“King of Flames”, book one in the Masks Under series, by Kathryn Kingsley transports readers to a realm filled with magic and mystery. The story revolves around a young woman’s forbidden attraction to a mysterious and alluring king. This attraction triggers a perilous chase, akin to a game of cat and mouse. The story’s heart-racing action promises to hold readers captive into the early hours, eagerly flipping through pages to unravel the mysteries surrounding the elusive King Aon and the realm of Under.
Bound to a dark king… Everyone in the world of Under has magic. Everyone belongs to one of the six ruling houses. Everyone except me. When all of Under gathers for the ancient Ceremony of the Fall and my weakness is revealed, hungry eyes turn my way. For some I’m unique, a mystery to be solved. For others I’m prey. From now on, every day will be a fight to survive. Most dangerous of all, I’ve drawn the attention of Aon, the mysterious king who rules the House of Shadows. Dark and seductive, he appears in my dreams, igniting a desire I can’t control. They say Aon is a monster, a killer, and worse… So why do I find myself drawn to him? His face is hidden behind a mask, but his voice and his touch enchant me. When the magic of Under begins to change, the six houses are thrown into a struggle for power and I begin a deadly game of cat and mouse with Aon’s rivals. Because if they discover our bond, they will stop at nothing to destroy me. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.
Title: King of Flames
Author(s): Kathryn Ann Kingsley
Series: The Masks of Under #1
Published by Hachette UK - Second Sky on August 26, 2024
Pages: 259
Genre(s): Fantasy
Source: Netgalley
Format: eArc 
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
Rating: 
Series Rating: 
Lydia, a forensic autopsy technician, life took an unexpected turn when she woke up to find an mysterious tattoo etched in her skin. The day’s mystery didn’t end there; it intensified when she was attacked by a body she was examining at work. The mystery deepened with the revelation that her best friend Nick, a security guard at her job, bore a matching tattoo. Their shared mark became the first clue in a chain of bizarre and frightening events, ultimately leading to their abduction into a shadowy world called Under.
Wow! This book was a wild ride, yet delightfully so. The world crafted by the author fascinated me. While it’s not a place I’d choose to visit, it impressed me. ‘King of Flames’ captured my attention from beginning to end with its captivating storyline, distinctive world-building, and intricate characters.
While ‘King of Flames’ is promoted as a dark fantasy romance, it’s best to lower expectations regarding the romantic element. The story is indeed dark but lacks the anticipated romance. However, the evident connection between Lydia and Aon hints at a possible romantic development in future sequels.
The installment was captivating, setting high expectations for the sequel, ‘Queen of Dreams’. My excitement grows for the next installment of this thrilling series.
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About Kathryn Ann Kingsley
As a USA Today bestselling author and award-winning designer, Kat has always been a storyteller. She delights in spinning stories of the sweetest nightmares to delight her readers with her unique twist of fantasy, horror, and romance. With ten years in script-writing for performances on both the stage and for tourism, she has always been writing in one form or another. Also on her list of skills are artistic direction, scenic painting and props, special effects, and electronics. A graduate of Boston University with a BFA in Theatre Design, she has a passion for unique, creative, and unconventional experiences. In her spare time, she builds animatronics and takes trapeze classes.
