Kingsley does an excellent job of blending the real world with the supernatural. Lydia is a strong, relatable character who handles the bizarre and terrifying situations thrown at her with a mix of fear and determination. The chemistry between Lydia and Aon is intense, adding a layer of romantic tension to the already suspenseful plot.

The pacing is generally strong, though there are moments where the story lingers a bit too long on building its dark atmosphere. However, the twists and turns keep the reader engaged, and the world-building is both vivid and eerie.

Overall, "King of Flames" is a thrilling start to The Masks of Under series. It’s a must-read for fans of dark fantasy, especially those who enjoy a mix of romance and horror.

Thank you Second Sky & NetGalley for this great ARC!

Oh I loved this. SOOOOO much fun, and much darker than I was anticipating. This is the first book in the series, and is very obviously meant to set up the story to come & to get the reader hooked. Well, CONSIDER ME HOOKED because I am ready to sign on for the next 5 books.

In Under, where magic is the norm and belonging to one of the six houses is everything, our heroine’s struggle with her identity becomes a captivating lens through which we explore themes of power, isolation, and acceptance. The contrast between her absence of magic and the powerful abilities of those around her creates an atmosphere of tension, particularly during the ominous Ceremony of the Fall, where her secret is revealed. This moment is both pivotal and exhilarating, prompting a thrilling chain reaction that drives the plot forward. One of the most compelling aspects of Kingsley’s writing is her ability to craft complex characters, and Aon, the enigmatic king of the House of Shadows, is no exception. Shrouded in mystery and darkness, he represents not only danger but also desire. Their tension-laden relationship is rife with uncertainty and longing, which Kingsley masterfully navigates with a delicate balance between attraction and fear. The allure of Aon is palpable, and as the protagonist grapples with her growing feelings for him, readers are pulled into a whirlwind of emotional intensity and moral ambiguity.
As the plot unfolds, it transforms into a seductive game of cat and mouse, where political machinations and personal relationships intersect. The tension rises as rivals plot against the unlikely bond between the protagonist and Aon, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Kingsley cleverly intertwines moments of action and romance, ensuring that neither overshadows the other, leading to a satisfying narrative arc. I highly recommend this book, it is filled with rich character development and intricate world-building. It is a must read for fans of dark fantasy and romance.

If you like Lightlark, kingdom of the wicked, and phantom of the opera you would certainly like this dark fantasy. Full of dark humor and gothic horror vibes it kept you wanting to keep going. I was really impressed with this book considering how many oddities there were. I don’t know what book two has planned… if this will be an enemies to lovers or a captive situation. I look forward to continuing the series.

"King of Flames" by Kathryn Ann Kingsley is a captivating fantasy romance that immerses readers in a world of intrigue and passion. The novel follows a dynamic protagonist entangled in a high-stakes battle for power and love within a vividly crafted fantasy realm. Kingsley’s writing is richly detailed, creating a compelling narrative that blends intense romance with epic world-building. The characters are complex and their interactions are charged with emotional intensity, making it a gripping read for fans of fantasy and romance alike.

I really enjoyed this book, thank you NetGalley for the ARC

I found this book to be very unique and was a very quick and easy read. I actually felt the book could have been longer, however sometimes a shorter read is preferred. I’m excited to see where the story goes as I didn’t feel like I fully got to the heart of all the characters.

Overall I very much enjoyed this book.

This book was very short and ended just as the action was getting started, however I enjoyed the world and the characters the author has created and look forward to delving deeper in the next book. Lydia was a likeable main character and while the romantic storyline seems like it is going to be a very slow burn, the dynamic between Lydia and Aon has been interesting so far. I’ll keep an eye out for the next book in the series.

King of Flames had me on the edge of my seat. It was my bedroom book (the book I read before I fall asleep). It was so good! Lydia is thrown into the world of Under as the worlds collide and allows the Creatures of Under to pass into our world. Why do they pass into our world you say? Oh no big reason besides growing their population with every sort. Lydia was just living her life working on dead people when one suddenly arises after she woke up with some weird symbol on her arm. What’s even weirder is that her best friend also has the same symbol. In this story Lydia fights for her life every step of the way in any way she knows how. Edu a king of Under comes to collect her himself, stepping through like a mountain and being very impressed with Lydias will to fight. But Edu isn’t the only one that Lydia has caught the eye of. The sadistic king called King Aon also is impressed with Lydia. Watching her from afar even when she wasn’t part of the chosen. Now she’s in his world the invasion of dreams begins and it is nothing but terrifying for Lydia. She wants to go home. No, she NEEDS to go home, back to her world. That is not happening any time soon. In this story the worlds change and the fight is to stay alive. Make it home and not fall into bed with a king,

This book packed a PUNCH! How on earth does this seemingly short book have so much inside of it? The detailed world building was incredible. No location was the same, no person introduced was the same and every creature was different.
My brain struggled to comprehend that no one was good., everyone was bad to some extent and I loved it. It was so refreshing.
Aon is an evil enigma I just need to know more about!

