The War of Two Queens (Blood And Ash) Paperback – March 15, 2022

I'll start with no spoilers:Effin fantastic! As my title says I just spent the last 4 days doing nothing but reading this so far four part series. I loved them all for the attention to detail and the characters development over time. I knew going into this one (I bought the Kindle version as there was no way I could wait until May for hardcover lmao) that it had mixed reviews. In my personal opinion I found it all enjoyable and don't agree with others saying not to read it, each reader has their own experiences and lives in their books differently and you really don't know until you know, right? Without spoilers I say even if you're on the fence, go for it. Don't let others opinions scare you off because you may have a different journey then they did. If you liked the others, just read it. I am honestly thinking about starting all over again to reread and catch small details I may have missed knowing what I know now.Now for some spoilery bits, don't continue if you don't want some details :)The whole "emotional cheating" while Cas is captured I frankly do not see. And neither did I see any issue with the Joining. Poppy and Kieran are the ONLY ones who understand what the other is going through in any way. You can see how Cas's imprisonment wears on Poppy and Kieran individually but also together. Netta couldnt suport Poppy, Delano or the others couldnt have for her or Kieran, not the way they could for each other. They were both missing a part of themselves in a way only they could understand. Even though Cas and Kierans "bond" is no longer, their true bond goes WAY beyond what was broken. Especially after what Kieran went through the first time Cas was captured. They were there for each other in a way that no one else could have been. And in a way that Cas hoped and knew they would be. I didn't see Kieran trying to seduce Poppy, they had time to figure out their own bond that was made different and grown through the Primal Notam and through having to rely on just each other for awhile. This world does not have our societal norms cast onto it unless you put them there yourself. Poppy and Kieran obviously love each other but BOTH have stated and described it as nothing like what Cas and Poppy have and them "questioning their love" that I saw in other reviews was not how I took that scene. It was them communicating in a healthy manner that what was happening did not lessen what they had and reassuring each other that this was ok.In the scene after Cas is freed and him and Poppy have their.. reuniting lol and Poppy is sleeping, when Cas and Kieran are able to have their official reuniting, you can see their bond as well. How deep and real they're love for each other goes is beyond being brothers, there is nothing that isn't shared with the other in a single glance. There is no love lost between Any of them.Same with the Joining, which has been pointed at since the very beginning so it should be no shock to anyone that it happened or why. Cas and Poppy discussed it, Poppy and Kieran discussed it, Cas and Kieran discussed it and the three discussed it together and all were on the same page. The differences in how they loved each other were also taken into account and that if and when Kieran finds his love that they would without question redo the Joining to include them.It's described in the beach scene that the Wolven are all a very open and casual people. They see nothing wrong with nudity, and sensual acts with anyone that is a willing participant, physically or just watching. I feel like Kieran showed Poppy the beach scene from his view to show her its ok, after being so sheltered from the world everything is new to her. I dont think he was trying to seduce her at all but to say, I was watching you as well, there's nothing wrong with that, especially given the occasion and how the Wolven are as a people. Sensuality and being turned on by others sensuality is normal.It's also stated right before the Joining that the Wolven consider it a great honor to be able to do it (especiallywith the King and Queen), and more so for Kieran, Poppy and Cas because of the bond the three of them already share from what theyve been through together. I feel those that had an issue with it have placed our/their societal norms and their personal feelings into a fantasy world that has its own norms. I feel as though it was written quite tastefully and the way it wasn't exactly known who was doing what, because it didn't matter, the three of them and their bonds both old and new are what mattered. Blood drinking is typically an intense act in this world, they all knew that and along with the power of the Joining I saw it as just an addition to it, following what they felt and trusting their bonds with each other. I do not think it means they are now suddenly in a Poly relationship. They are just what they are. Kieran may join in again, or maybe not, and those are both fine with me. In the tent on the eve of battle Poppy wakes to find Kieran with them and doesn't question it, it just feels right. Who else would Kieran be with the night before it may all be over?? He would be with those he is most strongly bonded to. When Poppy and Cas share a steamy kiss in there, of course Kieran knew but that didn't mean it evolved into another threesome. They took solace in each other's company and it helped them all sleep better which they sorely needed.Off of the main hot topics that divided the readers, I loved all the details. Some thought there was too much travel filler but I prefer hearing about all the little details! I hate when I know its a two week journey and they leave and jump cut right to where they need to be, there's things going on during the journey, characters are developing with each other, not just the main ones. And yes many side characters took a back seat in a way in this book, but also didn't. We learned a lot about the "main" wolven and what their personal lives were about, we met many new and I assume important characters as well. But given that most of the book Cas was captured, it kind of makes sense that there was this sense of almost tunnel vision. She couldn't think about Cas but at the same