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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes a new novel in her Blood and Ash series...Is Love Stronger Than Vengeance?
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 show more 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.
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A KINGDOM OF FLESH AND FIRE is the second book in Jennifer L. Armentrout's Blood and Ash series, and what a sequel it is! We learn quite a bit about Atlantia and Casteel's life before he met Poppy. Meanwhile, Poppy must accept her place as an unwelcome intruder. Ms. Armentrout provides enough answers to lingering questions to satiate fans of the series. However, she also introduces new questions and conflicts to pique interest in the next book. It is an impressive balancing act.
What I appreciate the most, however, is that Ms. Armentrout could easily use my least favorite romance trope to illustrate Poppy's and Casteel's relationship - miscommunication. However, like in the first book, she steers away from using it and instead depicts show more their relationship for what it is, new. Poppy and Casteel are essentially strangers, and they are still in the learning phase of getting to know one another. Miscommunication between them is natural and expected, especially given that they haven't had the time to sit and talk for hours on end, as new couples are wont to do. Ms. Armentrout doesn't force their relationship. Instead, she allows it to grow beyond physical attraction into something much richer for its naturalness.
Such attention and care devoted to developing their relationship as realistically as she can is only made possible by the fact that Ms. Armentrout has the time and space to do so, given how many more books there are in the series. For me, this is one of the series' selling points. There is no rush to develop anything, no rush to get answers or resolve conflicts. It is rare these days for any book to take the time and word count to do more than further the plot.
It is even rarer for readers to appreciate that time and attention to detail, as so many readers view descriptions as nothing more than boring info dumps. To me, however, I like the slower pacing and the greater attention to those details. The world Poppy inhabits is more alive, more vivid than it would be without them. The enormity of what Casteel endured at the hands of the Ascended would not be possible to realize without the time Ms. Armentrout took to build each layer of that world so that it became as real as the grass beneath your feet.
As in the first book, Poppy remains an awe-inspiring heroine. It would be so easy for her to hide herself away in the face of all of Casteel's people who disapprove of or are suspicious of her. Instead, she does the exact opposite, proving once again that she is neither afraid of confrontation nor of challenging propriety when necessary to prove her point. She does not hide behind Casteel's rank and his proffered protection, and she does not let anyone fight battles in her stead. She might be afraid, but she is never afraid to act. And she definitely does not spend more time than necessary making decisions. There is no wallowing or brooding. Much like Ms. Armentrout does with her dedication to the proper amount of development of the world and to her characters, Poppy defies popular convention in fantasy heroines.
A KINGDOM OF FLESH AND FIRE is the type of sequel that made me loathe for the story to end. If it weren't for the fact that I did not have the third book in the series available to me at the time, I would have done exactly that. Instead, I had to settle for switching my attentions to a different book, all while my mind kept flitting back to the last moments of Ms. Armentrout's book and the revelations they held. I can't wait to dive back into Poppy's world to find out what she has to face next. show less
What I appreciate the most, however, is that Ms. Armentrout could easily use my least favorite romance trope to illustrate Poppy's and Casteel's relationship - miscommunication. However, like in the first book, she steers away from using it and instead depicts show more their relationship for what it is, new. Poppy and Casteel are essentially strangers, and they are still in the learning phase of getting to know one another. Miscommunication between them is natural and expected, especially given that they haven't had the time to sit and talk for hours on end, as new couples are wont to do. Ms. Armentrout doesn't force their relationship. Instead, she allows it to grow beyond physical attraction into something much richer for its naturalness.
Such attention and care devoted to developing their relationship as realistically as she can is only made possible by the fact that Ms. Armentrout has the time and space to do so, given how many more books there are in the series. For me, this is one of the series' selling points. There is no rush to develop anything, no rush to get answers or resolve conflicts. It is rare these days for any book to take the time and word count to do more than further the plot.
It is even rarer for readers to appreciate that time and attention to detail, as so many readers view descriptions as nothing more than boring info dumps. To me, however, I like the slower pacing and the greater attention to those details. The world Poppy inhabits is more alive, more vivid than it would be without them. The enormity of what Casteel endured at the hands of the Ascended would not be possible to realize without the time Ms. Armentrout took to build each layer of that world so that it became as real as the grass beneath your feet.
