We couldn’t leave you with just a summary of A Shadow in the Ember, you have to read about shadow-hands daddy Nyktos once again. In this post, we will focus on the main characters of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Flesh and Fire series, published by Blue Box Press, and their role in this fantasy romance.
If you like From Blood and Ash, then you owe it to yourself to read the OG love story from the prequel series that led to Poppy finding Casteel. Besides, it has all been prophesied by the Arae—the Fates—long ago!
Not sure how to read the two stories in parallel? We got you! Here is a detailed reading order on Blood and Ash and Flesh and Fire, along with the Blood and Ash family tree, to make your reading experience significantly easier and enjoyable! And don’t forget to check our FBAA characters’ analysis, too!
Let’s dive in, and as always, spoilers ahead!
A long time ago, the Ancients fell from the stars and ruled the lands. The Ancients gave created the Primal gods, and they in turn created the Gods, godlings and mortals. There are ten Primals and each rules over their Court in Iliseeum.
These are the Primals in A Shadow in the Ember, the first book in the Flesh and Fire series, but a lot changes after ASITE until the end of the series. Important note is that when a Primal dies, one from the same Court must be Ascended by the Primal of Life, or the deceased Primal’s energy will be unleashed in the world with destructive consequences.
Species: Mortal, then the true Primal of Life
Nota Form: White cave cat
Due to the deal King Roderick Mierel made with Eythos, as the firstborn female Mierel, Seraphena Mierel the promised consort of the Primal of Death. She must wed the Primal to save her land and consequently her people from the hands of the Rot—a great decay caused by Kolis’ usurping essence. She has grown up veiled, untouched and unseen—the Maiden, despite being the true Princess of Lasania. She is trained in the art of seduction in the Jade and fighting by Holland. What she doesn’t know is that Eythos did not only give her a purpose, but made her a deadly weapon. Sera possesses the last true embers of Life and Sotoria’s soul. Sotoria is the only weapon that can kill Kolis, making Sera invaluable and fatal after her Ascension to Primal.
Her tenacity, stubbornness and fiery temperament have helped her survive a life of great loneliness and hardship. In spite of all that, Sera has grown up kind, caring and in great need of love and affection. With Nyktos by her side, she will find that her opinion is valued and welcomed, she will ascertain her power and role as a female monarch. She is raised to kill the Primal she thinks is responsible for the Rot, and her guilt worsens the more she falls for Ash. And when she finally Ascends as the true Primal of Life, she will risk it all to protect those she loves and the realms. The Shadowlands Gods and future Primals will be her newfound family, along with the draken and, of course, Nyktos, who give her love and acceptance.
Species: Primal
Nota Form: White Wolf
The Primal of Death and Sera’s heartmate, Nyktos is the total book boyfriend. Having his birthright stolen, and his parents murdered by his uncle Kolis, he has grown up in fear and adversity. To prevent himself from falling in love with someone and endangering them, he has gone ahead and had his kardia removed. He has been watching over Sera ever since she was born, but sensing her fear at becoming his consort, he decides to give her freedom instead of burdening her with being his Queen.
Little does he know that his decision will torment her, and he will work tirelessly to give her love and affection. Even when he realizes she was tasked with killing him to end the Rot, he understands she was misled and despite the sting of betrayal, he does not push her away. Nyktos is terrifyingly strong for a relatively young Primal and will unleash everything to protect Sera and his people. By her side, he will not only let himself trust and love, but also grow as a person and a King. Did we mention that he is a virgin when he finally meets Sera? Yup, and he is an extremely talented and generous partner from the very first time. All hail our great, shadowdaddy King!
Species: Draken
Nektas is not just any draken, he is the first draken to ever been granted dual life by Eythos, the former true Primal of Life. He has ushered in the age of the draken, as protectors of the Primals. He was loyal to Ash’s parents and not to him. The minute he meets Sera, he knows she is the harbinger of great change and Ash’s great love. Nektas is a literal and metaphorical daddy. His daughter Jadis (the little girl in the pic) is his precious jewel, especially after losing his heartmate Halayna by the hand of Kolis. Jadis and Reaver another orphan draken, are two of the few younglings and under Nektas’ protection. He will make a cameo in The Crown of Gilded Bones and will help Casteel deal with Poppy’s stasis in The War of Two Queens.
