An adult romantasy with beautiful prose and intriguing characters.

I’d like to start this review by saying I adored Prince Ash. Hearing the rumors about his cruelty before meeting him on page and discovering he’s not your stereotypical alpha male that is currently over saturating the romantasy genre was a nice breath of fresh air.

I wish we could have gotten to see Ash and Mals relationship developed on page a bit more. Their feelings for each other felt very sudden and kinda threw me off a bit. I would have preferred more characterization and building of their romance and could have done without a lot of Alina’s story. I hold out hope that she’s integral to book two and her build up was intentional to set up her characterization in the future.

I loved Wren, and I low key ship Kale and Bryn but that’s neither here nor there.

The writing was truly gorgeous, so many moments throughout had me highlighting because the quotes resonated with me.

The pacing slowed down in the middle of the book, between Mals arrival and her marriage, before it picked back up around the 70% mark. The end was quite tense at times and did set up a sequel nicely and made me very intrigued to see where the story can go from here.

I did love Tabitha’s diary entries at the beginning of each chapter and would love to know more about her story. I am looking forward to book 2!

DNF for me. It was okay, but I didnt love tne writing style and the multiple perspectives were a bit much

As someone who loves a good Romantasy, I really enjoyed this book.

I loved that “A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash” had many strong female characters and felt as though the build in characters were pretty decent. I absolutely fell in love with Wren and her personality and hope to see more of everyone.

While I liked having multiple perspectives, it did get a bit confusing at times. But seeing the different perspectives help with showing where everyone was at, especially when it came to major happenings in the world.

Overall, I’d give this book a 3.5/5 since the end left off in a spoiler and had me wanting more!

A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash is a fast-paced fantasy packed with dark magic, political intrigue, and a heroine caught between duty and desire. J.F. Johns weaves a world where nothing is black and white—especially not the characters, who are full of secrets and sharp edges.

The romance simmers under the surface, the twists hit hard, and the stakes keep climbing. It’s perfect for fans of morally grey characters and kingdoms on the brink of chaos.

Rating: 3.5/5
Dark, dramatic, and addictively readable—this is fantasy with bite.

ARC Review

Overall rating: 3.5⭐️

Looking at the overall book, I did like most of it and the over arching plot. It wasn't anything I haven’t seen before, but I was still invested in the way it was being told and how it connected within the context of the book. I really enjoyed the ending and how everything started to tie together, but there were still enough loose ends to keep you invested for the next book. I personally did not predict the main reveal at the ending and was quite shocked, but I feel like it does also make the story more interesting. There were some beautiful quotes throughout which were made more meaningful depending on what characters they were coming from, which I really loved.

I thought that most of the characters were well developed and were written in a way where we as the reader saw that they were a product of their environment. This developed into a set of well established likable and unlikable characters. Two of my favorites were our female main character, Mal, and her brother, Kage. Both of them were ruthless and powerful in their own ways and I absolutely adore those types of characters. Another character that stood out was our male main character’s sister, Alina. I feel like her story was very focused on the entire time, which allowed me to really get to know her and her motivations. With most of the other characters I saw how they were important and connected to the story, but I didn't hold any strong feelings towards them.

Looking at the way the story was written, I actually didn't mind that it was in third person, and actually think that it worked in the books favor since we were constantly swapping point of view’s. I did also like that we got other character pov's, but I feel like some of the scenes that were focused on were unnecessary to the actual plot and took me out of the book. It made the book as a whole feel more dragged out and longer than it actually was. Some of the side character pov's we got towards the end of the book were very interesting because they felt like they were propelling the plot further to the end goal. I also feel like despite this book overall being Mal and Ash's story, we didn't get much from their perspectives, making their relationship feel a bit forced and unrealistic at times. Regardless of that though, I still did enjoy them together and am curious to see how they progress considering how the book ended.

Thank you so much to netgalley, the author, and publisher for an early copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed this book and found myself completely immersed in the story!!

Love the characters, great plots twists.

Really tempted to give five stars, just there were a few moments where I got a bit lost in the descriptions, overall, the pacing picked up nicely, especially toward the end. The conclusion of the first book was strong and I can’t wait for the next one.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC!

This was a truly captivating journey. Loved that we got so know the side characters too and follow their journey. I truly gasped a few this during this read and shed a few tears.

The storyline is build around a curse/prophecy and who doesn’t love that??

Just the prologue got me hooked straight away and just love how we get glimpse of the past with each chapters.

I can’t wait to go back in to this world and see where the author will take us!

I was so intrigued by this book because I have never read a fantasy book about wyverians or drakonians. In fact, all of the kingdoms were so fascinating and unique to me! We get wyverians, drakonians, wolverians, phoenixians, witches and fae.
There are multiple different POVs which can be confusing at times because there are no headings to tell you who is speaking. Mal and Kai are definitely my favourite characters and I love their relationship as siblings. Although, I love Ash’s character too because he is a refreshing MMC. Some of the relationships like between Kai and Alina felt rushed but I think for the most part the chemistry felt believable. I will be recommending this book!

