djm_chal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alyram4's review against another edition
4.0
Didn't love this one as much as [b:An Ember in the Ashes|27774758|An Ember in the Ashes (An Ember in the Ashes, #1)|Sabaa Tahir|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519425615s/27774758.jpg|39113604], but I still really enjoyed it! 4.25/5 stars
My heart as been full, cracked, mended, broken, super glued back together, and then threatening to shatter. This was a rollercoaster of emotions, twists, and just so much determination of the characters. I really enjoyed all the development that happened, and the ending to this book is very bittersweet. I obviously can't say much but... be still my fragile heart.
My main problem with this was the pacing. The first book -which was originally meant to be a standalone btw- was really fast paced. It had everything that this book had, but made it feel like it was only half the amount of pages. This one? While the plot and characters were amazing, you can tell that this is a 450+ page book. It runs like one, and it most certainly feels like it was nearly 500 pages. While I didn't mind it much, others may be a bit turned off since it is a bit unexpected.
Nonetheless, I am super excited to read [b:A Reaper at the Gates|30809786|A Reaper at the Gates (An Ember in the Ashes, #3)|Sabaa Tahir|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1507476834s/30809786.jpg|51397188]! I just need to get my hands on it first lol
Definitely recommend checking this out if you loved An Ember in the Ahses.
My heart as been full, cracked, mended, broken, super glued back together, and then threatening to shatter. This was a rollercoaster of emotions, twists, and just so much determination of the characters. I really enjoyed all the development that happened, and the ending to this book is very bittersweet. I obviously can't say much but... be still my fragile heart.
My main problem with this was the pacing. The first book -which was originally meant to be a standalone btw- was really fast paced. It had everything that this book had, but made it feel like it was only half the amount of pages. This one? While the plot and characters were amazing, you can tell that this is a 450+ page book. It runs like one, and it most certainly feels like it was nearly 500 pages. While I didn't mind it much, others may be a bit turned off since it is a bit unexpected.
Nonetheless, I am super excited to read [b:A Reaper at the Gates|30809786|A Reaper at the Gates (An Ember in the Ashes, #3)|Sabaa Tahir|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1507476834s/30809786.jpg|51397188]! I just need to get my hands on it first lol
Definitely recommend checking this out if you loved An Ember in the Ahses.
lorien13's review against another edition
5.0
Picking up literally right after the ending of book 1, A Torch Against the Night is a race against time while Laia and Elias try to save her brother, themselves, and hopefully as many Scholar's as they can. Meanwhile Helene is trapped serving an emperor she hates in an empire she's learning to despise, while trying to keep herself and those she loves alive.
This book is fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out how the hell are three MCs will survive everything that's thrown their way. But their unwavering beliefs that everything will work out in the end is so amazing. And how everything ties up is heartbreaking-ly beautiful, and so damn SAD!!! I absolutely can't wait for the next books to come out!!!
Trigger warnings for rape, torture, child abuse, and police brutality.
This book is fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out how the hell are three MCs will survive everything that's thrown their way. But their unwavering beliefs that everything will work out in the end is so amazing. And how everything ties up is heartbreaking-ly beautiful, and so damn SAD!!! I absolutely can't wait for the next books to come out!!!
Trigger warnings for rape, torture, child abuse, and police brutality.
lina_harrysversion's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
Sadly, the story was boring a few times and dragged on without much suspense. At the end, however, the book contained good plot twists and the tension it lacked before.
eradell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
forthewyn's review
3.0
3 Stars
I am on my knees, begging Sabaa Tahir to stop trying to write romance and to focus on building plot better. The weakest part of this book is, once again, the overall complete lack of romance and chemistry. Does Keenan really love Laia? Does Elias? Does she love either of them? I cannot tell!! The author is trying to juggle so much at once and because she does not spare a moment to furthering connections and bonds, the relationships read dully. Why did Keenan and Laia sleep together? I’m still trying to wrap my head around how they progressed that far in their relationship! I wouldn’t be so distressed about a lack of chemistry if the plot of this book and the last didn’t depend on it.
With that being said, one of the most powerful weaknesses of this book is actually something aside from the lack of romance; it’s the omniscience of all characters besides our main three. Everyone knows everything, aside from Laia, Elias, and Helene, and at some point it’s not intriguing anymore, it’s exhausting to have characters constantly know more than our cast. Why does Cook know so much? Why does the Warden? Why does Shaeva? Why do they always deliver the bare minimum until that’s not enough to coast through the plot, so they deliver some more. Tahir, why!?
