Review: This Ends in Embers

Today, I am so excited to be sharing my review for This Ends in Embers by Kamilah Cole. So Let Them Burn was an incendiary debut and one of my favourite reads of last year so my expectations were sky-high for this conclusion to the Divine Traitors duology. Luckily, Cole delivered.

Thank you to Atom Books for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. This review originally appeared on The Nerd Daily.

Faron Vincent was once the saint of San Irie. Now, she’s done the unthinkable: betrayed her country. Alone, disgraced, and kidnapped, Faron is forced to help Iya grow his bloody empire. With her soul bonded to a ruthless killer, Faron has become an enemy to her people… and she fears they might be right.

Elara Vincent-the new Empyrean-must undo the damage her sister has caused. San Irie has been brought back to the brink of war as Iya proclaims no nation will be safe from his brutal invasion. But how can Elara save her sister, her best friend, her country, and her world when she’s already cracking under the pressure?

Publication Date: 6th February

CW: racism, threatened suicide, self-harm, war, blood, injury, PTSD, corpses, burning, death, kidnapping, torture, ageism

Goodreads | Waterstones

My Thoughts:

This Ends in Embers is a fantastic conclusion to this YA fantasy duology examining the corruptive influence of power, cyclical violence, sisterhood and emerging from a devastating colonial rule. Oh and there’s dragons too.

Faron and Elara are the beating hearts of this duology. Their paths have hugely diverged from one another, pulling them into very different places. Both of them have new challenges to overcome here and must utilise their skillsets to survive. The events of the previous book have changed them forever and the way their dynamic shifts and evolves is brilliant. Cole gives each of them plenty of room to develop and grow, while keeping the pages turning. I think the decision for dual narration is perfect, as it allows you to get to spend time in each of their heads and understand their motivations a little more. It blurs the boundaries between what is considered right and wrong, good and evil. Their bond is the reason for many actions over the two books and this has such impactful ripple effects. I love that Cole ensures that everything has a consequence. It makes the stakes more tangible and increases the tension even further. You also get to see a wider perception of each of them, with a fascinating throughline about propaganda and manipulation. The public perception can change and everything can come toppling down.

Cole’s ruminations of the thin line between justice and vengeance are incredibly thought-provoking. This is not a duology that shies away from difficult topics and thrives in the ambiguities of the situation. The cycle of colonial violence continues, leaving scars on all of our characters. They are teenagers caught up in a war that involves gods and monsters. None of this should be their responsibility, yet they are the ones left shouldering the burden. Cole unpicks the Chosen One trope even further in this book—looking at what that mantle can do to a person. The weight of responsibility and legacy is heavy and the temptation for power is alluring. Throughout the duology, Cole’s characterisation shines. These really feel like three-dimensional people, infused with heart and soul. Your heart breaks alongside theirs and you root for them despite all the odds. I personally resonated with the depiction of the lasting effects of trauma and the cyclical nature of it. There are genuine consequences for every action here. It is war and that is a brutal, bloody place where mistakes get made and crucial decisions must be made. I loved the ever-increasing stakes and how this compounded the pressure heaped onto our characters.

Mirroring this is the intricate and frustrating political chess game being played. Cole digs into the fractions, the alliances and the rivalries. Power is not just won on the battlefield, it moves hands in a myriad of ways. We get to see the failings of the systems designed to protect people. In many ways, it is a book that advocates for change within the system, but also for tearing the system down to create a new one. Nothing is simple – instead we are given room for discussion and thought at every turn.

The plot itself is fast-paced, though allowing for these more introspective character building moments. It is compulsively readable with suspense and tension through the roof. Cole also expands on the already rich world-building here, furthering the lore and landscape of this immersive world. It feels like we could discover plenty more stories here. All of this culminates in a brilliant conclusion that is powerful and poignant. As you may expect, it is not clean-cut. The road ahead will be difficult and Cole does not shy away from that.

This Ends in Embers solidifies Cole as a name to watch in the YA fantasy genre with exquisite characterisation and a layered yet deeply compelling plot with plenty to say.