Already finished From Blood and Ash, A Kindom of Flesh and Fire, A Crown of Gilded Bones and want to know what happens to Poppy and Casteel? Below is a detailed recap of The War of Two Queens, book four 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 fourth book. If you haven’t read it yet, turn back now unless you’re ready for all the major twists and reveals!
The War of Two Queens Book Recap – Book 4 in From Blood and Ash Series
Chains and Shadows
The War of Two Queens opens with Casteel imprisoned in an underground cell, chained with unbreakable shadowstone bands around his throat, wrists, and ankles. For thirteen days, the Blood Queen’s Handmaidens have been systematically drawing his blood, making shallow cuts along his arms. The cell, larger than his previous imprisonment but windowless and dank, is frequented by wandering Craven drawn to the scent of his blood. Despite his weakened state, Casteel manages to kill several of these creatures, including one particularly gruesome encounter where he uses his chains to snap a Craven’s neck.
The Blood Queen, Isbeth, visits Casteel’s cell, accompanied by a golden Rev named Callum. She brings a shocking message from Poppy – King Jalara’s severed head, along with threats concerning Malec’s life. This revelation shows how Poppy has outmaneuvered her mother, as Isbeth had believed Malec dead for centuries. Despite attempts to manipulate him, Casteel remains steadfastly loyal to Poppy, declaring that she “consumes” him and is “his everything.” The scene ends violently with Callum attacking Casteel under Isbeth’s orders.
The Queen of Ash and Rage
Twenty-eight days after Casteel’s capture, Poppy struggles with intense grief and rage while trying to maintain control of her growing divine powers. She leads the forces that have taken Massene, working to repair the city and prepare for the next phase of their campaign. During this time, she discovers ancient records suggesting the Rite existed before the Ascended, raising questions about its true origins. She also encounters a mysterious old woman named Vessa who attempts to attack her, claiming Poppy is the prophesied Harbinger of Death and Destruction.
The situation takes a dark turn when a messenger arrives with a box from the Blood Queen that can only be opened with Poppy’s blood. Inside, they find Casteel’s severed finger wearing his wedding ring, along with a note from Isbeth claiming she’s “sorry to have caused any pain.” This triggers an intense reaction in Poppy, nearly causing her to lose control of her powers and march on Carsodonia immediately. Kieran manages to talk her down, reminding her that such actions would make her like the Blood Queen and harm innocents. Poppy decides to stick to their original plans to take Oak Ambler first, but afterward intends to go to Carsodonia to free Casteel, despite Kieran’s insistence on accompanying her.
Fire, Blood, and Prophecy
After much discussion, Kieran and Poppy agree that he will accompany her to Carsodonia, along with Reaver in draken form. That night, Poppy experiences what seems to be more than just a dream – a vivid encounter with Casteel in his cavern. The experience feels real, with physical evidence remaining afterward, suggesting they may have actually connected through their heartmate bond. However, the intimate moment is interrupted by a catastrophic magical attack orchestrated by Vessa, who turns out to be working for the Blood Queen. The attack results in the deaths of sixteen draken, and it’s revealed that Isbeth has learned to harness the essence of Kolis, the original Primal of Death, whose existence had been erased from history.
The story moves to preparations for the arrival of Valyn and the Atlantian generals. Poppy must convince them to support her plans for taking Oak Ambler in a way that minimizes civilian casualties. She faces skepticism from some generals who distrust her youth and mortal upbringing, but she stands firm in her belief that they must win the people’s trust rather than ruling through fear like the Blood Crown.
The story moves to the siege of Oak Ambler. Poppy, dressed in white to remind people of her former role as the Maiden, leads the attack alongside Kieran and the armies. They successfully evacuate thousands of citizens before the battle begins. The draken help breach the city’s defenses, and the Atlantian forces make their way to Castle Redrock. However, upon reaching the castle’s underground chambers, they discover the Ascended have fled, but not before turning many of their servants into Craven and setting a trap. In the ensuing battle, the wolven Arden is killed, and Poppy is unable to bring him back to life despite her powers. The chapter ends with the discovery of what appears to be a message left behind by the fleeing Ascended.
The Harbinger’s Reckoning
In the aftermath of the battle, Poppy and her allies discover more horrors in Oak Ambler’s underground chambers – young women strung up with a blood-written message “All you will liberate is death,” and a Temple of Theon hiding an extensive tunnel system filled with the remains of hundreds of children sacrificed over the years. The Priests and Priestesses, including one named Framont, reveal they serve what they call the “True King” and speak of a prophecy about Poppy remaking the realms. Disgusted by their lack of remorse, Poppy executes them and orders the temple burned. Later that night, haunted by the day’s events and fearing she could become like Isbeth if something happened to Casteel, Poppy makes Kieran promise to use bone chains to imprison her if she ever loses control of herself. The next day, while healing wounded soldiers including the wolven Sage, they encounter Reaver in his mortal form, causing some tension between him and Kieran. As Poppy prepares to address the people of Oak Ambler, she learns of two visitors from Atlantia – one turns out to be her old friend Tawny, now awake but changed with white hair and pale eyes. Tawny reveals she had a vision of Vikter, who was actually a “viktor” – a special guardian chosen by the Fates to protect those destined for great purposes. She also shares a complete version of the prophecy that speaks of two daughters “born of the same misdeeds” – one with blood full of fire for the once-promised King, and another (Poppy) with blood full of ash and ice for the future King.
