This series is outstanding! Seriously, I love these characters and this story. Jessica Cluess magically combines romance and adventure to create this nail-biting Victorian fantasy. Each character has their own distinct personality that shines through in their dialogue and actions. The storyline is fast paced and had me pouring over every page to find out what happened next. A Poison Dark and Drowning didn’t end on a cliffhanger, but I was not ready for the story to end yet! Which leads me to my only disappointment: Book 3 won’t be out until Fall 2018.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Let me tell you how much I loved book one!! I was finished with it in less than a day! And with three kids, work, and the life I have that is saying something. I locked myself in my room told the husband to take care of the kids and I finished that baby in under 5 hours. So when this one came to us I was like GIVE IT TO ME NOW!!!!



So going into book two I sat down and reread book one and of course fell in love all over again. But this one A Poison Dark and Drowning blew my mind!! AWAY MAN AWAY!!! This one has it all!



The characters are even better than book one, the danger is even higher than last time and man o man the twists!!!!! They WILL LEAVE YOU SPEECHLESS! There is NO book two syndrome in this baby folks! NOPE!! And I think I can say that I loved this one even more than book one!!




This one will leave you with your heart ripped out as you fall in love with all the old time characters of book one as well as the new faces we get to see. The story comes alive with the author's world building and a great paced plot. The danger is never far behind in this one and it won't let you down. If you loved book one you will love this one even more!!



And let me tell you this author is EVIL!! If you think you know whats coming next trust me you don't!


Posting Dec. 1st

I was hooked to the story-line and the characters right from the start, just like I was in the first book. I’ve re-read the first book before starting this sequel, so that also helped a lot I think – I was completely and utterly lost inside this world after my re-read of book 1 so starting book 2 right after was such a joy! Everything was just as amazingly written this time around as it was in the first book and I couldn’t get enough of it yet again.

+ The magic is further explored, and the Ancients unfurl ever more grotesque horror into this world.
+ Secondary characters introduced in the first book whom I came to love rather fiercely, begin to develop their own storylines in this sequel and I love that development so much because I fell hard for the characters in book 1. The characters were yet again nothing short of amazing and some of the characters development throughout this book was phenomenal!
+ action! SO MUCH action in this book
+ the settings keep being nothing short of amazing as well which is thanks to the amazing writing skills of the author. The writing is extremely well done. It feels like you’re in this world yourself, seeing it all happen right in front of your eyes. One of the great strengths of Cluess’ writing is her ability to plot out a truly complicated fictional world and makes me really believe in it. Her magical England in this Victorian Setting is absolutely stunning, dangerous, exciting and enthralling to read about. Once you get to know this world in the first book you won’t get enough and this sequel is even darker than the first book which is so awesome I think!

“THE PLOT TWISTS IN THIS BOOK MESSED
ME UP IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE.
AWESOME, SO FREAKING AWESOME!”

There are some major twists in the story and THEY.BLEW.ME.AWAY-BOOM!. Just like the first book, the author knows how to surprise me yet again in this sequel as well and I love, love, LOVE it! So yeah, I’d say; be prepared but I honestly don’t think there’s any way to prepare yourself for some of the things that’ll happen *insert evil laugh*

Middle book syndrome?

This second book did kinda feel like it’s a book with that well-known ‘middle book syndrome’ thing going on though; with a lot of build-ups for the third book present for example. Having finished this second book now and looking back on my reading experience:: I started reading this book with a feeling that I would’ve liked it if all of it was written as a duology and having it all completed in this book. BUT! having read the whole book now I’m really happy there’s a third one – really happy. Especially in the last 25% of the book, there’s just so much happening – OMFG – and I really can’t wait to read all about it in another full-length novel.

But the major reason I didn’t give this sequel 5 stars, was because of the romance development in this book. The changes of the romance elements involving Henrietta didn’t always feel reliable and believable to me because there’s a lot of change throughout the book and sometimes it was a bit too much I think. There are definitely moments in the book that had me swooning and sighing and of course, I’ve developed a lot of feelings for every character in this book and especially someone, in particular, I’d like to see Henrietta end up with. So maybe that’s why I didn’t feel a lot for the romance developments in this book because I was frustrated that so much change happened haha. But alas, I’ll keep my hopes up for the next installment… – wishful thinking never did anybody harm, did it? Lol.