As in the first book, Poppy remains an awe-inspiring heroine. It would be so easy for her to hide herself away in the face of all of Casteel's people who disapprove of or are suspicious of her. Instead, she does the exact opposite, proving once again that she is neither afraid of confrontation nor of challenging propriety when necessary to prove her point. She does not hide behind Casteel's rank and his proffered protection, and she does not let anyone fight battles in her stead. She might be afraid, but she is never afraid to act. And she definitely does not spend more time than necessary making decisions. There is no wallowing or brooding. Much like Ms. Armentrout does with her dedication to the proper amount of development of the world and to her characters, Poppy defies popular convention in fantasy heroines.
A KINGDOM OF FLESH AND FIRE is the type of sequel that made me loathe for the story to end. If it weren't for the fact that I did not have the third book in the series available to me at the time, I would have done exactly that. Instead, I had to settle for switching my attentions to a different book, all while my mind kept flitting back to the last moments of Ms. Armentrout's book and the revelations they held. I can't wait to dive back into Poppy's world to find out what she has to face next. show less
All the characters just needed to say less this entire book. There was so much pointless, repetitive dialogue that went in circles. Was this book even edited? I felt like I was reading an Elephant and Piggy book with half the conversations. Example (Chapter 30):
"I've been thinking."
"You have?"
"I have."
"Do I want to know what you've been thinking about?"
"You'll probably say no."
"How would you know?"
"What are you thinking about?"
"My idea...You might be interested in it."
"Doubtful."
"You haven't even heard what it is yet, Princess."
On and on for pages...get to the point! Too many cringe conversations with no segues. When the characters have to say a question is random or weird, that's a red flag that we will also think it's random and show more weird. Edit it. The stabbing references. The Willa's diary references. Bad introductions to world-building ideas. Contradictory information. Just bad...
Casteel and Poppy definitely took a step back in maturity and overall likeability. She never gives a straight answer and lies constantly for no reason. She calls herself a prisoner but is never denied anything that wouldn't put her or others in danger. Frankly, her actions are blind and reckless. I could not empathize with her and found her to be childish and bratty.
Casteel is a 200 year old teenager. What prince thinks it's okay to have sex in the middle of battle when you're people are dying around you? He abandons Poppy in large gatherings, surrounded by people who hate her. He does nothing to help her fit in or connect with his people. Horrible.
The last chapters were the only good part of the book for me because the story actually moved forward. show less
"I've been thinking."
"You have?"
"I have."
"Do I want to know what you've been thinking about?"
"You'll probably say no."
"How would you know?"
"What are you thinking about?"
"My idea...You might be interested in it."
"Doubtful."
"You haven't even heard what it is yet, Princess."
On and on for pages...get to the point! Too many cringe conversations with no segues. When the characters have to say a question is random or weird, that's a red flag that we will also think it's random and show more weird. Edit it. The stabbing references. The Willa's diary references. Bad introductions to world-building ideas. Contradictory information. Just bad...
Casteel and Poppy definitely took a step back in maturity and overall likeability. She never gives a straight answer and lies constantly for no reason. She calls herself a prisoner but is never denied anything that wouldn't put her or others in danger. Frankly, her actions are blind and reckless. I could not empathize with her and found her to be childish and bratty.
Casteel is a 200 year old teenager. What prince thinks it's okay to have sex in the middle of battle when you're people are dying around you? He abandons Poppy in large gatherings, surrounded by people who hate her. He does nothing to help her fit in or connect with his people. Horrible.
The last chapters were the only good part of the book for me because the story actually moved forward. show less
I debated so long on getting this series because I let the bad reviews kind of influence me for a short time but then I was like what the heck let me just read for myself. Listen, if you want perfection, I say write it yourself because sure this wasn’t perfect, but it was fun to read at least for me it was. The world building and story building was just right at my pace, and it kept me not wanting to put this book down.
Hawke/Casteel and Poppy
I love Hawke, his sensitive side, his furious and commanding side – he is just intoxicating and sexy and hot... love, love him. When he teases Poppy but also doesn’t take her crap it’s just absolutely my kind of man. I love their smart-ass retorts to each other, and I love their spice, the show more fruity smells and tastes descriptions are a bit over the top for me, but the rest is just great spice – on a scale of 1 to 5 spice, I rate it a 4 show less
Hawke/Casteel and Poppy
I love Hawke, his sensitive side, his furious and commanding side – he is just intoxicating and sexy and hot... love, love him. When he teases Poppy but also doesn’t take her crap it’s just absolutely my kind of man. I love their smart-ass retorts to each other, and I love their spice, the show more fruity smells and tastes descriptions are a bit over the top for me, but the rest is just great spice – on a scale of 1 to 5 spice, I rate it a 4 show less
This series has dissolved into utter nonsense at this point. Basically nothing is consistent between this book and the last one but honestly it is fucking hilarious.
