and embracing the people who love her. The end was a little too exposition-heavy but an absolute ride from start to end. I'm going to be so upset when thos series is over 

Kate B-L

Lily Crosby

Starts off immediately, chapter one straight into the action where we left off. Then, falls off a little. it was giving katniss silently trecking through the woods for 15min with no commentary. BUT push through!! The ending to this book was 110% worth the long travel plot. This book is definitely an important lead up to what’s to come and if your one who loves details it’s worth the read

Daisy Gosnell

I really enjoyed seeing Poppy come more into her power here - I love that for her, and for us. 

I will say… this book had the best spicy scene I have ever read in my life and for that chapter alone, it’s worth a whole ass star lol. Wowie wow. IYKYK 🥵

The cliff hanger we are left on here is crazy, and though I do favor the Flesh and Fire series over the Blood and Ash series - I am so looking forward to them coming together in the near future. 

Tess Martinez

I really enjoyed seeing Poppy come more into her power here - I love that for her, and for us. 

I will say… this book had the best spicy scene I have ever read in my life and for that chapter alone, it’s worth a whole ass star lol. Wowie wow. IYKYK 🥵

The cliff hanger we are left on here is crazy, and though I do favor the Flesh and Fire series over the Blood and Ash series - I am so looking forward to them coming together in the near future. 

The first two books in this series were a complete 10/10 for me, and progressively I'm getting increasingly bored with it. I stay along, because I like the overall story, but small things irritate me as I read it.

I've found that in a lot of JLA books, the characters' banter really annoys me. I cringed every time there was a serious moment, and a character made a little joke, or as they were fighting, they somehow maintained perfect banter. I just can't, and I don't know why it irks me the way it does. Maybe because it's so cheesy it's freaking gouda. 

I demolished JLA books as a teen and early twenties girl, but as I grow into a mid-twenties' gal, cheese isn't for me. In real life, I don't even eat dairy, so maybe it's invading my fictional tastes.

I also had threesome vibes from the main characters since the first book, but did not want it, because I wanted the soulmate energy of the two characters to be more powerful than the throuple that the tiktok internet fandom wanted; but despite my prayers, it still occurred, much to my chagrin.

It was very mild though, in comparison to what I was expecting. Like if you're going to introduce a third into a romance couple that I don't want, at least make it super spicy.

Despite all of this, I am not a complete hater; I will continue with the series, but I see a lot more cringing in my future.

Sarah Campbell

The first two books in this series were a complete 10/10 for me, and progressively I'm getting increasingly bored with it. I stay along, because I like the overall story, but small things irritate me as I read it.

I've found that in a lot of JLA books, the characters' banter really annoys me. I cringed every time there was a serious moment, and a character made a little joke, or as they were fighting, they somehow maintained perfect banter. I just can't, and I don't know why it irks me the way it does. Maybe because it's so cheesy it's freaking gouda. 

I demolished JLA books as a teen and early twenties girl, but as I grow into a mid-twenties' gal, cheese isn't for me. In real life, I don't even eat dairy, so maybe it's invading my fictional tastes.

I also had threesome vibes from the main characters since the first book, but did not want it, because I wanted the soulmate energy of the two characters to be more powerful than the throuple that the tiktok internet fandom wanted; but despite my prayers, it still occurred, much to my chagrin.

It was very mild though, in comparison to what I was expecting. Like if you're going to introduce a third into a romance couple that I don't want, at least make it super spicy.

Despite all of this, I am not a complete hater; I will continue with the series, but I see a lot more cringing in my future.

freya.nightwolf

This was awesome! At first, it seemed to go a little slow, but the action, the plots, the mystery, and the truths started quickly to be discovered. I loved everything about this book and the waiting was worth it. The twists and the discovery of the new characters and what they mean and their purpose for the entire story and world-building are magnificent. Jennifer really knows how to keep you in the storyline. I loved the fact that the book has a dual perspective story telling and finally, we get Cas's point of view and more into his feelings and emotions. I can't wait for the 5th book and for ALITF because I feel like we'll need to know a whole lot more of the gods before the 5th book arrives.

megan kelley

Joana Pirralho

Just lets all take a moment and realize how beautiful and amazing this book are! Gosh! 
For me the best from the series! The relationships the fights the romance… everything. 
The romance between casteel and poppy, the relationship of kieran with them, the journey everything top top top.

Ingeborg Wiik

Leah smith

I've been waiting for this book for forever and so many people have been getting on you about Kieran but I liked it and I don't think you should listen to the people that have been saying poppy cheated on castle and all that other stuff. this book was really good and i loved the way you wrote it.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book four in her Blood and Ash series. War is only the beginning...

Courtney

5⭐️ True to JLA style, if you aren’t a fan, then find a different series. 

I enjoyed the banter and love Delano. Also, I liked how the backstory from ASITE came to play in TWOTQ. I will always love Casteel. We got the joining although I still dislike this “traingle”. It just isn’t my cuppa tea. I loved Reaver. The twist with Millie was nice. 

Yeah I enjoyed this and will continue reading.

Amy Vicknair

I've enjoyed this series but I feel like I need a spreadsheet or a family tree with all the details. Who is what and what powers and who are they related to?! A Shadow in the Ember ( prequel series)needs to be read before this one

Jantien 

Omggggg ❤️❤️❤️ Seriously, I always forget @jennifer_l_armentrout is my favourite writer until I read another book and it just consumes me. This was soooo good, yet again!! It was a slow start and I struggled with it for a while but man, it took off like a train halfway through. 
So when is the next book due???

The War of Two Queens Blood and Ash Book 4

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