Jessica Cluess

Even though she is not the chosen one--the sorcerer destined to defeat all seven Ancient demons terrorizing humanity in Victorian England--Henrietta Howel battles alongside the sorcerers in the war against the demons, journeying to find mystical weapons, gather allies, and uncover secrets about herself and her enemies.

A Poison Dark and Drowning

Steysha

When I finished book 1, I thought it was obvious what would happen next. But the story took a surprising turn, and now I can`t wait for book 3. 

P.S. Wiill there be at least ONE father who is good to his child? :D

Toni Turner

I’m so thrilled to say that this second installment not only fulfilled the potential the first one put forward but exceeded it. I am just so delighted and forever in love with Jessica Cluess’ writing! I fell in love with these characters and the twisty concerning internal struggles of each of them and how they all interact with each other. Although I’m annoyed that no one is learning their lessons I still love them so much. I don’t know if I can wait for October to come. This second book put me in distress and I still don’t know how to feel about a lot of things but at this point I’m so invested I’m just dying to know how this all plays out! 

Definitely a new favorite series!!

Alexis 

5/5 starts

First of all I just want to say OMG. I was super excited going into this because I had been waiting for the sequel forever! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will say there were a few plot lines that I saw coming (the whole Maria thing). also black wood was acting really odd through out the book. im not sure if it was a set up for the next one or what but I didn't like it at all. and then we have Rook... yeah I'm not even going to tough that. Also the whole plot with the evil being.... mind blown. why do I have to wait for the next book!!! I want it now!!! *throws myself on the floor*

Lovisa

Älskade den första boken i serien och älskade även denna. Älskar hur författaren tog den typsika tropen med the choosen one och vände den helt upp och ner! Coolt.

Southern Today Gone Tomorrow

Written by Jessica Cluess, A Poison Dark and Drowning is the second book in the Kingdom of Fire series and picks up with Jess, the magician/sorcerer mix, as a full fledged sorcerer living with Blackmoore, her now benefactor. The ward is down, and they must figure out how to destroy the Ancients, and who the person is who will actually full fill the prophecy.

I wanted to like this novel so badly. The premise is so interesting! Sorcerers, magicians, and witches, with giant monsters terrorizing England in the 1800s!

But, I was so disappointed by this second book. I was hoping that, having used the first book to lay the ground work, we would get more details in this novel. But, while there was much more action, everything was forces. Honestly, it didn’t feel like I was reading a story that was unfolding naturally, but something that was forced. This is a book that I wish was written in third person omniscient. To know everything in this novel and watch as the characters struggled through would be wonderful. Or even to just be able to get more perspectives than just Henrietta’s.

The writing itself feels like an American trying to imitate Victorian British, but only every now and again. And then, only the literature. Honestly, I don’t if a woman who grew up with an Unclean as a best friend, a boy at that, who regularly dressed his wounds would feel uncomfortable around men with “their coats off”. Not their shirts, their coats. If Cluess was really writing for the character, wouldn’t she have to feign disinterest? It was difficult for me to finish this book.

Again, I really wanted to like this.

Who would like this? Fans of Harry Potter, YA Fantasy, Historical Fantasy (maybe…. honestly, I would say be wary if you are a fan of history, this might upset you, and I don’t know how much research this author actually did), um…. if you are looking for a light right, but not a short read, this could be good.

I do think that, if you liked Harry Potter, you would likely enjoy this novel series.

If you like deep prose and deep story and complex characters…. stay away. Yup.

If, when the next one comes out, I was able to get a review copy, I would read it and hope that the writing improves…

I was given this book by Random House in exchange for an honest review.

Samantha bolton

Alex Roland

Katrina

Gabrielle Navarro

Lexie :) 

Madelynn snobl

Madeleine Ngo

Laura Kehoe

Kylie 

Elizabeth Lyle

reena_reads

Megan Lapides

katarina sarmo

Julia Madeira Campos Mendes Lima

Kelsey Holtaway

Cori McCarthy

Meagan

“Devastatingly magical and monstrously romantic. I can’t decide if this book stole my heart or ripped it out of my chest.” —Stephanie Garber, author of Caraval The magicians want her to lead. The sorcerers want her to lie. The demons want her blood. Henrietta wants to save the one she loves. But will his dark magic be her undoing? In this seductive and explosive 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 doesn’t need a prophecy to know that she’s in danger. She came to London to be named the chosen one, the first female sorcerer in centuries, the one who would defeat the Ancients. 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? The poison in Rook’s system is transforming him into something monstrous as he begins to master dark powers of his own. So when Henrietta finds a clue to the Ancients’ past that could turn the tide of the war, she persuades Blackwood, the mysterious Earl of Sorrow-Fell, to travel up the coast to seek out strange 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, meet powerful new allies, and uncover the most devastating weapon of all: the truth. Praise for A Shadow Bright and Burning: “Is it clear that Cluess adores the Harry Potter series and Jane Eyre? Yes. So do you. So does everyone. What matters is that her voice is her own. . . . A Shadow Bright and Burning delivers on the promise of its title. 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

A Poison Dark and Drowning

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