Up in Molten Lights

The Crimson Curtain #2

by E.B. Golden

In a twisted web of magical secrets, betrayal, and tyranny, a con artist and a revolutionary risk life and love for revenge in E.B. Golden’s thrilling sequel to Behind the Crimson Curtain.

Luisonn’s citizens are finally united, but they don’t see the monster behind President Hulei’s lies. Firin does. He destroyed her life and turned the only man she’s ever loved against her. Now presumed dead, she resurfaces with a new face and a thirst for vengeance. The president must die.

Bregan lost everything to rebellion and his family, his theater, and now Firin. When gruesome murders rise in the city’s shadows—with many of the victims children—and clues implicate the president, Bregan starts investigating. He must set something right, even if it won’t bring Firin back from the dead.

On their paths for revenge and justice, both Firin and Bregan encounter Guilo—a striking and mysterious magician with his own reasons for seeking vengeance against Hulei. To save the children of Luisonn and stop tyranny, Firin forces the two men to work together. But as she grows an unexpected bond with Guilo, a devastating secret comes to light. When the fate of the nation’s most vulnerable is tied to Firin’s heart, who will she choose? And at what cost?

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Audiobook, Romance

466 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2025

About the author

E.B. Golden has always been a wanderer, both inside and outside her imagination. Although born and raised on the coast of Maine, she spends most of her free time exploring the mountains of southwest Colorado with her husband and daughter, and sometimes their cats. Since she learned to hold a pen, she’s used speculative fiction to make sense of a nonsensical world, and when she’s not writing, she’s usually traveling or coaching other writers, because the world always needs more stories.

Reviews

[Jessica]

dnf 60% not by choice but the NetGally shelf update took the book away from my app

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so hauntingly beautiful. It’s an amazing conclusion to this series. I loved the arc Firin underwent from book 1 to book 2, and I was so overjoyed to see the and Bregan finally find happiness

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: Up in Molten Lights by E.B. Golden

E.B. Golden’s Up in Molten Lights is a dazzling and ambitious debut novel that blends speculative fiction with deep philosophical inquiry, creating a narrative that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally resonant. Set in a near-future world where advanced technology and human consciousness intersect in unexpected ways, the novel explores themes of identity, memory, and the ethical boundaries of scientific progress. Golden’s prose is both lyrical and precise, crafting a story that lingers in the mind long after the final page.

Content and Themes
The novel follows Dr. Elara Voss, a neuroscientist working on a groundbreaking project to map and preserve human consciousness. When her research is co-opted by a shadowy corporation with ulterior motives, she is forced to confront the moral implications of her work and the fragile nature of her own memories. Key themes include:

Consciousness and Identity: The novel interrogates what it means to be human when memories can be altered, erased, or even transferred.

Ethics of Technology: Golden raises urgent questions about the unchecked advancement of technology and its potential to exploit rather than empower.

Isolation and Connection: Despite the novel’s high-tech setting, its emotional core lies in the protagonist’s struggle to reconcile her intellectual pursuits with her need for human connection.

Reality and Perception: The boundaries between reality, memory, and simulation blur, challenging both the characters and the reader to discern truth from manipulation.

Strengths
Innovative Worldbuilding: The novel’s speculative elements are rendered with meticulous detail, creating a world that feels both futuristic and eerily plausible.

Complex Protagonist: Dr. Voss is a compelling and deeply flawed character whose intellectual brilliance is matched by her emotional vulnerability, making her journey profoundly relatable.

Philosophical Depth: Golden does not shy away from big questions, weaving existential dilemmas into the narrative without sacrificing pacing or emotional impact.

Atmospheric Prose: The writing is luminous and evocative, with a poetic quality that elevates the novel beyond typical sci-fi fare.

Areas for Improvement

Pacing: The novel’s middle section sags slightly under the weight of its philosophical musings, which may test the patience of readers seeking more action-driven storytelling.

Supporting Characters: While Dr. Voss is richly developed, some secondary characters feel underutilized, their potential arcs left unexplored.

Ambiguity: The novel’s ending, while thematically fitting, may frustrate readers who prefer clear resolutions to speculative narratives.

Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
Concept and Originality: 4.9/5 (A fresh and thought-provoking premise)
Character Development: 4.5/5 (A stellar protagonist, but supporting cast lacks depth)
Worldbuilding: 4.8/5 (Immersive and inventive, with minor logistical gaps)
Prose and Style: 4.7/5 (Lyrical and precise, though occasionally overly dense)
Emotional Impact: 4.6/5 (Profound but occasionally hindered by pacing)
Overall Rating: 4.7/5

Up in Molten Lights is a remarkable achievement, a novel that marries speculative brilliance with deep emotional insight. E.B. Golden has crafted a story that is as much about the mysteries of the human mind as it is about the dangers of playing god with technology. While its pacing and ambiguity may not suit every reader, those who appreciate intellectually daring fiction will find much to admire. This is a bold, beautiful debut that announces Golden as a writer to watch.

Acknowledgments
Thank you to NetGalley and E.B. Golden for providing an advance copy of Up in Molten Lights. This review reflects my sincere engagement with the novel’s innovative vision and its contribution to contemporary speculative fiction.

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no dream in my heart that doesn’t have you in it😭😭😭

DOBRE zakończenie tej dylogii. Z minusów: momentami się dość mocno dłużyło, ale z drugiej strony rozumiem, że skoro to koniec historii, to trzeba było zakończyć wszystkie luźne wątki i dokończyć motywy jeszcze z pierwszej części. Nie rozumiałam, po kiego grzyba jest wątek tej Ruanti… aż ZROZUMIAŁAM.

Fajne plot twisty, miły redemption arc Firin (choć już byłam po jej stronie w pierwszej części) i takie dojrzewanie tej postaci. Naprawdę ciekawa dylogia, dobrze zbudowana rzeczywistość dystopijna i niejednoznaczne postaci.

🎭👗🖤🪄🤯💥

[J.W. Ellenhall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved how this book had lots of plot twists that I didn’t see coming. There was also a lot wondering whose side everyone was really on with all the regime changes & political chaos. My favorite part was the last third of the book when all the epiphanies started to hit 🤩

Definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for:

*Adult novel with spice that’s mixed up in spy games
*Complex plot with political intrigue
*Second-chance love
*Morally grey heroine MC
*Revenge plots
*Dual POV
*Multiple timelines that reveal layers of the plot and characters slowly


(Couple weeks ago)
Ahhh! I got an ARC of this book! Stay tuned for random thoughts (non-spoilers) 😉

[bookish.and.girlish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I started this without reading the first book, I still enjoyed it! I find the story very interesting. Characters are well-developed. The writing style was very engaging. Overall, it was a good book.

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe seeking control, especially of those you loved, was just a prison of its own kind. By using those around me, I only had more to be ashamed of than ever before — and this time I couldn't blame Father or the Stav. I couldn't even blame Hulei.

I loved this twisty, sensual, romantic fantasy novel. I finished book one, Behind the Crimson Curtain, the same day I started reading Up in Molten Lights, and it was a really satisfying conclusion to the duology. I read on the author's blog that the series would be a duology, but I would really enjoy reading something else in the world of this series, as I feel like there is so much more to explore. Maybe Suri's story? She's a very interesting side character, so many of the side characters are compelling.

There was a bit of a dark romance in the love triangle in this book. I'm usually not a fan of cliffhangers, love triangles, or final-act new POV switches, so it says a lot that I still enjoyed this book and the first in the series so much. I expected to be very frustrated when I saw that Chapter Seventy-Five out of 79 chapters was from Ruanti's POV, since I usually don't like new POVs being added so late into the book, but it worked out surprisingly well. I would say give the novel a chance, even if you see that in the table of contents and are frustrated. I wasn't surprised by all of the twists in the novel, but they were still very fun.

I know a lot of people were surprised that theater managed to be combined so well with revolutionaries in this series, but I don't think it's surprising at all. Art has always been provocative and political, and theater is a very "in your face" form of art, so it makes sense that an underground theater troupe would become involved with the revolutionaries. There's also a nice amount of nonbinary representation (two characters) and sapphic representation (two characters) in this book, which seems realistic with how many LGBTQIA+ people are drawn to theater as a form of self-expression. I was not surprised by the characters who turned out to be sapphic and in love with each other — I actually thought in the first book that they probably were former lovers. I'm happy I'm right and it was not just me reading the book with lesbian googles!

I don't really understand Firin saying that she's as bad as Hulei (who traffics and tortures children), but I honestly also wonder if that's part of her "unreliable narrator" charm. Maybe she doesn't actually believe she's as bad as all that, and is just performing guilt for the reader. She's a very compelling unreliable narrator, and the plot twists in conjunction with her having that role in the book are interestingly done.

