A Curse of Blood & Stone

Fate of Wrath and Flame, Book 2

By: K. A. Tucker

Narrated by: Elizabeth Klett

Length: 15 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

From internationally bestselling author K.A. Tucker comes the second novel in her Fate and Flame series, an adult fantasy story that should be listened to in series order.

“I do not know how to love you and be a good king to my people.”

From jewelry thief to interloper to queen-in-waiting, Romeria flees Cirilea a traitor to all. But the yawning distance between her and Zander troubles her more than any king’s bounty on her head. While Zander may have escaped by her side, he seeks to regain his throne, and no immortal will ever welcome her as Islor’s queen. She fears it won’t be long before Zander abandons her as everyone else she’s ever loved has.

Zander sacrificed his crown to save Romeria’s life, yet he dreads what her existence means for the future of his realm. As Ybaris’s plan to destroy Islor unfurls, a more insidious threat, orchestrated by rival fates, lurks beneath the surface. He can offer his allies no honest explanation for why he protects the Ybarisan princess and takes counsel from Queen Neilina’s caster, leading those closest to doubt his wisdom—and his allegiance.

As their company aims for the Venhorn Mountains, steered by prophecy, Romeria is desperate to wield her newfound abilities to undo Princess Romeria’s treachery before the kingdom tears itself apart. But with the mortal rebellion swelling, bolstered by the gift of Ybaris’s poison, it may already be too late.

©2022 Kathleen Tucker (P)2022 Tantor

Quite the adventure...

After listening to the first book, I debated whether I wanted to use a credit for this second one. I'm glad I did! The world and story really expanded and Tucker really left us on a great cliffhanger. However, I would really enjoy if this was a duet narration. Klett is a good narrator, but I think a male narrator could REALLY bring this story more substance.

Fabulous!

The story is truly remarkable! It is unlike any other story I have ever read or listened to. It is engaging from the start, the author easily draws the background that all the action takes place on and my attention never wavered. While I always prefer at least one female voice actor to portray all female characters and one male voice actor to portray all male characters, this one voice actor has done an absolute fabulous job doing not only all the voices whether male or female but she has kept the accents correct between the characters, too. A major feat in and of itself. I am highly impressed.

OMG

I love love love this book. So many twists and turns, and things you aren’t expecting. Literally half this book had me kicking my feet. The characters are so good and their growth is incredible. I really love the world and magic! I think this made it into my top 5 favorite books.

Long travels

The entire book doesn’t seem reveal much. More of setting the scene for the next book with a few interesting trials.

Cannot wait for the third book!!

Pros:
Good world building
Enjoyed the storyline & the character development
Fun banter between the characters

Cons:
The cliffhanger - I wanted to know what was in that letter! The book should have ended after he read the letter.
Too-wordy, I found myself fast forwarding during some of the FMC's internal debates and the fight scene in the mountains
FMC is annoying at times - I am ready for her to become a bad a** already. I feel like she's immature at times and relies on other characters too often. I rolled my eyes at her quite often during this book, but less than I did during the first, so that's progress I guess.

Not bad at all

This story for me was like listening the most insane tea a friend would have to offer.

Couldn’t stop listening!

Such a great read! Great characters and development. Binge worthy! Can’t wait to start the next!

Excellent 2nd book in romantasy series!

4.5⭐️ 2🌶️ 4.5🎧

Publisher: Tantor
Narrator: Elizabeth Klett
Narration type: solo
Standard length: 15:32
Listening speed: 1.7x

Tropes: fantasy romance, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, found family, magic, political intrigue, prophecy, mythical creatures

📖 To prepare for the release of the third book, I needed to do a reread so I decided to listen this time around. It was wonderful to dive back into Romeria and Zander’s world after the very eventful end of book 1. With Zander’s eyes fully opened to who and what Romy is, and his kingdom snatched from him, things are a little rocky between the two of them as they go on the run. Romy needs to learn how to use her caster abilities, and hopefully gain the allegiance of the legion while they are on this journey, trying not to get taken out from many potential enemies.
Watching all of the different relationship dynamics throughout this book was so fun, seeing mistrust turn to loyalty, broken hearted lovers find their way back to each other, and the most unassuming protect the most important. You can’t help but cheer Romy on and want everyone to support her! It’s unclear what will unfold with the nymphs, Atticus, Ybaris, and Mordain, but I am certain they have a long road ahead.

🎧 This was my first time listening to Elizabeth Klett and she did a fantastic job! While I normally do prefer dual or duet narration, I was really impressed by her solo performance. She naturally has a mid to high pitch voice, but demonstrated a nice vocal range and delivered variety of accents and tones to fit different characters. She did an authoritative, British accent for Zander, but for Gesine while still in a British accent softened her voice and sounded very calming and peaceful. Her cadence didn’t sound quite as conversational as some other narration, and a bit more of a performance style but I actually think it works okay for fantasy or works set in other times or places where the cadences might just be a little different.

The narrator isn’t bad like i read.

You all were way to hard on the narrator. She did great and deserves kinder words than I read prior to listening. I dare say you all couldn’t have bested her. Be nice.

Breathe Taking

I was left breathless and speechless so many times. Can’t wait to start the next book. Don’t ever want it to end.