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A review by karis321
This Ends in Embers by Kamilah Cole
2.0
~~Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the ARC!~~
2.5/5 stars rounded down.
So, I was reading my review of the first book when I realized that it came out just this past January. There is barely a ten month difference between that review and this one, which boggled my mind. So Let Them Burn was in the opening round of the Choice Awards; I guess it didn't really hit me until I started writing this.
You'd think I'd remember a lot more when I came into this book, but I didn't, really.
I recalled the major story bits, sure, but there were so many minor characters who were brought into the light more, and I could not for the life of me remember who they were. The only side characters I found interesting last time were the love interests and the queen, and their roles, while important, were really minimized to make way for these characters, and I couldn't bring myself to care about them. It really dragged the story and made me disengage so many times. I actually found myself falling asleep while reading this (I'm also dealing with a sore throat, so that could've contributed, too).
I think Cole did try harder with the worldbuilding, expanding upon the relationships San Irie had with nations other than Langley; otherwise, it didn't really change from the first book. Most is focused on retreading old ground, but there was one scene where San Irie's citizens were rallying to overthrow the monarchy and the Childe Empyrean. That was interesting, and while there were some hints on expanding on it, the beginning of a democracy is just swept over at the end.
As for Elara and Faron, my investment, funnily enough, swapped. Faron's captivity by Iya and the exploration of her being a monster held so much more of my interest. Elara's becoming the Childe Empyrean in her sister's place was something, but I didn't really care much about anything else she had going on, including her romance with her dragon partner. Keep in mind, I was still bored regardless of POV, but at least Faron's part managed to capture something from me.
All in all, this was a fine series, but I dunno if I will continue to read anything more from Cole. Her adult dark academia debut could be different from this series in a good way. Guess I'll wait and see want comes in the future.
2.5/5 stars rounded down.
So, I was reading my review of the first book when I realized that it came out just this past January. There is barely a ten month difference between that review and this one, which boggled my mind. So Let Them Burn was in the opening round of the Choice Awards; I guess it didn't really hit me until I started writing this.
You'd think I'd remember a lot more when I came into this book, but I didn't, really.
I recalled the major story bits, sure, but there were so many minor characters who were brought into the light more, and I could not for the life of me remember who they were. The only side characters I found interesting last time were the love interests and the queen, and their roles, while important, were really minimized to make way for these characters, and I couldn't bring myself to care about them. It really dragged the story and made me disengage so many times. I actually found myself falling asleep while reading this (I'm also dealing with a sore throat, so that could've contributed, too).
I think Cole did try harder with the worldbuilding, expanding upon the relationships San Irie had with nations other than Langley; otherwise, it didn't really change from the first book. Most is focused on retreading old ground, but there was one scene where San Irie's citizens were rallying to overthrow the monarchy and the Childe Empyrean. That was interesting, and while there were some hints on expanding on it, the beginning of a democracy is just swept over at the end
Spoiler
(i.e., it only happens because the queen dies. The council formed is explained away in a couple paragraphs. Lemme tell ya, it's not satisfying, whatsoever)As for Elara and Faron, my investment, funnily enough, swapped. Faron's captivity by Iya and the exploration of her being a monster held so much more of my interest. Elara's becoming the Childe Empyrean in her sister's place was something, but I didn't really care much about anything else she had going on, including her romance with her dragon partner. Keep in mind, I was still bored regardless of POV, but at least Faron's part managed to capture something from me.
All in all, this was a fine series, but I dunno if I will continue to read anything more from Cole. Her adult dark academia debut could be different from this series in a good way. Guess I'll wait and see want comes in the future.