Born of Blood and Ash

Born of Blood and Ash is a 2025 fantasy romance novel by American author Jennifer L. Armentrout (b. 1980). It is the fourth and final book in the Flesh and Fire tetralogy. The series follows Seraphine “Sera” Mierel, a mortal princess who, from birth, is destined to marry the Primal of Death, one of ten gods who control different facets of life within the realm of Iliseeum. When Sera herself “Ascends” to godhood, she becomes the true Primal of Life, threatening the rule of Kolis, the ruthless King of the Gods.

Born of Blood and Ash picks up where the previous novel left off, as Sera has escaped Kolis’s captivity and returns to the Shadowlands with her heartmate, Ash. However, memories of Kolis’s abuse continue to haunt Sera as she learns to wield her new powers and justly rule her people. She and Ash must navigate the politics of Iliseeum, seeking out allies among the Primals and promising to bring change to both the mortal and immortal lands. Through Sera’s journey, Armentrout explores themes of The Thin Line Between Vengeance and Justice, The Lasting Impact of Trauma, Autonomy as a Form of Power, and The Value of Love and Personal Connection.

Armentrout is a prolific author of young adult and adult fiction, spanning the genres of contemporary romance, fantasy, and new adult literature. She is considered a hybrid author, publishing independently as well as with traditional presses. Since 2011, she has published over 50 novels, mostly as series, which include Covenant, Titan (a spin-off series of Covenant), Blood and Ash, and its spin-off and prequel series Flesh and Fire. Armentrout has also published romance thrillers for adults under the pseudonym J. Lynn.

This guide uses the first paperback edition of the novel published by Blue Box Press in 2024.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of sexual violence, rape, child death, suicidal ideation, self-harm, graphic violence, sexual content, cursing, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and death.

Plot Summary

Sera Mierel, born a mortal, has now Ascended to godhood as the Primal of Life. She returns to the Shadowlands, the home of her husband, Ash (also known as Nyktos), where the two plan to rule as the rightful King and Queen. However, their power is challenged by the usurper Kolis, the Primal of Death, who killed his brother, Eythos, in an attempt to become the Primal of both Life and Death. The stage is set for a battle between Ash, Sera, and their supporters, and Kolis and the following he has amassed through corruption and fear.

Having just escaped Kolis’s captivity, Ash and Sera rest before introducing Sera to the people of the Shadowlands and the other Primals as the new Queen of the Gods. However, in the night, Sera is taken by the Riders, Ancient gods who will bring about the destruction of the realm. She is challenged to kill a monster, first a three-headed creature then her stepbrother, Tavius. Instead of seeking revenge on Tavius, however, Sera stops herself, realizing that she now bears the responsibility of controlling life and death. Sera’s decision proves her worthy of the title of Primal of Life in the eyes of the Riders.

Returning to the Shadowlands, Sera seeks advice from Nektas, the oldest draken in the realm and her closest adviser. He assures her that she will learn to be the Primal of Life, just as Eythos did before her, though it will be a difficult journey. He tells her that her abilities, such as her use of eather, her strength, and her ability to use vadentia (“foresight”), will develop within her. He is certain that she will be a just Queen, reassuring Sera.

Sera and Ash meet with the other gods of the Shadowlands and then its civilians, telling them of their plan to rule as King and Queen as well as to form a democracy, allowing the other Primals to have a say in ruling the realm. Sera immediately earns the support of those around her. They then discuss how to stop Kolis. They decide to call on the other Primals to enlist their help, though they know that a few, including Kyn and Veses, will side with Kolis. Their best option is to use the bones of Ancients to entomb Kolis, sending him into stasis for as long as they can. They could use Sotoria, whose soul they are keeping safe in the Star diamond, to kill him, as she is the only person he ever loved; however, Sera is adamant that she will not use Sotoria as a weapon. Through it all, Sera continues to struggle with the physical and sexual abuse that Kolis inflicted on her, wanting to seek revenge while knowing that she is responsible for ensuring that the realm is not destroyed through their war.

Kolis calls Sera for a meeting that is watched over by a fate, Aydun, to ensure there is no violence. He offers Sera a deal: she can continue to live as Primal of Life, but he will rule as Primal of Death and receive Sotoria’s soul. At Aydun’s urging, Sera offers him a deal in return. She agrees to let him live, though he will not get Sotoria and will no longer rule; in return, they can avoid a war. When neither accepts nor declines the deal, they enter a period of eirini, or truce, for one month, meaning that neither group can openly act against the other.

