Book Recap: A Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and Ash Book 3)

Already finished From Blood and Ash, A Kindom of Flesh and Fire and want to know what happens to Poppy and Casteel? Below is a detailed recap of A Crown of Gilded Bones, book three in The Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, beginning to end. This summary highlights the major plot points, key twists, and the most important characters

Fair warning: This is a FULL SPOILER RECAP of the second book. If you haven’t read it yet, turn back now unless you’re ready for all the major twists and reveals!

The Crown of Gilded Bones Book Recap – Book 3 in From Blood and Ash Series

The Goddess Revealed

The story opens in the Temple of Nyktos in Atlantia, where a shocking revelation occurs – Poppy is revealed to have divine blood, specifically that of the King of Gods. This causes Queen Eloana to remove her crown and bow before Poppy as the true ruler of Atlantia. The revelation triggers a dramatic shift in the wolven’s loyalties, as their ancient bonds to the Atlantian royal family break and transfer to Poppy due to her divine bloodline. This creates tension when the wolven, including Kieran, begin to see Casteel as a potential threat to Poppy. The situation escalates when Alastir, a trusted advisor, reveals himself as a traitor and orders an attack. Casteel, Kieran, and Jasper are struck with poisoned arrows containing shadowshade toxin, which temporarily paralyzes them and makes their bodies appear stone-like. In her rage and grief, believing Casteel dead, Poppy unleashes devastating powers, killing multiple attackers before being knocked unconscious. She later awakens in an ancient crypt, bound by magical chains made from deity bones and roots. There she encounters Commander Jansen, who reveals himself as a changeling capable of taking others’ forms – including that of the young wolven Beckett, whom he had killed to assume his identity. Jansen explains that Poppy has been unconscious for several days, but Casteel and the others are alive, though temporarily incapacitated. The chapter ends with Jansen claiming his actions are necessary to protect Atlantia from what he perceives as Poppy’s threat to the kingdom.

The Betrayal of Alastir and Poppy’s Transformation

During Poppy’s imprisonment in the crypt, Commander Jansen reveals himself as a changeling who had been impersonating Beckett after killing the young wolven. Alastir then visits Poppy and reveals several shocking truths: that she is descended from King Malec and the god Nyktos, that he was present the night her parents died, and that her mother had been one of the Queen’s Handmaidens. He explains his plan to hand Poppy over to the Ascended, believing she is too dangerous to live but hoping her death at their hands will incite war. After drugging Poppy, Alastir and his followers attempt to deliver her to the Ascended at the ruins of Castle Bauer. However, Casteel and his allies, including his father King Valyn, launch a rescue mission. During the ensuing battle, Poppy is mortally wounded by a crossbow bolt. In a desperate attempt to save her life, Casteel attempts to Ascend her. The process appears different than expected – while Poppy falls unconscious and experiences visions of her past, including new memories of the night her parents died, she doesn’t fully Ascend. When she awakens, she experiences bloodlust but maintains her green eyes and lacks fangs, suggesting something unprecedented has occurred. The chapter ends with Casteel allowing her to feed from him while trying to understand what she has become.

Awakening of Power

After recovering from her transformation, Poppy and Casteel share an intimate moment where they express their love for each other. They discuss the implications of her new state – she hasn’t become a vampry but has clearly changed, becoming stronger and possibly immortal. Casteel reveals that her blood has been completely replaced with his, though she maintains her ability to feel emotions unlike the Ascended. The group begins their journey back through the Skotos Mountains, where they discover the legendary golden trees of Aios have transformed into blood trees with crimson leaves, suggesting Poppy’s near-death experience has affected the very landscape. During their journey, Poppy experiences nightmares about the crypts and discovers new aspects of her connection to the wolven, including being able to sense their individual essences. The chapter ends with growing concerns about the extent of the changes occurring both within Poppy and in the world around them.

Attack of the Unseen

After arriving at Jasper’s home, Poppy discovers she can communicate telepathically with the wolven, a power reminiscent of how Nyktos once communicated with the ancient kiyou wolves. Their peaceful moment is interrupted by an attack from mysterious faceless creatures called Gyrm, led by someone claiming to be part of the Unseen – an ancient brotherhood that once served the deities but later turned against them. During the battle, King Valyn reveals that the Unseen, thought extinct for centuries, may be behind recent acts of vandalism and unrest in Atlantia. The attacker knows details about Poppy’s past in Lockswood, suggesting a connection to Alastir’s conspiracy. The chapter ends with the revelation that these Unseen members had brought deity bone bindings, intending to capture Poppy, though she vows never to be bound by them again. This attack proves that despite Alastir’s death, threats to Poppy and Atlantia’s stability remain.

