Review by Booklist Review
After betraying her people to save her sister, Faron is stuck with her bond to Iya, held captive by a monster wearing the face of someone she loves. Unbeknownst to Iya (maybe), Faron's loyalty is nonexistent; she will betray him at the first opportunity to save her sister Elara, even in the wake of all they have lost. Meanwhile, Elara's new position as the Maiden Empyrean puts her at direct odds with Iya, as she works to rebuild the very nation he wants to break down. Trapped in opposition to each other by forces with immense power, Faron and Elara's dedication to each other continues to be tested against their bravery. This dramatic, sweeping finale to an explosive fantasy duology continues its exploration of the effects of war on young people from its unique post-childhood-trauma perspective. Combining the dragon-riding, breath-taking action of Rosaria Munda's Fireborne (2019) with the political intrigue and complex relationship dynamics of Rena Barron's Kingdom of Souls (2019), this is a stunning conclusion to the sisters' story
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--To all outward appearances, sisters Faron and Elara are on opposite sides of the latest war between San Irie and Langley. Elara has taken on Faron's divine burden as the Maiden Empyrean, while Faron has soulbonded to Lightbringer, an imperial dragon with despotic ambitions. As Elara flits between island nations in an attempt to rally support in the fight against the dragon's forces, Faron desperately attempts to save San Irie by sabotaging Lightbringer himself. With fierce, high-stakes battles full of dragons and gods, the plot is packed with action at every turn. There is substantial character development as Faron works to discover who she is while Elara strives to survive the spotlight now that she is an Empyrean. As in the first installment, the narrative asks timely questions about the long-lasting emotional impact of young people being required to take on adult responsibilities before their time. VERDICT A thrilling conclusion to a powerful duology and a necessary purchase for fantasy collections.
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Review by Horn Book Review
This story of dragons and magic set in the warring nations of San Irie and Langley picks up shortly after the cliffhanger ending of So Let Them Burn (rev. 3/24). Faron, linked spiritually and mentally with the dragon Lightbringer and with Iya, the would-be god possessing the body of the boy she loves, hopes to free him, undermine the war effort from inside Langley, and keep innocents alive. Back on San Irie, her sister, Elara, is the new Maiden Empyrean, chosen by the gods to wield their power and charged to defeat Iya and send all dragons away, regardless of the attachments that humans -- especially her own girlfriend -- have with dragons. Many of the first novel's charms carry through this one, topmost amongst them the complex, flawed, yet easy-to-root-for sister protagonists and their dedication to each other. The writing successfully balances the tension between the pain of separation and comfort found in moments of connection and solidarity. The world is lushly built, though some aspects of the series (blood magic; the fallibility of gods and dragons alike) could be further explored. Cole sticks the landing, however, with a satisfying ending including hard-fought wins, believable losses, and the end to war as its own kind of magic. Amanda R. ToledoMay/June 2025 p.84 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Faron and Elara return in this duology closer following 2024'sSo Let Them Burn--and their magic and relationships face even greater tests. As the Childe Empyrean, a magical vessel and protector of San Irie, Faron Vincent was revered like a deity by her people and trusted by the gods to be a conduit of their power. And then she betrayed them. To save Elara, her sister whose bond with a dragon posed a potentially fatal threat, Faron joined forces with the deity Iya--who waged war on and sought to claim San Irie--to help build his army and enact his plan of destroying more nations. Racked with guilt, Faron has no faith she'll ever be able to return home. But that doesn't stop her from trying to take down the very entity she chose over her people, to end his days of chaos and spare other nations. Elara, now in the role of Maiden Empyrean, will do everything in her power to rebuild San Irie and bring her sister back, no matter the cost. Will the sisters survive a war when they're forced to be on rival sides? Cole maintains her fresh and engaging prose as the primarily Black characters grapple with inner turmoil, external conflict, human relationships, and supernatural bonds. Readers will be better served by having read the first installment. Complex connections, higher stakes, and more dire repercussions combine to make this a compelling read. (map)(Fantasy. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