Captive Hearts and Divine Truths
Meanwhile, Casteel is being held captive by Isbeth, who reveals she is a demis – a false god created by being Ascended by another god. She taunts him with information about Primals and how a spark of Primal life can only ignite in the female lineage of the Primal of Life, suggesting Poppy’s true nature. She then torments him by giving him just enough blood to intensify his hunger without satisfying it, pushing him closer to bloodlust. As Poppy, Kieran, and Reaver continue their journey toward Carsodonia, they encounter a group of soldiers and Royal Guards. During the confrontation, Poppy is shot with a shadowstone arrow but demonstrates her growing powers by destroying it and unleashing devastating abilities. However, they are stopped by a Handmaiden who warns that if they proceed with their rescue attempt, Isbeth will kill Casteel. Before this encounter, Poppy had needed to feed for the first time since her Ascension, leading to an intimate but platonic feeding session with Kieran where she glimpses some of his memories, including moments from his past with Casteel and their shared experiences at Saion’s Cove.
After being captured, Poppy awakens in her old chambers in Wayfair Castle. She learns they’ve been unconscious for two days due to a toxin on the shadowstone arrow. Isbeth holds a public gathering where she portrays Poppy as the prophesied Harbinger of Death and Destruction, claiming she is responsible for the fall of cities and the slaughter of innocents. She performs a “Royal Blessing” ceremony where she appears to heal mortals through what is actually Atlantian blood in a chalice. Finally allowed to see Casteel, Poppy finds him chained with shadowstone and deity bone shackles, severely weakened and nearly lost to bloodlust. Though her healing abilities help bring him back to himself, he refuses to feed from her out of concern for her wellbeing. Their reunion is cut short by Isbeth, who forces Poppy to leave after a tense confrontation where Poppy stabs the Revenant Callum, though this does little damage to the immortal being.
The Blood and Bone Reborn
During a later meeting, Isbeth reveals to Poppy that her true goal is not to rule Atlantia but to destroy it completely as revenge against Nyktos, whom she blames for refusing Malec’s request for heartmate trials. After this revelation and Isbeth’s threat to use innocent lives as shields, Poppy decides they must escape immediately. She creates a massive distraction by summoning an unnatural mist that causes panic in the city, believing it to be filled with Craven. As Poppy, Kieran, and Reaver fight their way through the castle and city, they encounter Malik, who reveals he has remained with Isbeth because of his heartmate bond with the Handmaiden Millicent. He leads them to Casteel, but they find him in full bloodlust, having been stabbed by Callum. With Malik’s help, they manage to subdue Casteel and escape through underground tunnels to the home of two Descenters named Blaz and Clariza. At their safe house, Poppy’s blood and healing abilities help bring Casteel back from bloodlust, leading to an emotional and intimate reunion between the couple. Afterward, they discuss their plans, including the rescue of Poppy’s father, whom they now know is being held at Wayfair. Meanwhile, in a private conversation with Kieran, Casteel reveals a shocking truth he learned during his captivity – that Millicent is actually Poppy’s sister, daughter of both Isbeth and Ires, though he has yet to share this revelation with Poppy. When Casteel finally tells Poppy about Millicent, the group also learns that Poppy is not just a god but a Primal born of mortal flesh – the first since the Primal of Life. This revelation is interrupted when Rise Guards discover their location. As they prepare to escape, Isbeth herself appears with Callum and other Revenants. She offers Poppy a deal – find and bring Malec to her within two weeks, or Kieran will die from a curse placed on him by Callum. To aid in the search, Isbeth gives Poppy Malec’s ring. Though they agree to the terms, they refuse to leave Malik behind despite his willingness to stay, ultimately having to knock him unconscious to take him with them.
Before leaving Carsodonia, Isbeth demonstrates her cruelty by killing the Descenters Blaz and Clariza, turning them to dust. This act triggers an intense display of Poppy’s Primal powers, nearly destroying several buildings and terrifying the local population, until Casteel helps her regain control. The group then travels to Padonia, where they find the Atlantian armies have taken the city, though they learn the Ascended had massacred the populations of other captured cities like Whitebridge before fleeing. Upon arrival, they’re greeted by draken, wolven, and soldiers, including a reunion with Tawny, who has been training with Vonetta. The group meets with Valyn and the generals to discuss their plans, revealing Isbeth’s true identity and their strategy to defeat her. Meanwhile, Casteel and Poppy discuss the possibility of performing the Joining ritual with Kieran, which would tie their lifespans together and potentially protect against the curse, though they decide to wait until after finding Malec to perform it.
