Sibling rivalry, impossible choices, and a world on the brink of war—This Ends in Embers (Divine Traitors #2) by Kamilah Cole is an electrifying conclusion to the duology that began with So Let Them Burn. Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and featured on tour with TBR and Beyond Tours, this YA fantasy delivers stunning imagery, high-stakes action, and a deeply emotional story of two sisters caught on opposite sides of a brutal conflict. With a richly developed magic system, powerful Jamaican influences, and characters that refuse to be forgotten, this book does not hold back. While I struggled at first since I hadn’t read book one, the emotional weight, complex characters, and jaw-dropping twists made this an unforgettable read. Please scroll down to find my 15 reactions while reading this book!
Title: This Ends in Embers
Author: Kamilah Cole
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Genre: YA Fantasy
Formats: eBook, Paperback, Hardcover, Audio
Book Buy Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Synopsis:
Perfect for fans of Raybearer and Fourth Wing, this astonishing sequel to the bestselling novel So Let Them Burn doesn’t hold back. After all, there are no easy endings in war—especially when sisters are forced to fight on opposite sides.
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?
This heart-pounding conclusion to the Divine Traitors duology pushes these unforgettable heroines to their breaking point and beyond. Because when the lines between hero and villain are blurred, deadly sacrifices must be made.
Be sure to get the first book of the The Divine Traitors duology:
This Ends in Embers – 15 Reactions While Reading
1️⃣ Emotional Overload – This book wrecked me emotionally. The betrayals, the sacrifices, the impossible choices… I felt it all. 💔
2️⃣ Confused at First – Since I didn’t read So Let Them Burn, I had to work to catch up on the lore and character dynamics. But once I did? Wow.
3️⃣ Stunning Imagery – Kamilah Cole’s descriptions shine. The battle scenes, the magic, the pain—it’s all vivid and immersive.
4️⃣ A+ World Map – Fantasy novels need great maps, and this one delivers. No confusion, no weird layouts—just a crisp, helpful guide. 🗺️
5️⃣ Dynamic Characters – Every character feels alive. They’re flawed, complex, and you want them to succeed (or fail).
6️⃣ Incredible Magic System – The magic is not just cool—it’s deeply woven into the world, making it feel essential rather than an afterthought.
7️⃣ Tense Sisterly Conflict – The Faron vs. Elara dynamic is painful in the best way. Watching them stand on opposite sides of war was gut-wrenching.
8️⃣ No Easy Choices – There’s no clear "right" side. The moral dilemmas had me questioning everything.
9️⃣ Villain You Love to Hate – Iya is terrifying, ruthless, and impossible to ignore. A villain that actually feels like a real threat.
🔟 High-Stakes Action – The battles and confrontations had my heart pounding. Every fight scene mattered.
1️⃣1️⃣ Queer Representation Done Right – The sapphic and demisexual rep is woven seamlessly into the story without feeling forced or tokenized.
1️⃣2️⃣ Political Intrigue – This isn’t just about magic and war—it’s about power, alliances, and the heavy cost of leadership.
1️⃣3️⃣ Rich Jamaican Influence – The cultural elements shine through beautifully, making the world feel fresh, vibrant, and authentic.
1️⃣4️⃣ No Easy Endings – This book hurts. There are sacrifices, consequences, and an ending that will sit with you for days.
1️⃣5️⃣ Can’t-Stop-Thinking-About-It – Even after finishing, I still can’t stop replaying certain moments in my head. This book lingers.
⭐ Final Thoughts & Rating
This Ends in Embers is a gripping, high-stakes fantasy novel that pushes its characters—and its readers—to the edge. It’s filled with tension, magic, and deeply emotional moments that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. While I do wish I had read the first book beforehand, I was still completely invested in Faron and Elara’s journey, their struggles, and the impossible decisions they had to make.
🔥 My Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐
If you love intense sisterly conflict, morally complex stories, rich world-building, and high-stakes magic, this duology is a must-read. And if you haven’t read So Let Them Burn yet? Trust me—start there first, because this finale deserves the full experience.
📚 Will you be picking this one up? Let me know in the comments!
About the author:
Kamilah Cole was a writer and entertainment editor at Bustle for four years, and her nonfiction work has also appeared in Marie Claire and Seventeen. A graduate of New York University, Kamilah lives on the East Coast, where she’s usually playing Kingdom Hearts for the hundredth time, quoting early SpongeBob SquarePants episodes, or crying her way through Zuko’s redemption arc in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
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