This was just an okay book for me! I like the plot and it was very easy to follow, but the writing threw me off a bit. I’m okay with multiple POVs, but some chapters were a bit confusing at first trying to figure out who was speaking. This could easily be fixed with headers of the character’s names! Some of the writing was also very basic and didn’t go into too much detail and there were some run ons. For instance, I could have used a bit more background on the world building/magic system - We kind of got thrown into it and i wouldn’t have minded a little bit of an info dump at the beginning to truly understand the world & the houses.

Overall a 3 star read for me! Really loved the male MMC

What attracted me to this book initially was the cover, it is BEAUTIFUL. Once I started reading I was hooked and loved the multiple POVs. My favourite trope is enemies to lovers, and I especially love it in a fantasy novel. Mal and Ash are easily likeable characters, and I found myself deeply immersed in their story, but Kai is an absolute stand out for me, such a great character! I loved the world building, Tabitha’s diaries at the beginning of the chapters, the kingdoms, the magic, the whole VIBE is immaculate, spooky and magical. I cannot wait for the next one!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and J.F Johns for this ARC!

This is a decent read, but there’s a lot to take in. The story is easy to follow, it has a unique world to dive into, and includes some of the tried and tested tropes.

Multiple POVs are generally not my style, I find myself invested in a set of characters and I get fed up when the focus shifts - this is personal preference and isn’t reflected in my rating of this story.

Very interesting. FMC gives me maleficent crossed with Manon Blackbeak vibes. Love the character classifications. That's a new one for me. The beginning started a bit slow but then gradually builds. The author tends to be a bit "fluffy" with words which could be simplified a bit, but otherwise a solid story. I'm looking forward to seeing where this author goes into future publications.

an easy 5/5 for me. the writing was fantastic and descriptive it was like you were right there inside the book!

If you are looking for a new gripping fantasy series, this book is your girl! I DEVOURED this book, and it hit so many marks for me. the writing was so beautifully descriptive, it felt like the scenes were being painted into my mind. There were so many POWERFUL but relatable characters that I fell in love with. I normally struggle with multiple POV books but in this one it felt seemless. I loved how each POV added so much nuance to the characters and added further depth to the plot. ALSO THAT ENDING 🤯!! I could go on and on, but at the end of the day, this book has quickly gone into my top reads of the year (if not all time) and I cannot wait to see where this series goes!

This book is about feeling. The author weaves words in a way that leaves you feeling the character, their emotions, the scenes, and the past. You are tied into their struggles and their questions. I enjoyed the story and the world building. It will be interesting to see how it further enfolds in the next book.

SPOILERS BELOW:
Given the feeling created by the author, at times those overtook the story. At times I felt confused about how events were happening. I wish more details had been put into describing the battle scenes as the characters actions felt a bit lost. So as many words went into describing the characters feelings and outlook that the descriptions of places or events felt rushed. It felt like a letdown given how beautiful most of the writing was.

I did not like how the story was through all characters POV. You spend so much time in their heads and their feelings that the switch between characters felt confusing. At first I thought I had missed the headers in chapters indicating which character the chapter was about until I realized about 8 chapters in that the POV was for all characters not just Mal.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I liked this book much more than I thought I would, don’t get me wrong, any story that starts with a curse is likely to be a fave, but I cannot wait for book 2 of this series.

I did find some of the points to be predictable, but I read a lot of fantasy: I liked that the characters grew, and even changed their minds throughout the story. Can’t wait for more.

Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I hadn’t read any of J.F.Johns previous books so I was not sure what to expect but her descriptive writing and world building quickly drew me in. The plot is an enemies to lovers romtasy and told from multiple POVs, set in a world where the eight kingdoms have not spoken for 100 years after the war in which the Kingdom of Witches was destroyed. Mal our female protagonist finds herself in arranged marriage to Ash the Prince of the Fire Kingdom in a bid to unite the Kingdom of Darkness and the Kingdom of Fire. Ash has a reputation for being cruel.

A curse has been laid upon the land and as our dark heroine discovers she is the chosen one who must break it by stabbing the Prince of the Fire Kingdom through the heart. Mal as she comes to get to know Ash discovers his quiet demeanour hides his stutter and he is not cruel at all. I delighted in reading about his smouldering glances and jealousy particularly when she was interacting with the Prince of the Kingdom of Phoenix’s. Ash is not indifferent to his new wife at all and neither is she to him.