MY CONCLUSION

“Jessica Clues created such an amazing,
magical and dark world that set my heart on fire
and it continued doing so in this second installment
of the Kingdom on Fire series. Simply amazing!”

Aside from the romance not being everything I’d hoped it’d be, the rest of the books is just really really good and an amazing follow up on the first book. Despite the fact you know this second book is a build-up to the grand finale, the last installment of the trilogy, there’s still so much happening on the side that makes sure you don’t get bored for one second even though this IS a book with that well-known middle-book-syndrome.

The writing may be even a bit more ‘bold’ I daresay, when I think back on how Jessica described some fighting events; just whoa… I mean, the ‘monsters’ were already creepy and such but some scenes were dark, brutal and so vividly written it gave me goosebumps and I loved it so much! I really liked seeing this growth in writing and growth of the story in general. I like it when authors explore even more darker settings/situations.

This book took the main story in several unexpected directions – like I said; the plot twists were A-MA-ZING! So much so that I’m not sure how the story can be rebound to anything like a happy ending with just one book to go. But I can’t wait to find out!!! If you loved a Shadow bright and Burning, you are going to love it’s sequel as well, I promise!

The description for A POISON DARK AND DROWNING covers what happens in maybe the first quarter of the book - and it's better that you don't know what happens later. Like the first installment in the Kingdom on Fire series, this book is full of emotional ups and downs that left me reeling (in a good way) and desperate for more.

One of my favorite things about this series is that Cluess has written such multi-dimensional characters to inhabit her world. Nearly every character we spend any significant time with has multiple sides to them and takes actions that aren't always expected. There isn't a clear delineation of who is "bad" and who is "good" (other than the monsters, I suppose), instead, we get varying degrees of "on Henrietta's side." Henrietta continues to be a strong heroine, who may make some rash or ill-thought out decisions, but the motivations behind her decision making is clear and makes sense with her personality.

My one complaint is a few piddly plot holes that left me curious after the fact. In the moment however, everything came together beautifully. A POISON DARK AND DROWNING is one of those books that, once you really start to get into the meaty part of the book, it is extremely hard to put down. A compelling read, all around.

One thing that some readers might be annoyed with is the development of a love triangle around Henrietta. Though it didn't bother me, because of Henrietta's feelings, I know multiple love interests can detract from the enjoyment of a book for some readers, so I thought it fair to include it in my review.

With the monsters continuing to be as terrifying as ever, a fascinating world that expands in this book, and nuanced characters, A POISON DARK AND DROWNING is an excellent follow-up to A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING. I cannot wait to see what happens next to Henrietta.

Much more action than the first book. I enjoyed this book as much as the original. I enjoyed the story.

Cluess, Jessica A Poison Dark and Drowning, 432 pages. Random House, 2017. $18. Language: R (100+ swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (fantasy fight and blood)

While Henrietta and the rest of London has survived the barrier coming down, the monsters are still out there and R’hlem has issued a bloody order – bring his Henrietta or all of London will die. First Henrietta and her friends will have to retrieve some magical aid, but they also need to unearth why R’hlem wants Henrietta so badly. And if they can, they need to stop Rook from turning into a monster after he was bitten in the last battle. Everything is a mess and because of her dual sorcerer/magician blood, Henrietta has few people she can trust.

Why did Cluess decide to turn up the swear count so dramatically this time? The blood is about the same and even the courtships or demure. The action is tense and compelling.

MS, HS – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher

A year or so ago, I had some very positive comments about Jessica Cluess' A Shadow Bright and Burning and I am happy to see that a second book in the series, A POISON DARK AND DROWNING, was recently released. This one, too, is filled with magic, romance, secrets and monsters! And isn't the cover absolutely beautiful? Read both books, in order. Then you will be ready for the third! Yes, these titles appear long, but the lexile levels are low (670) and both middle school and reluctant high school readers will enjoy the page-turning fantasy adventures of Henrietta (Nettie), her dear friend Rook, flirtatious Magnus, and the Earl of Sorrow-Fell. Author Jessica Cluess is a graduate of Northwestern University and I love that she has worked for Writopia Lab – here's hoping that we can get a representative to consider attending our annual Literary Festival held every Fall.

