But there’s still so much to their relationship that has to be resolved, and it’s a beautifully emotional journey as they do that. I loved Sera’s strength, courage and sass, and her determination to embrace her new life and all that she’s feeling. And we learn so much more about Nyktos in this book, and every little thing just made me love him more! He’s a total badass of course, but he’s a tortured soul and has his vulnerabilities, and Sera coming into his life has him feeling things he’s never experienced before. I loved watching him experience the wonder of it all, and loved how he accepts her and all of the changes that she brings into his world.

Wait.” I dropped my hands to my knees. “You mean like a…a Primal of both Life and Death? Is that possible? Because you said should not. You didn’t say could not.” In old Primal language, graeca meant life. But as Aios had said, it was also interchangeable with the word love. This book begins right where the last one left off, with world-shifting reveals changing everything sor Sera and Nyktos. Sera is adjusting to her truths about herself, the life that she will be living in the Shadowlands, and the part that she has to play in an ancient prophecy. She is also coming to realise that she may have the opportunity to live a life that she never thought she would. She is feeling free for the very first time, and she absolutely blossoms.

I barely suppressed a shudder. “And what would he do to Nyktos if he attempted to shield me from Kolis?” But that was who I was underneath it all, and Nyktos now knew that, too. There was no more hiding that truth—or any truths. Nyktos’s words had been harsh when he’d spoken them, but they were the truth. From birth, I had been nothing more than a blank canvas primed to become whatever the Primal of Death desired, or to be used in whatever manner my mother saw fit.

Wavy, reddish-brown hair fell against golden-bronze cheeks as he lowered himself to one knee, placing his left hand flat on the throne room floor and his right palm over his chest. also that ending?! I don’t know what to think anymore 😭 the fact that kolis knew the whole time that sera had the embers of life and all their planning was for nothing. i really don’t know how sera is going to escape kolis Despite the temperature of the room returning to normal, a chill broke out across my skin as I thought of what could come. “What will happen if Kolis enters the Shadowlands?” Gemma had been one of the few that Nyktos had secreted away from Kolis’s Court with the aid of gods like Bele and others and then sheltered in the Shadowlands. He gave them sanctuary. A sliver of peace.The rest of the Shadowlands crew play a big part. I loved getting to know these fabulous characters even more, and there are several characters in particular who just shine, and the friendly snark and teasing is so freaking entertaining as they grow closer. Yeah, except I had technically done that with Bele, paving the way for her to replace Hanan if he fell.

Update: JLa answered a bunch of questions for the book club (FB JLA book club) and some theories must be wrong with the answers we got 😬 We also now know that book 4 will not the last book in the Flesh and Fire series and despite the fact we will have to deal with another cliffhanger I am super happy these two get more books.Are you serious?” I exclaimed. “We’re talking about the same person who killed your mother and father. Who impaled gods on the wall of your Rise to remind you that all life was fragile.”

Penellaphe’s hand went to the collar of her taupe gown. “If Kolis had seen you and you’d looked like Sotoria, he would’ve taken you right then.” The eather stirred once more in Nyktos’s eyes at the mention of the Primal Kolis, who every mortal—including myself until recently—believed to be the Primal of Life and the King of Gods. But Kolis was the true Primal of Death. The one who’d impaled gods on the Rise surrounding the House of Haides just to remind Nyktos that all life was easily extinguished—or so I assumed. And it was a logical assumption. Nyktos’s father had been the true Primal of Life, and Kolis had stolen Eythos’s embers.

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But a coronation won’t be without its risks,” Penellaphe added. “Most of the gods and Primals from all nine Courts, including yours, will show for the ceremony. They should follow the customs, which prohibit…conflict at such events. But as you know, many like to push that line.” During all this Sera comes to finally realize her feelings towards Ash. She’s in love with him and it scares her, and of course he notices a sweet taste in her emotions one of chocolate and strawberries (which we see Poppy refer to love as this taste as well throughout FBAA) but Ash cannot understand what that emotion is connected to as he has never felt it. Bullshit,” I said, and the silver of his irises shifted to iron. “I don’t need to be protected from the truth. It’s not like I’ll be so frightened by it that I’ll run off a nearby cliff.” Holland sighed. You are the heir to the lands and seas, skies and realms. A Queen instead of a King. You are the Primal of Life,” Nyktos—the Asher, the One who is Blessed, the Guardian of Souls and the Primal God of Common Men and Endings—rasped. Those lips of his that had whispered heated words against my skin and had also spoken cold, brutal truths were now parted. Wide, silver eyes churning with streams of luminous eather—the essence of the gods—fixed on mine. A sort of awe and wonder softened the cold lines of his high, broad cheekbones, his blade-straight nose, and cut jaw.