Back in the Shadowlands, Sera and Ash work with their primary ally, Attes, a Primal, whose brother, Kyn, is aligned with Kolis. They decide to use the eirini to try to come up with a way to entomb Kolis. Meanwhile, Sera seeks more information about the Prophecy of the Ancients. In it, the destruction of the realms is foretold. Kolis is destined to awaken the Ancients in his attempts to rule as Primal of Life and Death, a new title that will upset the balance of the realms. The prophecy also mentions two daughters that have the power to stop him, as well as the gods of the realm going into stasis, making Sera wonder if the events will take place far in the future after Kolis has been entombed.

Over the next few weeks, Sera, Ash, and the others experience various attacks orchestrated by Kolis. The kynakos, war dogs, attack Attes’s court and try to kill Ash. Then, the sekya, guardians of the souls in the Abyss, attack the Shadowlands now that they are controlled by Kolis. Kolis’s attacks culminate in the decimation of Lasania, the mortal land that Sera was born in. When she discovers that her stepsister, Ezra, the Queen, and her mother have been killed, Sera lashes out in anger. She follows Embris, a Primal aligned to Kolis, to Kolis’s court and brutally kills him and the surrounding villages. She then enters the palace, stopping only when she realizes that Kolis is not there. Ultimately, Sera is overwhelmed by grief and regret. She uses her power to resurrect the villagers outside the palace, then returns to Lasania to do the same. However, she is stopped by Holland, a Fate, who shows her all the death she is causing in exchange for reviving others. Attes then arrives, taking Sera to Lothos so they can Ascend a new primal to replace Embris and maintain balance.

In Lothos, Sera and Attes are attacked by Kolis, while Ash is preoccupied with the arrival of all the new souls in the Abyss. Sera struggles in hand-to-hand combat with Kolis, while his drakens destroy Lothos. Just as Sera is about to succumb to Ash, a viktor (one who is designated to protect the threads of Fate) named Ward arrives and beheads Kolis, sending him back to his court.

Back in the Shadowlands, Sera continues to struggle with her grief over her actions. However, with Ash’s help, she commits herself to changing and being a just ruler in the judgment of others. They finally call together all the Primals to discuss killing Kolis. Because of Veses and Kyn’s refusal to align with them, Sera dismisses them from the meeting. Phanos, the Primal with the largest army, expresses his fear and regret that he cannot bring himself to align with Sera. In the end, they gain the allegiance of the other Primals as well as Thierran, an oneirou who is capable of manipulating dreams and emotions, though they still have far fewer soldiers than Kolis.

Meanwhile, Sera discovers that she is pregnant with twins. Despite her anxiety, Ash is elated by the news. They promise each other to survive the impending battle and raise their children.

Sera, Ash, Attes, and the others put their plan into motion. They kill Veses, Ascending another to take her place as Primal, then defeat Kyn after he attacks Attes’s court. They then call on a Fate to set up a meeting with Kolis. They descend on the Bonelands, the place where gods once fought the Ancients, as it is near the tomb they have set up for Kolis. Although they act under the guise of having a meeting, they place their soldiers around the Sun Temple in the Bonelands, knowing that Kolis will do the same.

As Sera and Ash see Thanos’s ships, Kolis’s remaining ally, arrive, battle breaks out around them. Soldiers, draken, and mythical creatures from both sides begin to fight. Sera and Ash try to goad Kolis into discussing Sotoria, but he instead uses his draken to attack. Fearing that they are going to lose the battle, Sera uses her power to raise the bones of ancient soldiers and dragons from the ground. They do her bidding, leveling the battle.

Sera and Ash draw Kolis into the temple. Fighting alongside Nektas, they fight Kolis, his draken, and several gods. Ash is severely wounded, leaving Kolis to attack and taunt Sera. However, as he does so, Thierran comes up behind Kolis and grabs his head, forcing Kolis’s worst fears to take over Kolis’s mind. This allows Sera to use her power to subdue Kolis, as she, Ash, and Attes take him from the Temple and to his tomb. There, they bind him with Ancient bones, then Ash stabs him with a spear, pinning him to the wall.

After, Sera cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong. She instructs Attes to take them to where the Star diamond is hidden. However, it is gone. Sera calls on Aydun, who arrives and tells them that they are too late. Sera’s soul will be kept hidden until a second daughter is born from Sera and Ash, allowing Sotoria to be reborn and Kolis to awaken, bringing about the destruction of the realms. Despite the danger it poses, Sera and Ash are both adamant that they must have their children and cannot stop their descendants from having children of their own.

Two months later, Sera and Ash have taken control of the realms. They have Kolis’s court under control, while continuing to hunt down those who were loyal to him. The Shadowlands celebrate their victory, as Sera notes how happy she is to be surrounded by her new friends and family.

The Fates narrate the Epilogue, which stretches over centuries. Callum carries the Star diamond containing Sotoria’s soul. He waits until the Crimson Queen comes into power, then gives her the Star and prepares for the birth of the second daughter.