Elias’ sub plot with the waiting place is boring. At this point, I genuinely would’ve nixed every Helene chapter and most Elias chapters to focus the efforts onto Laia. Her story has the most compelling elements, especially with the Nightbringer, and if Tahir had focused her sole attention on developing Keenan and Laia realistically this would’ve probably been my favorite fantasy book. But she didn’t, and it shows.
I love these books enough to keep reading, and I’m 100% moving on to reaper next because the plot is incredible at its core. I am just praying to Tahir that the series doesn’t keep spiraling into 400 pages of good plot ruined by badly written romance and intrigue.
I am on my knees, begging Sabaa Tahir to stop trying to write romance and to focus on building plot better. The weakest part of this book is, once again, the overall complete lack of romance and chemistry. Does Keenan really love Laia? Does Elias? Does she love either of them? I cannot tell!! The author is trying to juggle so much at once and because she does not spare a moment to furthering connections and bonds, the relationships read dully. Why did Keenan and Laia sleep together? I’m still trying to wrap my head around how they progressed that far in their relationship! I wouldn’t be so distressed about a lack of chemistry if the plot of this book and the last didn’t depend on it.
With that being said, one of the most powerful weaknesses of this book is actually something aside from the lack of romance; it’s the omniscience of all characters besides our main three. Everyone knows everything, aside from Laia, Elias, and Helene, and at some point it’s not intriguing anymore, it’s exhausting to have characters constantly know more than our cast. Why does Cook know so much? Why does the Warden? Why does Shaeva? Why do they always deliver the bare minimum until that’s not enough to coast through the plot, so they deliver some more. Tahir, why!?
Elias’ sub plot with the waiting place is boring. At this point, I genuinely would’ve nixed every Helene chapter and most Elias chapters to focus the efforts onto Laia. Her story has the most compelling elements, especially with the Nightbringer, and if Tahir had focused her sole attention on developing Keenan and Laia realistically this would’ve probably been my favorite fantasy book. But she didn’t, and it shows.
I love these books enough to keep reading, and I’m 100% moving on to reaper next because the plot is incredible at its core. I am just praying to Tahir that the series doesn’t keep spiraling into 400 pages of good plot ruined by badly written romance and intrigue.
jennagrant's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
emiann2023's review
5.0
I received this book as a ARC, and I'm now offering my honest review in exchange.
This book is...whoa. I won't post any spoilers, but I will say that this book starts heavy and never lifts up. There is hope in living, and now that we know that there will be two more books, I'm excited to see where we go. If only I didn't have to wait!
Everything you loved about the first book is magnified here, and a lot of secrets come out, while other ones take their place. This book will break your heart, but it ends well, and I'm excited to see where we end up. Also, Cain's awesome and I want more of him! And Harper. He can stay.
Thank you a million times over, Sabaa Tahir for writing these gems. Please don't ever stop. :)
This book is...whoa. I won't post any spoilers, but I will say that this book starts heavy and never lifts up. There is hope in living, and now that we know that there will be two more books, I'm excited to see where we go. If only I didn't have to wait!
Everything you loved about the first book is magnified here, and a lot of secrets come out, while other ones take their place. This book will break your heart, but it ends well, and I'm excited to see where we end up. Also, Cain's awesome and I want more of him! And Harper. He can stay.
Thank you a million times over, Sabaa Tahir for writing these gems. Please don't ever stop. :)
aliciaminusthekeys's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bro this book had me in tears toward the end. it evokes so many emotions consecutively, i almost got whiplash. even though i didn‘t always have time to read, i was always hooked and thought about it even when going about my day.
the terrible parts are deeply disturbing and heartwrenching, i’m beyond impressed at the characters’ resilience and resolve to stay strong.
i think i might have enjoyed this more if i had remembered the first book better, because there was a considerable load of information i needed to process, but that’s on me.
idk why laia was so infatuated with keenan.. it’s so clear that elias is endgame. you’d think that they wouldn’t hesitate to acknowledge that since they’re on the literal brink of death every other page, but you’d think wrong.
but i love the depth in the nightbringers character, so i’m excited to read more about him.
the terrible parts are deeply disturbing and heartwrenching, i’m beyond impressed at the characters’ resilience and resolve to stay strong.
i think i might have enjoyed this more if i had remembered the first book better, because there was a considerable load of information i needed to process, but that’s on me.
Spoiler
idk why laia was so infatuated with keenan.. it’s so clear that elias is endgame. you’d think that they wouldn’t hesitate to acknowledge that since they’re on the literal brink of death every other page, but you’d think wrong.
but i love the depth in the nightbringers character, so i’m excited to read more about him.