Title: A Fire in the Flesh
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Blue Box Press
Publication Date: October 31, 2023
ISBN: 9781957568430
Synopsis:
After a startling betrayal ends with both Sera and the dangerously seductive ruler of the Shadowlands she has fallen madly in love with being held captive by the false King of the Gods, there is only one thing that can free Nyktos and prevent the forces of the Shadowlands from invading Dalos and igniting a War of Primals.
Convincing Kolis won’t be easy, though – not even with a lifetime of training. Kolis’s erratic nature and twisted sense of honor leave her shaken to the core, and nothing could’ve prepared her for the cruelty of his Court or the shocking truths revealed. The Ascension is upon her, and Sera is out of time.
Nyktos will do anything to keep Sera alive and give her the life she deserves. He’ll even risk the utter destruction of the realms, and that’s exactly what will happen if he doesn’t Ascend as the Primal of Life. Yet despite his desperate determination, their destinies may be out of their hands.
This third book in the Flesh and Fire series continues the story of Nyktos and Sera who now find themselves trapped in Kolis’s court and it should have been a thrilling and intense read, but I have to say, this is my least favourite book in the series so far. It started off strong and I do really love this series, but this book felt like filler more than anything.
What I did like? Armentrout writes an excellent villain. There is utterly nothing to like about Kolis, but that’s what you want in a deranged, unkillable Primal. With every page that passes, I couldn’t help but think he couldn’t degenerate more, and then he did. I would actually love to see a series that explores a young Kolis and the journey that takes him to where he is now. We get a bit more of his back story in this book, but honestly, he’s so off the rails that there’s no compassion for him whatsoever. What got me though is that Sera and Nyktos’s own actions are not so far removed from Kolis; it’s just the motivation that’s different. There is a fine line between what is considered good and what is considered evil in this world and it throws all the characters into question. When everyone is morally grey, how can there be a good and an evil?
Everything between Sera and Nyktos grows stronger with every book. I love their relationship and this deepening understanding of each other that they gain as more backstory is revealed. Sera overall is one of the most kickass female characters and she just keeps getting better with every book that passes. I can’t wait to see where the next book takes her.
The book in general is pretty slow moving and often very repetitive in the dialogue. Even Nyktos, who has been one of the most in depth and interesting characters thus far, is quite flat throughout. All the characters have lengthy monologues that become monotonous and difficult to follow. And the lack of action throughout made it a little more tedious than the first two books n the series. Despite the negatives, it’s still a fantastic series and I’m totally hooked. I’ll be waiting anxiously for the next book to come out, only to devour it in two days. Hehehe. Can’t wait!
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 