From the Embers is one of those books that sticks with you, and its characters feel like old friends. The protagonist, Elysia, is a fire mage with a tragic past—her village was destroyed, and she's driven by both grief and a thirst for justice. Then there's Roran, the stoic knight who starts off as her rival but slowly becomes her ally (and maybe more?). Their dynamic is electric, full of tension and slow-burn trust.
Supporting characters like Maris, the witty rogue with a hidden agenda, and Alaric, the mysterious alchemist, add layers to the story. Maris steals every scene she's in, while Alaric's cryptic advice keeps you guessing. The villain, Lord Veyth, is terrifyingly charismatic—you almost understand his warped logic before remembering he's a monster. What I love is how none of them feel like cardboard cutouts; they’ve all got scars, literal and metaphorical, that shape their choices.