Title: A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
Rating: 5 Stars
Published: September 1, 2020 by Blue Box Press
Series: Blood and Ash #2
Genre: Fantasy Romance, New Adult
Page Count: 637 pages
Format: Kindle / Audiobook
Goodreads: 4.32 (out of 5)
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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 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.
TROPE GUIDE: Enemies to Lovers | Forced Proximity | Marriage of Convenience | Chosen One
Read the A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire chapter-by-chapter summary here
My Review
This review of A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout may contain spoilers.
[Originally posted on March 10, 2025, with the chapter summary]
Even with all the ups and downs of 2024, I found a perfect way to close out the year. A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire was the final book in my 2024 Reading Challenge, and ending with a five-star read made it feel like I was finishing the year on a high note.
Rereading this book for the fourth time never gets old. Each time, it’s just as amazing, and honestly, it’s still so much better than From Blood and Ash.
Slow Start but Better World-Building
I absolutely love long books—the longer, the better! This second one started a bit slow, just like the first, but once the pace picked up, I was completely hooked. Hang in there because the plot twists are definitely worth the wait.
What I really enjoyed about this book is the expanded world-building. We learned more about the vamprys and the wolven and delved into the history of the Atlantians, their heritage, and their fascinating customs and beliefs. We even got a glimpse into the mysteries of the gods.
The characters are fantastic! Poppy is an incredible, feisty, and kick-ass heroine. Cas is Cas. Kieran is the best secondary character ever. I adore his friendship with Cas and his interactions with Poppy. And Vonetta as Poppy’s friend? I love it for Poppy.
The Angst-Filled Romance
I love the angst and tension between Poppy and Cas. Thankfully, it’s not the annoying kind of push and pull, and I don’t think it dragged on too long. I also love their banter, Cas’s cheeky behavior, and their “let’s pretend” game above all else.
What truly makes Poppy and Cas one of my favorite book couples ever is how completely they accept each other, flaws and all. At its core, their romance is both sweet and intense.
Cliffhanger Ending
Now let’s talk about that cliffhanger ending. I can’t stress enough how much I love it when the female lead turns out to be even more powerful than I initially thought. The male lead shouldn’t be a pushover either, but I absolutely love me some strong, independent woman vibes. That revelation at the end had me so excited for the next book, even if it’s not my first time reading it.
Overall, while we learned some key information, it feels like not much actually happened in this sequel. However, that ending sets up an intriguing direction for the next installment of the series.
Quote It or It Didn’t Happen: A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire Quotes
“He was the first thing I’d ever truly chosen for myself.”
“I don’t want to pretend,” I whispered. “I’m Poppy and you’re Casteel, and this is real.”
“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.”
What did you think of that ending?
Let me know in the comments or on Goodreads.
If you haven’t read A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire yet, don’t forget to add it to your TBR!