Following the aftermath in So Let Them Burn, where Faron reluctantly went with Iya and his associates to save her sister and try to rescue Reeve Warwick, This Ends in Embers reveals the chaotic outcome of that sacrifice among the people: Faron is branded a traitor for supposedly joining the enemies, her sister Elara is considered a useless God-chosen Empyrean to save them all, and they are subsequently left with limited options of allies to stop the reigning terror before it indeed spreads. The sisters must thread the fight carefully, or else they will get burned without ending the war at all.

I had expected to read such an intricate plot in the second book following a cliffhanger that connotes a high-risk act of surrender that left me feeling devastated, which Kamilah precisely delivers in this book. She does not let the sisters and their companions have an easy win; she slowly burns them from the inside first to eat their expectancies alive, to the point where readers might think that the sisters will lose the war immediately, before turning that fire into an element that gives them hope and power to break through the forces.

This kind of plot gives more time and space to explore both sides of the warring armies, particularly the strategies that they implemented to continue their battles and secure victories. I like how each side has a vastly different approach to constructing their methods; Iya and his allies are filled with veteran war strategists who look so confident with their plans. They are equally powerful in brute and intelligence, constantly one step ahead of Faron and her friends from the other side. On the other hand, while Faron, Elara, and their groups are not short in force, they know they are still outnumbered against Iya. So, I enjoy how Kamilah diverts their tactics to diplomacy and research, finding more efficient ways to stop the enemy without spilling too much blood or losing more than what they have.

A narrative like this will not deliver its intended purpose without a compelling antagonist, which is the position the character Iya serves throughout the book. Much like Thanos from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Kamilah effectively writes his character as a cunning, brilliant villain whose actions are unjustifiable but reasons that we can't even contradict because they hold a semblance of truth—awfully complex, whether you like or hate the character. The most highlighted aspect of his constant appearances is the slow mental torture he provides for both Faron and the readers as he keeps playing with us.

His dynamic with Faron is entertaining, not in the "oh, they're good together" way. Still, it's the kind of electric dynamic of stubbornness and attempts of dominance you will find in an archnemesis, who is fighting hard to make the other person understand them. I find it a relief that Kamilah never gives Faron space to succumb to Iya's manipulation, a turnover from the previous incident in the first book, despite the character inhabiting the guy she loves (Reeve). In this way, readers can see how much Faron has evolved; she is no longer a girl torn with her magic and Maiden status, trying to find a place post-war, but a resilient girl who grows into a quick-thinker who can show her resistance in different ways that could still benefit her.

Meanwhile, Elara herself is a wonder. Kamilah lets her strengthen her abilities further in gradual steps to prove that she's her sister's equal in every facet—an internal issue she's been struggling with in the first book, simply because she was not the Chosen One—yet, I believe that Kamilah has accidentally turned Elara to be a natural genius akin to overpowered main characters in shonen animes. It's unexpected but not an unwelcoming sight. I like how this outcome provides a small comedic moment that lightens up the story during an intense moment near the climax of the story.

Signey's characterization results in a striking development. Her growth from a supporting character to someone with an important role in ending a war forces her to become much wiser instead of acting petulant, essentially giving her more chances to be resourceful and diplomatic in her endeavors. Furthermore, it's fascinating to note how Signey is similar to Elara, considering that she's a sister whose brother is being held hostage by an arrogant king. This event generates multiple perspectives, demonstrating how diverse people's experiences are. Signey's rage demonstrates her lack of knowledge of warfare, but Elara's calmer response demonstrates her understanding of combat strategy, individuals, and the next step to victory.

Moving on to the next character, I feel the almost complete erasure of Reeve Warwick in the second book may be of concern to those who want him to be visible and highlight his genuine struggle against Gael Soto and the Lightbringer who inhabits his body. However, I feel his brief withdrawal is neither a sign of weakness nor diminishes his significance in the story. His temporary disappearance allows Gael Soto to bloom as previously mentioned. Kamilah suggests that Reeve's consciousness continues to monitor everything he hears, observes, and acts upon, as demonstrated by his swift adjustment to the situation upon his return to assist the sisters in the war. Reeve's unwavering commitment to being the sisters' rock, his strong criticism of Langley's recurrent colonization attempts, and his support for San Irie's independence as a nation are what I like about his character throughout the series. He has never failed, which makes it simple for him to jump in and aid whenever he regains autonomy.

In terms of the climax, I appreciate that Kamilah presents real consequences and sacrifices of a war; she doesn't shy away from killing off characters, but she makes sure that their deaths are aimed at specific purposes instead of simply being meaningless plot devices. Personally, I wish she had actually killed this person instead of swapping their death for another's; however, as long as the sacrifices make sense, I'm fine with the final outcome.

To summarize, This Ends in Embers is an exhilarating, thrilling conclusion to the Divine Traitors duology; it exceeds every expectation of a survivalist novel about maintaining independence with an equally impassioned demonstration of courage, family, and love. I feel that readers of dragon-riding fantasy novels should pay this series greater attention rather than dismissing it.