In the gripping fantasy sequel to A Shadow Bright and Burning that Justine Magazine says is "a pinch of Potter blended with a drop of Infernal Devices (Cassandra Clare)", Henrietta wants to save her love, but his dark magic may be her undoing.
“Devastatingly magical and monstrously romantic.” —Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of CARAVAL
Henrietta wants to save the one she loves. But will his dark magic be her undoing?
In the second book in the Kingdom on Fire series, Jessica Cluess delivers her signature mix of magic, passion, and teen warriors fighting for survival. Hand to fans of Victoria Aveyard, Sarah J. Maas, and Kiersten White.
Henrietta came to London to be named the chosen one, the first female sorcerer in centuries. Instead, she discovered a city ruled by secrets. And the biggest secret of all: Henrietta is not the chosen one.
Still, she must play the role in order to keep herself and Rook, her best friend and childhood love, safe. But can she truly save him? In order to try, Henrietta persuades Blackwood, the mysterious Earl of Sorrow-Fell, to travel up the coast to seek out new weapons. And Magnus, the brave, reckless flirt who wants to win back her favor, is assigned to their mission. Together, they will face monsters, make powerful allies, and discover that some old wounds are still full of poison.
Praise for Jessica Cluess's A Shadow Bright and Burning, Kingdom on Fire, Book 1:
“This is a novel that gives off light and heat.” —The New York Times
“The magic! The intrigue! The guys! We were sucked into this monster-ridden alternative England from page one. Henrietta is literally a ‘girl on fire’ and this team of sorcerers training for battle had a pinch of Potter blended with a drop of [Cassandra Clare’s] Infernal Devices.” —Justine
“Unputdownable. I loved the monsters, the magic, and the teen warriors who are their world’s best hope! Jessica Cluess is an awesome storyteller!” —TAMORA PIERCE, #1 New York Times bestselling author
In some ways, as far as sequels go, this is a read it to get onto the next book kind of story. It's completely filled with revelations and new characters are introduced. But there's something essential in the character interactions that missing.
Henrietta even says is, with all the war and death and threat of terror and destruction she doesn't have time to care about what her friends think or what she feels about them. Which is quite logical in the real world. But, if you're not a plot-loving reader, than books, I think, should be a little less logical than the real world. Because yes, I want to know the secret connections between the heroes and the villains - the betrayals and the unexpected mercy and even compassion that results from those secrets. I also want to spend more time with Henrietta and her friends. I want them talking and maybe even laughing. I want them arguing and teasing each other and getting into trouble and then getting out of trouble.
Those were the parts I enjoyed in the first book. And they happened in this one... some... but not quite enough for me.
Also, I don't even know what to think about all these boys. Magnus is not quite as charming, for good reason. But he's still Magnus and his feelings for Henrietta are wonderful but we're not allowed to see him struggling with them - not allowed to see her struggling with what he feels for her. The gag order stole all the fun from them. And still, somehow, his feelings for her and his immense respect for her make it easy to sort of want them to end up together in the end. But to do so would leave such tragedy in their wake that it couldn't possibly be a happy ending. Because Rook is already a shadow monster. And I don't know if there's any coming back from that. And Blackwood... I want to understand more what has their destinies entwined. But also his almost unconscious thirst for power is a bit frightening. It makes it difficult to root for him entirely. So, then, what are we left with? And how it will end?
