A review by pages_with_panda
This Ends in Embers by Kamilah Cole

adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Book 2 continues right where SLTB left off.  I think I enjoyed this book more than Book 1 actually. 

Faron and Elara really switched stories here, but their connection to the gods and their reactions were interesting to see. 

 "Being worshipped was hardly a good thing, and a pedestal was nothing but a clifftop to fall from." 

Elara being the older sister and having to deal with these new powers and trying to be so selfless versus how Faron was considered selfish for trying to save her family was so GOOD. I really loved their relationship and how much trust they had for each other. That was super refreshing to see and I'm glad we didn't have a miscommunication trope here.
I especially liked them coming together at the end and having to fight together, and loved especially how they had to fight with each other's partner.


The characters were soo well done too. I loved Faron's rage and anger, Elara's patience and trust and even Reeve and Signey. There were so many casual Queer relationships as well, I loved the representation. 

We get a little more action and fighting than in Book 1, and I still really liked the alternating POVs from both sisters, although near the action at the end I felt like the lost-time worked against us. I liked how they were both really able to grow and develop individually but really loved Faron's inner turmoil and how she was
forced to work with Iya.
 

This book spent a little more time with politics and seeing how the leaders dealt with the threat of war but that it was truly the people on the ground who had to live with it. 

This is a YA book but I liked the little nods at how this could be a metaphor for the current US political climate, it could be too obvious for some. 

"Life becomes not about living, but only about surviving. We deserve more than that."

Quote from the last Chapter:
"Every day, we're going to wake up and we're going to try."

For example,
Faron spends the majority of the book wondering how she can come back form this, how her country will punish her, ect but we don't get any specifics on what happens to her?


 Overall a solid story, great characters and development and the magic system was pretty cool. The pacing could've been better; the beginning of the book started off pretty slow with weeks passing by and nothing happening, and yet the ending and epilogue felt very rushed. I just wished it was longer!