A Shadow in the Ember

Written by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Narrated by Stina Nielsen

#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout returns with book one of the compelling Flesh and Fire series—set in the beloved 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Oct 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781713624004

Jennifer L. Armentrout

# 1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. Find her on Twitter @JLArmentrout or become a fan on Facebook and Goodreads.

Reviews for A Shadow in the Ember

[Nata Kis · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Love the books, but the narrator super annoying. Slow like a slug! Had to speed it up..

[Lilia Velvid · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I actually love this prequel more than the actual saga. I love how genuine their love story is. ❤️

[Jennifer Upton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

From a cast away to the EMBER OF LIFE !! Whew!

[9s28bsycvw · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a prequel!! The similarities from the first book characters to these are so fun! Being able to see glimpses of what’s to come, very clever!

[Shaneka Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I ABSOLUTELY EAT this book up the Series is exquisite and tantalizing I love it

[Melissa Chambers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lots of slow parts, some good parts. Narrator is good

[juliauber · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love a good prequel. It's like history repeating itself, I'm in love with this series, keep em coming, please!

[Gretchen Cooley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The plot got interesting eventually. I liked the dynamics between the romantic leads.

[Sybille · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favourite in the series so far. Interesting and layered

[Jamie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a great book. Enjoy it very much. Definitely recommend it!

[heatherstringer5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

That might be the BEST thing I’ve ever read….ever! I read the From Blood and Ash first 3 before this which I loved! But I don’t know how I can go back for the 4 book without finishing this first. Sera and Nyktos are….fire!!

[Sara Rosario · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This is basically smut. The storyline is predictable and the narrator has a droning type of voice, as if trying to be breathy and sexy. The same adjectives are used over and over and over again in the book. I am not a fan, there should have been more story and less chapter upon chapter of sex descriptions.

[Ashton Thurmond · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. I can not wait to read the rest of the series

[jacquelinecoblentz1991 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I like the story between Niktos and Seraphina - I’m just upset that it’s a literally copy and paste from Poppy’s storyline.

[Tiffani Gonzales · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING 10/10. I love Sera and Nyktos even more than Poppy & Casteel tbh. This storyline is riveting, a bit spicy, enemies to lovers vibes. This is my 2nd time reading (in anticipation of upcoming book #4 for Flesh & Fire on august 13, 2024) and I am just flying through these series again. I love a good “chosen one” trope and this one is *chef’s kiss*. Although I don’t love Stina Nielsen as a narrator, I don’t have many complaints other than very mild guttural throaty noises when she is narrating spicy times or if someone is injured. I think she does her best lol.

[stiangreen7 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I did like the book, but not the narrator as much

[Anne S. · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was so good! I loved the narration a lot; it was very easy to get into the story and follow the development of it. I loved Sera from the start, and Nyktos as well. I found it hard to put down the book so many times because it had me hooked. Can't wait to continue this series!!

[Barbara · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The man character has her moments that drive me crazy. She sometimes makes me wanna shake the crap out of her but towards the end it gets soooo much better. The only other issue I have with ALL the books in the series is when they read the word ether it comes out as eeeeeether.

[Avril Higgins · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The story is so similar to blood and ash if it wasn’t the same author it would be pure plagiarism. Couple interesting tidbits of world building but mostly deja-vu (but maybe Intentional?) Still give it 4 stars as it was entertaining.

[Erin Mason · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I didn’t care for this book at all. I really only listened to a 1/4 of it then skimmed some and skipped some. Nothing really happened. It was like a poor version of from ash and blood but less happened. If this would of been the 1st book in the series I wouldn’t of listened to any more of them. And I really didn’t like all the bantering between the two mc. It was so irritating. I would not recommend this book. I hate giving bad reviews but this book wasn’t good.

[Amy Blake · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favorite book! Sera and Nyktos are so sweet and Sera is just stubborn enough to keep him on his toes! They are steamy! If you love this book make sure you read the From Blood and Ash series this prequels from!! You will not be disappointed. These are the best books I have EVER read! and repeatedly!

[Laurélie Duchesneau · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is my Roman Empire. I live for this universe.

[Carolina Landeros · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am so glad I read this book it really explained and gave a backstory . I’m excited to read the next one but sad when it ends

[Dawn Carpenter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely love this series and From Blood and Ash. To be read together.

[Bre0498 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The strong point of this book is the second half and the ending, as unlike the previous book, the beginning was very hard for me, as I found it very slow. However, I love the relationship between Ash and Sera; I seriously can't wait to read the next book, especially because I see how it connects with the main saga. Anyway, I really love this whole world, and even though I think it has too many pages, I truly enjoy it a lot. (Translated from Spanish)

[whiskeyinthejar-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Roped me in with the fantasy world in the beginning, started to lose me in the middle with every stupid time Sera put herself in obvious danger, recaptured my attention with those scorching sex scenes, and then pulled me back in with those reveals that will make the series.

Probably needs a little more filling out of the outside fantasy world
Does it feel like their talking slips into too casual for a fantasy world setting?
Sera needs to stop being purposefully TSTL so Ash can smoke in to save the day
Felt a little stretched out in the middle

Ok, I looked to see how long the series is, 4 books at 600 pgs each???? Y'all. Who rec'd this book to me? I just want to talk.

I'll probably read the next in the series, because I do feel interested after those revealed plot points but for friends that have read this series, is there really enough story here for 600 pgs in each book? I don't want to dragged through endless filler.

[Joanna Salceda · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love this book, the second is even better. Currently waiting for the 3rd.

[Coral · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Left me so emotional. Best book I've read I'm a while!

[Debbie Weaver · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely loved this book! Could not put it down. Just enough smut with a great story!

[GigiVegasZ · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really spectacular, each book is better than the other, I love it. (Translated from Spanish)