A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout book cover
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Eerie Efficiency Book Profile

A Shadow in the Ember

Series membership: Flesh and Fire · Listed position 1
2021 Adult
About this book

#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout returns with book one of the all-new, 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.

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Best for readers who like: Long romantasy, gods, fated bonds, strong heroines, slow reveals
What do these ratings mean?

These are Eerie's editorial scores. Spice is scored out of 5; the other scores are out of 10. Higher intensity does not mean a better book. Romance Focus measures how central the relationship is to the story. Overall Recommendation is Eerie's recommendation for the book's intended readers.

Read the full rating methodology

Spice4/5
Darkness6/10
Obsession8/10
Psychological6/10
Violence6/10
Emotional Damage8/10
Trigger Intensity7/10
Romance Focus9/10

Bibliographic Sources

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Book at a Glance

Series membershipFlesh and Fire
Readable on its ownno
POVFirst person
PaceMedium
Story LengthVery Long
EndingCliffhanger / Series Continues
WorldFantasy
RelationshipForbidden / Age Gap • M/F
Obsession TypeProtective Obsession • Romantic Fixation
SubgenreFantasy romance • romantasy
FMC TypeDangerous / Killer
MMC OccupationRoyalty / Ruler
MMC PersonalityControlled, lethal, protective
FMC PersonalityTrained assassin, compassionate, defiant

Tropes & Themes

Trigger Warnings

These tags describe potentially sensitive material in the book and may not be a complete list. A missing warning does not confirm that the content is absent. HEA/HFN describes the romantic ending, not the absence of disturbing content. Check the author's current content notes before reading.

attempted murdercoercive dutydeathfamily abuseviolencewar themes

Eerie Take

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy immersive world-building and intense romantic tension

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Intensity
Eerie editorial
Readers
Spice
4/5
Waiting for votes
Darkness
6/10
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Obsession
8/10
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Psychological Intensity
6/10
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Violence
6/10
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Emotional Damage
8/10
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Trigger Intensity
7/10
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Romance Focus
9/10
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