Review: A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received this free eARC novel from the author.  This is my honest review. 

After the unexpected news that Poppy received about Casteel, her entire life went upside down.  Everything she knew was a lie, everything for her future is unknown, and all she wants is to get to her brother and make sure he is safe.  But to get to him requires a skill she doesn't have, and Cas has offered her a way for everyone to hopefully get what they want.  

Agreeing to his terms comes with a price though.  Mainly the hatred and fear she feels from everyone she comes into contact with.  With her powers growing, she's unable to choose when she wants to feel anyone's feelings, and it becomes lonely when you can literally feel the hatred being sent your way. 

And Poppy knows she is supposed to hate Cas for what he did, the lies he told, but she cannot deny that there is an insane attraction between them that just keeps growing stronger and stronger... 

The closer their group gets to Alantia, the more unpredictable things are becoming for Poppy.  She is in awe of a 1,000 things, has a million questions, and is daily wondering what is really the truth or not.  Because even when everything is said and done, she is still in the dark about who she really is....

JLA!  Just when I think she tops her amazing skills, she comes out with another fantastic, wonderful masterpiece that leaves me speechless, satisfied, but also wanting more.  I'm always wanting more novels by this author, that I'm a greedy, greedy reader. 

For the first time since I started reading her books (in 2012!), I took my time with this book.  I usually devour it like I can't breathe until I read the last word, but I actually spread this out through 6 days and I'm so glad I did.  I love these characters, I love this world, I love the mystery, but I'm dying to know all of the unanswered questions that I still have.  

Poppy is an intense, strong, and smart woman.  She honestly might be my favorite female character of JLA's right now.  Her first instinct when she's unsure about something is to go for her dagger, then ask questions.  She doesn't hesitate, and she may have some regrets later, but her safety is first and foremost, and I love that so much.  Even against Cas she's willing to risk it all if she can survive, and that is admirable.  Honestly she has every right to just give up after everything she has been through, and everything she will be going through if multiple people get their hands on her.  She is a prize for so many groups, and not many of them are good outcomes for her.  

Cas is... He's Cas.  He's secretive, mysterious, protective, possessive.  He is set to make everything work out, but he doesn't communicate very well.  Even though Poppy can sense his feelings, he's a hard man to figure out and that is both endearing as it is frustrating for not just Poppy, but also the reader.  I say this every time, but getting the guy's point of view would be amazing right now, though of course that would lose the suspense and mysterious of the storyline.  

The connection that Poppy has with the wolven is VERY interesting to me, but my non-creative brain can't figure out what that could mean.  JLA will set me straight when she's ready to reveal, but Poppy is a VERY special person and she's about to do something so epic, I'm not sure I'm ready for it.  

I'm so glad I got a chance to read this eARC, I cannot wait for more, and readers who adore JLA will instantly fall in love with this novel and be craving for more and more by the time they are done!  An amazing novel, storyline, setting, characters and author! :)

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