I would love to see more of what happens in the world of this series after the ending. There's so much promise in this universe, and for seeing what the rebuilding is like.

[Kristy aka Brooksie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Up in Molten Lights shoots you from book one (Behind the Crimson Curtain) and explodes into high-stakes missions, tension, and painful sacrifices to save the innocent. The FMC sacrifices her heart and her body (torture) to save children. Her father is a monster, and what he does to babies... It's awful. Stop the madness, save the kids, screw over the evil people allowing these horrific practices to innocent children to make them perfect spies for their means, just like they did to her. What you will find in the second half of the duology:

* Adult Novel (swearing)
* Frustrating slow burn with a bit of spice
* Dual POV
* Male/Female narration
* Complex plot with political intrigue
* Second-chance romance
* Morally grey FMC/MMC
* Revenge 
* Multiple timelines that go back and forth
* Some Characters can shapeshift into anyone
* Spies
* Lies
* Mission to save children

The characters are so interesting with what they can do. Can you imagine changing your appearance and even your voice into other people? How handy would that be? I found the back and forth between the FMC and MMC frustrating. She knows he was mourning her previous persona, and that he loved her, and she loves him, but throughout, she wouldn't admit who she was. I feel like that would have helped their mission if he knew who she was, rather than hiding it, thinking it would hinder the mission. I suppose that was part of the storyline to keep it interesting. There was quite a bit that kept the story interesting. Regardless, it was still an intense read about their mission, the back and forth from the past to the present. This story doesn't remind me of any other book I've read, which is refreshing. 

Audiobook: Performed by Shane East and Vanessa Johansson was excellent, the only thing that would have made it better is if it were done in duet (personal preference). 

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook before publication in exchange for an honest review.

[Stina Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Up in Molten Lights" doesn’t just raise the stakes, it sets them on fire.
From the first page, this sequel slams the gas pedal and never lets up. If Behind the Crimson Curtain was a slow, seductive waltz through shadows and secrets, Molten Lights is an all-out sprint through a minefield. Explosive, fearless, and emotionally gutting, this book will claw into your chest and refuse to let go until the very last word.
The world is darker now, more dangerous. The president’s twisted vision for the regime morphs into full-blown tyranny, and Golden paints this unraveling with vivid, terrifying precision. Every scene crackles with danger, you can practically smell the smoke and fear in the air. It's suffocating in the best way.
And Firin, oh, Firin. She’s still wearing masks like armor, still walking the knife’s edge between survival and rebellion. Her internal war is just as gripping as the physical one outside. Watching her balance of love, duty, deception, and identity is like watching a storm try to hold itself together. And at the center of it all is him, the man she loves, the one she can’t tell the truth to. The tension between them is off the charts: intimate, heartbreaking, and charged with all the things they wish they could say but can’t.
Golden doesn’t just twist the plot, she detonates it. Just when you think you know where it’s going, the ground crumbles. Allegiances flip, secrets bleed into daylight, and every uncovered truth feels like a slap. Nothing is safe. No one is safe. And as a reader, you’re caught in that glorious chaos, flipping pages like your life depends on it.
Where Crimson Curtain was a lyrical descent into a broken world, Molten Lights is its violent reckoning. It’s bold. It’s brutal. It’s brilliant. This is the kind of finale that burns, in your memory, in your heart, in every place you didn’t expect to feel it.
Prepare to be wrecked, and to love every second of it.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler free review
Up in the Molten Lights by E. B. Golden is the second book in the Crimson Curtain duet. This is a dark romantasy. While I found the first book a bit slow, this one is a tornado that will seduce you with its plot, twists, and intricacy. Get ready to be put through an emotional rollercoaster that will feel effervescent, gutting, explosive and fearless. E. B. had no mercy on us and seduced us with a brilliant story!
In this book, the world becomes so much darker and dangerous, more seductive and more terrifying. The FMC, Finn, is brilliant, cunning, and strong. She battles an internal war for her duty, love, and for the wrong and right. In the center of all her turmoil is him, her love, but she keeps him in the dark. She grows so much in her character and blossoms as a brilliant woman that she is.
Bregan, the MMC, has his own struggles and stories, he is so relatable, while trying to keep a cool head on his shoulders in this madness and storm. He will soon realize how alliances can flip and turn. The one constant in his mind is her.
Audiobook: performed by Shane East and Vanessa Johansson, is the perfect representation of what an amazing transition it can be in dual narration, they matched perfectly with each other, making it so fluid and flawless.
You will have to read The Crimson Curtain before really reading Up in the Molten Lights. I have loved this second book so much it has everything that this world/ story needed, being bold and brutal, with a brilliant ending to this amazing duet!
Thank you E. B. Golden, Brilliance Publishing and Netgally for the opportunity of listening to this ALC.

