memoriesthatremain's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Sexual content
janeywaneyb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved the first book, and the second book didn't disappoint. Yes, it is slow in places as Sera and Nyktos work out their complicated relationship, as the people of the Shadowlands work out who and what Sera means to them and half finished conversations litter the chapters. You are left to piece bits together and link back to the Blood & Ash series, but I liked that. There is plenty of spicy smut to raise an eyebrow and maybe a heartbeat. Sera remains a character I adore, her strength, resolve, and humanity shape her actions and the growing feelings for Nyktos. I am a huge fan of the Draken and wish there was more about them... Maybe a new series in the making...I feel they have much more to offer, especially Nektas and Reaver. You are left with another cliffhanger, but this ending has a slight feeling of devastation like you don't know how things could work out or how it all links to Poppy and Casteel.....so many questions! Better keep reading!
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide attempt, War, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
cryosphinx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I thoroughly enjoyed both this and the previous book in the FAF series and find them to be more refined than the FBAA series (though I enjoy it immensely as well) and I did find this book to be better than the previous one. There's still the same issue will complain about, such as modern slang randomly inserted in, but it seems like JLA is better about the meandering thoughts in this book. I love the found family, the spice is still top notch, and that ending...I wouldn't say it's a cliffhanger but it definitely made me big mad that I have to wait for the next book.
The beginning was a bit slow and I was super confused and ended up having to stop and find a full synopsis of ASITE because I could not recall who is who and what happened. But once I got in to it, I enjoyed the ride as there's good pacing between action, story, world building, spice and plot.
I can't wait for the next book which will hopefully answer some more questions I have and how it'll tie back to FBAA.
The beginning was a bit slow and I was super confused and ended up having to stop and find a full synopsis of ASITE because I could not recall who is who and what happened. But once I got in to it, I enjoyed the ride as there's good pacing between action, story, world building, spice and plot.
I can't wait for the next book which will hopefully answer some more questions I have and how it'll tie back to FBAA.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: War, Child death, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
taryn_g's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Death, Murder, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Gore, and Confinement
Minor: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Death of parent
embelle's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’m really enjoying the Flesh and Fire series (I actually enjoy it more so than the original From Blood and Ash series!). While A Light in the Flame was a little bit slow in the middle section, the book was super entertaining and the plot twists kept coming. And the ending!!! Cannot wait until October when the last book is the trilogy is released, as I’m desperate to read more Sera & Nyktos
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, War, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
zanazy's review
dark
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
That ending… Let me back up first. The book picks up right after ASITE. Sera and Nyktos have been told a lot, yet by the end of this book, they are both still learning new things. Book ends on a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more like right now, but the ending felt rushed.
My Favorite Couple: Sera and Daddy Nyktos are the best written couple in this series. Yes, it helps we know they get a somewhat, TBD happy ending, but I still learn a lot and am left wondering how we get from where we are now, to where they are in the main story timeline. As a couple, their love for each other, because YES Nyktos loves Sera is goals. I was all Cas who after ASITE, but this went deeper. We learn more about why Nyktos denied Sera when he was first summoned, and we get to see into the past deal that inevitably intertwines their fates. There are scenes were you get all the warm feels, and there are some heartbreaking, world shattering scenes too. Daddy Nyktos loves fiercely but he has a few moments were the truth would have spared a lot of tears and loves that get frustrating. Biggest gripe is that they each don’t see clearly or refuse to admit how they truly feel to each other.
Our Lead: Sera is complex, imperfect, and a badass. She gives me hope and it’s her flaws that make her so much more relatable and likable than Poppy. For reals…. There is a lot of character growth for her in this book and seeing her form true friendships and feelings for those around her is beautiful. Sera, Nektas, Reaver, and Jadis are just the best.
The Story: To sum it up, not a lot happens to advance us closer to where we are in the main storyline so in that sense, I was let down. What we get instead are more prophecies, and more characters with what would seem are minor scenes, but then you realize they connect to our main storyline so it leaves you wondering. 95% of the book is introductions, backstories, and world knowledge. The last 5 chapters are when we see EVERYTHING happen at once so it feels incredibly rushed and then fade to black. It leaves you wanting more, but not in a good way… I want more because it feels like I suddenly lost power as I was in the middle of something, not because I felt this chapter of the story was truly complete with more ?s. Not sure if that makes sense or not….
Overall, Daddy Nyktos and Sera, along with their court of Gods and Draken save this book from being a total filler book. Truly, if you want to read the parts that advance the story, read only the last 5 chapters. Definitely could have been edited better and likely combined with the next book in this timeline, especially since we know where this relationship and the major players end up as of TWOTQ.
Spoiler
My Favorite Couple: Sera and Daddy Nyktos are the best written couple in this series. Yes, it helps we know they get a somewhat, TBD happy ending, but I still learn a lot and am left wondering how we get from where we are now, to where they are in the main story timeline. As a couple, their love for each other, because YES Nyktos loves Sera is goals. I was all Cas who after ASITE, but this went deeper. We learn more about why Nyktos denied Sera when he was first summoned, and we get to see into the past deal that inevitably intertwines their fates. There are scenes were you get all the warm feels, and there are some heartbreaking, world shattering scenes too. Daddy Nyktos loves fiercely but he has a few moments were the truth would have spared a lot of tears and loves that get frustrating. Biggest gripe is that they each don’t see clearly or refuse to admit how they truly feel to each other.
Our Lead: Sera is complex, imperfect, and a badass. She gives me hope and it’s her flaws that make her so much more relatable and likable than Poppy. For reals…. There is a lot of character growth for her in this book and seeing her form true friendships and feelings for those around her is beautiful. Sera, Nektas, Reaver, and Jadis are just the best.
The Story: To sum it up, not a lot happens to advance us closer to where we are in the main storyline so in that sense, I was let down.
Spoiler
Sera remains a mortal as of when this ends.Overall, Daddy Nyktos and Sera, along with their court of Gods and Draken save this book from being a total filler book. Truly, if you want to read the parts that advance the story, read only the last 5 chapters. Definitely could have been edited better and likely combined with the next book in this timeline, especially since we know where this relationship and the major players end up as of TWOTQ.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, Slavery, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Violence, and War
Minor: Murder, Slavery, Alcohol, Death, Infidelity, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, and Stalking
plsnotanotherdamselindistress's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I love this series.
This world is the one true escape. This book has made me feel every emotion I have. I felt it deeper than I thought I could feel a book story and I fear I am never going to find a book that gets to me as much as this devastatingly beautiful world did.
This world is the one true escape. This book has made me feel every emotion I have. I felt it deeper than I thought I could feel a book story and I fear I am never going to find a book that gets to me as much as this devastatingly beautiful world did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, War, Physical abuse, Blood, and Sexual content
Minor: Suicide attempt
sofi237b's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I just finished reading the from blood and ash series and the flesh and fire series. I read them in a particular order, so the stories got intertwined and i thoroughly enjoyed that, because the flesh and fire series explains a lot of what happens in the last book in from blood and ash.
I actually think i like Nyktos/Ash and Sera way more than Cas and Poppy. The romance is so good but so frustrating at the same time. Trying to explain the plot of either of the series to other people is rather difficult tho lmao.
The worst part is starting fantasy series that has yet to be finished, and the idea of waiting for a happy ending for both of the couples, breaks my heart a little :((
I actually think i like Nyktos/Ash and Sera way more than Cas and Poppy. The romance is so good but so frustrating at the same time. Trying to explain the plot of either of the series to other people is rather difficult tho lmao.
The worst part is starting fantasy series that has yet to be finished, and the idea of waiting for a happy ending for both of the couples, breaks my heart a little :((
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, War, and Death
michaela_reads_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really like this series of JLAs. I do think it’s kind of repetitive of the FBAA storyline and characters, BUT I think that’s okay because I kind of like this story better. And I think it also helps show the parallel between Sera and Poppy’s stories since they’re ultimately connected and related.
This story started off slow and I felt like they were having a lot of sex (don’t get me wrong I love shut), but there wasn’t much plot development. It did pick up in the last half and once that happened I had a hard time putting the book down. The ending kind of snuck up on me and I felt left a lot of plot lines and points open that I thought would be resolved but I guess that’s because there’s going to be another book lol so I’ll just wait to find out! Overall it was a good story and plot with a twist at the end I wasn’t expecting, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
This story started off slow and I felt like they were having a lot of sex (don’t get me wrong I love shut), but there wasn’t much plot development. It did pick up in the last half and once that happened I had a hard time putting the book down. The ending kind of snuck up on me and I felt left a lot of plot lines and points open that I thought would be resolved but I guess that’s because there’s going to be another book lol so I’ll just wait to find out! Overall it was a good story and plot with a twist at the end I wasn’t expecting, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Death of parent, Infidelity, Death, Animal death, Grief, War, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Slavery, Suicide attempt, Fatphobia, Murder, Body shaming, Confinement, and Cursing
balancethebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts