Everything about my life has been pretty normal working as a forensic autopsy technician. Until the day I woke up with a mysterious symbol tattooed on my arm. Suddenly normal no longer existed. The barrier between Earth and a world called Under, dissolved… Now I’m trapped with dozens of other people. Held prisoner by the creators of myths and legends, where the realm is ruled by two masked … by two masked kings who want to turn us into creatures like them.
But even though I didn’t choose to be here, this new world manages to pull me deeper, affecting me differently than other humans. Unfortunately King Edu, also known as the King of Flames, notices this and I’m now considered a threat.
If I want to survive King Edu and the dangers of Under, I need to escape. The only problem is, there’s another masked king who seems to have an interest in me. Aon, the King of Shadows, wants me here in this world, and he wants me alive.
I just need to figure out why.
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*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
What a great start to a new fantasy series. Our MC works with the dead all day with things going fine until she wakes up with a tattoo she has no memory of getting. This is just the start to what turns out to be one crazy day that never seems to end. That is some fantastic world building going on that is just full of surprise that you cannot guess. Just when you think you have it figured out we get a whole new twist that I never could have dreamed of leading all the way to the cliff hanger ending that will have you wanting more. Great for fans of fast paced fantasy adventures. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
So this book was a little outside of the normal genre I tend to read, but I like to step out of my box once in a while. Kathryn Ann Kingsley was also a new “to me” author, so combine those two and I wasn’t really sure what to expect. However, I lucked out because CHRIST ON A CRACKER it blew me away with how fantastic this book turned out to be. The writing was phenomenal. It was well paced. The plot was SO very engaging. The world building excellent. It had a bit of a steam punk feel to it which I loved. The characters were intriguing and well developed. I adored Lydia. She is (and I imagine will continue to be) a kicka$$ heroine. There is a plethora of fascinating secondary characters I can’t wait to learn more about. I especially want to know what is going on with Nick, a shapeshifter…yay!
There isn’t any romance in this first book, just a lot of setting the stage and character introductions. At this point I am not sure if this is heading in a love triangle direction of not. “I” don’t “think” it is. I think Lydia and Aon will be a thing, but I can’t rule out King Edu. So needless to say there wasn’t any sex except for a brief mention of King Edu getting serviced (he is a serious whore) (lol). I feel like Aon has some serious kink in him though. However that may just be my dark freak loving heart making a wish. Last, it all wraps up on a cliffhanger and book two is out at the end of March. I for one CANNOT wait…
Awesome book 1 of this series. Awesome book 1 of this series
I loved this book! I couldn’t put it down.
Love Lydia and that not usual with female characters from the books I read but she’s great. She’s faithful to herself and isn’t trying to be the brave heroine or an angry bitch all the time. She’s funny, smart and shares a good sense of humor. She’s very brave just she’s not gloating at it in front of others. She’s practical and trying to survive the best way she can.
This book is beautifully and so well writing. The plot so thrilling and keep you wanting to know more about what’s is going to happen to the characters. Especially Aon is an extremely attractive character. Dark and so mysterious. But also the other secondary characters are good.
Awesome starting for this series that I’m totally hooked too and already reading book 2.
Magic, darkness, witty comments, fights, chasing, amazing characters and brilliant plot. Totally recommend it.
We meet Lydia who has a thing for scary and horror. She works in the morgue, when one morning her life changes forever. It all started with the mystery tattoo that she woke up with. She travels from this world to another with a close friend. Everything is going to change for them. Their lives will never be the same. We journey with Lydia into a new world with much wonder. How will this change affect her? Will she be the same or will her world be turned upside down? Who’s that which lingers in her dreams? Will her questions be answered? A great development of characters, one is left to wonder more about this Under. Can’t wait to read the next book as this one leavesmon a cliffhanger.
“No souls are born in this place”
Get ready to lose yourself in an all new and elaborate world! King of Flames, the first book in the Masks of Under series is thrilling, intricate, and wildly engaging. Kathryn Ann Kingsley gives us just a taste of what’s to come and leaves you hungry for more. This book has so much depth, I feel like I just left cocktail hour and am so ready for the main course!
