A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Five Word Summary

Ruminative, rousing, magnetic, tender, enigmatic.

For

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 Thoughts

This is Book 2 in the Blood and Ash series. You can see my review of Book 1 here.

What can I say about Book 2? I loved it! It was rather tricky as in, I can’t quite figure out why I loved it so much, but there is no denying it was the sort of read that drew me back to pick up the book time and time again. There is no denying there are large info dumps as Poppy’s curiosity raises question after question … but I loved the information given. It enriched the story and never felt like a drag. There is no denying they stayed in one place for a long time and the ticking clock tension was lacking … but I loved it anyway.

Perhaps it is Jennifer L. Armentrout’s prose, or perhaps it is the eternal draw of a good love story. We know they will come together, but we ‘watch’ and cheer and yearn right along with them.

Poppy’s sass continues and plays delightfully with Hawke – now Casteel. We delight as Poppy processes and grows and becomes not only her own woman, but starts to wiggle into her (significant) destiny. By the end of the book, she positively blooms. And there is certainly enough mystery that we want need answers. When I finished this one, I ordered the next books straight away. I’m hooked!

I must also mention the covers, which are simply divine. I spent a good deal of time just turning Book 2 over in my hands and making doe eyes at its prettiness.

Ultimately, if you love Sarah J. Maas books or if fantasy love stories with a good deal of sexy time are your thing, then you’ll love A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire.