Review--A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes a new novel in her Blood and Ash series…

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.

 

Since we had a nice holiday weekend I ended up reading Jennifer L. Armentrout's A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire and whoa!! Did she really shake things up in this one! I love when a series picks up literally where the last book leaves off, it's just so nice to be able to go with the flow of events and not have any hiccups in between. Of course, I did just read them back to back, so maybe that had an effect.

Casteel is set on marrying Poppy as soon as possible...even though Poppy doesn't exactly want to marry him. Poppy is still getting used to the idea that Casteel is the Dark One. The Prince if Atlantia. Her enemy. And yet, he is also Hawke...or he was. I can totally understand Poppy's feelings of betrayals and all the lies Hawke/Casteel told. Even when Casteel claims that not everything was a lie, then poor Poppy is left trying to figure out which lies were truths. It's a messy situation and I don't blame Poppy and her sometimes rash choices one bit.

Casteel's original plan was to trade Poppy back to the king and queen to get his brother back, he has been held hostage and tortured for years and Casteel just wants him back. But then the plans change and he decides to marry Poppy without properly asking her first and after reading the first book, you just know that this will not fly with her.

There was quite a bit of Poppy and Casteel fighting it out. And naturally some of those fights led to romantic interludes. All the quotes and fan art I've been seeing with this series makes a whole lot of sense now! Lol. I love that Poppy maintains her fierce nature and doesn't become the delicate little flower some heroine turn into once they find their guy. In fact, she fights with Casteel more now than she did before. They have a very odd relationship...and I truly mean that sometimes. I get Poppy's anger towards Casteel and I even feel some of the same what with the lies and betrayals, yet she's constantly going back to him. And since we get in the know of her feelings more than anyone else, I get why she goes back to him again and again. I guess I wish she would've shown a little more restraint if she was so set against Casteel. 

That being said, I still have to admit that I love the fire between Poppy and Casteel. I mean, some couples have sparks, but these two have a full on blaze going on! There's no hot and cold here, just hot and hotter, and then omg it's an inferno!

There's a great buildup in the matter of Poppy's parents' deaths. It was always believed to be an accident, one Poppy escape with luck and her life, but now there's a greater mystery being built up around it. It's not touched upon a great deal in this one, I suspect more might come from it in the next installment, but I am definitely intrigued. There are a great deal of secrets still being kept from Poppy in this one and I'm not sure who all knows them either! It's definitely a puzzle that I can't wait to solve!  

Jennifer L. Armentrout once again writes an amazing fantasy read filled with action, thrills, romance, magic, and secrets! The buildup is strong within this one and the pacing is one that will lure you in and hold you riveted until the very surprising ending! I cannot wait to see what she does with this world!

 

Overall Rating 5/5 stars