Review: A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire

Jennifer L. Armentrout

(Blood and Ash #2)

Publication Date: September 1, 2020

Paperback, 576 pages, Blue Box Press

Genres: New Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

Goodreads

A Betrayal

Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she was falling in love with. Thrust among those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maiden. But what she does know is that nothing is as dangerous to her as him. The Dark One. The Prince of Atlantia. He wants her to fight him, and that’s one order she’s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.

A Choice

Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. His truths as sensual as his bite. Poppy knows better than to trust him. He needs her alive, healthy, and whole to achieve his goals. But he’s the only way for her to get what she wants—to find her brother Ian and see for herself if he has become a soulless Ascended. Working with Casteel instead of against him presents its own risks. He still tempts her with every breath, offering up all she’s ever wanted. Casteel has plans for her. Ones that could expose her to unimaginable pleasure and unfathomable pain. Plans that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she’s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation.

A Secret

But unrest has grown in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Whispers of war have become stronger, and Poppy is at the very heart of it all. The King wants to use her to send a message. The Descenters want her dead. The wolven are growing more unpredictable. And as her abilities to feel pain and emotion begin to grow and strengthen, the Atlantians start to fear her. Dark secrets are at play, ones steeped in the blood-drenched sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to shake, and the skies start to bleed, it may already be too late.

My Review

I shouldn’t be reviewing this book right now. I have 10+ other books I need to be writing reviews for, but I desperately want to talk about this one. JLA, you’ve done it to me again. You’ve turned me into an obsessed fangirl over fictional characters. And in this case, morally gray fictional characters. Yeah, Poppy and Cas aren’t terrible people, but they’re not as nice and uppity as some of JLA’s other protagonists. It’s refreshing, but can sometimes be conflicting. In a good way.

While this installment in the series didn’t have a ton of plot, it was still a fast-paced, super easy read. A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire is mostly about Poppy and Casteel running from the bad guys and giving some background information on who everyone is and what terrible deeds they’ve done in the past. Also, there are the feeeeeelings. Poppy and Cas are so angsty. I love it.

This brings me to my favorite part of the story: the relationships. So, if it’s not obvious, I really enjoy Poppy and Cas’s romance. Poppy is p*ssed at Cas and stabs him on a regular basis. LOVE IT. And Cas is broody, apologetic, and protective. Again, LOVE IT. However, JLA introduced a new concept that I really, REALLY want to come to fruition somehow someway. The bond relationship that’s mentioned has me hoping beyond hope that Kieran gets more page time in the sequels. A polyamorous relationship written JLA style would be awesome! Especially if it means protective Casteel to both of the other bond members. If nothing happens with this, I’m not sure why JLA would even mention it in the book. Like why even go there if nothing comes of it? I’m probably hoping for too much, but it would just be so cool to have a REAL love triangle in a fantasy romance series.

Though I did love 90% of this novel, there’s a small 10% that I’m slightly confused about. Is there a difference between vampry and an Ascended? I’m sure this was mentioned at some point, but sometimes the history explanations had me zoning a little. Same for the gods and goddesses explanations. Which brings me to the ending. It was great. Major cliffhangers all around, but I feel like I missed something in terms of the significance to all of the goddess history. This didn’t affect my enjoyment too much, because I’m still way more interested in the romantic relationships (and possible actual love triangle) than the powers and vampires, but it was befuddling nonetheless.

All in all, this is just another JLA series I’m addicted to. She’s given me sexy aliens, sexy demons, sexy gargoyles, sexy demigods, and now sexy vampires. I can’t wait to see what kind of sexy comes next. After she finishes this series, of course.

Oh, and bonus points for that GORGEOUS cover.

*Note: I purchased a copy of this book myself. This in no way affected my opinion/review.