[Cristy Ramadani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up in Molten Lights by E.B. Golden

I received this book as an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Up in Molten Lights catapults readers straight into the fire—trading the slow-burn atmosphere of Behind the Crimson Curtain for breakneck pacing, high-stakes twists, and relentless tension that doesn’t let up until the final page.

In this explosive second installment, the corrupt regime tightens its grip with chilling cruelty, as the president’s monstrous vision elevates the stakes to terrifying new heights.

At the heart of it all is Firin who is still a master of masks, still playing a dangerous game. She fights for her people from within, concealing her true identity even from the man she loves. The emotional tension between them is electric—layered with longing, sacrifice, and the weight of all that must be hidden to survive and succeed.

Golden delivers a tightly plotted, twist-laden narrative where nothing is ever as it seems.

Loyalties shift, secrets unravel, and each revelation hits harder than the last.

Where Crimson Curtain was hauntingly beautiful, Molten Lights is ferocious and unflinching. It is a gripping finale that leaves scorch marks in its wake.

[bluevioletbb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now, I want to put a disclaimer that when I had chose this ARC, I didn’t pay attention that it was book 2. So, please, my review is just for Up in Molten Lights. I still had a great time reading this book! Sure, it took me a bit but I got through the story. From the very first chapter, I was hooked by the political chaos, shifting allegiances, and plot twists I absolutely did not see coming. There’s this constant tension of not knowing who to trust, which made the journey all the more thrilling. The last third of the book was well worth the build-up.

The romance? Quite unforgettable. Such multifaceted characters.

The story is layered, well-paced, and revealing just enough to keep you guessing. And the theater setting adds such a unique flair. I’ve found myself recommending this series to theater lovers, fans of historical fiction, and of course, romantasy readers who adore morally grey characters. 4 star despite reading only book 2!

Thank you NetGalley and 47North for the e-ARC! This is my own honest opinion and review.

I think I’ll need to read book 1 to fully close out the duology.

[BlueDevil Bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've read Behind the Crimson Curtain then you have probably been anxiously awaiting this sequel to hit your bookshelf. I was fortunate to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and got to dive back into the world of Firin and Bregan a bit earlier than most. EB Golden once again puts the reader in a politically charged and tense world as the people of Luisonn begin to realize the government they thought would bring them peace and a voice for everyone isn't much better than the tyrants they just worked to overthrow. While our heroes work diligently to learn who they can and cannot trust as they try and save Luisonn from repeating its past, they are forced to wrestle with their own failures that caused the revolution to veer so drastically off course from the moment they gained power. The story is a powerhouse of twists and turns that will keep you reading late into the night, while the prose is so beautiful you will feel like you're living right alongside Bregan and Firin in their individual fights for a better world.

[Neerali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this sequel to The Crimson Curtain - while the first book centered around hope amidst a revolution mixed in with betrayal - the second book has a darker and more corrupt atmosphere layered with vengeance.

Golden's prose continues to be absolutely beautiful in this second installment and I loved how high the stakes were in the plot and even more, I LOVED how much tension and longing there was between Firin & Bregan. This was a shift from the first book where we experienced a more slow-burn second chance romance (however, it was a very welcomed shift).

Every twist created impossible choices for the characters that forced their political and personal motives to collide head on. Firin also continued to be an incredibly interesting female lead given she is morally grey and leans even more that way in this book - but I believe it is one of the many reasons this book is very compelling.

[Molly C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, E.B. Golden and the publishers for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was incredibly excited for this book after loving Behind the Crimson Curtain, and it did not disappoint! The novel follows Firin and Bregan in the aftermath of the revolution, and all of the ups and downs that come with political overhauls, reform and so many secrets. The introduction of new characters in this final book of the duology added complexities to both the romance and the plot in the best ways. As always, E.B. Golden's writing is tantalizingly beautiful with incredible descriptions and emotion that makes you want to jump straight into the Victorian-inspired Luisonn.

An excellent read for anyone who loves: political intrigue, second chance romance, magical realism, morally grey protagonists, and powerful people getting their reckoning.