Path to Iliseeum

Following the Gyrm attack, Poppy and Casteel discuss the revelations about Iliseeum, the Land of the Gods, which lies beyond the Mountains of Nyktos. They learn that while the mountains and seas are protected by deadly magic that suffocates anyone who isn’t a deity, there exists a secret tunnel system beneath Evaemon that leads to Iliseeum. The conversation shifts to questions about Poppy’s heritage and the possibility that one of her parents was a full-blooded Atlantian. They also discover that Miss Willa, the author of a scandalous diary Poppy once read, is actually a two-thousand-year-old Atlantian Elder. The most significant discussion centers around Poppy’s claim to the throne of Atlantia. Casteel reveals that his parents have ruled beyond their allotted time, causing unrest in the kingdom. He promises to support Poppy whether she chooses to claim the crown or not, though refusing it would mean they must leave Atlantia to prevent division among the people. Their conversation is interrupted by news of a critically injured child, and they rush to help. The chapter ends with Poppy attempting to heal the fatally wounded girl, despite a healer’s insistence that it’s too late, showcasing her determination to use her powers for good despite the uncertainty surrounding her abilities.

Goddess of Life

In a pivotal moment, Poppy successfully brings the mortally wounded child back to life, demonstrating a power that only Nyktos himself was known to possess. This act causes the people to bow before her in reverence, recognizing her as a goddess. Following this miraculous event, Poppy and Casteel share intimate moments and attend a wolven celebration on the beach, where Poppy experiences the freedom and joy of dancing for the first time. The next day, they prepare to meet with Casteel’s parents, first visiting Kieran’s mother Kirha, who is pregnant and welcomes Poppy warmly. The chapters end as they arrive at the Cove Palace to meet with King Valyn and Queen Eloana, where tensions immediately surface regarding Poppy’s Ascension and her claim to the throne. The meeting begins with Queen Eloana expressing concerns about the implications of Casteel’s decision to Ascend Poppy, leading to a confrontation where Poppy firmly stands her ground against any attempts to diminish or patronize her.

The Truth About Malec

The conversation with Casteel’s parents reveals shocking truths about Poppy’s heritage. Queen Eloana confirms that Malec, the former King, must be Poppy’s father, though this creates a paradox as he was supposedly entombed and dying centuries before her birth. The revelation suggests that the Blood Crown may have found and revived Malec using Atlantian blood, possibly forcing him to father a child. This disturbing possibility leads to a private conversation between Poppy and Queen Eloana, where they discuss the future of Atlantia and the looming threat of war with Solis. The Queen reveals that Atlantian armies are already preparing for war, and that Poppy and Casteel may be the only ones who can prevent it through negotiation. Their discussion is interrupted by news that Poppy’s brother Ian, now an Ascended, has arrived at Spessa’s End with a message from the Blood Crown. Despite the Queen’s protests about the timing and potential danger, Poppy and Casteel decide to leave immediately for Spessa’s End to meet with Ian.

Crown Claimed

The meeting with Ian reveals that he has maintained his true self despite being Ascended, secretly warning Poppy to wake Nyktos as only his guards can stop the Blood Crown’s mysterious new weapons called Revenants. The Blood Crown requests a meeting with Poppy and Casteel in Oak Ambler, offering peace negotiations while threatening destruction if they come with ill intent. Following this revelation, Poppy makes the momentous decision to claim the Crown of Atlantia, believing it’s the best way to prevent war and protect both kingdoms. As they journey toward Evaemon for the coronation, they are ambushed by the Unseen and their Gyrm soldiers. Poppy demonstrates her growing control over her powers by efficiently dispatching the attackers, turning them to ash. The chapters also reveal more about Kieran’s past love, who died from a hereditary wolven disease, and show Poppy’s growing confidence as she learns to ride her own horse and prepares to become Queen. The attack confirms that there are still those who oppose her claim to the throne, but she remains resolute in her decision to rule alongside Casteel.

