A Kingdom of Flesh Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Rating: 4/5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

*Minor Spoilers Ahead*

“So, I know all about how the past doesn’t remain where it should. How it likes to pay visits when you're at your weakest. There is never a need to apologize, nor should you ever feel shame” (99).

In the sequel to the incredible From Blood & Ash, we find Poppy rolling with the Atlantians & still struggling with Hawke’s betrayal and the fact that everything she thought she knew about her life, her destiny was a LIE.

As most sequels go, this one was a little bit slower than the first. Poppy & Casteel spend most of the book dancing around their admissions of true feelings for one another. I have to be honest, I appreciate that Poppy didn’t forgive him right away, but I do think that that part of the plot was dragged a bit too long for my liking. There were so many times where I just wanted to shake them like come on!!!!

HOWEVER the tension between Poppy and Casteel was 🔥🔥. I LOVED their little moments of “let's pretend I am Hawke and I didn’t betrayal you so that we can sexually please each other”

We learn a lot more about our favorite supporting character Kieran and his family and I thoroughly enjoyed watching his relationship with Poppy develop into a budding friendship. Even if some moments were beyond awkward (you know what scene I'm talking about right?!) I love that he became just as protective as Casteel and a confidant for her. His reactions to Poppy & Casteel's banter was exactly mine: 🙄😂. Also the fact that he thinks Poppy and Casteel are “heartmates” 😲might explain why Poppy and Casteel feel as though they've known each other for a long time.

Casteel I love youuuuuuuu 😩. Let’s be honest: he is not perfect but what I love about him is that he doesn’t try to be. That attracts me to him a lot. His betrayal stung me to the core but do I feel that once he really got to know Poppy, his intentions and plans for her changed? YES. Is it bad that he murdered someone simply for insulting Poppy so bad that it made her flinch? Probably. Is it bad that I found that incredibly endearing and also incredibly hot? I think not LOL. I love his ruthlessness when it comes to Poppy’s safety. He’s cray. We know this. But he never hesitates to be there for her. They had so many cute moments 😭in this book.

Here’s someone that I didn’t fancy: Alastir. Poppy had an instant connection with him because he reminded her so much of Vitker but I didn’t buy his kindness. I understood his concerns for Casteel & Poppy but most importantly his kingdom. He didn’t believe their union was genuine, he offered Poppy a way out in case she was being forced to marry Casteel, but he has been a protector of the Atlantians for far too long for me to have believed that he would accept Poppy. Something about him always felt off and any doubts that I had were confirmed in that insane ending. I have sooo many questions. Sooo many theories. I think he had something to do with the deaths of Poppy’s parents & that somehow Vitker and him are related.

Overall, I thought the sequel was great. A bit slower for my liking BUT it is steamyyyyy 🔥 and we find out so much more about Casteel's history, the Atlantians and Poppy’s true origin. The book definitely picked up towards the end. That battle scene?! KICKASS. I freaking LOVE Poppy. Her bravery and badassery never seizes to amaze me. I cannot wait for the next installment to the series and I am even more happy that Jennifer already announced that it was coming VERY SOON. As in April 2021 SOON. As in right around the corner!!

“I’m furious, and yet, at the same time in awe. Because I know you would’ve done it. You would’ve killed yourself to save the lives of those who still stood. You would’ve done it to save me.” ~Casteel

What did you guys think of A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire ?

🔹Would I Recommend it?: YES

🔹Re-read it?: Probably

🔹Scene Shout-out: Steamy scene between Poppy & Casteel in the hot springs 🔥🔥🔥

If you’ve already read A Kingdom of Flesh & Fire, check out my list of Shocking/WTF & Swoon-worthy moments below!

*Warning MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW*

Swoon-worthy:

🔹Casteel holding Poppy close whenever she had nightmares

🔹Poppy & Casteel finally accepting & expressing their feelings for one another

"Your heart was always safe with me. It always will be. Three is nothing I will protect more fiercely or with more devotion Poppy. Trust in that--in what you feel from me. In me (514)

🔹THEIR FREAKING REAL FEELINGS-ASS-WEDDING

I loved it. I was so happy for them 😊I was also sad Kieran missed it 😩he deserved to be there.

Shocking/WTF

🔹Poppy basically getting turned on by Kieran holding her close while Casteel sucked her blood (for strength) and dry humped her

Still can't decide if I find that Awkward or kind of hot...

🔹Everything leading up to us finding out that Poppy might be way more than part Atlantian:

Seeing her "empath" powers grow was cool, especially when she started glowing. That's no ordinary empath. Also, the final battle scene when the Wolven showed up appearing to know exactly where Poppy was as they were mentally "called to" by her.

🔹AND THEN, THAT FINAL FREAKING SCENE:

"And bow before the...before the last descendent of the most ancient ones, she who carries the blood of the King of Gods within her. Bow down before your Queen" (626)