[Brit K.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the BEST time reading this book! The twists had me turning pages well into the wee hours, and the romance had me screaming for more. Seriously, this is what sequels are made of.

I adored the Crimson Curtain series from start to finish. I'm not ready to say goodbye to Firin and Bregan—they are so multifaceted, and I am in love with their love. The dual timeline in both stories is chef's kiss and lends so much to the book and its lore.

The theater backdrop is such a cool concept, and I find myself recommending this series to theater lovers, historical fiction readers, and of course, romantasy readers who love morally grey characters.

Well done, Emily! I can't wait to read what you write next!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book! I got Book 1 for free via Amazon FirstReads when it was an option and had never read it; when I saw this ARC come through I bumped it to the top of my list. I really enjoyed that book and was excited to see this story continue here. I would say this book is less romance and more fantasy/mystery but I still enjoyed it! I am bad at predicting twists in this genre so I was surprised with most of them in this book, but once they were revealed they were logical. I’m definitely going to grab a physical copy of this book when it comes out and look forward to a future reread of this duology to see it through a different lens.

[Henry Lazarus · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the revolution from control of the Vorstav, President Hulei has monstrous plans. It all has to do with the illusion stones implanted in Firin’s arms. The stones allow Firin to change faces and she had been a spy for the Vorstav since before the revolution. The stones have to be implanted in children, and many of them die. President Hulei doesn’t care about children, he just wants more spies, as do other lands in this world. Bergan, now police commissioner, has to follow President Hulei’s orders, including arresting his mother. As everything goes Up in Molten Lights( paper from 47North), Bergan has to work with his disguised lover Firin to save the children and his country. E.B. Golden offers a fun and exciting conclusion to his duology.

[Kimmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

IF YOU GAVE UP ON FIRIN IN BOOK 1, YOU ARE TRULY MISSING OUT!!!!

My original discomfort with Firin’s flaws helped me to see the hypocrisy in being more accepting of troubled male protagonists over female protagonists. If you stick with Firin throughout this duology, you’ll see how Golden masterfully develops a complex heroine who makes you terribly frustrated, proud, and hopeful. Beyond some impressive character development, I love all of the twists Golden continues to deliver throughout.

Up in Molten Lights has such a satisfying finish, so I hope everyone keeps reading!

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Up in Molten Lights takes everything Behind the Crimson Curtain gave us magic, danger, obsession and turns the dial all the way up. Our girl is DONE playing nice! She’s fierce, a little unhinged, and fully out for blood or justice maybe both?!

Romance? Hot and chaotic! Magic? Wild and ready to explode! The vibes? Think glittering rage, broken hearts, and power that burns.

Golden delivers another lush, sharp fantasy with all the feels and just the right amount of emotional damage.

[Amberly Hershberger nichols · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t really hooked by this sequel until about 40% in. That was mostly due to the multiple time lines and confusing political happenings which, for a book heavily about politics, was not ideal. That.being said, I was invested enough in the main protagonists (including a new character I loved immediately) that I was able to push through, By the time the story barreled towards the climax I couldn’t put it down.

[Brooke Gregg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC release of the audiobook!

I loved how this story flowed, the twists and turns were also engaging. I thought the character growth was huge and enjoyed watching it from the dual POV. This is such a unique story so I also want to note that as it’s a refreshing story. The narrators also did a fantastic job!

[Zanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

TBH reading the first book of this series had me ready to DNF but I powered through it and gave the author a chance. Im glad I did. I feel like the second book makes up for the first book. I found myself disappointed there wasnt another book in the series.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying, page-turning ending to Firin and Bregan's saga that began in "Behind the Crimson Curtain". Loved "Up in Molten Lights" just as much, maybe more!

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐



Up in Molten Lights by E.B. Golden

Format: eBook + Audiobook | Narrated by: Shane East; Vanessa Johansson



Thank you to NetGalley, 47North, and Brilliance Publishing for the opportunity to read and listen to this title in exchange for an honest review!

[Jeanette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book for free as a Goodreads giveaway winner. This is my honest review. I didn’t pay attention that it was book 2. So, please, my review is just for Up in Molten Lights.
I wasn’t really hooked by this sequel with its morally grey characters, the multiple timelines that go back and forth, child abuse, emotional abuse, sexual content, torture, vengeance, and violence. It's okay not to finish every book. If you don't want to "act out" or perform actions from a book, then you shouldn't "consume it".

[Amy LeClair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing, I would say even better than the 1st one. Trying to find out if there will be a 3rd?