Firstoff, the dead bones clan wtf? This sounds like the villian out of a childrens movie, or like those skull coconuts from moana not lifethreating, savage killers who are also cannibals. So good. All i can imagine is a bunch of first graders trying to kill casteel and the gang.
Secondly, she has this habit of using the vaguest language in her sex scene’s and to me it’s just really funny because she’s obviously referring to real things and she uses the same few phrases over and over again:
“The tip of my breast”…. Bitch do you mean nipple?
“The sensitive bundle show more of nerves”….. Bitch do you mean clit?
“The turgid peak” ….? Im not even gonna pretend i know wtf that’s supposed to be but it sounds disgusting. Honestly all these do.
And my personal favorite: “The upper swells of my behind”…. Bitch do you mean butt cheeks? Bruh the utter brilliance of this line astounds me. It’s so beautiful. UPPER SWELLS. It’s not just the swells of the behind, no no no NO, its the UPPER swells. I just want to thank Jennifer for putting this line into the universe. But can you imagine if instead she had said “the upper swells of my booty cheeks” I mean THAT would have been epic.
The threesome thing had me DEAD. I mean that was supposed to be some lore thing. Come on now. If you want the main characters to have a threesome you don’t have to be so fucking weird about it. Just fucking do it. Have some balls. But seriously the way the whole thing was discussed was HILARIOUS. Like it’s some BIG SIN to have a fucking threesome. Come on now. Smh. also if there is not a threesome scene in the next book I will be SO disappointed.
I HATE THE HONEYDEW THING ITS SO DISGUSTING (if you know then you know)
via GIPHY
Also I present to you the most confusing sentence in the book: “you can pretend that this isn’t because you don’t have a of need me.” Read it outloud and it sounds like word vomit. Even in context it doesn’t really make sense. show less
Firstoff, the dead bones clan wtf? This sounds like the villian out of a childrens movie, or like those skull coconuts from moana not lifethreating, savage killers who are also cannibals. So good. All i can imagine is a bunch of first graders trying to kill casteel and the gang.
Secondly, she has this habit of using the vaguest language in her sex scene’s and to me it’s just really funny because she’s obviously referring to real things and she uses the same few phrases over and over again:
“The tip of my breast”…. Bitch do you mean nipple?
“The sensitive bundle show more of nerves”….. Bitch do you mean clit?
“The turgid peak” ….? Im not even gonna pretend i know wtf that’s supposed to be but it sounds disgusting. Honestly all these do.
And my personal favorite: “The upper swells of my behind”…. Bitch do you mean butt cheeks? Bruh the utter brilliance of this line astounds me. It’s so beautiful. UPPER SWELLS. It’s not just the swells of the behind, no no no NO, its the UPPER swells. I just want to thank Jennifer for putting this line into the universe. But can you imagine if instead she had said “the upper swells of my booty cheeks” I mean THAT would have been epic.
The threesome thing had me DEAD. I mean that was supposed to be some lore thing. Come on now. If you want the main characters to have a threesome you don’t have to be so fucking weird about it. Just fucking do it. Have some balls. But seriously the way the whole thing was discussed was HILARIOUS. Like it’s some BIG SIN to have a fucking threesome. Come on now. Smh. also if there is not a threesome scene in the next book I will be SO disappointed.
I HATE THE HONEYDEW THING ITS SO DISGUSTING (if you know then you know)
via GIPHY
Also I present to you the most confusing sentence in the book: “you can pretend that this isn’t because you don’t have a of need me.” Read it outloud and it sounds like word vomit. Even in context it doesn’t really make sense. show less
This series has dissolved into utter nonsense at this point. Basically nothing is consistent between this book and the last one but honestly it is fucking hilarious.
Firstoff, the dead bones clan wtf? This sounds like the villian out of a childrens movie, or like those skull coconuts from moana not lifethreating, savage killers who are also cannibals. So good. All i can imagine is a bunch of first graders trying to kill casteel and the gang.
Secondly, she has this habit of using the vaguest language in her sex scene’s and to me it’s just really funny because she’s obviously referring to real things and she uses the same few phrases over and over again:
“The tip of my breast”…. Bitch do you mean nipple?
“The sensitive bundle show more of nerves”….. Bitch do you mean clit?
“The turgid peak” ….? Im not even gonna pretend i know wtf that’s supposed to be but it sounds disgusting. Honestly all these do.
And my personal favorite: “The upper swells of my behind”…. Bitch do you mean butt cheeks? Bruh the utter brilliance of this line astounds me. It’s so beautiful. UPPER SWELLS. It’s not just the swells of the behind, no no no NO, its the UPPER swells. I just want to thank Jennifer for putting this line into the universe. But can you imagine if instead she had said “the upper swells of my booty cheeks” I mean THAT would have been epic.
The threesome thing had me DEAD. I mean that was supposed to be some lore thing. Come on now. If you want the main characters to have a threesome you don’t have to be so fucking weird about it. Just fucking do it. Have some balls. But seriously the way the whole thing was discussed was HILARIOUS. Like it’s some BIG SIN to have a fucking threesome. Come on now. Smh. also if there is not a threesome scene in the next book I will be SO disappointed.
I HATE THE HONEYDEW THING ITS SO DISGUSTING (if you know then you know)
via GIPHY
Also I present to you the most confusing sentence in the book: “you can pretend that this isn’t because you don’t have a of need me.” Read it outloud and it sounds like word vomit. Even in context it doesn’t really make sense. show less
Firstoff, the dead bones clan wtf? This sounds like the villian out of a childrens movie, or like those skull coconuts from moana not lifethreating, savage killers who are also cannibals. So good. All i can imagine is a bunch of first graders trying to kill casteel and the gang.
Secondly, she has this habit of using the vaguest language in her sex scene’s and to me it’s just really funny because she’s obviously referring to real things and she uses the same few phrases over and over again:
“The tip of my breast”…. Bitch do you mean nipple?
“The sensitive bundle show more of nerves”….. Bitch do you mean clit?
“The turgid peak” ….? Im not even gonna pretend i know wtf that’s supposed to be but it sounds disgusting. Honestly all these do.
And my personal favorite: “The upper swells of my behind”…. Bitch do you mean butt cheeks? Bruh the utter brilliance of this line astounds me. It’s so beautiful. UPPER SWELLS. It’s not just the swells of the behind, no no no NO, its the UPPER swells. I just want to thank Jennifer for putting this line into the universe. But can you imagine if instead she had said “the upper swells of my booty cheeks” I mean THAT would have been epic.
The threesome thing had me DEAD. I mean that was supposed to be some lore thing. Come on now. If you want the main characters to have a threesome you don’t have to be so fucking weird about it. Just fucking do it. Have some balls. But seriously the way the whole thing was discussed was HILARIOUS. Like it’s some BIG SIN to have a fucking threesome. Come on now. Smh. also if there is not a threesome scene in the next book I will be SO disappointed.
I HATE THE HONEYDEW THING ITS SO DISGUSTING (if you know then you know)
via GIPHY
Also I present to you the most confusing sentence in the book: “you can pretend that this isn’t because you don’t have a of need me.” Read it outloud and it sounds like word vomit. Even in context it doesn’t really make sense. show less
I can't wait for the remaining books from this series!
You know the books, at the end of which, you cant decide whether you wanna strangle the author or fall on your knees begging for the next book in the series?
This particular book gives one mixed feelings at the end.
Now I have been a fan of Jennifer Lynn Armentout for the past couple of years, so I can say without a doubt that this is the best that she has written so far, and I can only hope that she goes on to make us more proud. Proud of her books and proud of her characters.
There are a couple of things that have been common in the female protagonists in al off JLA's books- strength, badassery and excessive affinity for sharp objects.
The most amazing thing that I have come to show more understand about Poppy is her ability to grow into herself, to come out of the mold that she was forced into for years. It is not easy to break your mold, but Poppy does it in a way that inspires me and takes my breath away in the same second.
What about the male protagonist? Hawke,or Casteel Da'Neer, is a man complete in himself, despite all his lies and betrayal, one thing that stands out about him is his ability to encourage poppy to become the best version of herself.
Handing over Poppy and getting his brother, Prince Malik, is all that he has dreamed of. Yet, the second Casteel gets to know Poppy, he knows that it will be the last thing that he could do. He fell, he fell so hard for her, that he couldn't exchange her for his own brother.
The most beautiful part of the whole book, for me, is their wedding. It had a whole lot of magic, unlike any described in any other book before. The whole time I was entranced.
Poppy, gaining confidence in herself, also gains from her powers. She becomes something no one has ever seen, or heard. Naturally it puts fear in the masses. Her masses.
What happens when the people revolt against her? Did she react back? Or did she hold back?
You'll have to read the book yourselves to find that. Just beware, the ending is not something that we could have ever expected, and that's why it is also the best. show less
You know the books, at the end of which, you cant decide whether you wanna strangle the author or fall on your knees begging for the next book in the series?
This particular book gives one mixed feelings at the end.
Now I have been a fan of Jennifer Lynn Armentout for the past couple of years, so I can say without a doubt that this is the best that she has written so far, and I can only hope that she goes on to make us more proud. Proud of her books and proud of her characters.
There are a couple of things that have been common in the female protagonists in al off JLA's books- strength, badassery and excessive affinity for sharp objects.
The most amazing thing that I have come to show more understand about Poppy is her ability to grow into herself, to come out of the mold that she was forced into for years. It is not easy to break your mold, but Poppy does it in a way that inspires me and takes my breath away in the same second.
What about the male protagonist? Hawke,or Casteel Da'Neer, is a man complete in himself, despite all his lies and betrayal, one thing that stands out about him is his ability to encourage poppy to become the best version of herself.
Handing over Poppy and getting his brother, Prince Malik, is all that he has dreamed of. Yet, the second Casteel gets to know Poppy, he knows that it will be the last thing that he could do. He fell, he fell so hard for her, that he couldn't exchange her for his own brother.
The most beautiful part of the whole book, for me, is their wedding. It had a whole lot of magic, unlike any described in any other book before. The whole time I was entranced.
Poppy, gaining confidence in herself, also gains from her powers. She becomes something no one has ever seen, or heard. Naturally it puts fear in the masses. Her masses.
What happens when the people revolt against her? Did she react back? Or did she hold back?
You'll have to read the book yourselves to find that. Just beware, the ending is not something that we could have ever expected, and that's why it is also the best. show less
“You probably think that was excessive,” he said, dropping the crumpled, blood-stained napkin onto his plate. “It wasn’t. No one speaks of you or to you like that and lives.”
Ugh, this book! I absolutely loved it. All things I did not get out of book one, I had in book two. Loved the banter and conversations between Poppy and Cas. Additionally, we got a very involved look into the development of their relationship. Plus, I love that Poppy did not just let Cas off the hook for everything from FBAA. Cannot say enough about the character development in this book.
Ugh, this book! I absolutely loved it. All things I did not get out of book one, I had in book two. Loved the banter and conversations between Poppy and Cas. Additionally, we got a very involved look into the development of their relationship. Plus, I love that Poppy did not just let Cas off the hook for everything from FBAA. Cannot say enough about the character development in this book.
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Author Information
167+ Works 60,945 Members
Jennifer L. Armentrout was born on June 11, 1980. She writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. Her works include the Covenant series, the Lux series, and The Dark Elements series. She also writes adult and new adult romance under the name J. Lynn. (Bowker Author Biography)
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
- Original title
- A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
- Original publication date
- 2020-09-01
- Quotations
- I don’t want to pretend,” I whispered. “I’m Poppy and you’re Casteel, and this is real.
Let’s make a deal that we don’t borrow tomorrow’s problems today.
He was the first thing I’d ever truly chosen for myself.
Always,” he whispered in the breath we shared. “Your heart was always safe with me. It always will be. There is nothing I will protect more fiercely or with more devotion, Poppy. Trust in that—in what you feel from me.
I fell for you when you were Hawke, and I kept falling for you when you became Casteel.
But even so, sometimes, the heartbreak that comes with loving someone is worth it, even if loving that person means eventually saying goodbye to them. (show all 7)
The world, no matter how big, is often smaller than we realize. - Canonical DDC/MDS
- 813.6
- Canonical LCC
- PS3612.Y5467
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- 3,794
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- 4,182
- Reviews
- 51
- Rating
- (4.30)
- Languages
- 12 — Czech, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Spanish, Turkish, Portuguese (Portugal)
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 31
- ASINs
- 9