I’m so happy this is a re-released book/series because I need more of this series asap.

24 hours. That’s how long it took me to absolutely devour King of Flames by Kathryn Ann Kingsley. I was absolutely enthralled with this dark Romantasy that feels part Phantom of the Opera and part Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Lydia is a quick-witted, feisty FMC who actually makes smart decisions when faced with the darkness that has come to collect her. Edu and Aon are both intriguing kings of under who definitely make you question if you would run from or toward them. With a diverse cast of supporting characters and the mysterious ancients weaving fate behind the scenes, Kathryn Ann Kingsley has created an enticingly dark world that leaves you wanting more.

I'm so happy and thankful I got to read a book of my favorite author early through NetGalley! ❤️

I've read and already liked King Of Flames before. Now that the author has re-edited it, added new scenes and is rereleasing the series, I like it even more! I'm pretty sure there's more Aon scenes than there were before, which is great, since he is the MMC (and since he is a great character). I've upped the book from already 4 stars to 5 stars.

I love the worldbuilding in this series. The world of Under is super interesting, and it's full of interesting characters, and thankfully, we get to know them slowly throughout the story.

Aon is an amazing villain, I always love the insane ones. Not to forget his black clothes, black hair and mask - such a textbook villain.

I also have to mention- I love the new cover.

Now I can't wait for the next book!

ARC Review

A great read with a very intriguing world and characters.

Lydia wakes up with a tattoo she didn’t get & her day gets weirder from there - she’s been marked as a target of the hunt. Cue monsters chasing her and dragging her to the world of Under, where everyone is a monster reigning from one of six houses, into which she will be sorted during the Ceremony of the Fall. Unfortunately for Lydia, she’s attracted the attention of the worst of them all…

I struggled to get into the book as Kathryn uses a lot of purple prose, but thankfully the story line soon picks up and makes the read worth it. Overall, I really enjoyed it, especially the various inner monologues from the characters.

I can see how this series is going to build into a slow burn dark romance, but only ground work lain in this book.

Triggers: death, murder, gore, torture
Romance tropes: slow burn
1/5 🌶️ rating

Favourite quotes:
<potential spoilers>

Turns out that shouting at a tattoo wasn’t very effective, go figure.

All at once she was thinking too quickly and not fast enough, her thoughts a jumbled mess as they tried to vie for supremacy.

I was doing an autopsy, and like everyone’s worst nightmare, he got up and tried to kill me.

He had come, for it was time for the Fall, and he would not miss it for all the glory of Under. There were few things he relished so keenly as the hunt. For when the Ceremony of the Fall began… there was prey to be gathered.

She was not one who would fall victim to the world if she could help it. What a goddess she would become in Under before long.

“It’s going to be fine.” “It’s really probably not.” “No, but that’s what you say to people.”

“Buddy, don’t get huffy with me like I’m inconveniencing you.” Lydia didn’t quite know where she got the nerve to be so spunky with him. Maybe it was the drugs he had given her. “I was abducted by monsters. and I’m strapped to a fucking table. Sorry for taking up your precious fucking time.”

“Oh, good. I’ve dreamed up an insane nightmare man.”

Oh, be still my black heart.

“Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore,” Nick muttered.

“Do you drink blood?” “Yes.”“Do you have fangs?” He paused reluctantly. “Yes.”“Then you’re a vampire.” She smirked. “If it looks like a duck and it quacks like a duck…”

“I say that I am a monster who drinks blood, and you do not falter. I tell you my age, and that frightens you? You are an odd one.”

Whatever Under was, whatever its purpose might be… it was a world of monsters.

“You insist on continuing to become more interesting, don’t you, my darling?”

She was no longer running from a monster⁠— She had run into the grasp of one. A dark voice purred down to her, amused. “You called?”

“Edu has not taken your body yet? Surely, you jest. The oaf cannot keep his paws off anyone.”

“How I will delight in unraveling you.”

“My dearest lady, allow me to introduce myself. You know my name, yet you do not know with whom you have parlayed with so much as of late. I am Aon, King of the House of Shadows. High Lord of Warlocks, and—if you are to ask any others—the paramount madman and sadist in Under.”

“Careful, my dear…” Aon purred from the darkness. “I am not one to be trifled with. I would not so casually insult a king.” “I thought Edu was king.” A growl of frustration floated from nowhere. “Edu is a king. Hardly the only one to rule this world. I am equal in rank to him, and far greater in all other matters, I assure you.”

