#Review - Rise Up from the Embers by Sara Raasch, Kristen Simmons #YA #Fantasy

Series: Set Fire to the Gods # 2
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Release Date: August 10, 2021
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Epic

Avatar: The Last Airbender meets Gladiator in the conclusion of this exciting and fast-paced epic duology about two elemental gladiators whose powers could determine the fate of the world in an ancient war between immortals and humans—from Sara Raasch, the New York Times bestselling author of the Snow Like Ashes series, and Kristen Simmons, acclaimed author of Pacifica and The Deceivers. Perfect for fans of An Ember in the Ashes, And I Darken, and The Winner’s Curse.

Two gods are dead. The Mother Goddess has returned. War is rising.

Fleeing war-ravaged Deimos, Ash and Madoc sail across the ocean to their only possible allies: the water and plant gods. But when Anathrasa attacks on the way, Ash leaps to the defense—by using a power she didn’t know she had.

When Madoc made the fire and earth gods mortal, he inadvertently transferred their magic to Ash. Now, if Ash can get energeias from the other four gods, she would be powerful enough to end Anathrasa once and for all.

But not all the gods want the Mother Goddess defeated. To stop her, Madoc will have to become the obedient son his mother always wanted, and Ash will have to take a merciless place among the gods.

To defeat an immortal, Ash and Madoc must fight like gods—even if it means sacrificing their humanity.

 

Rise up from the Embers, by co-authors Sara Raasch, and Kristen Simmons, is the second installment in the Set Fire to the Gods duology. Set Fire to the Gods introduced readers to a world of corrupt immortals, kick-ass gladiators, and plenty of intrigue. This story begins about 2 weeks after the ending of the first installment. Once again, the authors alternate between Ash Nikau and Madoc, the son of the Mother Goddess who created 6 Gods and Goddesses and gave them powers over fire, water, plants, earth, and animals. 

Fleeing war-ravaged Deimos, Ash and Madoc sail across the ocean to their only possible allies: the water (Hydra) and plant (Florus) gods. But when Anathrasa attacks on the way, Ash leaps to the defense—by using a power she didn’t know she had. When Madoc made the fire (Ignitus) and earth (Geoxus) gods mortal, he inadvertently transferred their magic to Ash. Now, if Ash can get energeias from the other four gods, she would be powerful enough to end Anathrasa once and for all. But at what cost? Especially know what happened to her ancestor.

Not all the gods want the Mother Goddess defeated. Biotus (animals) and Aera (air) are firmly on Anathrasa's side knowing that if Hydra and Florus fall, they will win Hydra and Florus's people and territory. To stop her, Madoc will have to become the obedient son his mother always wanted, and Ash will have to take a merciless place among the gods. Ash and Madoc aren’t just fighting for their lives, they’re fighting to save all of humanity from the gods’ disregard for human life, as well from an even more dangerous ancient force. 

For the most part, Ash and Madoc spend most of the book on their own paths. Ash trying to control her new abilities, missing her mother, and finding a path forward with Tor who promised her mother he'd watch over her. Even though she's now considered a Goddess to her own people who are looking for hope and protection against Anathrasa and her gladiators, there's also the loss of not having Madoc to throw ideas back and forth. Madoc leaves Ash behind trying to get close to Anathrasa and see if he is able to collect the final pieces of the 6 powers that will be needed to defeat Anathrasa. 

I think that when all is said and done, Ash shows more growth than anyone in this book because of her choices in the end. I have to say that Hydra might be my favorite character in this story because she's truly magnificent trying to teach Ash about her abilities, and standing tall when it's time to go to war to humanity.

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