Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.15 AVERAGE
3.15 AVERAGE
The best way I can describe Kingdom of Flames & Flowers is Cinderella meets The Bachelor meets the Hunger Games, but this is no fairytale. In the kingdom of Barcenea, a reaping is held every 5 years where females from each quarter are chosen and brought to the Seat, where there is a competition/selection process that gives these lower born girls the chance to marry nobles. It sounds nice, but there are secrets and dangers that belie this fairytale story.
Mari, our FMC, hails from the mud quarter - a poor and brutal section of the kingdom, where the people are starving, violence is common, women are mistreated, and all manners of things are stolen. Mari is reaped during during the year when the Prince will be selecting a bride, and the stakes are higher than ever. She quickly figures out that not only are things not what they seem to be, they are downright deadly.
Let me just say that I adore Mari and her character growth throughout the book. She is strong willed, a fighter, protective, and somewhat innocent/naive in spite of her experience. When we first meet Mari, she is essentially an illiterate beggar (like all the others in her quarter), but she is fighting not to become yet another victim of her circumstances. She goes in to the process just wanting a better life for herself and her mother. However, the more she sees, the more she begins to question things and refuse to accept the status quo. In doing so, she becomes determined to make things better not just for herself, but for all her people, even if she doesn’t know how just yet.
The MMCs (there are 2) on the other hand - that remains to be seen. They are hot, seem to care about Mari, and definitely give off some touch her and be unalived vibes, but there are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding them and their knowledge of/part in things. I have a feeling there are some significant revelations and growth ahead for these 2, and I’m definitely curious to see how it goes.
As far a spice goes, I’d rate this book as a 1-2. There are a few steamy moments and one open door scene.
Kingdom of Flames & Flowers was the first Raven Storm I’ve read, but it definitely won’t be the last. This book gave me magick and curses, dragons, plot twists (both expected and unexpected), passion, secrets and suspense, and a FMC I could absolutely root for, and I can’t wait for the next one in this series!
I received a free, advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Mari, our FMC, hails from the mud quarter - a poor and brutal section of the kingdom, where the people are starving, violence is common, women are mistreated, and all manners of things are stolen. Mari is reaped during during the year when the Prince will be selecting a bride, and the stakes are higher than ever. She quickly figures out that not only are things not what they seem to be, they are downright deadly.
Let me just say that I adore Mari and her character growth throughout the book. She is strong willed, a fighter, protective, and somewhat innocent/naive in spite of her experience. When we first meet Mari, she is essentially an illiterate beggar (like all the others in her quarter), but she is fighting not to become yet another victim of her circumstances. She goes in to the process just wanting a better life for herself and her mother. However, the more she sees, the more she begins to question things and refuse to accept the status quo. In doing so, she becomes determined to make things better not just for herself, but for all her people, even if she doesn’t know how just yet.
The MMCs (there are 2) on the other hand - that remains to be seen. They are hot, seem to care about Mari, and definitely give off some touch her and be unalived vibes, but there are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding them and their knowledge of/part in things. I have a feeling there are some significant revelations and growth ahead for these 2, and I’m definitely curious to see how it goes.
As far a spice goes, I’d rate this book as a 1-2. There are a few steamy moments and one open door scene.
Kingdom of Flames & Flowers was the first Raven Storm I’ve read, but it definitely won’t be the last. This book gave me magick and curses, dragons, plot twists (both expected and unexpected), passion, secrets and suspense, and a FMC I could absolutely root for, and I can’t wait for the next one in this series!
I received a free, advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Love the plot! Such a great world build and tension. Definitely made me buy the 2nd one so fast lol.
I went into this one blind, I didn’t read any reviews beforehand. I really enjoyed it. The FMC was strong and curious without being a Mary Sue. I loved that she kept pushing for answers and the twists the story took. My only complaint is this ended in a cliffhanger and the second book isn’t out yet :/
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I trudged through this book, but considering the pace of it it did NOT feel that way. This was a booktok rec I fell for and it was not for me. It's one of those books trying to come off as something super spicy and crazy and out there but it's really not all that. It's just insta-love sex, good for them. Not a whole lot of plot in my opinion and it was such a speed read due to their not being a whole lot of substance other than dragon dicks.
◦ I've received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ◦
⮞
⮞
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Don't waste your time
Childishly written Story line to long and going nowhere. Tired of reading a book written just so readers need to continue along with absolutely no resolution in the story line
Childishly written Story line to long and going nowhere. Tired of reading a book written just so readers need to continue along with absolutely no resolution in the story line
Provavelmente uns 2,5⭐️?
Toda a ideia de um Jogos Vorazes com Seleção misturado com dragões, para mim não tinha como dar errado, porque a ideia é MUITO BOA. Pessoas arrancadas da suas zonas e levadas para o castelo para passar por testes onde vão ser escolhidas para casar com a nobreza? Um dragão atormentado a cidade que tem ligação com esse mesmo castelo? Uma protagonista diferente das outras garotas que não cala a boca e luta?
