"'Let's make a deal that we don't borrow tomorrow's problems today.'"
My Rating: ★★★★★
Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance
Publication: September 1, 2020 (Blue Box Press)
***CONTAINS SIGNIFICANT SPOILERS FOR FROM BLOOD AND ASH***
With the way From Blood and Ash ended, this second installment in Poppy's story had a lot to live up to, and boy, did it deliver. While it was not quite as fast-paced as the first book, A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire made up for it with the intrigue surrounding the truth of the kingdoms of Solis and Atlantia, the mystery behind Poppy's developing powers, and the complexity of her relationship with Hawke -- who she now knows to be Casteel Da'Neer, Prince of Atlantia and sworn enemy of the Kingdom of Solis.
In every possible way, Poppy's world has been completely upended. In this book, she struggles to regain her footing and to reconcile all that she'd believed to be true with the harsh realities that Casteel revealed to her. That the Ascended are actually vampry, whose bloodlust is hardly controllable. That her brother is likely one of them. That the queen could not truly love her. That she was only the Chosen so that she could be used to make more vampry. And, most of all, that Hawke is actually Prince Casteel, and he'd intended to ransom her to Solis in exchange for his captive brother.
Though there is still plenty of action, the sequel takes a step back from all of the fighting and violence and instead focuses on Poppy coming to terms with truths that, for most of her life, she'd been willfully ignorant of. And, without the cage that was her veil, she is free to explore these new truths as well as her ever-developing powers. Freedom from the title of Maiden also grants her the freedom to learn about herself and create real relationships with others, something that had always been forbidden to her.
Perhaps the most significant truth that Poppy must reconcile is her love for Hawke and his betrayal as Casteel. In many ways, her fate hinges on her ability to resolve her feelings surrounding this man whom she sees as two separate people -- Hawke, the man she loves and the one who showed her true freedom, and Casteel, the man who lied to her and the one who intends to use her for his own gain. The development of Poppy's relationship with Casteel and the choice between forgiving him and seeking freedom once and for all are the driving forces behind the story, and the tension and conflict that arises as a result is captivating. It may be the reason why I finished this book in record time.
Ultimately, A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire is about Poppy finding herself -- about discovering truth both external and internal. It explores what it means to be free as well as the power of choice, and it is a study in learning autonomy. This second book in the Blood and Ash series is a reintroduction, in many ways, to the world and characters you thought you knew, and it was both exciting and heartbreaking to discover it all alongside Poppy. And, as it ends with the king of all cliffhangers, I found myself beyond excited to dig into book three as soon as humanly possible.
Content Warnings: death, graphic violence, emotional abuse, physical abuse/assault, sex/nudity, discussions of death of children
Synopsis:
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 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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