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raxji's review
4.0
Really enjoyed the continuation of Quen and Laurence's story, as well as the inclusion of other people with gifts. If you've read the first book (and you should or you'll be pretty lost), then you know that these two flawed guys work hard to be there and with each other. It is a nice change when everything happens so fast in other series. "Watching" them grow and learn as people and as a couple is really the best part of these stories so far. Looking forward to getting to know more about Freddie too!
shetland_pone's review
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Plot pacing issues, but do plot issues matter when they're just a backdrop for the well-paced romance?
izzy_gxwer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
tinkcourtney's review against another edition
5.0
"Quentin would tear the world apart for him, wouldn’t he?"
This was so good! Laurence and Quentin continue to oh-so-cautiously navigate the physical side of their relationship, while at the same time openly showing how absolutely devoted they are to each other (all within the context of a bunch of other stuff going on, of course).
“You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to.” Quentin snorted. What a preposterous suggestion. Where on earth else could he possibly want to be?
The epilogue had me questioning some things - moving forward with the series is now IMPERATIVE.
This was so good! Laurence and Quentin continue to oh-so-cautiously navigate the physical side of their relationship, while at the same time openly showing how absolutely devoted they are to each other (all within the context of a bunch of other stuff going on, of course).
“You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to.” Quentin snorted. What a preposterous suggestion. Where on earth else could he possibly want to be?
The epilogue had me questioning some things - moving forward with the series is now IMPERATIVE.
andrea_author's review against another edition
5.0
This book was *so* satisfying. Suspenseful plot, vibrant characters, and real progress in Laurence and Quentin's relationship. Can't wait to read the next book in the series. Write faster, Amelia!
wildfaeriecaps's review against another edition
5.0
I am so beyond emotionally invested in this series. I can't even tell you how much. The overall plot keeps shifting just slightly, always keeping me on my toes. I'm desperate to learn some of the secrets behind Quen's family. Speaking of Quen--I loved seeing his growth in this book. I'm so very, very unsure about his brother, Freddy. Laurence remains a sweetheart and Ethan is becoming a fast favorite.
kevinscorner's review against another edition
4.0
Knight of Flames is the second book in AK Falkner’s urban fantasy series Inheritance, and Laurence and Quentin return as new obstacles come between them as they navigate their powers and relationship. Much of Quentin’s traumatic past is still hidden, but the sudden appearance of his twin brother may provide Laurence answers he isn’t ready for. Meanwhile, a fellow psychic with mind control powers has come to recruit Quentin into his team of “mutants”, but he may not be as benevolent as he claims to be.
I really enjoyed the growing intimacy between Quentin and Laurence and how they trying to move past Quentin’s trauma response to nearly any form of physical intimacy past kissing. The surprisingly tender bathroom scene really captured their chemistry and attraction and love for each other. The mystery behind Quentin’s past still remains hidden, but more and more is being hinted at.
The X-men-esque storyline was a bit of a surprise as I was seeing the story more from the fantasy lens, but it does make sense with the abilities both Quentin and Laurence have can be considered superpowers. Again, the book takes very dark turns along the way with potentially triggering mentions of forced suicides and physical violence. Like last time, Quentin and Laurence are forced to make tough choices to defeat their foe and figure out how much they are willing to do for the one they love.
Knight of Flames is a natural progression of the story and characters in this queer dark fantasy series that delivers on the dark themes and action and hints at even more.
I really enjoyed the growing intimacy between Quentin and Laurence and how they trying to move past Quentin’s trauma response to nearly any form of physical intimacy past kissing. The surprisingly tender bathroom scene really captured their chemistry and attraction and love for each other. The mystery behind Quentin’s past still remains hidden, but more and more is being hinted at.
The X-men-esque storyline was a bit of a surprise as I was seeing the story more from the fantasy lens, but it does make sense with the abilities both Quentin and Laurence have can be considered superpowers. Again, the book takes very dark turns along the way with potentially triggering mentions of forced suicides and physical violence. Like last time, Quentin and Laurence are forced to make tough choices to defeat their foe and figure out how much they are willing to do for the one they love.
Knight of Flames is a natural progression of the story and characters in this queer dark fantasy series that delivers on the dark themes and action and hints at even more.
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
KNIGHT OF FLAMES continues the themes of consent and boundaries which began in JACK OF THORNS, but this time with an antagonist who can control people with his voice. As Laurence and Quentin work on their relationship with each other (navigating Quentin's telekinetically enhanced panic attacks and Laurence's need for physical intimacy), they continually emphasize consent and communication, and I'm enjoying them as individuals and as a couple. This stands in stark contrast to the way Kane Wilson runs his operation. Because he can compel people with his words, it's hard to know at any one time whether the people around him genuinely want to be there doing what they're doing at any moment. I still don't like "psychic" being used as a catch-all term for every power, but at least this book has specifically labeled Quentin's main ability as telekinesis in addition to referring to everyone as psychic. By the time I finished this book I no longer twinged each time the word came up, which is good since it's not a problem with the text, it's just now how I would normally use that word even though I accept that it technically describes the general range of abilities involved.
I like the episodic focus of the series so far, as a sequel it continues the relationship between Quentin and Laurence which began in JACK OF THORNS. It doesn't specifically wrap up anything left hanging, but it gets several aspects of their lives to the next stage. I would count among them the appearance of Quentin's twin brother. He was mentioned in the first book and is the first member of Quentin's family who makes an appearance in anything other than a memory or flashback. Being introduced to one of Quentin's brothers was cool but weird, I'm intrigued as to how much of a role he'll continue to play as the series continues. This particular book has a wholly new storyline involving the existence of other psychics, serving to establish both that there are other people with powers, and that even in that subgroup the degree of Quentin's and Laurence's gifts stand out. A very major thing was both introduced and resolved, and the epilogue serves nicely to situate that resolution in the context of the ongoing series.
One of my favorite things about how Quentin and Laurence are written is that they generally have completely different ways of processing the exact same situation. This applies to everything, but especially in their relationship. The progression of their dynamic makes sense, with each of them moving out of their comfort zones to meet the other partway, finding an equilibrium where Laurence isn't too horny to think and Quentin isn't panicking at the idea that sex exists. My impression of Quentin from JACK OF THORNS is that's he's likely sex-repulsed and asexual, and that seems consistent with him here as well (though he's working on that first part). Even though he's not ready to try and figure out what traumatized him in the first place (neither Laurence nor I believe that nonsense about all his layers of scars being caused by childhood clumsiness), I'm so glad he's trying to work through the panic and stop disassociating whenever he's stressed. Additionally, he's working on the panic first, then seeing if that calm can help in his relationship, rather that the other way around. Very specifically, Laurence isn't trying "fix" Quentin with sex, or any other aphobic nonsense that could so easily have been part of a narrative with this basic setup.
I'm enjoying the series so far and I'm very ready to read the next book.
I like the episodic focus of the series so far, as a sequel it continues the relationship between Quentin and Laurence which began in JACK OF THORNS. It doesn't specifically wrap up anything left hanging, but it gets several aspects of their lives to the next stage. I would count among them the appearance of Quentin's twin brother. He was mentioned in the first book and is the first member of Quentin's family who makes an appearance in anything other than a memory or flashback. Being introduced to one of Quentin's brothers was cool but weird, I'm intrigued as to how much of a role he'll continue to play as the series continues. This particular book has a wholly new storyline involving the existence of other psychics, serving to establish both that there are other people with powers, and that even in that subgroup the degree of Quentin's and Laurence's gifts stand out. A very major thing was both introduced and resolved, and the epilogue serves nicely to situate that resolution in the context of the ongoing series.
One of my favorite things about how Quentin and Laurence are written is that they generally have completely different ways of processing the exact same situation. This applies to everything, but especially in their relationship. The progression of their dynamic makes sense, with each of them moving out of their comfort zones to meet the other partway, finding an equilibrium where Laurence isn't too horny to think and Quentin isn't panicking at the idea that sex exists. My impression of Quentin from JACK OF THORNS is that's he's likely sex-repulsed and asexual, and that seems consistent with him here as well (though he's working on that first part). Even though he's not ready to try and figure out what traumatized him in the first place (neither Laurence nor I believe that nonsense about all his layers of scars being caused by childhood clumsiness), I'm so glad he's trying to work through the panic and stop disassociating whenever he's stressed. Additionally, he's working on the panic first, then seeing if that calm can help in his relationship, rather that the other way around. Very specifically, Laurence isn't trying "fix" Quentin with sex, or any other aphobic nonsense that could so easily have been part of a narrative with this basic setup.
I'm enjoying the series so far and I'm very ready to read the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child abuse, Suicide, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism, Biphobia, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Rape, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
awritingsparrow's review against another edition
5.0
Can I just say, it is a breath of fresh air to have a book where the LI's both understand what the word no means?
Also, it's fairly obvious that Quentin has repressed a large amount of what has happened to him as a child. I really hope that someone gets him to talk to a therapist because he desperatly needs one. And holding onto his boyfriend is not a good coping strategy.
Also also, what the hell is Quentin's brother plotting?
Also, it's fairly obvious that Quentin has repressed a large amount of what has happened to him as a child. I really hope that someone gets him to talk to a therapist because he desperatly needs one. And holding onto his boyfriend is not a good coping strategy.
Also also, what the hell is Quentin's brother plotting?
faehistory's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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
4.0
This is a fun book, not massively complex writing but the relationship between Quentin and Laurence is sweet. The villain is competent and poses a decent threat. The development of power and increase in control feels a bit too easy at times but fits well enough within the book itself.
I'm not a massive fan of Quentin's brother, Freddie, he feels like a relatively flat character, as do a lot of the side characters who seem to have one character trait but as the story is primarily about Quentin and Laurence who do experience growth within the book.
On the whole it is an enjoyable easy read.
I'm not a massive fan of Quentin's brother, Freddie, he feels like a relatively flat character, as do a lot of the side characters who seem to have one character trait but as the story is primarily about Quentin and Laurence who do experience growth within the book.
On the whole it is an enjoyable easy read.