Links in online review:
http://treviansbookit.blogspot.com/2016/10/a-shadow-bright-and-burning-by-jessica.html
www.writopialab.org/

The follow-up to Jessica Cluess's magical young adult fantasy, A Shadow Bright and Burning (read my review), is equally as compelling and dramatic. A POISON DARK AND DROWNING continues Henrietta Howel's journey in the magical society of the Order, but she harbors a secret to protect her and the man she loves. Unspoken romance, secrets, lies, and tons of magic are just some of what you'll find in this fantasy series.

For me the Kingdom on Fire series isn't one that breaks new ground or blows my mind. But what it might lack, it makes up for in its setting and imagery. While reading this installment, I kept getting Wuthering Heights/Jane Eyre vibes with hints of Harry Potter-esque nods. The marriage of these literary giants was electrifying and so entertaining!

The series turns the heavily used "chosen one" trope on its head. Henrietta may not be the girl brought forth to save the world, but she sure as hell will try. That's what I really liked about her character. In this book, she knows who she is and what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it. Despite what limitations Victorian society places on her as a woman, she defies societal norms and refuses to conform.

“Despite everything - your lies, your wounds, I cannot help but love you. I'm helpless against it.”

I mentioned in my review of the first book that I was excited to see where Cluess took the love triangle. I really liked Blackwood's character—he's sort of like a brooding Mr. Darcy. Rook and Henrietta's storyline is very reminiscent of Healthcliffe and Cathy. Could that comparison foreshadow the future of their relationship? I guess we'll find out in book 3.

While I still hold tight to my prediction on where she'll take the love triangle, I did not like the love square that was a strong plot point in this book. It's clear who Henrietta truly loves and her feelings are unwavering. But then we have Blackwood making his intentions clear and then a third guy who wants a stab at Henrietta's heart. This may not be the series for those who are opposed to this type of romantic journey.

The strong point in this book is the dark and ominous tone against the backdrop of Victorian England and a strong and fearless female heroine. The romantic plot lines in this book definitely have moments that will pull at your heartstrings, but some readers may be frustrated at Henrietta's man magnet abilities.

* I received an early copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this book for free did not affect my opinion. Thanks to Random House Books for Young Readers for the reviewing opportunity.

A Poison Dark and Drowning is one of the rare sequels that I actually liked more than the series opener. Jessica Cluess continues to subvert the chosen one trope in an absolutely delightful manner. As in the first book, the characters were intriguing and I loved that we found out more about the world. I have a feeling that this series is just going to keep getting better with each installment.

This book picks up just a short while after the events at the end of A Shadow Bright and Burning. Henrietta is now living with Blackwood and his sister while desperately seeking a cure for Rook. The entire country is now actively at war with the Ancients and casualties are mounting. The plot of A Poison Dark and Drowning is a wild ride that kept me engaged and intrigued throughout. While some parts were predictable, there were some twists that I didn't see coming.

This book did an excellent job of setting up the next book in the series without devolving into feeling like a set-up novel. The first book was about Henrietta, Blackwood, Magnus, and the other boys discovering their magic and forming friendships. This one threw them into a brutal war and chronicled how they changed because of it. The character development was excellent, particularly for Magnus and Blackwood. Much of the character growth came about in the aftermath of foolish decisions as the characters witnessed the consequences of their choices. A wonderful female character was introduced in this book and she quickly become one of my favorite characters in the series. She is absolutely amazing and I adored the friendship that sprung up between her and Henrietta.

While I liked the characters, the world, and the plot of this book, I found the romance to be problematic. Part of this was due to the fact that Rook was reduced to a shadow of a character in this book. While I think the author did this intentionally to mirror his degeneration, it made it really hard to care about the romance between him and Henrietta because he had zero personality. Also, even though my ship ended up happening, I wasn't a huge fan of the way it played out. The love interest that I'd fallen in love with in the first book changed so drastically at the end of this book that they almost weren't recognizable as the same person. However, I still have faith in Cluess so I'm intrigued to see how she'll further develop the romance.

If you enjoyed A Shadow Bright and Burning, I think you'll definitely enjoy this one. This series is a fun and entertaining read that will entrance you. I'm very intrigued to see where the story will go next!