time, that's all she could think of. And if it wasn't that, it was her responsibility to her people and planning battles. She couldn't just "hang out" as much in this book.All in all I'm honestly considering starting again all over lol I haven't been this enthralled in a series in many years and I do not know what to do with my life until whenever the next book comes out. This is a serious book hangover as I keep replaying parts in my head and wanting to go back and reread little details I may have missed before.My hopes for the next book of course is a happy ending with Cas and Poppy, I dont think I could stand it if they were separated for any reason. And Kieran better be right by their side through it all! I know for most “plots” there has to be some death and sadness but I am over the storyline trope of “the main characters can’t be happy bs” like they have all gone through SO much already, please let the three of them and maybe whoever Kieran finds make it. PLEASEEEE lol I also want to hear more about Tawny and what/who she is now and how she plays into the future. Also Malik and MIllie! I know it would take some time to rebuild trusts with the Atlantians, but I do not think they are inherently bad now. They have shown that they want to fight for what is right and I think they will be key players in the war to come. I am excited for Cas, Poppy, Kieran and Nektas to go and find Ires and Jadis, they will not be without their injuries both physical and mental but I hope they are going to be ok. There is so much that I could say but I will just be impatiently waiting for news on the next book :)

FBAA series was recommended to me after reading the Marked series (which I absolutely loved) and I couldn't put it down.I just finished reading TWOTQ yesterday. After reading some comments on Amazon, I thought I'd not enjoy this book, but I actually really enjoyed it.SPOILER ⚠️Some of my opinions are probably not popular but....🤷🏾‍♀️First let me say this, what pulls me to a story is not just the romance. I do love a good spicy romance, but I feel like all the romance stories are a cliche at this point. They're all the same. Once you've read 3, you've read them all.I love the fantasy world and relationships between other characters rather than the love story between the 2 or 3 main characters(will go deeper into this below)☆ PoppyI love Poppy. I love her character development and the fierce woman she's become. I love that eventhough she's more powerful than Cas, she sees him as her equal and I love the way she loves him. It's sweet and feels real.The only thing I'm not really excited about when it comes to Poppy is that she's apparently the most powerful being in this universe, even more powerful than the other primals, so there's really no threat there. And now she's joined with Cas and Kieran, so there's also no threat.Please don't give her the same abilities as Cas. Let him have something that's only his.☆ CasI loooved Cas in FBAA and AKOFAF. There was a lot of vigor to him and character development. But he just didn't do it for me in the last 2 books. Sorry Cas lovers. LolI feel like in the last 2 books, there was no character development. He had no purpose, or his life's purpose was Poppy, have sex with Poopy and more sex with Poppy. He worships her, and not in a cute, sweet way. It doesn't feel real. It's kinda annoying. I don't think there's anything she can do or say that he will disagree with. No one wants a guy like that.Reminds me of the woof woof lady in coming to America 🙄I just can't with him right now. Hope that changes in the next book.And can he give his family a break. They've all done things they're not proud of. Move on.I know I say this, but His parents need some ass whooping.Now to my favorite characters for now. It could always change 😄💛KieranI just love Kieran. His loyalty to Cas and vice versa is what I live for in these books.Personally what makes me fall in love with a book, TV show or movie is one where there's a strong bond between friends (male), brothers and family as a whole. I don't know why, but it makes me cry and so invested in the characters and their bond. That's why in the vampire dairies, though a Delena fan, I was rooting more for Damon and Stephan, rooting for the Michealsons in the Original, and why my favorite show of all time is Supernatural because of the bothers - Sam and Dean, and their love for each other.The main reason I was eager to read this book series when it was recommended was because it talked about Cas doing everything to save his brother. I was eager to learn about their relationship, but we know how that went (I'll get to that). Wasn't disappointed to get Cas/Kieran instead.When the bond was broken I was so mad, I thought I'll stop reading. Thank God I didn't because theirs is a bond deeper than "the bond". Just love them so much. Hope we get to see more of that.💚MalikThis is one person who just sprung up on me. I didn't know I'd love him so much. Apart from Reaver who was just a breathe of fresh air in TWOTQ, I couldn't get enough of Malik. I feel like there's still so much to be explored with this character, but not hopeful that it will be done because he's not a main character. Still looking forward to his scenes, and Milicent's - please, please, please 🙏🏾Is it just me, or does anyone feel like Malik is actually Malec's son???It's been hinted, and eventhough the theory has been debunked, I'm still not convinced 😄💥I can't end this without talking about "THE JOINING"I loved it. Strangely soI think it was beautifully done. Not too much, just enough and the rest left to your imagination. I love a good spicy scene, but I think this was done in such a way that still kind of stayed true to their characters and their relationships.Also, unpopular opinion, I'm rooting for a throuple - Cas/Poppy/Kieran. I don't know how that's going to work, neither do I believe it's going to happen, but I'm here for it.Can I just say this. I really loved that Gianna wasn't some annoying girl who was in love with Cas. She didn't give a sh** about him and I loved it.She's going to find a beautiful man she cares about - maybe Kieran 🤷🏾‍♀️Hopefully we get more of Cas/Kieran bonding moments, and more of Malik in the next book.