Species: Primal
Nota form: Hawk
Don’t be fooled by how insanely handsome Kolis is. He is the definition of obsessive stalker and our main villain in both Flesh and Fire and Blood and Ash series. Kolis was once the true Primal of Death, ruling the realms with his twin brother Eythos, the true Primal of Life. When Kolis fell in love with a girl peaking flowers on a cliff, he chased after her and the girl fell to her death. Kolis’ obsession with Sotoria ever since has driven him mad. He not only demanded the girl be brought back, but tried to have her repeatedly reborn to be with him. After his brother denied his request, he killed his wife, and even stole his place as the Primal of Life.
The life of the Primal of Death can be full of fear and rejection, but that still does not justify his cruelty after becoming the false King of Gods. He was not always cruel and unkind, but his loneliness has made him a hated dictator. Once he learns of Sera’s existence he won’t rest until he can get his hands of her and take the last true embers of life for himself. And that is before he learns she carries Sotoria’s soul.
Species: Goddess, then Primal of Love, Beauty and Fertility
Aios is one of the first people who welcome Sera to the Shadowlands and the house of Haides. Aios is kind, caring and acts like a housekeeper for the House of Haides. She is happy to help Nyktos, her cousin, and is especially glad when he sees how Sera affects him. Aios has an on and off relationship with Bele. She was once one of Kolis’ favorites due to her hair color reminding him of Sotoria and is one of the few people Sera trusts with her life. Sera will later on bring Aios back to life and Ascend her as well. She will make a cameo to guide Poppy in A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire.
Species: Goddess, then Primal of the Hunt and Divine Justice
Unlike Aios’ calm and soft demanor, Bele is governed by a fiery and flippant temper. She is competitive, reckless and foolishly brave. She is one of the first people Sera brings back to life in the Shadowlands and her Ascension is the one who confirms Sera’s true powers. After Hanan dies, she gladly accepts ruling Sirta as the new Primal. Bele is extremely loyal and will risk her life to protect those she loves.
Species: God, then Primal of Sky, Sea, Earth and Wind
Originally from Phanos’ Court, he along with his cousin Rhahar, did not agree with the way Phanos rules and chose to leave. However, Phanos was greatly displeased with their decision, and they were hunted. Before they could be sentenced, Nyktos stole their souls and saved their lives. They have gladly served him ever since.
Species: God
Like his cousin, Rhahar willingly serves Nyktos and acts as his guard. After Sera’s arrival assumes the responsibility to protect her as well.
Species: Mortal
Ezra is the only member of the royal family who acknowledges and spends time with Sera in the mortal realm. The two constantly talk and help the poor together, but they don’t truly bond until Sera brings Marisol, Ezra’s lover, back to life. Ezra loves Sera, but has always been afraid of her powers of resurrection. She will later become the Queen of Lasania is Sera’s stead.
Species: Mortal
His cruelty to Sera knowns no bounds. There have been several instances where the two have been involved in a physical fight, but due to being favored by Queen Calliphe, Sera was punished instead. After his father’s death, his first act as King of Lasania is to have Sera whipped and preparing to do much worse, when Nyktos shows up and obliterates him, with Sera giving him the finishing blow. Tavius is sentenced to eternal torture in the deepest parts of the Abyss.
JLA loves to give us a plethora of unique characters, resulting in a very diverse casting and complicated world building. We tried to include as much fanart as we could find to prove our point! If you have not yet delved into Jennifer Armentrout’s fantasy books, then what are you waiting for? Both series are guaranteed to leave you wanting for more!
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We do not really see Callum in the first book of the series, but we do see more of him in A Light in the Flame and especially in A Fire in the Flesh. Callum is Kolis’ first successful Revenant—an undead being—and Sotoria’s brother. He has served by Kolis’ side ever since her death, and does not believe Sera is Sotoria.
Yes, the next book in the series is A Light in the Flame. The Flesh and Fire series is now completed and consists of four books: A Shadow in the Ember, A Fire in the Flame, A Fire in the Flesh and Born of Blood and Ash.
Always living in her own enchanted little world, Christina discovered the magic that can be hidden within the pages of a book when one dares to take a closer look from a tender age. An avid reader, she is constantly inspired to delve into the secrets woven between the lines and challenges herself to find her own voice amidst the chaos. She is a dedicated fan of the classics, but the supernatural creatures that have tormented readers for years are her kryptonite. The mastery it takes to infuse the author's essence, molded by the era they grew up in to their innermost desires fascinates her. Undoubtedly, putting her passion and knowledge on paper has a mesmerizing allure on her, and following the steps of so many other dreamers before her she wishes to leave her mark in the literary world. Guided by T.S Eliot’s haunting words: “I will show you fear in a handful of dust” she intends to wreak havoc in the minds of her future readers.
