Ember Eternal by Chloe Neill – That’s What I’m Talking About…

Audiobook review: Ember Eternal by Chloe Neill

Ember Eternal kicks off a new fantasy series from Chloe Neill. The book sets up the parameters of the world and introduces several characters. The world is divided into three layers, with the most critical being Terra which is home of the living, and the Aetheric which is where souls reside without body. The Aetheric is filled with Anima which are ghosts and spirits. 

The story is shared via the first person POV of Fox, a 20-year-old bonded servant who was orphaned at ten. She has the rare ability to see Anima and ether, the element from the Aetheric. She and her foster sister Wren are thieves who like to remain unnoticed. However, when Fox witnesses a human possessed by an Anima go after the newly arriving Prince, she sticks her neck out and saves the royal. 

Overall, Ember Eternal was an enjoyable and engrossing listen. Generally, I liked the mythology and characters. The story covers a brief period, yet Neill takes time to paint a detailed picture of the beautiful settings, political climate, and historical context. While the book a solid story, unfortunately it often feels a bit too familiar, including falling into some overused YA tropes. Sometimes there is a comfort in familiarity, but at other times it’s just tiresome. I liked the main characters, but I didn’t love the clichéd situations they find themselves in. It was also a little bit on a long side, and I felt it could’ve been edited down. 

Narration: The story is shared via the first person POV of Fox. Powers has an energetic, youthful feminine voice for Fox. Powers alters each character’s dialogue with accents and adjusts for gender. Her male characters are slightly deeper, enough to sound masculine. She uses pauses and she pitches her voice to add emotion. Most characters sound unique, but at times it was hard to distinguish between characters of the same gender and social status, due to lack of dialogue tags and their voices sounding similar. 

In the end, Ember Eternal sparked my interest enough to find out what happens next. My hope is that the author will venture into more original storylines with the next book.

My Ratings
Story: B-
Narration: B+

Jen

About the Book:

Fox is a thief with morals—she steals from those who can afford it and only a little at that. She has no choice. Fox and her three closest companions entered into indentured servitude to the Lady, a mysterious noble with widespread political power by questionable means, in order to pay off familial debts. While searching for an easy mark in town, Fox helps a royal bodyguard fend off a would-be assassin’s attack on a prince’s life.

But what started off as protecting the prince out of good conscience has now unwittingly embroiled this thief in a vast world of politics, high stakes, and romance. And though Fox longs to be free of her debts, she must decide if love is its own kind of cage.

Author: Chloe Neill
Narrator: Imani Jade Powers
Series: Souls Burn Brightest #1
Genre: Fantasy, romantic elements
Audiobook Release Date: November 25, 2025
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins
Source: publisher
Audio Speed: 1.3x