Rise Up from the Embers (Set Fire to the Gods #2) by Sara Raasch and Kristen Simmons

Rise Up from the Embers (Set Fire to the Gods #2) by Sara Raasch and Kristen Simmons
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: August 10, 2021
Format: Hardcover (Personal Library) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Balzer + Bray

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Rise Up from the Embers by Sara Raasch and Kristen Simmons has cemented the Set Fire to the Gods duology’s place as one of my favorite series this year. Readers who pick up this duology can expect a series with intricate elemental powers, heart-pounding action, and immersive worldbuilding. I would recommend it to young adult fans of Avatar the Last Airbender, Gladiator, or The Hunger Games. 

The mythology and pantheon were my favorite parts of the first book, and I was so thrilled to see the authors explore that more in Rise Up from the Embers. The first book primarily focused on Ignitus and Geoxus. In this book, readers are introduced to the other siblings and their mother Anathrasa. My favorite sibling was Hydra. She was hilarious (especially when she was trying to teach Ash how to use her water powers), and I think she lightened the mood a bit. Ash’s attempt to learn how to use her water powers reminded me a lot of Avatar Aang learning all four elements. Aang struggled the most with earthbending because it was the opposite of his native air element. Ash’s lessons in water were very similar - Hydra even reminded her that she couldn’t rely on her fire lessons because they were two very different elements. 

Madoc and Ash are going to be one of my new favorite ships. They provided a contrast to the gods in this book because they are human. They made mistakes, they got a little too power-happy at times, but they were able to successfully rely on their inner strength. I loved their relationship, how they complimented each other and how they were able to draw strength from the other person (but not lose themselves in the process like many couples in YA books do). 

As a side note, I enjoyed the audiobook. It’s not strictly necessary to listen to the narration, but I do think that Andrew Elden and Stacey Glemboski did a good job with their performance. 

Altogether, Rise Up from the Embers is an explosive and amazing end to the Set Fire to the Gods duology. I’m really happy with how the book ended. Fingers crossed the authors publish more books set in this universe in the future (maybe a prequel detailing how the gods took down Anathrasa the first time?).

About the Authors

Sara Raasch

Sara Raasch has known she was destined for bookish things since the age of five, when her friends had a lemonade stand and she tagged along to sell her hand-drawn picture books too. Not much has changed since then — her friends still cock concerned eyebrows when she attempts to draw things and her enthusiasm for the written word still drives her to extreme measures. Her debut YA fantasy, SNOW LIKE ASHES, the first in a trilogy, came out October 14, 2014 from Balzer + Bray. It does not feature her hand-drawn pictures.

Kristen Simmons

Kristen Simmons is the author of the ARTICLE 5 series, THE GLASS ARROW, METALTOWN, PACIFICA, and the upcoming DECEIVERS. She loves her family, Jazzercise, and chocolate cupcakes. She currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.

For more updates on Kristen and her writing, follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @kris10writes.