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A Poison Dark and Drowning is the second installment in author Jessica Cluess' Kingdom on Fire series. Henrietta Howell came to London thinking she would become the so called Chosen One. The first female sorcerer in a century, and the one prophesied to lead the sorcerers to defeat the fabled 7 Ancients. She's the first female to be inducted into the Royal Order by Queen Charlotte, and played a key part in the defeating Korozoth, the Shadow and Fog. But, she's also a formidable Magician having trained in secret while also fulfilling her other obligations to Queen and country. 

Magicians, like Witches, were supposed to have been hunted down and banned from England thanks to their part in opening the veil that allowed the Ancients to invade this world. That doesn't mean that there aren't a few around lying low waiting to be called to fight the Ancients. Even though Henrietta was confirmed as a sorcerer and told that she shouldn't use her magician skills, she still finds time to study on the side. When she learns about of a cache of weapons that may defeat the Ancients who are trying to conquer Britain, she, Blackwood, Magnus travel to Cornwall to find them.

Here's where things get really fascinating. First, we get our first glimpse of one of the more intriguing characters
in this story, and an important cog in so many different ways I can't go any further. Her name is Maria Templeton. Remember her name because she's not a bit player who you meet one time and then forget because so many other things happen in this story. We also meet Queen Mab who is bloody dangerous, psychotic, and could tip the war against the Sorcerers at any time . Last but not least, we get a glimpse of one William Howel, Henrietta's father who, along with her mother, are supposed to be dead. Henrietta's family history is uncover, and you will want to read what is revealed by numerous sources.

Let me say that this book actually excelled from the first installment, which I loved, because middle books have a tendency of letting me down. There's more on the line, plus, there's more action, adventure, and yes, a bit of romance as well. Cluess knows how to get the blood flowing. From the gates, the Queen comes under attack from the immortal known as R'hlem who wants one person. That person is Henrietta, who we have already discussed as being the so called chosen one. R'hlem is far from an easy nemesis for Henrietta. The so called skinless man is the most fearsome, the most intelligent, the most ruthless of the 7 Ancients. 

The romance angle in this book could be considered triple entanglement. Henrietta loves Rook. Make no doubt about that fact. Why else would she do whatever she could to ensure that he wasn't lost to the Shadows and the Fog of the monster that infected him? Why else would she keep his condition a secret from those she is supposed to be serving with and trust implicitly? But, there are two other characters in the Henrietta sweepstakes as well. I will say this, I am glad that one character has been ruled out. I was worried that this would continue until the third installment. Also, the choice is actually made, in part, for her after the battle with the powerful immortal known as R'hlem. 

Story Locale: Victorian England, Fantasy with Reimagined History. 

Series Overview: Fall 2016: A Shadow Bright and Burning
Fall 2017: A Poison Deep and Drowning
Fall 2018: A Sorrow Fierce and Falling

Okay, I will admit that I was a little nervous to start this book. I was nervous because I had a lot of feelings from the last book, mainly regarding Blackwood, and I was not sure how it was going to play out in this book. However, as soon as I started this book, I knew this was going to be a good one. The author did a great job at keeping my attention throughout the entire book. I thought the plot was really addictive and interesting. I couldn't stop reading it! There were some predictable storylines, but I thought it was great overall. THIS WAS SUCH A PLEASANT SURPRISE FOR ME. I REALLY FREAKING ENJOYED THIS BOOK.

One thing I felt like I was missing from the first book was action and tons of magic. I felt like the first book focused a lot on practicing magic, which was really interesting, but I was dying for more. This book DELIVERED on that aspect. I loved how the magic element was still present and important, but there was more action to keep the book moving. The author really increased the stakes in this book and I felt a sense of dread for the characters. I WAS ALWAYS SO WORRIED ABOUT THEM. I FELT LIKE THEY COULD HAVE DIED AT ANY MOMENT AND I WAS NOT EMOTIONALLY PREPARED FOR THAT.

Henrietta was a badass in this book, which made my heart so happy. I was so proud of her whenever she used her powers and kicked the butts of the villains. I loved her curiosity and her desire to protect those around her. She has a huge heart and it really tugged at my heartstrings when she was worried about the people she cared about. I will say that I thought she made a few dumb decisions and was a little slow to catch onto some obvious things. Actually, a lot of the characters were kind of dumb in this book. I felt like some of the answers to the mysteries in this book were so obvious, and it pained me that the characters couldn't see the obvious answers. However, I still really love the characters. Especially my baby, Blackwood. BLACKWOOD IS LIKE MR. DARCY SO YOU CAN'T EXPECT ME NOT TO LOVE HIM. IT IS SERIOUSLY IMPOSSIBLE. I WILL MARRY BLACKWOOD ANYTIME, ANY DAY.