“Edu wants me dead because he thinks I’m a threat. Aon wants to pull me apart at the seams for a laugh. Either way, I’m fucking doomed.

“Try to enjoy the party!” Evie waved goodbye. “It’ll be a ball!” She rolled her eyes. “How am I supposed to enjoy the party? I’m probably going to die right after it.” “All the more reason to have fun.”

Fear me and my fork, ageless monsters of Under!

His heart may have skipped a beat, but he was not certain.

“Crying won’t help. Begging won’t work. I can’t run, and struggling will do more harm than good. I… I’ve lost. The only thing left to do is die with pride.”

What a book! I was absolutely blown away and can't wait to read more. "King of Flames" is an amazing introduction to the world of Under and to Lydia. I wouldn't categorize it strictly as a romance novel; it's more of an introduction to a rich, captivating universe. The steampunk vibe mixed with fantasy elements is fantastic. The author has done a remarkable job in building a unique and immersive world that pulls you in from the first page.

Lydia is a fascinating protagonist, and her journey is both thrilling and engaging. The intricate details and the vivid descriptions make the setting come alive, and the plot is full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself completely absorbed in this new and imaginative world.

The character development is also noteworthy, with Lydia's strengths and vulnerabilities making her a relatable and dynamic character. The supporting characters add depth and complexity to the story, each bringing their own unique flavor to the narrative. While the romantic elements are subtle, they add an extra layer of intrigue and emotion.

Overall, "King of Flames" is a captivating read that left me wanting more. I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment to see where the story goes. If you love fantasy with a steampunk twist and well-crafted characters, this book is a must-read!

I truly enjoyed this book! It sucks you in right from the beginning and makes it hard to put down. I liked that it was a different fantasy premise than most books I've read here lately. Lydia is an amazing FMC, headstrong and no filter, my favorite! Aon is still very much a mystery, and the ending of the book just has me desperate for book two!

I was so not ready for this to be over!!!!! Seriously so good and that ending!!! Kathrynn Ann Kingsley never disappoints!

Thank you NetGalley & Kathryn for the Arc!!

From the beginning this book had me hooked, the world building was just enough and not too much, the plot was very engaging and I’m conflicted about how i should feel about Aon….

I’m a big fan of Kathryn. This was a fast paced, dark, and fun read. The main character was a breath of fresh air for me.

So this is a super quick, fast paced read that I enjoyed quite a bit. The main character is so unserious which was actually kind of refreshing, a lot of the time with fantasy it’s very high stakes with a lot of emotion which I love but it was also nice to read from the point of view of a sarcastic fmc who just doesn’t seem to take any of it seriously. I liked the fmc however it did seem as though her and her male best friend just had zero loyalty to each other and honestly put themselves first a lot of the time which fair enough who can say if they were getting chased by a monster we wouldn’t run as fast as we could and leave our friends to fend for themselves. There was no romance or spice in the book but throughout the book it was building, I feel like the foundations for a good spicy romance were definitely there which will come to fruition in the next book maybe. I would recommend this book for a quick fun read, trigger warning though there is some gore which did make me feel a little sick.

The world building is amazing. The plot hooked me in IMMEDIATELY. It’s a dark fantasy, kidnapping, monsters/shifters, kings/queens, mortals/underworld, and morally grey mmc filled book.

Lydia is a mortal that is kidnapped by a king of the underworld in an attempt to increase their population. They have a ritual that turns mortals into monsters if they have been marked/chosen. Lydia and her friend wake up with the mark one day and are taken against their will. She then undergoes the ceremony but instead of turning into some type of creature like everyone else, she remains human.

Aon is a powerful king who is asleep, but for some reason a strong bond between him and Lydia begin to form out of the blue. They call for each other i’m their dreams and she becomes the reason for his early rising. However, he is a ruthless and brutal king who everyone fears. He is known for his horrific torture methods.

Aon is completely unhinged but obsessed with her. He has his own twisted way of showing he cares for her and I can’t wait to start book 2 to see more of him and Lydia. The book ends with a cliffhanger just when the action is starting.

First, thank you to Second Sky Publishing for allowing me to read the ARC of the revised version of King of Flames by Kathryn Ann Kingsley.
Second, not only is Lydia a strong FMC, but she is hilarious. Her comments and thoughts had me laughing from the very beginning. With this being a dark romantasy book, the humor is a nice offset.
I have not read the original version of King of Flames, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. There is a lot of world building in this book, but it is needed, as it is unlike any other world I have ever read about. Under is a one-of-a-kind world with more dark beasts and monsters than I can count.
I am very much looking forward to the second revised book, King of Shadows, to be released later this month and to dive deeper into what will happen with Lydia and Aon.