Até 20% você me teve! Só que do nada o livro acelera em 2x, as coisas acontecem muito rápido, se sobrepõe, você não cria conexão com nenhum personagem lateral. E o plot meio que ok, mas fiquei esperando que fosse ter um plot de verdade que nunca chegou? Sentia que o que aconteceu era para ser um aquecimento só, mas enfim.
Não sou fã de triângulo amoroso (eu odeio) e já dropei livro por muito menos, tem o ponto de serem gêmeos que já trás uma bizarrice dark romance (apesar de ser zero dark romance), mas o que me pega é que eu não gosto de nenhum dos dois o suficiente para me incomodar com ela com o outro, e só tedioso ver o desenrolar do relacionamento dos 3.
Dito isso, não sei se leio o segundo ou não por motivos de existe um curiosidade mínima mas o medo de ser mais um desperdício de tempo talvez seja maior.
Toda a ideia de um Jogos Vorazes com Seleção misturado com dragões, para mim não tinha como dar errado, porque a ideia é MUITO BOA. Pessoas arrancadas da suas zonas e levadas para o castelo para passar por testes onde vão ser escolhidas para casar com a nobreza? Um dragão atormentado a cidade que tem ligação com esse mesmo castelo? Uma protagonista diferente das outras garotas que não cala a boca e luta?
Até 20% você me teve! Só que do nada o livro acelera em 2x, as coisas acontecem muito rápido, se sobrepõe, você não cria conexão com nenhum personagem lateral. E o plot meio que ok, mas fiquei esperando que fosse ter um plot de verdade que nunca chegou? Sentia que o que aconteceu era para ser um aquecimento só, mas enfim.
Não sou fã de triângulo amoroso (eu odeio) e já dropei livro por muito menos, tem o ponto de serem gêmeos que já trás uma bizarrice dark romance (apesar de ser zero dark romance), mas o que me pega é que eu não gosto de nenhum dos dois o suficiente para me incomodar com ela com o outro, e só tedioso ver o desenrolar do relacionamento dos 3.
Dito isso, não sei se leio o segundo ou não por motivos de existe um curiosidade mínima mas o medo de ser mais um desperdício de tempo talvez seja maior.
Firstly the beautiful cover drew me in and the story blurb sounded intriguing so I was thrilled at the opportunity to read an Arc for this story.
It follows the journey of Mari who has a strong likeness to Katniss (Hunger games), they both live in poverty stricken districts fighting for daily survival on scraps and supporting their family, whilst being strong-willed women who can kick ass and don't give up easily.
The children and young women from various districts are selected and taken by force by the guards every few years to the Kingdom, where supposedly they will have a better life, be cared for and be married to nobles.
The first half of the story is very much like The Batchelor meets Hunger Games, with the girls enduring trials and tests (survival of the fittest) to get further ahead for a chance to marry not just nobles but the Prince of the kingdom.
The Queen however has major red flags for danger and seems set on making Mari fail at every opportunity.
Mari despite having endured a tough life and limited-to-no education is still a tough inquisitive cookie and quickly realises there is more to the glittering facade of the kingdom and tries to uncover it's dark secrets with the help of some allies.
Easier said than done when she's competing in a trial where the losers seem to die or disappear, a fire breathing dragon roars overhead threatening all, and the prince has taken a keen interest in her.
With plenty of mysteries, secrets, plot twists, dragons, curses, brooding love interests, and escapes from death, Mari will keep doing all in her power to save herself, those closest to her, and her district.
It follows the journey of Mari who has a strong likeness to Katniss (Hunger games), they both live in poverty stricken districts fighting for daily survival on scraps and supporting their family, whilst being strong-willed women who can kick ass and don't give up easily.
The children and young women from various districts are selected and taken by force by the guards every few years to the Kingdom, where supposedly they will have a better life, be cared for and be married to nobles.
The first half of the story is very much like The Batchelor meets Hunger Games, with the girls enduring trials and tests (survival of the fittest) to get further ahead for a chance to marry not just nobles but the Prince of the kingdom.
The Queen however has major red flags for danger and seems set on making Mari fail at every opportunity.
Mari despite having endured a tough life and limited-to-no education is still a tough inquisitive cookie and quickly realises there is more to the glittering facade of the kingdom and tries to uncover it's dark secrets with the help of some allies.
Easier said than done when she's competing in a trial where the losers seem to die or disappear, a fire breathing dragon roars overhead threatening all, and the prince has taken a keen interest in her.
With plenty of mysteries, secrets, plot twists, dragons, curses, brooding love interests, and escapes from death, Mari will keep doing all in her power to save herself, those closest to her, and her district.