At book 2 of this series, I can say this: expect pacing issues for the final book in the Ending Fire trilogy. But that's one of the only real critiques I have with the two books in the series thus far. Full of a complex cast of characters, with real, diverse representation throughout. There are peaks and valleys in how engaged I was throughout both The Final Strife (book 1) and The Battle Drum. However, I was always interested in continuing to read so I could experience more of El-Arifi's characters.