{"id":54363,"date":"2020-09-01T09:30:04","date_gmt":"2020-09-01T13:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=54363"},"modified":"2020-09-01T10:09:38","modified_gmt":"2020-09-01T14:09:38","slug":"release-arc-review-a-kingdom-of-flesh-and-fire-blood-and-ash-2-by-jennifer-l-armentrout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=54363","title":{"rendered":"Release & ARC Review: A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash, #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire, the second book in the stunning Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout is live!<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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\u00a0Amazon<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Apple Books <\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0 Google Play<\/a>\u00a0 | \u00a0B&N <\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0 Kobo<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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\r\n <\/div><\/div><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Blurb<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A Betrayal\u2026<\/b><\/p>\n

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\u2019s one order she\u2019s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.<\/p>\n

A Choice…<\/b><\/p>\n

Casteel Da\u2019Neer 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\u2019s the only way for her to get what she wants\u2014to 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\u2019s 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\u2014about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she\u2019s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation.<\/p>\n

A Secret\u2026<\/b><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Add to Goodreads<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Review<\/b><\/h4>\n

5 stars!<\/b><\/p>\n

From Blood and Ash<\/a>\u00a0is one of my favourite reads from 2020, so I have been delirious with excitement waiting for this book, the second in the Blood and Ash<\/i> series, and it was just as amazing as I was hoping! Funny, exciting, action packed, unexpected and romantic, I loved being back in this paranormal\/fantasy world with its incredible characters, and I absolutely loved this one!<\/p>\n

Just a warning that this review does contain some minor spoilers for the first book.<\/p>\n

This book picks up immediately where the last book finished off \u2013 literally, from that cliffhangery final sentence, and we are thrown right back into the chemistry-filled, banterific and sexually charged stand-off between Polly and Casteel. These two have a sensational dynamic, and with Polly still reeling from recent revelations, and both of them planning conflicting courses of action, it\u2019s an explosive situation that is highly entertaining to watch\u2026 especially with their sizzling attraction influencing each and every encounter.<\/p>\n

He smiled up at me, his eyes twin golden flames. \u201cI do so prefer hand-to-hand combat with you,\u201d he said, catching my other wrist when I swung my fist down. \u201cI like how close it brings us, Princess.\u201d
\nI shrieked my frustration \u2013 my irritation \u2013 at him. At myself. \u201cThere is something so wrong with you!\u201d
\n\u201cProbably, but you know what?\u201d He lifted his head off the ground. \u201cThat\u2019s the part you like the most.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Poppy\u2019s life was completely turned upside down in the last book, and she is understandably still trying to figure out who she is, her new world, and her place in it, and Cass\u2019s secrets aren\u2019t helping \u2013 neither is all of the anger and distrust that she is faced with by pretty much everyone around her. And with a violent and deadly terror looming, and even her plan to get safe from it all leading her into danger, she\u2019s in an unimaginable position. But luckily, she does have some friends on her side.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe may hate being called the Dark One, but he has earned that name.\u201d Kieran\u2019s pale eyes met mine as a shiver curled its way down my spine. \u201cBut he\u2019s the one thing in all the kingdoms that you, and only you, never have to fear.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Shivers. Seriously.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s exciting and unexpected, with lots of action and violence, and we come to understand a lot more about the history of the kingdoms and those who inhabit them. I found it all really fascinating, and my head was (and still is) spinning madly with theories as each piece of information we learn leads to more questions and conspiracies, and I can\u2019t wait to explore more!<\/p>\n

And, of course, alongside all of this, is the romance, and just\u2026 wow.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to pretend,\u201d I whispered. \u201cI\u2019m Poppy and you\u2019re Casteel, and this is real.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was the first thing I\u2019d ever truly chosen for myself.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sexually, emotionally and romantically frustrating, the angst-filled romance works so well with the story and provides this fantastic sense of anticipation as we wait for Poppy and Cas to quit their bickering and finally open up to each other and get on the same page! There are scenes between them that had me laughing out loud at their antics, but also, I literally screeched out loud at one point because I was so beyond ready for declarations, I just wanted to lock them in a room and make them talk it all out!<\/p>\n

\u201cHis gaze searched mine, and a long, tense moment passed. \u201cThere is so much we still need to talk about.\u201d
\n\u201cI know,\u201d I whispered. \u201cBut it has to wait. I know that, too.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Gah!! The build-up is epic, and every moment between them is dripping with chemistry. But blessedly, we do get some resolution in this book, and when it finally comes\u2026 damn, it was worth it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t deserve everything that I\u2019ve laid at your feet, and you sure as hell don\u2019t deserve the fact that I\u2019m still trying to hold onto you. That when it comes time for you to leave, I\u2019m still going to want you. Even when you inevitably do leave, I\u2019ll still want you.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s angsty and intense, and it\u2019s sexy as all hell, and I was feeling it all with them as they started to figure it all out.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour heart, Poppy? It is a gift I do not deserve.\u201d He placed his hands on his knees as he lifted his gaze to mine. \u201cBut it is one I will protect until my dying breath.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The book has a bit of a slow start, but it turns out to be a wild ride, with twists and turns, excitement, drama, action, and a lot of laughs. It\u2019s very much a middle-of-the-series book which progresses the story and has its own exciting climax, while setting the scene for more to come.<\/p>\n

The book ends in a great place, though on another cliffy that shifts the story off into yet another unexpected direction, and I can\u2019t wait to see where it all goes from here.<\/p>\n

5 stars!<\/p>\n

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.<\/i><\/p>\n

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Blood and Ash<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Blood and Ash series spins off into the Flesh and Fire<\/a> series, and the two stories are interconnected.\u00a0 Find suggested reading order here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\" \u00a0\"\" \u00a0\"\" \u00a0\"\" \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\" \u00a0\"\" \u00a0<\/strong>\"\" \u00a0<\/strong>\"Cover<\/strong><\/p>\n

From Blood and Ash (#1)<\/strong>
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy: \u00a0Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (#2)<\/strong>
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy: \u00a0Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

The Crown of Gilded Bones (#3)
\n<\/strong>Review<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 \u00a0Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

The War of Two Queens (#4)<\/strong>
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy: \u00a0Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

A Soul of Ash and Blood (#5) <\/strong>(Cas POV)
\n<\/strong>Review<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

Visions of Flesh and Blood: A Blood and Ash \/ Flesh and Fire Compendium Novel (#5.5)<\/strong>
\nSeries bible
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

The Primal of Blood and Bone (#6)<\/strong>
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

A Crown of Ruin (#6.5)
\n<\/strong>Review<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

The Throne of Bone and Ash (#7)<\/strong>
\nTo be released 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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About the Author<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"#1 New York Times and #1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. All the rumors you\u2019ve heard about her state aren\u2019t true.\u00a0 When she\u2019s not hard at work writing. She spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband and her Border Jack Apollo. In early 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications. Due to this diagnosis, educating people on the varying degrees of blindness has become of passion of hers, right\u00a0alongside writing, which she plans to do as long as she can.<\/p>\n

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories\u2026.which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer\u00a0writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Tor, HarperCollins Avon and William Morrow, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney\/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her Wicked Series has been optioned by PassionFlix. Jennifer has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Reviewers Choice Award for Wait for You, the 2015 Editor\u2019s Pick for Fall With Me, and the 2014\/2015 Moerser-Jugendbuch- Jury award for Obsidian. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON\u2019T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. Her adult romantic suspense novel TILL DEATH was a Amazon Editor\u2019s Pick and iBook Book of the Month. Her young adult contemporary THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER is a 2017 RITA Award Winner in Young Adult Fiction. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is\u00a0published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.<\/p>\n

She is the owner of ApollyCon and The Origin Event, the successful annual events that features over a hundred bestselling authors in Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult\u00a0Fiction, panels, parties, and more.<\/p>\n

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Website<\/a>\u00a0| \u00a0Facebook\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0Twitter\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0Instagram\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Amazon\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Goodreads<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0Bookbub<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Stay up to date with Jennifer by joining her\u00a0mailing list<\/a>\u00a0today<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For more great reads, check out our\u00a0Jennifer L. Armentrout Author Spotlight<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire, the second book in the stunning Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout is live!   \u00a0Amazon\u00a0 |\u00a0 Apple Books \u00a0|\u00a0 Google Play\u00a0 | \u00a0B&N \u00a0|\u00a0 Kobo\u00a0 |\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":53809,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","yasr_overall_rating":5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[79,297,522,49,10,9,29],"tags":[59,1184,43,48],"class_list":["post-54363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-action","category-angsty","category-fantasy","category-feeeeeeels","category-paranormal","category-romance","category-steamy","tag-arc","tag-blood-and-ash","tag-jennifer-l-armentrout","tag-review"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/A-Kingdom-of-Flesh-and-Fire.jpg?fit=200%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7gaNL-e8P","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=54363"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54363\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/53809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=54363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=54363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=54363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}