The Crown of Gilded Bones

Blood and Ash, Book 3

By: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Narrated by: Stina Nielsen

Bow Before Your Queen or Bleed Before Her...

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book three in her Blood and Ash series.

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...

©2021 Jennifer L. Armentrout. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Jennifer L. Armentrout has absolutely blown me away with this entire series! I've turned into a swooning fangirl!"—New York Times bestselling author Larissa Ione

"Completely unputdownable and utterly unforgettable. Armentrout grabs hold of you from the first page of TCOGB with her flawless storytelling, engaging characters and the unforeseen twists and turns."—New York Times bestselling author K. Bromberg

"I didn't know I could be a bigger fan of this series than I already was, but boy was I wrong. Jen Armentrout surprises me at every page turn with higher stakes, hotter heat, shocking revelations, and a knows-no-bounds love that hits me deep, and I am here for it."—New York Times bestselling author Laurelin Paige

There r no words, but...Holy SH*T (Kieran's voice)

GODS!!! where do I begin...
That freaking CLIFFHANGER!!!! UGH I loathe it. but,.. EPIC!!!!

I find myself so totally engrossed in this story/book. Jennifer goes into SO much detail. Sometimes I find it a little too much LOL. but not to the point that it drives me crazy, personally, but I can see why some ppl will complain. There is MANY parts that are overly dragged out. Example was when the little girl got into the carriage accident. We we're in Poppy's head for like over 20mins. explaining what she was seeing, who was looking at her, what she felt off them, what she feeling in herself, all the way to the point of how her skin felt, then thinking about how the little girl was. It was dramatically overly drawn out, unnecessarily so. So anyone who complains about how SLOW this book is. I understand because it truly is. However... and this is a BIG HOWEVER
There is just so many layers to unfold, just like Hawks (Cass) masks. These instances where certain things are drawn out, help to peel back some of these interesting complex layers. It's a complex story, with a lot going on. Between what Poppy is, what happened to her parents, who are her parents, what is her heritage, her brother, her relationship with Cass, her connection/notem to the wolfven, the kingdoms, the lies on top of SO many lies, the twists and turns, who is out to kill her and why, on top of all that you have her sheltered life and being naive to so much and watching her growth. From the abused caged maiden, to being so completely loved & seen for her for once by a prince, to then being a queen. & for someone who has grown up the way she has you have to see and feel her growth. There are those difficulties and complexities the author hammers out, peeling back those layers 1 by 1 and I have to say Jennifer does an amazing job. She really puts us in Poppy's head.
Also that amazing narrator, she does such a great job. She REALLY and TRULY makes these characters come to life. You feel them like you are with them. Stina, gets 5 stars all around. She is outstanding.

Also need to note... The sex, GODS so much sex. It was like every other chapter for half if not more of this book & jezz poor Cass doing all the work LOL. Literally, while Poppy just takes haha. but OMG is he funny and sexy and attentive and just an absolute dream man.
And Cass with that damn BOOK. LOLOLOL I was laughing out loud. I just adore Cass.

Another note, there is so much humor. I found myself laughing out loud a lot. While food shopping I burst out laughing in the isle and had a lady just stare at me. I told her she needs to read this book haha no lie!

Slight SPOILER here....


In book 2, and then around chapter 5 before Poppy gets free. I found myself thinking what's beyond the mountains??? Like there cant be nothing. Why can't Alantia people move out that way.
I love that the author must of painted a subliminal in this story somewhere, to lead us to parts of this journey. This happens often and I love it. Just another point to show the brilliance of this author.

UGH!!!! and now, I am going to go CRAZY waiting for the next book. since it also takes FOREVER to come on audible :(

I can also see this becoming a movie. Like better then teenie bopper Twilight. More like a Game of Thrones. It's that good and has all the potential. With Travis Fimmel as Cass. Let's make that happen LOL or I can pretend LOL

just too much

way too much detail. Also, there is an unrealistic habit of stopping in middle of battle to discuss things. Why doesn't anyone attack ? I picture everyone in battle frozen while the characters discuss things. it's ridiculous.

so repetitive

it’s an incredible story line stuffed with repetition and whining… it seems like it’s to stretch it out. very frustrating

The best book yet

This is hands down the best book in there series. The ending is another cliff hanger. Makes you gasp
“No!” Not knowing when the next will be out. Fantastic job.

It’s okay

The voice actor isn’t my favorite, I feel like some scenes are read in the wrong sense. The first half of the book is hard to get through with all the stagnant spots but the back half of the story picks back up and reels you back in.