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
ellahoward_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I loved this book and the development of Nyktos and Sera, but it felt like a kingdom of flesh and fire, a filler book that I just kept wanting for something to happen and it was either rushed or pushed further into the series plot line.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gore
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and 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
hapalyn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Cursing, Gore, Murder, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, War, Alcohol, Fatphobia, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Body shaming, Child death, Death of parent, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Torture
hq_reads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was brilliant - I loved the slow burn and angst between Sera and Nyktos.
The ending was very unexpected! I cannot wait for the next book!!! I have theories though….
The ending was very unexpected! I cannot wait for the next book!!! I have theories though….
Spoiler
I think that because Sera has Sotoria’s soul she will ascend when Nyktos removes the embers (because we know from the blood and ash series that he was successful). I think Sotoria will sacrifice her soul and die to save Sera… and I think Nyktos and Sera are heartmates and I think this will restore/has already restored his kardia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Confinement, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol and Fatphobia
chaptersofamylea's review
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
3 ⭐️
Not entirely sure how I feel about this book, neither loved it or hated it, but probably my least favourite book from this world.
I found the pacing to be slow in places and other bits unnecessarily dragged out. I will say that I will hand on heart will always fall into the emotive writing when its comes to Sera’s mental health, it gets me every time. I do like trying to link all the bits in the massive FBAA web but I did find myself ridiculously confused in other places. I also don’t feel I love the side characters as much in this series (Draken excluded cos who wouldn’t love Jadis), and I think thats one of the reasons I love FBAA so much. Interested to see what Kolis will do with this latest development though.
TWs: depictions of gore, violence, corpse depictions, ref to SA, panic attacks, anxiety and depression
Not entirely sure how I feel about this book, neither loved it or hated it, but probably my least favourite book from this world.
I found the pacing to be slow in places and other bits unnecessarily dragged out. I will say that I will hand on heart will always fall into the emotive writing when its comes to Sera’s mental health, it gets me every time. I do like trying to link all the bits in the massive FBAA web but I did find myself ridiculously confused in other places. I also don’t feel I love the side characters as much in this series (Draken excluded cos who wouldn’t love Jadis), and I think thats one of the reasons I love FBAA so much. Interested to see what Kolis will do with this latest development though.
TWs: depictions of gore, violence, corpse depictions, ref to SA, panic attacks, anxiety and depression
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and War
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Sexual assault
samantha_ellen's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I enjoyed every minute of this book & didn’t want it to end. I believe this is the best of all of JLA’s novels. The pacing was perfect & sentence structure was much easier to understand. There was still moments of modern language but I could over look that because everything else was amazing for me.
The relationship between Nyktos & Sera was one of the best I think I have ever read. I love them & their story so much. The spice was outstanding, the banter was spot on & the tension throughout the whole book was perfection.
I also really appreciated sera’s anxiety rep, it felt very real & the author explored it with nuance - I felt very seen in those pages.
Overall I think it’s my favourite of the whole FBAA world & I can’t wait for the last book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Sexual content, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
opheliaslittlelibrary's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders