Title: A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Blue Box Press
Publication Date: October 2, 2021
ISBN: 9781952457777
Synopsis:
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. Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. 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.
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.
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This second book in the Blood and Ash series finds Poppy moved from one gilded cage to another as she remains the captive of Price Casteel, the Dark One, and his wolves soldiers. Poppy will be damned if she’ll go down without a fight. She will not stop fighting to gain her freedom, no matter the tension that builds between her and Casteel, and the unlikely friendships that begin to blossom in time between her and Casteel’s wolves. It is in Casteel’s best interest to gain some semblance of cooperation from Poppy. She is the bargaining chip that he’ll use to barter for his brother, Malik’s life. Malik, Casteel believes, remains a captive of the Blood Crown, and Poppy, the Maiden, is the very treasure they’ll be willing to trade for. What neither Poppy nor Casteel realizes is that there’s so much more to their relationship than they are willing to admit.
I really loved watching Poppy grow throughout this novel. For the first time in her story, the reader gets to witness her exploration in the world where she is encouraged to speak her mind and to voice her opinions. She begins to ask questions and once she finds her voice, the torrent of words can’t be stopped. Poppy is growing and learning to live, despite being held by Casteel’s group. As Poppy begins find comfort, solace, and friendship with her new companions, she also begins, for the first time in her life, to find a way to choose those she finds friendship with. Friendship and perhaps something more, though she’s not fully willing to accept that just yet.
There’s a lot of fun banter and camaraderie among Casteel’s group as this story unfolds. As the reader, you can’t help but enjoy the gentle teasing and the fondness that makes up this close-knit group. Though an outsider, Poppy seems to click into place quite naturally, though she fights it with everything she’s got along the way. Mistrust runs deep within Poppy, and it’s no surprise as her world unravels around her. The veil quite literally falls from her eyes as lies are exposed and she must work to come to terms with a reality that she couldn’t previously fathom. Everything is changing for her, at a rapid and life-altering pace.
It’s easy to get swept away in Armentrout’s world. It’s vast and ever changing. There’s so much to discover as the characters venture across the landscape and seek out refuge in the place they call home. There is so much at stake. While there is a clear right an wrong, the characters often operate in shades of grey, living and surviving in the in-between as they fight for survival, not just for themselves, but for their kingdoms and the ones they hold most dear.
I’ve had these books on hold at the library and I’m making my way through. I’m excited to dive into the final two stories shortly!
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 