Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - A Fire in the Flesh

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. I find Flesh and Fire to be overall a better series than FBAA. I prefer the character development in the main characters, and the way secondary characters are utilized.

This was so close to being a 5 star for me, but there were a few moments where I found myself being like “girl really” that brought down my rating.

Overall this was a great addition to the series, and was the most moving so far, in my opinion (and in some points the most traumatizing). So beware the lovely emotional rollercoaster.

***Spoilers incoming****

The “girl really” -
- the diamond being in the freaking chandelier was hinted at so obviously 5028291 times. It’s obviously in the chandelier, Sera. You clearly know this.
- the “one thing that can overcome anything/the fates” allusion was fixing me Feyre’s riddle vibes. Like helloooooo the answer is love you clueless ding dongs. He also clearly tells her “I love you” in the dream/not dream, and that is never mentioned again. Even when he finally is losing his shit when she’s “dying”, it’s just like…that never happened. Wtf.

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nerdy_berdie's review

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

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

3.75

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zanazy's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

Daddy Nyktos is back! I loved ASITE but felt let down by ALITF as that book barely moved the plot. This book made up for it in a big way. Sera and Nyktos’ love story is beautifully written and feels real. It is complex, sad, and inspiring and a beautiful representation of love. Nyktos is THE one and only shadow daddy. He deserves all that is good. We get so many new tidbits that I am looking forward to continuing the series to see how it all comes together. Attes is my favorite character in this book, we get to learn more about him and knowing him in this timeline, makes me love his descendant in the current timeline more. Spoilers with my burning questions to follow.

Ok so regarding Ash’s kardia, he and Sera are heartmates which trumps all. He successfully ascends Sera and we see her becoming the queen of the gods and true primal of life. We learn Ash had a vision of Sera when she was born & knew she would become his weakness and had his kardia removed right before he finally brought her to the Shadowlands in an attempt to save her. Also, Sera was never Sotoria, she was a vessel with her soul and Sotoria’s both living inside her. It’s deeply hinted Attes loved Sotoria and it’s this that makes him pledge himself to Sera. The book ends by successfully releasing Nyktos’ dad’s soul from the star so they can use it to hold Sotoria’s soul instead, as ultimately she is the only one who can truly defeat Kolis. Kolis is a creep and I cannot wait for his death. The twist and surprises were learning Callum is actually Sotoria’s brother and the first revenant. And that Sotoria means pretty poppy and based on what we learn, I assume Poppy is Sotoria reborn and the one who can truly kill Kolis. How that will happen when Cas is her mate… I am curious to see play out in the next book.

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clairebartholomew549's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is pretty depressing for the first third or half, and kind of a slog. I appreciate that Armentrout isn't afraid to depict the psychological and physical abuse Kolis puts Sera through, and the effect it has on her, but it doesn't make for the most fun reading, and I missed Ash's and Sera's dynamic a lot (although the dream scenes were definitely a good salve). Everything Sera learns is interesting, though, and her slow realization of her own power and will is captivating. The back half or third of the book picks up a lot, and once Ash was back in the picture I basically breathed a sigh of relief lol. It's obviously inevitable that somehow some way he'll love her, and yet the journey to get there was lovely.

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claragweny's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-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

3.75

Of the Flesh and Fire series so far, this was my least favorite because of the first 60%-ish of the book. I think the amount spent on Sera's captivity could have been reduced by quite a bit. I do think the long, agonizing struggle, of what essentially boils down to sexual assault and abuse, really lets us be able to experience Sera's true power and relief when she and Ash are reunited. I just wish that part of the story had been condensed. Oh, but the last 10% of the book? Totally worth it.

Ash is truly the #1 shadow daddy in my rank.

From Blood and Ash spoilers below:
Is it just me or does this book allude to Poppy being Sotoria reborn??

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