I absolutely loved Lydia’s character. She’s a snarky autopsy forensic tech who has lived a relatively quiet life before being plunged into the world of Under. She’s a fierce and kick ass heroine, and I can’t wait to see her find her footing in the next installment. We’re also introduced to several other side characters, as well as two kings – King Edu; Lydia’s captor, & King Aon; a seemingly deranged warlock. Lydia is different and upsets the balance of Under. Whatever she has King Aon wants it, while King Edu will do anything to keep her from his grasp. The Ancients may have called her, but for what purpose? Start the Masks of Under series today and find out!
This novel was so well written and exceptionally developed. The amount of world building done here while not seeming wordy was some work of magic. I admittedly get bored with a lot of descriptive writing and want to get down to the nitty-gritty, but Kathryn Ann Kingsley kept me completely engaged. I would consider this book to be introductions and setting the scene for this series, and does end in a cliff hanger. King of Flames also has the beginnings of a romantic subplot, however this could be my love for anti heroes showing through. Fingers crossed. Immerse yourself in this gripping fantasy today! Enjoy xo
This book completely and utterly surprised me and really opened my eyes to genres I never thought would be my ‘thing’. Kathryn’s way of writing is incredible on so many levels and totally captured me. The ending was maybe a little too exciting and shocking! Everyone should read this one, no matter which genres you’re attached to.
I read a lot and this book definitely stood out. I deeply nestled into my little niche of paranormal books whether it’s reverse harems, romance, or just paranormal and occasionally reading dystopian, sci-fi, romance, and fantasy. The beginning seemed like the opening for a paranormal book and veered swiftly into horror-esque fantasy within a few chapters. Edu’s POV swaps in the beginning made it hard not skip his parts, but eventually weren’t as stiffly formal and confusing. The monsters were well described as was the world and mythology. I loved that the main character made a connection with two of the characters for the new world so swiftly (Maverick and Lyon). The suspense of not knowing what the plan for the main character enhanced the story and created a pull to keep reading not just this book but the series as well. Some characters were an acquired taste and others you might just needed a twisted sense of love to care for. The concept of a shadow like world is not new, but the author created a very unique take and background for it. The world it’s self is Unique to a tee I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I would’ve liked to see more of the “madness” that everyone refers to Aon having. Some of the parts and themes reminded me of A Court of Thorns and Roses as well as Greek/Roman Mythology.
This will have to be quick, folks, since I normally don’t take or have the time to write a detailed non-ARC book review. Just know I absolutely LOVED this sassy, feisty type heroine! She’s the reason I want to keep reading. She was hilarious, even when she was genuinely scared out of her mind. I only dabble in fantasy paranormal on occasion, but this one definitely had me glad I read part 1 of this series.
Since it ends in a cliffhanger, a lot has yet to be resolved. I have an inkling now who Lydia will likely wind up with. Let’s just say I hope it isn’t…Oops! Sorry, I can’t tell you. Would be a MAJOR spoiler.
There is a lot to keep track of. Hence, the long list of stuff listed at the beginning trying to explain the different “houses” and characters. I just wing it, folks. What sticks…sticks..What doesn’t, doesn’t. As long as I have a firm grasp on the most important players, I’m all good. Whether you’re like me or enjoy delving into specific, nitty gritty details, this debut author knocked this one out of the proverbial literary park.
Lucky for me, book 2 released a couple of days, so I can jump right back into the fray.
(This is not a detailed ARC review. These comments are based on Kindle Unlimited edition.)
The ultimate fantasy experience!
This has to be one of the top ten fantasy/paranormal reads of the year.
“Panic Later. Deal with this First. Panic Later” – Lydia’s Gran
This was Lydia’s mantra throughout this amazingly entertaining and riveting journey that was King of Flames.
I truly can not recall the last time I was so bewitched by a read – It had such an eccentric cast of characters. It was fast-paced, twisted definitely kept me on my toes! One moment I would find myself in a scene that had me wanting to look away until it was over and then the next I was gasping for breath from laughing so hard. And Lydia what a refreshing in your face collection of intensely crazy and “it is what it is”. I loved her! She was genuine and fun and intelligent and her sidekick Nick, yeah loved him too.
I truly can not express what a blast this was to read. The universe that Kingsley created was so vivid and this was just an opening glimpse. I am truly excited to see where she takes us.
This ends on a hellacious cliff hanger – The kind that had me screaming ” H @ll NO!!” my son laughed at me – no kidding
I am not giving spoilers. The storyline is in the blurb. I will say if you are looking for a read that will have you cringing, laughing, a bit spooked, really curious and all the emotions in between – ONE CLICK
#KingOfFlames #NetGalley
I’m going to get my criticism of the book over and done with- it was hard to get into this book. I kept having to flip through the beginning to figure out which characters were which and how they were related to the story. And I was almost halfway through the book for anything of consequence happened, I know they had tattoos just up here and were pulled into the Under. This first book I believe was written to set up the characters and the Under. The last half the book was awesome!!! I really want to read King of Shadows and see how Lydia, Edu and Aon progress through the story!
5 Cranky Stars
Lydia is your typical forensic autopsy technician until one day she wakes up with a surprise tattoo. You know her life is about to take a drastic turn. She is drawn to the world of Under where two kings (you know this is about to be good) rule.
I really enjoyed the unique blending of genres. Suspense, sci-fi, and a bit of steampunk fantasy blended together, and you get this amazing read. I really liked the fact that Lydia is a strong female character. She didn’t lose her edge at all. I cannot wait to read more from Kathryn Ann Kingsley. She definitely has a fan for life in me.
I will definitely recommend this story to others.
Wow just wow!!
I read a lot and King Of Flames (The Masks of Under Book 1) most certainly stood out from the crowd in terms of content and uniqueness, in fact, I would go as far as to say that this was my stand out read for this year it was just that good folks.
This absolutely knocked my socks off and I am now gagging for the next fascinating instalment to hit my kindle and I so need it like now.
So yeh My first read by this author but I am now most definitely a new fan of this talented writer’s fantastical imaginings.
This was really unusual and imaginative with an almost steampunk fantasy vibe to it: the world building here was exceptional really setting the bar high in terms of its descriptive realism.
Its been a while since I was this excited over a newly discovered author and series but this is a shiny new star in a sea of fiction.
So half the time I was reading here I had no idea what the crack was, but did I care? hell no I just couldn’t put this enthralling and addictive new story down it was like it was surgically attached to my hand until that final dramatic curtain.
I can honestly say I have never read anything quite like this before its just that unique.
So the main characters themselves my thoughts: Lydia I adored she just had so much gumption and really wasn’t afraid to push the envelope and question things.
I also really appreciated her sense of humour and ability to see the funny in the most unusual places it was almost an added coping mechanism that really benefited Lydia’s mindset and mental health: it was also a really refreshing quality of hers.
Nick was also a really likeable individual and the friendship between him and Lydia felt authentic and genuine despite there current dire situation.
The world of Under itself is also something that I am extremely intrigued by it employs a hierarchy system on its inhabitants and I can’t wait to learn and experience more of it all and explore Under itself in much greater depth.
So the two main kings themselves and the current conflict between the two is so fascinating.
Edu, the King of Flames and Aon, the King of Shadows: Lydia seems almost a pawn caught between these two powerful figures.
I am also hopefully detecting a hint of sexual tension between Lydia and Aon so I will watch this space gleefully I am keeping my fingers crossed as I am really digging The king of shadows delicious and devilish vibe.
Also, the finale here was so good, tantalising and teasing my senses.
I as such am now really looking forward to that next delicious instalment here really can’t wait.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of King Of Flames (The Masks of Under Book 1).
All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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