4 out of 5 stars! 
 I think I like the first book a lil more. This book did NOT suffer from second book syndrome. In fact, it's action packed with twists! 
 Though I have to say, I am not as connected to the characters as I would have like, especially Laia. All the dumb mistakes she made. Sigh. But I believe she will redeem herself in the next book. 
 BUT ELIAS THOUGH. DAMN. Helene s alright too! And holy shit, the commandant is insane. 
 This book is deeply engrossing and I couldn't pit it down! Though when some things are revealed, sometimes I like WTF HOLY. ESP THE BIG TWIST. But other things I am like, meh. 
 Pace is a lil' inconsistent. 
 I hate love triangles. And this book has a love square. :/ WELL, At least now no more square. Hahah 
 Well compared to it's predecessor, I think An Ember I'm the Ashes was more enjoyable. Don't get me wrong, this book did not AT ALL suffer from second book syndrome. IN fact, it was super filled with action. There we're times we're it was a little slow. But still good. 
 As far as characters, Elias outshines everyone in here. I SWEAR HE IS BOYFRIEND MATERIAL. OMG my heart melted everytime he talks. 
 "Tell me another memory, something good." 
 "You. The first time I saw you. You're beautiful." 
 I have a lil' problem with Laia. Helene's pretty awesome too. AND THE COMMANDANT. DAMN. SHE IS MY FAVORITE PERSON TO HATE. (BESIDES Cersei from GOT.) (PS: Does anyone picture Charlize Theron as the Commandant? Because DAMN she would pull it off) 
 There were plot twists and many things that did not go the way you expect them to. HOWEVER, they didn't necessarily blew me away. Especially the big twist. Well it did got me dumbfounded, but I wasn't pondering over it like those good mind blowing twists. 
 There's more magic here! A better world-building. BUT a lot is missing. Many things I do not understand. Probably have to wait for the next book. I hope Laia redeems herself. 
 PROS: 
 -action packed 
 -plot twists 
 -ELIAS 
 -better world building 
 - more magic 
 -more realistic view on war, especially the devastation set on the innocents. 
 Cons 
 -love square. 
 -a bit slow. 
 -Laia making stupid decisions. 
 -still a bit unclear on what's going on. 
 Would I recommend this book? Though I have a little problem with it, it is still a good read and mostly enjoyable. So, yeah. I have faith that this series will get better and I am excited to see what the future holds. 
 SPOILERS BELOW. 
 (view spoiler)[ 
 OKAY WHAT. WHAT JUST HAPPENED. 
 FIRST OF ALL, KEENAN IS THE NIGHTBRINGER. WHAT?! I was like wtf! Then I'm like.....okay, that we as a bit random. He always gave me that bad vibes, but who knew that he was actually the main villian. *laughs* 
 AND ugh! Laia is sooooo stupid. The moment she said "No, I don't want you to stop." *facepalm* I was like,'stupid girl. You're gonna regret it. ' Too many times in a book I read where the girl sleeps with a man she CLEARLY do not love only to regret it. (Eg CLEO with Aron from Falling Kingdoms). It always do not go well. Sure, you can go sleep around, No problem since you have the choice. But do you really wanna sleep around when you're in war? Or people around are dying and shit. Though 'Keenan' has a point that you can find moments of happiness during these times. BUT UGH. And OF COURSE, SHE GAVE HIM THE ARMLET WILLINGLY. WHEN THATS THE ONLY THING OF HER MUM'S. SERIOUSLY what is wrong with this girl. But, when she mentioned that Keenan 'loved her too' I kinda see that maybe all these have a part to play. Like maybe in the future, The Night bringer won't kill her? Then she can kill him? Speaking of which, what is up with her powers? She can go into his mind and she can make herself disappear? SHE BETTER BE AWESOME IN THE NEXT BOOK. 
 LETS TALK ABOUT SWEETHEART ELIAS. Gosh. He is sooooo sweet I can't take it. When he got poisoned by the commandant, and left a few months to live, he wanted to make it worthwhile and try to save Darin, Laia's brother. To the point where he went ahead, alone. Sigh. Then he got caught and tortured. BUT HE'S A MASK, SO HE S TRAINED. HOT DAMN. AND in the end, he's the soul collector? It's fitting, I have to say. But I hope it's all temporary. 
 I NEED HIM AND LAIA TO BE TOGETHER. THERE'S this burning tension between them. Their chemistry is amazing and they fit so well together. I loved them travelling together until stupid Keenan arrives. GOSH THAT LOVE SQUARE WAS SOOOO UNNECESSARY. GOD. And I thought love triangles we're bad. 
 Helene is soooo pitiful. The man she loves is the country's most wanted criminal, her sister is married to the man who killed her whole family, and she's forced to work for him. The commandant wants her dead. Gosh. Poor thing. I hope she find peace and love. Rooting for her hard. AND WHAT WITH THE RELEGATION ABOUT ELIAS HAVING A BROTHER, HARPER. SO WHO IS HIS FATHER. 
 And Marcus. I think He loves Livia....I hate him but I kinda sympathise him. 
 SO many unanswered questions: 
 What is Laia's power? And the star and her armlet? What happened to her parents? Who's Elias 'S dad? Why the commandant still keep close eye on his brother? And The night bringer being jinn and wanting to release his bretheren. Most likely he ll succeed I n the next book. And Marcus still sees his dead brother. I think Elias, being the soul catcher, will be able to help him. AND WHERE THE F ARE THE AUGURS.!?! WHAT ARE THEY DOING? 
 (hide spoiler)] 
 Goddamn.