The romance in this book got me HEATED. There were multiple love interests in this book for Henrietta in this book, and I was not for two of them. I have had my ship since book one AND I AM GOING DOWN WITH THIS SHIP. Magnus was a funny and charming character, but I never felt the romantic connection between him and Henrietta. I was glad that Henrietta addressed their romance early in the book. The romance between Rook and Henrietta annoyed me. I am a huge supporter of friends to lovers tropes, but Rook just never pulled me in as a character. I just really don't want them together because I feel like they are better off as just friends. I guess that makes it obvious that I ship Henrietta and Blackwood, AND I DO NOT REGRET IT. THEY ARE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER. THE OTHER MEN NEED TO LEAVE THE PICTURE BECAUSE MY SHIP IS ENDGAME.

Overall, this was a really fun and mesmerizing book! I CANNOT wait to see what happens in book three. BRING IT ON!!!

4 / 5 Fangs

*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *

Despite the fact that I enjoyed the book, I couldn't help but notice how Henreitta sometimes looked quite undecided to her desicions. Not to mention that there was a love square. The plot and the action were amazing, the dialogue sometimes funny and the tension with the Ancients and the secrets behind them, very well written.
But the lack of the solid romance and the ending made me a little disappointed. I hope everything will be resolved in the third book.

It has been 9 months since I read the first book (see my review here) in this series and I have read over a hundred books since then, so the details of this alternative London fantasy is a little hazy. This is historical fantasy, so most of the morals and society norms of late nineteenth century England are here, mixed with a magical world that has its own hierarchy. I remember thinking as I read the first book that it was interesting that your magical ability is what established your class in society, sorcerers being at the top and magicians and witches being on the lower end, although the differences between these types of magic is not great. The sorcerers use staves (wands) to help wield their magic and the magicians and witches do not. We do learn a bit more about the witches in this book, and their magic seems to be rooted in the earth and in healing. I think the first book put a lot more emphasis on the different types and why their status was dependent on it, but I can’t quite remember the details. But I do remember it being fascinating. All of the other historical touches ring true to that era, which makes this a fascinating read.

Both books are told through Henrietta Howel’s point of view. She is an interesting character with a nice mix of nineteenth century morals and what a woman’s place in society is, and a more modern perspective. She is strong and strong willed, but also doesn’t always trust herself and her decisions. I got a little frustrated with her in this book mostly because even though she professed to love Rook, she didn’t spend much time with him or really seem invested in his getting better. Her relationship with ‘the boys’ (the men she trained with) was also a bit of a puzzle, especially with Blackwood. But I put a lot of that up to the society of the times the story is set in.

There is a new female character that we meet in this story, Maria, and I really liked her. She is also a strong character and a survivor. I liked that when they first meet she is wearing trousers. So much easier to fight demons in trousers than the outfits typical for women of that era. Maria is a nice addition to the story and with her being a witch we get that part of the world fleshed out a bit more.

The plot of this second book was little bit slow moving and more predictable than the first book. I was able to guess many of the reveals before they happened, but there were a couple that still surprised me. The writing did not seem as tight this time around either. I kept thinking that I missed something, and would go back a few pages to look, but no, there just wasn’t the smoothness in the plot that I usually look for.

Still, even though there were faults it was an enjoyable read. The monsters and the world the author has created will keep me wanting to read the next one. I am also interested in finding out what happens to many of the characters and how the whole evil vs. good works out.

This is the sequel to A Shadow Bright and Burning and it continues the story of Henrietta Howel. We met her as a student/teacher in a school. She keeps mostly to herself and has only one true friend, a boy called Rook. She also has a power that she is keeping a secret, since she lives in a world where exposing it might cost her her life. But when Rook’s life is in danger that is exactly what she does, and soon she is proclaimed to be the chosen one. Her life turns upside down as she is shipped to London, where she enters the world of magic.

