A review by quirkykatie
The War of Two Queens by Jennifer L. Armentrout

5.0

Action packed! This is the book where the Flesh and Fire series and the Blood and Ash series converge. The Blood Queen is such a complex character: truly cruel yet capable of twisted and devoted love.

Casteel is taken prisoner by the Blood Queen and Poppy goes to war to get him back. Her hopeful and careful vision of war where cities aren't totally sacked and mortals are free is admirable and inspiring. She reveals herself as an amazing leader when explaining her plans to the generals. They encounter truly horrific things the Ascended have done to their mortals in their cities as they begin their war.

She is captured by the Revenants on the way to free Casteel and is taken to the castle in Carsodonia. We learn more about Millicent eventually learning she is Poppy's sister that didn't survive the culling and was brought back as a revenant but different. Malik is not supporting the Queen but stays because Millicent is his heart mate. We learn the truly horrific things that happened to his bonded wolven that "broke" him and how he ended up how and where he is.

Malik helps Poppy and Kieran rescue Casteel who is in bloodlust thanks to asshole Callum and by some miracle, everyone survived him. There are some excellently spicy feedings that takes place.

Callum is an ancient revenant and a very evil character and it's hilarious how many times he is stabbed and threatened. Tawny makes an appearance as a strange not dead person and reveals the full prophecy to Poppy. The draken are fantastic creatures and Reaver is hilarious. I'm so curious about his half human half draken form where he's blowing fire and snapping out throats while still human...

Poppy makes a deal with the Blood Queen to bring her the entombed Malec in exchange for her leaving with Casteel but she curses Kieran. They find Malec and Reaver mentions that the Joining should protect Kieran from the curse. So then there is the joining, and it is so hot!! And I love the way the treat Poppy with such respect and adoration. The conversation with Poppy afterwards when he tells her how honored he was that she open herself up to them was beautiful. The way the wolven are honored to guard a sacred ceremony. You just feel the love and support from everyone.

The story ends in the great war where Isbeth tries to kill Malec so that she can summon Kolis back to his full strength. Poppy ascends to a full primal and awakens Seraphina who joins Poppy in her mind and loans her powers. She slaughters the Blood Queen and brings everyone that died in the battle back to life. The book ends with Nektas and Poppy searching for Ires and Jadis and the knowledge that the great war is just beginning with Kolis.

I am excited to see the Malik/Millicent storyline develop.