A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire

In Atlantia, Solis, and other kingdoms, blood is an extremely coveted resource. The blood of mortals is important for the Ascended as it helps feed their bloodlust after they become vamprys. Atlantian blood is even more valuable as it has supernatural power. Atlantians use it to sustain each other, while the Ascended want to get their fangs on it for their Ascension rite. The entire reason for the Ascended to keep Poppy confined may have been their discovery of the powers in her blood: Once Poppy grows into her full gifts, the Ascended intend to use her as a “blood bag” (38).

Both in a literal and symbolic sense, then, blood represents vital life force. Atlantian blood, descended from the gods, is the life force in its purest and most creative form. That is why blood is venerated in Atlantia as an important feature of wedding ceremonies and prayers. A sky raining blood is a message from the gods, the spilled blood of a supernatural being like Poppy grows a tree that drips blood like sap. The novel also mentions the Blood Forest, where trees with red leaves grow whenever the spilled blood of a god touches the ground. This forest, haunted by Craven and considered extremely dangerous, signifies the destructive aspects of the vital life force.