After discussing their feelings and confirming their mutual desire to proceed with the Joining, the trio performs the ancient ritual under the moonlight by the River of Rhain, protected by wolven guards. The ceremony involves an exchange of blood and essence between all three participants, culminating in a deeply intimate experience that binds their lifespans and powers together. Following the ritual, the group ventures into the Blood Forest to search for Malec, encountering a new type of Gyrm called Sentries – undead guardians sent by Nyktos to protect his son. After defeating the Sentries, they discover Malec’s tomb and successfully retrieve his casket. During their return journey to Padonia, Poppy begins experiencing signs that she’s developing fangs, another indication that she’s nearing the completion of her Culling.
The story reaches its climax at the Bone Temple, where Isbeth unexpectedly kills Malec with a shadowstone dagger, revealing that his death was part of a larger plan to awaken Kolis, the true Primal of Death. The act unleashes ancient creatures called dakkais from beneath the ground, leading to a devastating battle where many of Poppy’s allies, including Delano, Naill, and Emil, are killed. In her grief and rage, Poppy speaks the true name of the Primal of Life – Seraphena – unleashing unprecedented power. She transforms, manifesting ethereal wings and wielding both shadow and light powers. With the aid of Seraphena’s essence and Nyktos, she brings all the fallen back to life. The ancient draken Nektas arrives to help, and Poppy defeats Isbeth, completely erasing her from existence.
In the aftermath, they learn that Kolis has already awakened and begun corrupting the land. The story concludes with Nektas revealing that Poppy is destined to be the Primal of Blood and Bone – the first being to possess both Life and Death essences. He warns that a new war is beginning, one that will involve not just mortals and Atlantians, but awakening gods from all the Courts of Iliseeum, as both Seraphena and Nyktos have also risen from their long sleep.
Interested what happened next? Check our book recap for A Sould of Ash and Blood, Book 5 in the From Blood and Ash Series.
Where the key characters are at the end of The War of Two Queens, From Blood and Ash Book 4:
Now revealed as the Primal of Blood and Bone, possessing both Life and Death essences – the first of her kind. She has completed her Culling, developing fangs and immense power. Through the Joining ritual, she is now bound to both Casteel and Kieran. She faces the challenge of stopping Kolis and the coming war with awakening gods.
Freed from Isbeth’s captivity and recovered from his ordeal. He is now Joined with both Poppy and Kieran, sharing their lifespans and strengthening their bonds. He stands beside Poppy as her King, preparing for the new threats they face.
Alive and well, training with Vonetta. Her prophetic abilities and changed appearance (white hair and pale eyes) suggest she may have an important role to play in the coming conflicts.
Joined with Poppy and Casteel through the ancient ritual, binding their lifespans together. The curse placed on him by Callum has been lifted. He remains their closest ally and now shares an even deeper connection with them both.
Alive and pursuing Millicent, his heartmate, after the battle. Though their relationship is complicated, he seems determined to protect her despite her apparent dislike of him.
Completely erased from existence by Poppy’s powers, with the declaration that she would not even be remembered in history. Her death marked the end of the Blood Crown’s reign but inadvertently helped awaken Kolis.
Though mortally wounded by Isbeth with a shadowstone dagger, he still lives and has been taken to Iliseeum by Reaver. His ultimate fate remains uncertain.
Initially killed in the battle at the Bone Temple but restored to life by Poppy’s powers combined with Seraphena’s essence. He continues his role as one of Poppy’s most loyal protectors.
Revealed as Poppy’s sister, she fled after witnessing Isbeth’s death. Her true allegiances and future role remain uncertain as Malik pursues her.
The ancient draken has emerged as a powerful ally, revealing crucial information about the true nature of the Primals and the coming war. He searches for his missing daughter Jadis, who he believes is still alive somewhere in the mortal realm.
The true Primal of Death has awakened and begun corrupting the land. Though not physically present, his influence spreads as a major threat for the future.
Revealed as the true Primal of Life and most powerful of all Primals, she has awakened from her long sleep along with Nyktos. Her power aided Poppy in bringing back the dead during the final battle.
Also awakened from his sleep, revealed to be solely a Primal of Death rather than both Life and Death as previously believed. He helped capture the souls of the fallen to allow their resurrection.
Nektas’s daughter is confirmed to be alive somewhere in the mortal realm, though her location and condition remain unknown.
Books in the From Blood and Ash Series:
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