Coronation of Flesh and Fire

These chapters mark a pivotal moment as Poppy and Casteel arrive in Evaemon, the breathtaking capital of Atlantia. The city’s grandeur, with its ivory towers, blood trees, and massive statues of the gods, leaves Poppy in awe. The formal coronation ceremony takes place in the Temple of Nyktos, where Eloana and Valyn willingly relinquish their crowns. In a significant moment, both crowns transform to golden bone, and the torches held by the statues of the gods ignite with silver-white flames. Poppy and Casteel are proclaimed as the Queen of Flesh and Fire and the King of Blood and Ash respectively. The chapters conclude with their first meeting with the Council of Elders, where they discuss their plans to prevent war with Solis and their intention to wake Nyktos. A particularly intriguing revelation comes from Willa, who is revealed to be both an Elder and a powerful Seer, warning them about the dangers of entering Dalos, the City of the Gods.

The Bringer of Life and Death

The group’s journey through the tunnels to Iliseeum leads to a dramatic encounter with ancient skeleton soldiers and their first meeting with a draken named Nektas. Upon reaching Nyktos’s temple, they finally meet the King of Gods himself, who reveals crucial information about the Primal gods and the blood treaty that prevents gods from entering the mortal realm. Nyktos warns of the grave danger posed by the Revenants, calling them “an abomination of life and death.” He cryptically tells Poppy that she already possesses the power she seeks, dubbing her a “Bringer of Life and Death.” Upon returning to Evaemon, Poppy meets Gianna Davenwell, the woman Casteel’s father had once hoped he would marry, leading to an awkward but ultimately amicable interaction. The chapters end with the group planning their strategy for the upcoming meeting with the Blood Crown in Oak Ambler, deciding to split into multiple teams to outmaneuver their expectations.

Mother’s Deception

The group’s attempt to infiltrate Castle Redrock takes an unexpected turn when they discover a mysterious shapeshifting prisoner in the form of a cave cat, caged behind deity bone bars. Before they can investigate further, they are ambushed by a masked Handmaiden with extraordinary combat abilities who reveals that their other companions have already been captured. The group is escorted to the Great Hall where they are reunited with Tawny, who remains unascended, and Ian. The situation becomes even more shocking when Queen Ileana arrives – but she reveals herself to be Isbeth, King Malec’s former lover. She explains that she is neither vampry nor deity, but was transformed by Malec’s blood when he saved her from poisoning. The most devastating revelation comes when Prince Malik, Casteel’s supposedly imprisoned brother, appears at Isbeth’s side, apparently allied with her. Isbeth then reveals that she is Poppy’s true mother, and that her ultimate goal has been to reclaim Atlantia through her daughter. The chapters end with the group realizing they’ve walked into a carefully laid trap, with both Poppy’s heritage and the future of both kingdoms hanging in the balance.

Queen of Flesh and Fire Rises

The situation in Castle Redrock reaches its breaking point when Isbeth orders Ian’s execution after Poppy refuses to submit to her demands. In her grief and rage, Poppy attempts to attack Isbeth with her powers but discovers that her mother is immune to her abilities. When Poppy continues to resist, Isbeth begins torturing her mentally and physically, leading Casteel to surrender himself to save her life. The group is forced to retreat, leaving Casteel behind. Upon returning to Evaemon, they learn several shocking truths: the mysterious cave cat they found in Castle Redrock is actually Ires, Poppy’s true father and Malec’s twin brother, who was lured from Iliseeum and imprisoned by Isbeth. This revelation means Poppy is not just a deity but a true god, born of Primal blood. Armed with this knowledge and her newfound understanding of her powers, Poppy returns to Iliseeum where she successfully summons the draken – ancient, powerful beings who can take both dragon and human form. The book concludes with Poppy leading an army of Atlantians, wolven, and draken to Oak Ambler, where she delivers a brutal message to the Blood Crown by executing King Jalara and declaring war. She demands Casteel’s return, threatening to destroy everything Isbeth holds dear, including the entombed Malec, if any harm comes to him. The final scene establishes Poppy as a formidable force, fully embracing her role as the Queen of Flesh and Fire, and preparing for the war that will determine the fate of both kingdoms.

Interested what happened next? Check our book recap for The War of Two Queens, Book 4 in the From Blood and Ash Series.

Where the key characters are at the end of The Crown of Gilded Bones, From Blood and Ash Book 3: