A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L. Armentrout – a Review

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Description:
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 by Jennifer L. Armentrout is the 2^nd book in her Flesh and Fire series. I am such a big fan of Armentrout, as she always gives us fantastic fantasy stories, and wonderful lead characters.  The Flesh and Fire series is a prequel to her wonderful Blood and Ash series, taking place thousands of years prior to that series. Refresher: Seraphena (Sera) Mierel, our heroine, was born to be an assassin, fulfilling her part in a deal made by her ancestor all those years before, as she has trained to be a powerful weapon. Nyktos saves her life, and he takes her to his home, to become his Consort. It is here where we meet all of Nyktos’s wonderful warriors that guard him, and when they get back home, we meet many more wonderful secondary characters. A Light in the Flame picks up where A Shadow in Ember left off, with Sera’s true mission was exposed.

Though at first, most of Nyktos’s people resent Sera, but as she realizes Nyktos was never her target, everything begins to change; especially her feelings toward him. Nyktos truly accepts that she was trained to enact her forced plans, but now Sera is free, determined to help defeat the real enemy. Sera had been trained all her life to kill Nyktos, and now she knows that everything she knew was false.  Sera and Nyktos were so great together, with their chemistry off the wall.  Nyktos continues to protect Sera, and slowly all his crew, begin to care for her too. I loved how Sera would not listen to others, when she wanted to train, as well as to help Nyktos; the warriors always gave in, and her wonderful abilities won them all over. 

Sera was an awesome heroine, strong, fierce, powerful, determined, a warrior, with amazing abilities and courage.  Soon she realizes that she loves Nyktos, even though he is unable to love, but she will also be protective of him.  Nyktos was also great, as we couldn’t help fall in love with him; especially how he protects Sera, as well of all in his realm.  They were so great together, both succumbing to their true feelings.

I enjoyed all the wonderful characters in Shadowlands, as they were lots of fun, and totally opening up and accepting Sera.  I loved Nektas, who was great with Sera, always offering advice.  But most of all I adored both Jadis and Reaver (Nektas’ baby drakens). I really loved how Sera would use her powers to bring back to life two important women, whom both would then ascend. As we get closer to the end, thinking all was well, the coronation happens, and Sera is crowned Consort.

There were many villains in this book, that had me hating them, and as we raced to the end, we learn how despicable many of them were.  Kolis, the King of the Gods (the false Primal of Life), was evil, especially when the truths are revealed about his knowledge of the past, changing the game.  Attes, who turned into a traitor, showing his true side. Veses, who blackmailed Nyktos, causing Sera to think he was having affair with her, but later she will learn the real truth.

What follows is an exciting, action filled, emotional, sexy, intense, and romantic adventure that had me holding my breaths so many times.  The last third of the book was mind-blowing, with heart wrenching, emotional and many surprising twists. Jennifer L. Armentrout once again gives us another intriguing story, with wonderful world building, and lots of action, suspense, violence, betrayal, passion and fantastic characters. Of course, as the norm for JLA, we are left open, with a cliffhanger at the end.  Now we have to wait to see Sera and Nyktos again. If you have not read the Blood and Ash series, I suggest you read that series, then start Flesh and Fire series.

Reviewed by Barb

Owned copy