BOOK REVIEW: A Light in the Flame (Flesh and Fire #2) by Jennifer L Armentrout

A Light in the Flame (Flesh and Fire #2)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
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Synopsis:

The only one who can save Sera now is the one she spent her life planning to kill.

The truth about Sera’s plan is out, shattering the fragile trust forged between her and Nyktos. Surrounded by those distrustful of her, all Sera has is her duty. She will do anything to end Kolis, the false King of Gods, and his tyrannical rule of Iliseeum, thus stopping the threat he poses to the mortal realm.

Nyktos has a plan, though, and as they work together, the last thing they need is the undeniable, scorching passion that continues to ignite between them. Sera cannot afford to fall for the tortured Primal, not when a life no longer bound to a destiny she never wanted is more attainable than ever. But memories of their shared pleasure and unrivaled desire are a siren’s call impossible to resist.

And as Sera begins to realize that she wants to be more than a Consort in name only, the danger surrounding them intensifies. The attacks on the Shadowlands are increasing, and when Kolis summons them to Court, a whole new risk becomes apparent. The Primal power of Life is growing inside her, pushing her closer to the end of her Culling. And without Nyktos’s love—an emotion he’s incapable of feeling—she won’t survive her Ascension. That is if she even makes it to her Ascension and Kolis doesn’t get to her first. Because time is running out. For both her and the realms.

Review:

A Light in the Flame was a mesmerizing, action packed ride!  As joy and heartache wove together as the story unfolded, this book was impossible to put down. So much was up in the air, feelings and motives were changing and as the world showed us even more with what was going on, this intricately plotted story was phenomenal!  It became an instant favorite and A Light in the Flame will easily sweep romance and fantasy lovers away!

“But what I can tell you is something you already know. What you’ve spent your life preparing to become? What I trained you for? It wasn’t a waste.” Those dark, shining eyes held mine. “You are his weakness.”

The story started off exactly where ASITE ended.  I was so nervous for Sera and Ash, especially with what we learned.  I feared for Sera’s future in many different ways.  But thankfully within those first few pages, we got to see their banter.  It was smile inducing, irresistible, and much needed when it felt like the weight of the world was on their shoulders. Duty and sacrifice swirled together while secrets hung in the darkness. And tension racketed up and down.  At times I didn’t feel like I could breathe because I was so scared with what would take place.  Battles swept through the story.  And betrayal rotted the pages too.  The hurt was so intense, in certain moments, that it felt like our hearts would crack wide open.  But through it all, there was loyalty, friendship and love.  And those moments shined so brightly that they chased the shadows away!

“Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me!” he shouted, the shadows spreading until his flesh was the color of midnight streaked with starlight, and the fingers around my wrists became as hard as shadowstone.

My respect and love for Sera grew even more! Sera was loathed by so many, because of what she had planned to do to Nyktos.  And while I didn’t blame anyone for feeling that way, I hoped that she would prove them wrong about her.  So I loved when Sera would stand her ground and do what was right. I loved that she jumped into the fight time and again. Sera was a true leader! That was also terrifying because we knew that Sera would do what was right, and the consequences including her life be damned. She was good, kind, thoughtful and protected those she cared about fiercely. And her bravery also bled into her honesty about talking about herself. But even fear or hurt would creep up on Sera, and it could be hard to escape. So whether she was slicing others with a sword or her words, I cheered her on every step of the way!

“Do not order me about as if I’m a child.”
“I wouldn’t if you didn’t behave like one.”
I saw red. “You sure as hell didn’t think I was behaving like one when you had me in your bed and your fangs in my throat!”
“Whoa,” Ector murmured.
Fiery, silver eyes locked with mine. “Sera.”

Ash, or I guess I should be calling him Nyktos *cries*, was such a complicated soul. He was willing to sacrifice and give so much to protect Sera. But at the same point, he could break our hearts.  Was he only protecting Sera because of the embers? My heart kept fighting me that that couldn’t be the case.  I hoped it was because of her. And as we learned more, Nyktos splintered my heart. On one side, how could you not love him? When he would share the words for how he felt, it was so easy to melt into a puddle. And maybe I took those moments as more, but I don’t care, I melted. He also listened. And he stood up for her. He was always thinking of her. But at the same time there was pain and hurt. I can’t say why, but my breath caught and there were tears. Yet I kept hoping for the best. Nyktos rendered me an emotional mess with his words and actions, whether it was joy or sorrow. And still, I loved him with my whole heart.

Dampness rushed to my eyes, and I quickly looked away. I had to. Ragged, raw emotion swelled. What he said meant the realm to me, because every word he’d spoken had been about me and my actions. Not what he believed about me. Not what I or the embers could do for him, but what I had chosen to do. And for the first time in my life, I felt like I was more than a destiny I’d never agreed to. More than the embers I carried within me.
I felt like… more.

Sera and Nyktos both wanted to protect the other, no matter the cost. And while they tried to keep their guard up, in regards to feeling deeply about the other, they faltered time and again. So the steamy scenes between them were scorching hot! The passion and what they did to each other *fans face*, it was sensual and erotic! But they were both tested. Whether it was with each other or with others. So I appreciated the lighter moments between them. There was a scene with swords that added so much joy, happiness and heart that I can’t think about it without smiling! But truths we don’t even want to face came out. Revelations were shocking. Trust was broken and earned. It was impossible not to be emotional about it. And through every single step I couldn’t help but think that Sera and Nyktos were the ultimate power couple and I kept cheering for them!

“I know you’re strong and can fight. That you’re brave. Needing me or anyone to look out for you doesn’t mean you’re weak, that you can’t defend yourself, or that you’re afraid. We all need someone to watch over us.”
Heat crawled up my throat. “Do you?”
“Desperately,” he whispered.

As powers grew and others made themselves known, this book kept me in the palm of it’s hand. Shocking events happened that left me desperate to figure out what was truly going on. And as we watched things we thought were right, become shaded in another light, the world we knew twisted on its axis.  My mind was blown! So. Many. Times! There were perilous scenes where we didn’t know who lived and who died. Foreshadowing left me terrified or excited. We saw the creation of things we learned to fear in FBAA.  And we also saw some that we loved!  No names, you have to read it to see them again! And I appreciated yet again laughter during the moments that were intense. Whether it was battles or heart wrenching moments, we desperately needed that lightness. I just have to say Jaden, oh how I loved her antics, and Reaver with what he did for Sera, those two easily stole my heart!

“My instincts work completely fine. Earlier they warned me that you’d be angry with my decision to go out onto the Rise.”
His eyes narrowed into thin, glowing slits. “Have you ever tried, oh, I don’t know? Listening to it? Valuing your life?”
“I’ve never really had the opportunity to do so, now, have I?” I snapped.
Nyktos went completely still, all except his eyes. 

With unthinkable sacrifices, shocking revelations and emotional moments that leave tears falling down our face, A Light in the Flame is a must read! I was so excited while reading this book, but dread kept pooling in my stomach too. And there were plenty of scenes that definitely justified that dread! Unspeakable acts made me want to scream at the injustice.  My blood boiled, and I wanted revenge so dark that it would swallow the other person whole. But at the same time, I felt so much hope for what was to come. The friendship, the caring, the love that flowed throughout these pages was heartwarming and will leave a smile on your face. But be prepared, because the ending of this book, ohhhh it’s a good one. Fans of perilous moments will enjoy! And while it’s a cliffhanger in a way, in another way there’s something to think about. To hope for. And while I do that, I’ll be desperately waiting for the release of the next book!

I would not crack here. I would not break. I would not. I would not. I would not. Not today. My hands steadied. My chest loosened. My heart beat. I breathed.
I was nothing once more.

PS  Someones wish broke me.

I clamped my jaw shut as I slammed my palm against the door, searching for anger. For fury. But all I found was grief. Hurt. Disappointment. In him. In me.

PPS I cried 15 times.  Yes 15 times. This book undid me.

 

Spoiler Quotes: I’ll come back on release day and add these, but put a spoiler tag on them ♥

View Spoiler »

“Sera.” I thought I heard Nyktos whisper my name as I began to doze off. “You were never a ghost to me.”

 

“Why did you visit my lake if you had this?”
Nyktos was quiet for so long that I looked at him. He was still staring at the pool. “Because it was your lake.”

 

I wanted more.
I wanted to be his wife.
His partner.
His Queen.
I wanted to be Nyktos’s Consort.

 

She’s very important to me.
I ran blindly, my throat constricting.
You are one of the strongest people I’ve ever met.
I threw open the door as the embers in my chest pulsated, joining the throbbing agony.
You were never a ghost to me.
Some unknown need drove me down the narrow, musty  stairwell.
Liessa.

 

Rage, pure and primal, set fire to my blood as my chin dipped, and a voice among my thoughts whispered: mine, becoming a chorus of many  screaming, “Mine!” His stolen power. It was mine. His pain. It would be mine. Vengeance. Retribution. Blood. Mine. All of it would be mine.

 

Do you love him? « Hide Spoiler

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Reading Order & Links:

Amazon (click on covers) & iBooks (click on titles)

From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash Series) #1 Review: Jen	A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash Series) #2 Review: Jen	The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and Ash Series) #3 Review: Jen
A Shadow in the Ember Ash (Flesh and Fire Series)  #1 Review: Jen	The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash Series) #4 Review: Jen	A Light in the Flame (Flesh and Fire Series ) #2 Review: Jen
A Soul of Ash and Blood (Blood and Ash Series)  #5 Review: Jen	A Fire in the Flesh (Flesh and Fire Series) #3 Review: Jen	Visions of Flesh and Blood (Blood and Ash Series) #5.5 Releases February 20th 2024

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