Mal and Ash are both put through the wringer in this book but sometimes you have to break to rise out of the ashes as something even stronger. Mal is something of an anomaly in her kingdom, she is the fourth child of her parents in a land where only 3 children are born to the rulers and even more so as she has witches eyes. I won’t give any spoilers in this review as you have to read the book to discover what happens next, I promise you won’t regret it.

Of course I couldn’t leave Mal’s brother Kai out of this review, I loved his interactions with Alina and I really can’t wait to read what happens next for them. I love them as a couple, the chemistry between them positively sizzled.

What a cliff hanger this books ends on, truthfully I did not see any of the twists coming. I find myself eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.

The joy of this novel is how the author weaves a continuous web of intrigue. No sooner is one mystery solved, another rises in its place to carry the plot forward in a new interesting direction.
I wasn't expecting such a unique and exciting world from this story. When I initially saw the book, I assumed it would be very much the same as the other "court intrigue" romantasy novels around at the moment. I was wrong, happily so!
Each character is enjoyable and engaging, although I found it strange that the protagonists mentioned in the blurb were barely mentioned for large parts of the narrative. The slow burn was SLOW for the first 60% of the book, leading me to feel disengaged with their love story. I wanted to know them better!
The final climactic scenes were overwhelmingly chaotic in a good way and left me racing towards the end. I will 100% be reading the next in the series.
Highly reccomended for those who love complex plots, beautiful world building, fast paced action and unpredictable curses.

★★★★¾ A Breathtaking Dark Fantasy That Will Haunt Your Dreams

There are books that simply tell a story, and then there are books that consume you whole. "Kingdom of Shadow and Ash" by J.F. Johns firmly belongs in the latter category. From the moment you see that haunting cover - with its ethereal play of light and darkness, the ghostly crown, and those wisps of shadow that seem to move when you're not looking - you know you're in for something special.

This dark fantasy is a masterclass in atmosphere. Johns weaves a world where shadows aren't just the absence of light, but entities with their own terrible purpose. The kingdom at the heart of this tale feels ancient and lived-in, with a magic system that's both intricate and terrifyingly consequential. Every spell cast, every shadow manipulated comes with a price that will make you question whether power is truly worth its cost.

The characters are a revelation. Our protagonist (who I won't name to avoid even the smallest spoiler) is brilliantly crafted - morally complex, deeply flawed, and utterly captivating. The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, each with their own secrets and motivations that unfold like a deadly flower blooming in moonlight. The relationships are messy, complicated, and achingly real, even in this fantasy setting.

Johns' prose is gorgeous without being purple, dark without being gratuitous. The pacing is relentless - I lost sleep over this book, telling myself "just one more chapter" until the sun came up. The political intrigue is as sharp as any blade, and the magic scenes are choreographed with such vivid detail that you'll feel the shadows crawling up your own arms.

What keeps this from a perfect five stars? A couple of minor worldbuilding elements could have used more explanation, and there's one subplot that doesn't quite reach its full potential. But these are such small quibbles in what is otherwise a stunning achievement in dark fantasy.

This book is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout who are ready to venture into even darker territories. It's for readers who like their fantasy with sharp teeth and a beating heart, who don't mind checking under their bed for shadows before they sleep.

Fair warning: the ending will leave you breathless and immediately reaching for the next book. "Kingdom of Shadow and Ash" isn't just a story - it's an experience that will follow you like a shadow long after you turn the last page.

Content note: Recommended for mature readers due to dark themes and intensity.

3.25⭐️

Dragons, wyverns, witches, brooding males? Count me in. This book had such fun elements and I felt was still able to keep things unique.
Mal Blackburn, the fmc was everything you want in a fmc. She was strong and independent without being insufferably so. Mal was a fourth born wyverian royal, her siblings had already filled the kingdoms roles of the heir, the warrior, and the truth-bearer. She was “an anomaly, a child that should never have existed”. Mal was left with nothing that was meant only for her. Mal had to spend her life being watched, judged and whispered about by her own people for being different. After being approached by her father the king and feeling like she is the expendable one of her siblings she agrees to an oath marriage to the fire prince Ash Acheron to unite the kingdoms in hopes of preventing a war.

Overall I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to continuing the series! I did struggle a bit with the writing style as it was third person and following 6+ different characters. It had a lot of jumping around between characters and I honestly felt that the two main characters Mal and Ash had little presence in the book until about 60%. The first 60% I felt that Kai (Mal’s older brother) and Alina (Ash’s sister) were the main characters. Mal and Ash had very little interaction until they were already married- partially due to Ash’s stutter and fear of being judged as a king who can’t speak clearly. Their chemistry did feel a little rushed to make up that time that was lost. I did like their connection but would really love to see more depth from them. It was a slower build up in the first 70% of the book but the last 30% felt very action packed and kept me turning the page for more.

Thank you to NetGalley and J.F. Johns for allowing me to read the eARC of this book.