The world Henrietta lives in is an alternate version of the 1800s. For one thing there is magic in this world. There are three types of people that can wield magic: sorcerers, magicians, and witches. However, the magical society is not a happy and united community. While the sorcerers rule, magicians and witches have been shunned to the fringes of society and are looked down upon and even persecuted.
I found the idea of these separate groups of magical people immensely fascinating. They all use magic, but in very different ways and of course each group thinks their way is better than any other.
The plot revolves around the war with the Ancients that has been going on for a while now. The Ancients are creatures from another dimension, and humans and sorcerers have been unable to beat them so far. In this instalment we learn a lot more about them, where they come from and how they got here. We also find out what their motivation for attacking the human world is. All in all though, I found them to be rather one dimensional and underdeveloped.

The main cast of characters is basically the same as in the previous book. These are teenagers thrust into adult roles. The burden of saving the world partly lies on their shoulders and they are dealing with it in different ways. There is angst and secret being kept. Communication is not their strong suit and that causes a lot of rifts between them.
Henrietta herself is not what I would classify as a strong character, but she certainly is daring and headstrong. She is also impulsive and I wish she sometimes thought things through a bit more instead of just reacting.
Romance is naturally unavoidable and it is somewhat messy. Henrietta as the main female character is surrounded by boys and her relationships with them go through a lot of changes during the course of the book. At the end there is a twist in that department that I did not see coming and I have to say I am not a huge fan of it, but hopefully things will work out in the next book.

This is a fast book to read. It is full of fighting, secrets, mysteries to be explored, and twists and turns that will shock you. The end leaves you wanting more and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book, to see how things will play out.

2.5 stars

I should have listened to myself and not read book 2 of this series. At first I thought the author had matured as a writer, but I had more and more problems with the plot, the characters, and the writing style as the book wore on.

First off, oh, for the days of merely a love triangle! Henrietta has romantic tension with not two but THREE guys, although she claims to have been in love with her childhood friend since, well, childhood. As in the first book, I feel this story would be much better if told in the third person - there is so much awkwardness with Henrietta narrating. There are points where it just doesn't work for her to be conveying what is happening - at least, it did not work for me.

There is a scene in which words are written in the air and rearranged into the bad guy's new name - now, where have I seen that before? Oh, right, in Harry Potter. *eyeroll* I also figured out who the bad guy had once been way in advance of the Big Reveal.

I'm beginning to think Henrietta is a sociopath. There is a moment of great loss for her, and she hardly seems to feel anything. She doesn't seem to have true empathy for anyone. And I think her lack of empathy is catching because I felt nothing for her, her companions (okay, I felt a twinge for poor Dee), her city, etc.

Oh, and look, there is the obligatory same sex couple! (And I make fun of this only because I could practically hear the author being pleased with herself for inserting a cute gay couple into her story. Throwing a minor character gay couple into the plot does not turn a book diverse.)

By the end I thoroughly disliked both Henrietta and Blackwood. I'm rooting for the magicians and witches to defeat the sorcerers, even though that's not what the war in this story is supposed to be about....

I am very grateful I received an advanced reader's copy from the publishers and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

As this is the second book in a trilogy, I will not explain too much of the plot because it could contain spoilers for the first book. You can find my review of book one here.

Things I liked:

- Love, love love the monsters! The villains of the story are unique and at times very gruesomely depicted. I really enjoyed how the sequel explored more of them throughout the story. In the otherwise ordinary storyline the monsters give the book a unique quality.

- I like the worldbuilding as I always like stories set in historical London/England.

- I was a lot more gripped by the second part of the novel as the tension rose. I liked this book more than the first one, Cluess is definitely improving her story.

- I really enjoyed the epic battle scenes in this book.

Things I disliked:

- I felt the writing was too simplistic, but it did not annoy me as much as the first book did.

- The plot twists were really obviously, I predicted quite a few of them even back in the first book.

- The romance in this book felt rushed and developed way too quickly which made me feel like it's not sincere, I don't like love triangles, but I hate love squares even more! Really unnecessary as well!

- Henrietta has the ability to annoy me to no end! This sixteen-year-old girl constantly believes she has to save the world alone instead of trusting in her friends. I also get a sense of misplaced entitlement from her.

- Blackwood was one of my favourite characters in the first book, but now he has lost my good opinion. The way he forces both his sister and Henrietta to do things without their consent has my blood boiling. He should be called out on his bullshit a lot more, if you ask me! I hope this improves in the third book.


All things considered, I gave this book 3,5 out of 5 stars. If you enjoyed A Shadow Bright and Burning, you should definitely read the sequel as well! I'm looking forward to read the third book next year!

Awesome book! I think I enjoyed the first book a bit more, but this one is still awesome. It's full of magic, mystery, romance, great male characters and twists and turns. I felt for Rook who Henrietta professes to love, but he is not a priority for her.

I loved the first book in the Kingdom on Fire series and when I received this book for review, I had high hopes. Very, very high hopes. I am happy to announce that Jessica did not fail.
Book two picks up soon after the events of book one. The characters have graduated unto bigger and greater things, and have mostly went their separate ways. But, there is a war going on and that brings all of them back together again.
I loved all of the characters in this book just as much I did the first time around. Henrietta may drive me nuts at times, she's a strong heroine that continues to grow throughout the books. I love that she's not the chosen one, but continues to fight like she is.
The boys in this book are just as frustrating as they come. I have my favorites and whileI am nervous to see how some things will turn out (probably not in my favor), I like the relationships built within the story.
Jessica is a strong writer, in that she pulls your right into the story and you don't come out until it's all said and done. The monsters she created are fantastic and the feel of the whole book is one thrilling adventure.
I cannot wait for book 3!!!

This is the middle book in a trilogy. Henrietta has been confirmed as a sorcerer but is still studying magic on the side. She knows that she isn't the prophesied Chosen who will finally defeat the Ancients but it is being kept secret from most of the sorcerers. When they learn of a cache of weapons that may defeat the Ancients who are trying to conquer Britain, she goes to find them along with Blackwood, Magnus and other of her colleagues. They are forced to make a deal with Mab, the faerie queen, to travel there. There they also meet Maria who is hiding the fact that she is a powerful witch.

Things are getting dire. Rook is losing his battle to stay human and is being consumed by shadows. Henrietta learns a secret about Rh'lem who is the leader of the Ancients and she learns more about the past that involved her father, Blackwood's father, and her magician teacher Mickelmas.

Henrietta is a boy magnet and her various relationships play in the plot of this story. She loves Rook who was her childhood friend and has promised to marry him despite their very different social classes and that he is unclean because he was bitten by a familiar. But she is in danger of losing him to his injuries as he turns into an evil shadow creature. Her fellow sorcerer Magnus has fallen for her but she rebuffed him which has altered their friendship. And Blackwood has fallen in love with her and shared his family secrets.

It will be interesting to see how the story plays out in the final book of the trilogy.

As soon as I finished the first book, I craved to read on. Not because it ended in a needy way, but because the author had created an absolutely engaging world. And those characters! In this sequel, they shine with terribly flawed beauty.

An imperfect yet brave and witty heroine, a double-sided magic, a proper London on the brink of monstrous invasion, and plenty of mystery, secrets and conspiracies to keep me on the edge of my seat. And let's not forget the boys. So many interesting male characters that support, tease or keep the female character on her toes. It is wonderfully entertaining. Now, Henrietta Howell embarks on a quest to unravel dangerous secrets that could help England to oppose the most horrifying ultimatum from the demon forces that haunt the realm.

This quest is exciting, creepy and imaginative. Oh, but the sacrifices and loss and heartbreak along the way! I really got into the dark paths Henrietta's decisions take her in search of a means to vanquish her unnatural, tricky enemy. Would she succeed in her beliefs to mix magics or was she dooming everyone who followed her down that road to twisted possibilities? In addition, I relished every little moment devoted to tea, proper social etiquette and feelings towards all the men in her heroic, unladylike life. Dutiful Blackwood, charming Magnus, tortured Rook. Magnus and Mickelmas have the most amazing lines of dialogue!

The story sizzles with new magic, new strategies and many battles. Ghastly secrets shock Henrietta. That was impressive to read. And meant more twists for a great, thrilling plot that exploded in the end with unforeseen, mortal consequences.

I both loved and dreaded the ending. It is a painful one in so many ways, epic in scope, and full of betrayal, blood and sin. If the first book was daring and addictive, this sequel doubles all its marvels and introduces darkness beyond imagining. Superb. 10 stars from my wounded heart.