The Blood and Ash Series in Order

About the Blood and Ash series

Series Premise

In the kingdom of Solis, the Atlantians—once a powerful, long-lived race—are believed to have been defeated centuries ago. The Ascended (vampiric-like immortals who rule Solis) claim they protect humanity from the monstrous Craven and the savage Atlantians. Young women called Maidens are raised to be “given” to the gods during the Rite, a sacred ceremony that supposedly elevates them. Poppy Balfour (Penellaphe Balfour) is the current Maiden—the Chosen One—veiled, cloistered, and forbidden from touch, emotion, or normal life. She is told her role is holy and selfless, but she secretly trains in combat, yearns for freedom, and questions the Ascended’s rule. When she meets Hawke Flynn, a charismatic new Royal Guard, her carefully controlled world unravels. Hawke awakens feelings she’s never allowed herself to have—and reveals shocking truths about the Ascended, the Atlantians, her own heritage, and the lies she’s been fed her entire life. The series follows Poppy’s transformation from sheltered Maiden to powerful figure in a brewing war between Solis and the kingdom of Atlantia, uncovering secrets about her bloodline, the true nature of the gods, the Rite, and the origins of the Craven. It’s an epic fantasy romance with heavy political intrigue, betrayal, war, and the unraveling of an entire kingdom’s mythology.

Main Characters

> Penellaphe Balfour “Poppy” — Protagonist. The Maiden, later revealed to be far more (descendant of gods, wielder of primal power). Brave, defiant, curious, traumatized, and fiercely independent. Grows from sheltered girl to powerful queen and warrior.
> Casteel Da’Neer “Hawke Flynn / Cas” — Love interest and eventual husband. Prince of Atlantia, dark-haired, golden-eyed, charismatic, deadly assassin. Kidnaps Poppy at first (enemies-to-lovers), but is deeply devoted. Morally gray, protective, sarcastic, and intensely passionate.
> Kieran Contou — Casteel’s bonded wolven (wolf-like shifter companion). Loyal, sarcastic, beautiful, and often the voice of reason/humor. Becomes part of the throuple dynamic in later books.
> Vonetta “Netta” Contou — Kieran’s sister, wolven, fierce and loyal friend to Poppy.
> Delano — Gentle wolven, healer, loyal to Casteel and Poppy.
> Emil, Naill, Quentyn, Reaver — Recurring wolven and draken (dragon-shifters) who form the core found-family group.
> The Blood Crown — Antagonists: Queen Ileana (Isbeth), King Jalara, and the Ascended—cruel, manipulative, and central to the war.

Setting

A richly imagined high-fantasy world divided between the kingdom of Solis (ruled by the Ascended) and the hidden kingdom of Atlantia. Solis is a medieval-inspired realm with castles, keeps, temples, and cities (Masadonia, Carsodonia), but shadowed by fear of the Craven and strict religious control. Atlantia is wilder—lush forests, mountains, ancient ruins, and a more primal, elemental magic tied to the land. Key locations include:
> Masadonia — the city where Poppy grows up
> Castle Teerman — her gilded prison
> The Blood Crown’s capital — Carsodonia
> Atlantian lands — Skotos Mountains, Evaemon, Iliseeum (gods’ realm)
> The Skotos Mountains — misty, dangerous pass between kingdoms

The world feels dark and dangerous—crumbling walls, blood-red moons, cursed forests, ancient temples—but also breathtakingly beautiful, with lush descriptions of nature, magic, and the primal bond between land and people.

Tone & Themes

Intense, passionate, emotional, and addictive—new-adult fantasy romance with high heat and high stakes. JLA’s tone is lush, dramatic, and unapologetically romantic: love scenes are explicit, detailed, and emotionally charged (very steamy), while action and suspense are cinematic and brutal. The series is angsty and slow-burn in the early books—full of tension, secrets, and yearning—then becomes epic, twist-heavy, and emotionally raw in later volumes. Humor is present (especially from side characters like Kieran), but the tone leans toward epic romance and tragedy: characters suffer greatly, love is all-consuming, and every victory comes at a cost. It’s empowering for readers who love strong heroines, morally gray heroes, and the kind of love that feels fated and consuming.

The Blood and Ash series is an epic, addictive masterpiece of fantasy romance—sweeping, steamy, emotionally devastating, and ultimately triumphant. Tahereh Mafi created a phenomenon with Juliette’s journey from prisoner to queen, but JLA took the genre to new heights with Poppy and Casteel’s soul-deep, world-changing love story. The series delivers everything fans crave: slow-burn tension that explodes into passion, morally complex characters, jaw-dropping twists, breathtaking world-building, and a found family that feels real. Across 6+ main books and companions, it’s a rollercoaster of heartbreak, hope, war, and redemption that leaves readers emotionally wrecked and completely satisfied. A modern YA/NA fantasy romance classic—dark, beautiful, and unforgettable.