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A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash
by J.F. Johns
Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?
You'll get a satisfying slow-burn enemies-to-lovers arc with intense political stakes that leaves you craving the next book.
Synopsis
Romantasy Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Awards 2025. A New Adult Fantasy Romance Perfect for Fans of Fourth Wing, The Bridge Kingdom, and Serpent & Dove! Two enemies. One cursed fate. An enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance that will set the world on fire. The eight kingdoms have not spoken for 100 hundred years after destroying the land of the witches, turning the kingdom into a wasteland. Until now. Mal blackburn will end the feud between the kingdoms by marrying the fire prince, known across the lands for being cruel. But Mal is not looking to conquer the cruel prince’s heart. She wants to stab it. For if Mal kills the fire prince, she will end the curse no one believes to be true. However, killing him might not be so simple... The witches want revenge. And everyone seems to keep secrets in the land of fire and dragons. Including Mal Blackburn, the girl with witch eyes. The fourthborn child of the kingdom of darkness. The one that is hiding a secret that could doom them all. Or save them. Perfect for readers who love enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance, court intrigue, and dark magic.
At a Glance
4.10 ★ GoodreadsTop TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
Book Details
Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.
4.10 ★
Page CountHow long the commitment is.
576 pages
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.
2025
Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?
Romantasy
PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.
M/F
POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).
Multi-POV
Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.
Slow Burn
AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.
AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.
No
FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.
Standard
Narrator Count
Single
TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.
Mood & Vibe
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
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