A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire: A Blood and Ash Novel Paperback – September 1, 2020

OH. MY. FREAKING. GOD.Yes, it is shouty capital letters.How is it possible that Armentrout can wreck and fix my poor little reader heart more than once in one single year like it's nothing?I cannot even begin to tell you guys how amazing the second installment of the Blood and Ash series is. I'm going to try to put into words how this masterpiece managed to steal my heart once again, but beware there might be a lot of just fangirling over the story.I received an EARC by Armentrout in exchange for an honest review.Dear God. That ending guys, that freaking ending.I obviously cannot tell you how it ends because I would ruin the story for you, but let me tell you. You ain't ready for what's coming.Also this is as good time as any to let you know that there will be spoilers from book one, From Blood and Ash. This should be as far as you should read if you have not read the first book. Go read it and then come back to read me ramble about how amazing book two is.AKOFAF picks up right where From Blood and Ash left off. Hawke broke Poppy's and our hearts by revealing his true identity and all but informed Poppy that they are to marry.If you remember our dear Hawke turned out to be The Dark One. The prince of Atlantia, future king and he plans to ransom Poppy to get his brother Malik (the one he considers to be the real next king of Atlantia) back.Whether or not you believe that is what he is actually going to do is up to you, but let me tell you something, I never believed he was.I know a lot of you are probably mad at him for playing with our little Penellaphe's heart, but I knew (or at least suspected) Hawke wasn't just a regular guard. I had a feeling we were dealing with the prince from early on in From Blood and Ash.So I wasn't totally shocked at the revelation, I was shocked that he planned to use Poppy to get his brother back and then switching the plans to marry her for a way more elaborate plan to get the kingdom back, I thought our homeboy really cared for our Poppy.Which he does (care for her I mean), don't get too judgy just yet. There are a lot of convoluted reasons as to why he does what he does, but you will understand pretty early on in this story that all he had plan has gone out the window.His feelings for Poppy are much more than either of them expected (I mean we did, but that is the magic of the story when characters don't know what the other is thinking), but Poppy is not about to let everything else go. I mean no one would, he LIED to her and KIDNAPPED her and made her believe his feelings for her were pure and with no strings attached other than being reciprocated.Although he has apologize for lying to her he still lets her believe that the only reason they would marry and stay together for a while is to get his brother and kingdom back. I think the main reason why he did that is because he know she needed to come to terms with the fact that everyone in her life (including him) had lied to her.Now Poppy has to decide if she can trust Casteel enough to get what she wants (freedom), get her brother back and actually survive.She is trying really hard to remember that he is using her every time he talks to her because he sounds like he cares and she believes that to be a lie.There is this thing he likes to do with her that melted my heart every time and just made me want to scream at them for being so stupid with their own feelings.He likes to "pretend." He offers Poppy a way out for them to be... friendly with each other by pretending.He pretends that he is still just regular old Hawke and she is just Poppy, no "former Maiden," no future talks, no lies, no kidnapping, no stabbing.Just them giving in to each others feelings of lust, need and love. Because there is so much love between them.This way he can be close to her and show her how he really feels because even though he presented himself with another name to her, he is still the same person she first met. She just needs to come to terms with the fact that he is and has been the Dark One all along.So much happens in this book you guys, and I'm so thankful with Armentrout because even though it is a massive book, it didn't feel like it.She took her time explaining the world to us. It was so easy to follow along, nothing was rushed. Everything happened when it needed to happen. Nothing felt forced, everything just flowed perfectly.A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire is a masterpiece through and through. There is not a single word I would change. This is truly the most perfect story I have read all year.Armentrout keeps things fresh and unexpected. The most epic story with so many reveals and explanations still to come that I cannot wait to see what happens next with our lovely characters.

I love this book for its breathless twists and turns! I laughed out loud over and over at the verbal sparring of the main characters. It’s so easy to immerse yourself in the feelings of love and power within these pages.

I've read this before and am doing a reread. I'd forgotten how repetitive and whiny the characters can be lol. Definitely so much smut but at least there's plot too! I'm excited to continue!

Spoilers & Thoughts Below!!•Second book following From Blood and Ash.•I absolutely loved this book, could not put it down! I’m just amazed at how well JLA writes, honestly her characters and stories are some of the best.•Poppy is literally one of the best badass female characters I’ve read. Her growth throughout this book was amazing; she never backs down, speaks her mind, and fights for what she believes in.•I can see why some people may find Poppy’s inner turmoil annoying but I thought it was just so realistic and understandable for her situation. Her conflicting emotions and thoughts surrounding Casteel were so well written and heartbreaking.•Casteel aka Hawke is now my new book boyfriend! He is honestly just perfection; love how charming, charismatic, strong, violent, and passionate he is. Also, everything he says is just swoon worthy, absolutely love him.•The Culling is very interesting and I hope we get to see more of that in the future books. Wondering how that’s going to effect Poppy and her abilities.•Loved the explanation regarding Casteel and Kieran’s bond and how fiercely protective Kieran is over him.•Enjoyed that we got to see more of Poppy’s abilities, definitely something more is going on there because the things she is able to do and feel seems more than just her being half Atlantian and from an empath warrior bloodline.•The empath warrior also being called soul eaters was so cool and I’m definitely curious about them.•All the details regarding the other mythical creatures like the wivern, draken, ceeren, and gods was so interesting. Definitely expands the world and characters.•I have some mix feelings about Alastir. I didn’t really trust him at first but after his offer to Poppy I somewhat came around to him, however towards the end of the book I’m back to being somewhat suspicious of him. So don’t really know just yet how I feel about him.•To learn what Casteel experienced while he was being held captive absolutely broke my heart and to know his brother is going through the same thing is just unimaginable.•I have admit I was worried about Shea and that whole history so I definitely shocked to learn what truly happened and again I’m just so heartbroken for Casteel.•Some of my favorite side characters were Delano and Vonetta. Hopefully we get more of them in the future.•There were so many interesting plot points and characters including the dead bones clan, the female guardians, the blood tree, the Skotos mountain and mist.•Poppy and Casteel’s relationship is incredible. The tension and build up between them was amazing and the whole fake marriage trope was hilarious because we all knew they weren’t pretending. I honestly just love how fiercely protective he is of her and doesn’t hold her back.•Favorite quote: “She is more than capable of handling things herself. But that is my future you were walking away with. Guard her well. Your life depends on it.”•Spice level was very hot! All their scenes left me blushing!•The whole heartmates concept has me very intrigued and I just love how much deeper and meaningful that means for a couple.•So the Joining….I was a little skeptical at first but I want and need it to happen now because after that one scene I can totally picture it and wow, definitely hot!•I really enjoyed the development of Kieran and Poppy’s relationship, definitely see them growing closer together in the next book.•So we didn’t get a huge betrayal like the first book, which I expected and feared but the not telling her about the whole promised to another definitely hurt and made me cry.•Their fight in chapter 33 was so heartbreaking but I did love that they were finally really communicating with each other and telling their truths.•The battle in Spessa’s End was very intense and a lot of interesting things occurred and breadcrumbs were laid out. Curious to know if the certain things that were mentioned are in fact true.•Their declaration to each other in chapter 36 was just perfect. They love each other so much that it makes me cry.•I have no words about that ending expect…what!!•Poppy…is she really?? Like what does that mean!•There are so many unanswered questions that I cannot wait for to be revealed but I do have to say I have a bad feeling about Poppy’s brother.•Honestly one of the best books I have read this year and I cannot wait to continue with the series!!

Beautifully written and just as good as the first! I laughed, cried and laughed some more. Love the series and can’t wait to read the third book!

Im love this story so much! I can’t wait to see what happens next.Casteel is swoon worthy and poppy is such a badass

love this book so much! the rollercoaster of emotions is amazing and keeps you glued to the book! can’t wait to read the next one!

First of the 4 stars has nothing to do with the material! I read it in a day and some change! It was fantastic. I am merely disappointed that 4 of my 5 books are the same size, while this one is not. It irritates me beyond no end. It appears that I am not the only person who finds this annoying. So to the publisher or Author, please please, do not do this to your readers.