Book Review: So Let Them Burn (Divine Traitors #1) by Kamilah Cole

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

4.75 Stars!

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Synopsis: Faron, the Child Empyrean, can wield the power of all the Gods. But the war is over, her island is liberated, and all that’s left are remnants of a fate she didn’t choose. When forced to attend a peace summit, her sister, Elara’s, fate changes drastically, and Faron will do whatever she can to save her. But both Faron and Elara find that the cost of some choices may be too much to bare.

CW/TW (according to author):
-explicit language/ depictions of PTSD (nightmares, unwanted memories/flashbacks, dissociation, anxiety, mistrust, hypervigilance, self-destructive behaviour)/depictions/descriptions/mentions of war, blood, and corpses/grief (expressed in healthy and unhealthy ways)/racism (challenged)/minor character deaths/a near-fatal beating/stolen body/mind autonomy

Rep: POC MC and Cast| Jamaican Inspired | Queer normative world | Lesbian POV character | LGBTQ+ Side characters

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So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole is a triumph of a fantasy! It is gorgeous, captivating and compelling from start to finish.

Let’s start with the prose and narration. Firstly, Cole’s writing is downright gorgeous. She manages to create stunning and immersive scenes and settings while maintaining a descriptive but easy to read prose. The writing makes it easy to slip into the world Cole has created and fly through the book quicker than the dragons in a sky trial. This prose adds to the richness and intricacy of the world while maintaining a wonderful pace and flow.

The narrations is equally wonderful! We get two main POV’s, Faron and Elara – which I thought was intriguing and unique given that Faron is the ‘chosen one’ and Elara is not. The dual pov works spectacularly with the story and gives us wonderful insight into both of the sisters lives, motivations, and ambitions. It works well to balance the pacing of the story and show us both sides to the mystery while maintaining the secrecy for some fiery twists and turns that had me fully invested. The sisters similarities and differences make the pov’s interesting in their own rights, and their own journey’s are much more powerful given the dual pov. Finally, the bond of sisterhood is really at the core of this and the dual pov helps to really show you that – it roots the story in this relationship.

The plot is refreshing and phenomenal. From the different magic systems of the Gods and their astral forms, to the dragons and the bond they make with their riders, the whole world and system felt so rich and intricately built. The twists and turns, the stakes, the ambitions and desires of the characters, and the desperation of who to trust, all comes together to create a story that is truly wonderful and gripping. AND THAT ENDING! Oh my oh my, I cannot wait for book two! The characters and the plot work well together. Faron is fiery, act first think later character but her heart is true to a fault for those she loves. Elara is much more of a thinker, but her heart is much the same. The two drive this story beautifully.

I don’t want to spoil any of the plot so i’ll leave it at magic, dragons, sisters, and wars not quite over. Everything about this book was beautifully executed and the story makes you so excited for the next book. This was truly a gorgeous and compelling read.

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Overall, So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole is a gorgeously written fantasy that is refreshing and rich. It is a stunning book that deserves a lot of love.

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*Many thanks to Netgalley and Orbit books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!*