'The Crown of Gilded Bones' by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Review written on Friday, 7 May 2021

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crown-Gilded-Bones-Blood-Ash/dp/1952457254/ref=asc_df_1952457254/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=500792624152&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9036266666226155941&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006692&hvtargid=pla-1070633183644&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55240343-the-crown-of-gilded-bones

Author Website: http://jenniferarmentrout.com

Overall Rating: 10 out of 10

She's been the victim and the survivor…

Poppy never dreamed she would find the love she’s found with Prince Casteel. She wants to revel in her happiness but first they must free his brother and find hers. It’s a dangerous mission and one with far-reaching consequences neither dreamed of. Because Poppy is the Chosen, the Blessed. The true ruler of Atlantia. She carries the blood of the King of Gods within her. By right the crown and the kingdom are hers.

The enemy and the warrior…

Poppy has only ever wanted to control her own life, not the lives of others, but now she must choose to either forsake her birthright or seize the gilded crown and become the Queen of Flesh and Fire. But as the kingdoms’ dark sins and blood-drenched secrets finally unravel, a long-forgotten power rises to pose a genuine threat. And they will stop at nothing to ensure that the crown never sits upon Poppy’s head.

A lover and heartmate…

But the greatest threat to them and to Atlantia is what awaits in the far west, where the Queen of Blood and Ash has her own plans, ones she has waited hundreds of years to carry out. Poppy and Casteel must consider the impossible—travel to the Lands of the Gods and wake the King himself. And as shocking secrets and the harshest betrayals come to light, and enemies emerge to threaten everything Poppy and Casteel have fought for, they will discover just how far they are willing to go for their people—and each other.

And now she will become Queen…

FTC disclaimer: I was not sent this product. I am not affiliated with the companies mentioned. All opinions are my own.

This is going to be a 6 book series! Ahhhh! I’m only 3 books through -so excited! So hard not to give spoilers here but I want everyone to read these books so lol I cannot tell you about the particular moments that broke me or lit me up why do I do this to myself.

Smashing opening here. Armentrout skilfully hooks the reader’s interest within a chapter, and the drama DOES NOT DROP for a large section of the first quarter of the book! After that we have a bit of a lull, until everything goes crazy at the end. We had so many twists in terms of lies and betrayals, and the never-ending question of Poppy’s family tree. All of which are spectacular examples of how Armentrout really planned out the first book; I now just want to go back and re-read the predecessors so I could properly appreciate them!

We get more Poppy and Kieran action in this novel (inner squeal), which was hilarious a lot of the time, and the sexually heated episode from the novel before has its own re-hash (but more!). . Casteel and Poppy’s relationship sort of takes a back seat, as the pair are either plotting politics, or are simply enjoying some down time together. However, the high-drama movements in their relationship development are definitely swoon worthy, even if there is less mystery. You may find that their relationship does slightly become a “he loves her more than she loves him” one (*Twilight cough cough*) but I think its just because Armentrout crafted the *perfect* guy in Casteel. Poppy begins to outmatch him in their magical power dynamic, which redeems the questionable fantasy trope of males who are hundred years old (but trapped in a jaw-droppingly handsome teenagers body - duh) falling in love with an actual teen girl.

The characters are all developed well, even if the number of “I was no longer the maiden speeches” and “I’m not surprised you have questions” was slightly excessive. The relationship between the three of them definitely still gives you that warm fuzzy feeling, and made me laugh out-loud… A LOT.

Whatever the flaws were in this book, if you’re like me you’ll still find yourself married to the world and each and every one of the characters that inhabits it. So once again, Armentrout, I’ve gotta 10/10 say I recommend. My all time favourite book series.