A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by J.L.A. - Gush

Hello, I'm so sorry for being so inactive, balancing school with work and then moving to a new city on top of that, it's been A LOT. But, I am back baby!! I promise I will be making more of an effort to upload and post. Let me just say that with this second book in the From Blood and Ash series... blew me away. A lot of times authors can really ruin a series with trying to live up to the hype of the first book, but this one..dare I say was even better? JLA, your mind...thank you! This book was my absolute favorite of 2020!!

So, A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire picks up right where FBAA left off, with Casteel announcing that he and Poppy will be getting married. This book is really focused on Poppy learning more about the history of Atlantia and the Kingdom of Solis, while also trying to figure out exactly who/what she is.

This book also really delved into the relationship between Casteel and Poppy, can she forgive him for his betrayal? For all of his lies? With dark truths lingering right under the surface, Poppy must figure out how to navigate her future, making choices that will change the course of her life forever.

SPOILERS

I AM GOING TO LOSE MY SHIT. These books will be the death of me, and I need book three NOW. First, I loved how we got to learn more about the pantheon of Gods and their history right along with Poppy. I did have to reread a couple of times just because I was getting things mixed up/confused. So, to clear it up if anyone else is struggling- Nyktos is the King of the Gods, Deities are children of the Gods, Atlantians were the heartmates of Deities, Atlantians of Elemental Bloodlines (Da'Neer's) are direct generational offsprings of the first Atlantians, and then Ascended (Vampry) are mortals turned by an Atlantian.

All of the characters in this book have something I enjoy, even the side ones!! Ugh, I can't even decide who my favorite is anymore, Poppy, Casteel, or Kieran?? It really depends on my mood, but the dynamic between Poppy and Kieran, Cas and Kieran, and then all of them together?? UNMATCHED.

The only thing that annoyed me throughout this book was Poppy thinking Casteel’s feelings for her were pretend? Girl, for an empath you're awfully bad at picking up on emotions lmao. However, I also understand why JLA did it, she needed time to figure out what she wanted and if she could still be with him after everything, so the enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers was done *chef's kiss*. Also, the violent kink in this one is REALLY emphasized LOL. Like damn, Cas we get it!! Still love it though!!

Alastir is a shady bitch, let me just say, I really think he is the one who betrayed her parents and was the reason they were killed and the reason Poppy was taken by the Ascended. He was totally against Poppy and Cas the ENTIRE time, like chilllll. And then at the end where he tells Queen Eloana, "It's not too late". HE CLEARLY KNEW THE WHOLE TIME who Poppy really was! And, why was he the only wolven that didn't come to her?? SKETCH.

The wolf pack... HAS MY HEART. Delano is such an innocent, sweet soul and I ADORE him so much. Jasper who, "speaks for the wolven" and is also Kieran and Vonetta's dad, I LOVE HIM. He seems like a very genuine man, and I'm excited to see how his role plays out in the future. KIERAN. My baby. I knew I would come to love him so much, and in this book, I did exactly that. The way he has to tell Poppy how Casteel actually feels because they are both BLIND. Ugh, I loved any scene with him and Poppy, but even more when all three were together. Them cuddling in the mountains? Thank you. Kieran barging into the room when he thinks Poppy is screaming? We love to see it. Hopefully a Joining steamy scene with all three? I am manifesting. That ONE scene. Y'all know what I'm talking about, the scene where Cas feeds off of Poppy.. he is literally the personification of "I hate it here." I can't wait to see more of him. And, WHEN HE FINALLY CALLED PENELLAPHE "POPPY"... I cried, goodbye.

PoppyCas. CasPoppy. My whole heart? Yes.

The way I love both individual characters SO much it physically hurts. And their relationship. Damn, it's so beautiful. They had such incredibly HEALTHY growth in this book. Nothing felt forced or rushed, it felt very organic and just lovely. There were SO MANY quotable moments in this one...WHEW. And JLA delivered with the smut.. the cavern scene, the carriage scene, the nightmares, the wedding night, the pantry... I AM DECEASED. I NEED them to say "I love you" in the next book because we were robbed of it in this one. It’s just the way Casteel knows how capable and strong she is and NEVER tries to hold her back... turn that shit up. I love them with my whole heart, and watching Cas become soft for her.. and Poppy growing into herself... I AM HERE FOR THIS!

The way I'm a whore for all three of them?? Casteel is the ultimate book boyfriend! Kieran gives me Kenji vibes and you guys know how much I love him..so also, hand in marriage sir? And Poppy, my queen? My love? My girl crush? All of the above.

THAT ENDING. I literally had goosebumps. I screamed. I was tearing up. It was the most powerful scene I think I've ever read. And to end the book like that?? DAMN. It really ended with the Queen of Atlantia, taking off her crown, bowing to Poppy, and saying, "Bow before your new Queen." The way I reread that chapter at least ten times... YES. FINALLY, we find out Poppy is the descendant of the God Nykots, the most powerful bloodline, and that she is a Deity. Her killing the Atlantians trying to kill her, the blood rain, another blood forest tree, the wolven coming to her, protecting her, the light coming from her, Cas taking out his swords and bowing before her, the wolven bowing, the Queen removing her crown and bowing, the fires, the announcing of her ancient bloodline, her becoming queen...A MASTERPIECE.

This book was PHENOMENAL. It took me forever to write this review because I was not emotionally ready to move on. This book hangover hit like nothing I've ever experienced. I still have not emotionally recovered, and I am so excited about the next two books I might die. There is still A LOT of unanswered questions, and there are so many theories I've read, but all I can say is pick up this series if you haven't. Jen really outdid herself with this one, and all I can do now is impatiently wait for the next one.