Within the Embers Book Review
“We are all made up of scars, little venom. They tell the story of who we are, who we have been forced to become. But never once do they diminish any part of you. They only strengthen you, making you who you are, weaving a beautiful story across your skin.”
Kodrayn Deverell, King and General of Avyon
Sought after answers are never as they seem.
When Kateya awakens with no memories, in an unfamiliar land, she knows two things for she’s in danger, and she’s traveled back in time . . . again. Only this time, icy darkness lurks in the sky, revealing how different things truly are.
All magic demands balance.
Kateya’s memories begin to surface, haunting her with a past—tainted by dark magic—carved into her skin. As raging embers of magic begin to burn within her, the King of Avyon realizes she’s not only incredibly powerful, but a danger to everyone . . . including herself.
Alliances become weapons of war.
Past and present collide and bonds are forged through passion and hatred, forcing Kateya to question everything she believed she knew about those she loved. She must learn to harness the power rising within her, while determining who she can truly trust.
A fate written in the stars.
Harrowing truths are revealed that hold the power to not only alter the destiny of those prophesied, but change the future of the Vanaiyer Realm. As Kateya fights for freedom, she realizes not all knowledge is power and magic can’t always change the inevitable—including the tides of war.
The darkness is creeping closer . . . will they be able to hold it off?
REVIEW
First of all, can we talk about the dedication for a minute? I mean—
To all the girls with fire in their eyes and a touch of venom on their lips.
I FEEL SO SEEN.
Okay, if you’re into time travel, only one bed (with a twist!), bonded mates (“I’ll always find you”), touch her and die (“Who did this to you?”), found family, magic and magic training, shifters, and a bit of sibling banter—this may be the book and series for you.
Within the Embers, the second book in T.A. Reilly’s Scattered Destinies series, definitely raises the stakes in a thrilling sequel that shines a spotlight on Kat (Kateya), who was more of a quiet, cloistered figure in book 1, Beneath the Shatter (think Elaine from ACOTAR). Now, she finds herself at the heart of a dangerous and complex narrative where magic, time travel, and brutal truths challenge her at every turn.
Indeed, Kat’s character growth is one of the highlights of the story. In the first book, she was gentle, sheltered, and somewhat passive. But in Within the Embers, Kat evolves into someone more like a hybrid of Feyre and Nesta (again, from ACOTAR), hardened by trauma and battle. From (SPOILER) finding her parents murdered to having to fight for her survival, she is forced to grow up quickly, and this rapid character development is both compelling and heartbreaking. Her internal struggle with the powerful magic she possesses—and the dark past it is tied to—gives even more depth to her journey, making her far more dynamic than she was in the first installment.
Reilly’s world-building is also a strong point, with the dystopian “present” offering a fascinating contrast to the magical past our main characters travel to. The world expands in this sequel, and the plot tightens in a way that feels more focused and deliberate compared to Beneath the Shatter. There are some nice twists and turns, and although there are a few small plot holes/unexplained occurrences/things that don’t make sense (such as the very convenient coincidence of not one, not two, but all three artifacts having ended up in the exact same time period in the future…), the overarching narrative continues to grow in complexity and intrigue. The series’ broader mysteries surrounding time travel and dark forces are only becoming more intense, especially with that cliffhanger ending, which sets up book 3, Aerilyn’s story, in a tantalizing way.
However, while the book nails the intensity of the plot and elements of character growth, there are moments that fall a little flat. The romance between Kat and Kode (Kodrayn) starts off as a super hot flirtation/slow-burn, and I was totally hooked on their chemistry at first. But when Kat finally “gives in,” it felt too sudden for her character. (MAYBE SPOILER?) Given what she went through in the past (both in the beginning of the book and her immediate past as the story unfolds), her rapid shift in trust toward, or just like, going “all in” on a relationship with, Kode (or just any male, to be honest) felt like it went against everything she is now (that is, a strong, fierce character who thinks through her actions first, protects herself, etc.). The romantic moments, while definitely cute as hell, also became a bit repetitive by the end, which dulled some of their impact. That being said, Kode is a perfectly possessive/protective yet respectful love interest, and I think many readers will adore their bond!
Overall, Within the Embers is a great continuation of the Scattered Destinies series, and I liked it even more than Beneath the Shatter. Its mix of magic, high stakes, romance, and time travel, combined with a badass, relatable female main character; a swoonworthy male main character; and a cliffhanger that leaves you craving the next book, will appeal to fans of fantasy series like ACOTAR, TOG, and The Empyrean. While not perfect, it offers a captivating ride through an expanding, dangerous world, and I can’t wait to see where Reilly takes the story next.
Content warnings include violence, bloodshed, on-page death, profanity, capture, mentions of abuse, instances of physical harm, murder, and explicit scenes.
Publication date was 21 September 2024.
Author Profile
T.A. Reilly is an author of NA fantasy romance with equal levels adventure, time travel, and romance mixed in.
Reading came naturally to her at a young age, and the words began flowing shortly after that. She has traveled all over the world from a young age and is constantly counting down the days until her next trip! After graduating with a master’s in Professional Communications, she decided to pursue her lifelong dream… bringing time-travel to life on paper.
Currently, she and her husband call Florida home. In her free time, she loves rewatching Friends, going to the beach, and staying up too late lost in a good book.
TL;DR
- Rating: 4 stars | Genre: Fantasy Romance | Pages: 407
- Book 2 of Scattered Destinies series
- Tropes include time travel, only one bed (with a twist!), bonded mates (“I’ll always find you”), touch her and die (“Who did this to you?”), found family, magic and magic training, shifters, and a bit of sibling banter
- Badass, relatable FMC; swoonworthy MMC
- Epic premise, immense character growth, cliffhanger ending
- CWs: violence, bloodshed, on-page death, profanity, capture, mentions of abuse, instances of physical harm, murder, and explicit scenes
