Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - A Light in the Flame

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!

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cryosphinx's review against another edition

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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.

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crinkledmochi's review

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adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Yeah I’m ready for the next book right freaking now!!!

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taryn_g's review against another edition

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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

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ca_gracie's review

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tense 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

4.0

I loved this book and love the series! I’m so excited for the next one to come out. The ending of this one (not a spoiler) is just a bit underwhelming and doesn’t quite do it for me. I hope the final book will wrap it up better.

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mango5564's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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zanazy's review

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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.

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.

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.

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