Review: Ember Gate by Kay L. Moody

I received this book via the author, Kay L. Moody. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Ember Gate by Kay L. Moody
Series: The Elements of Kamdaria #8
Published by Marten Press on 2020-06-09
Length: 107 pages
Reviewing eARC Rating:
Reading Challenges: 2020 Finishing the Series Reading Challenge, 2020 New Release Challenge, COYER All Year 2020

Even with great power at Talise’s fingertips, this rescue might still be impossible.

As she and her friends head toward enemy territory, new obstacles meet them at every turn. Her army is running out of supplies. The nearby citizens won’t help if they’re already working for the enemy. Even worse, Talise doesn’t even have a map of the base she needs to infiltrate.

In desperation, she turns to the man who has the power to give them everything they need. Unfortunately, that man is the emperor, who also has the power to imprison her once it’s all over.

But Talise is determined to do whatever must be done. With the life of her best friend’s brother on the line, she’ll either rescue the prisoners… or die trying.

The end is in sight! Ember Gate by Kay L. Moody is the eighth installment of the novella series The Elements of Kamdaria, and picks up a few weeks after the events of Vine Gate. If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, there may be minor spoilers in this review. Read at your own risk! Talise and her friends are close to the Kessouku main base, ready to rescue the soldiers who were taken from the Crown. Among those prisoners is Wendy’s brother. Talise is determined to do whatever it takes to save her people, but her own soldiers are running out of supplies as winter closes in. She has to do something she doesn’t want to do: ask the emperor for help. Ember Gate is full of action and deception from those you don’t expect. 

Talise is ready to move forward. She has come to terms with Aaden’s betrayal, and she is ready to take Kessouku down. However she is still confused. She believes in what Kessouku originally fought for: equality in the empire. It’s how they are going about achieving it that she disagrees with. While reconciling her beliefs for her people, there is also the matter of her heart. She isn’t fully over her feelings for Aaden, but Claye is there. He is kind and loves her. And he gives her butterflies, that has to be good right? 

The plot revolves around Talise and her soldiers planning an attack on the Kessouku base. As they plan, Talise begins suspecting that there is a spy in their camp. She trusts her friends implicitly, and this trust could be her downfall. I like how the author interweaves the action and suspense. Talise and her closest friends enter the base undercover while her soldiers draw Kessouku out for a battle. This creates wonderful tension as Talise, Wendy, and Claye enter the base with a few others. They have to move quickly and a lot rides on it.

Overall I enjoyed Ember Gate. However it felt like a filler book. Not much happens until the end and then EVERYTHING happens. It’s a slow read up to that point. I’m curious and excited to see how the events of this book affect Talise going forward. A big twist leaves you with a not so happy ending. If you enjoy fantasy, I highly recommend this novella series. 

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