jldowd11's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book. Didn't care much for the weird love tension between characters but I pretty much devoured this book. Not sure I care enough about the characters to read the second book. I know it has good reviews so I may end up reading it.
amandastermel's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The parts that were meant to be suspenseful really drew me in and had me hooked. Laia is different from many female MCs I’ve read and it was refreshing. Onto book 2!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The parts that were meant to be suspenseful really drew me in and had me hooked. Laia is different from many female MCs I’ve read and it was refreshing. Onto book 2!
lmluft's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.5
quolwy's review against another edition
4.0
4.5*
A thrilling story full of twists and turns that kept me interested the entire time. Can't wait to read the second book!
A thrilling story full of twists and turns that kept me interested the entire time. Can't wait to read the second book!
forthewyn's review against another edition
3.0
Official Rating: 3.0 Stars
Sabaa Tahir nailed An Ember in the Ashes is most ways that count: the world is interesting, the circumstances are dire, and by God, the stakes are high. Honestly, this is one of the only books I’ve ever read where the author is unabashedly unafraid to punish her characters in cruel, clever ways. They’re not magically saved by coincidence, and they’re not always landing on both of their feet; Elias and Laia seem to carve their own story from the words Tahir puts on the page, and it is phenomenal.
That being said, the crippling fault of this story is it’s romance. In the middle of a fast paced action packed story, the author attempted to craft a love triangle with very little actual content between love interests. I cant recall a single conversation Laia had with Keenan that held substance beyond trauma bonding, and while Elias and Laia interact in significantly better ways, their chemistry is limited and interactions are numbered. Tahir had a lot to focus on, and I think the story would have been so much better if she had taken more time to develop a romance over the course of several books, because it’s not pertinent at all to the plot. Or, it shouldn’t be.
That being said, some points in the plot fall just short because of this lack of romance. Not to spoil, but there is a scene that is detrimental to the entire ending of the first book that depends on a romance that just… isn’t developed? I didn’t mind much, giving the fast pacing of the novel, but it did make me laugh a bit audibly when one character said to Laia something about being torn between two men she hadn’t genuinely developed with.
I’m excited to read the next book in the series, regardless!
Sabaa Tahir nailed An Ember in the Ashes is most ways that count: the world is interesting, the circumstances are dire, and by God, the stakes are high. Honestly, this is one of the only books I’ve ever read where the author is unabashedly unafraid to punish her characters in cruel, clever ways. They’re not magically saved by coincidence, and they’re not always landing on both of their feet; Elias and Laia seem to carve their own story from the words Tahir puts on the page, and it is phenomenal.
That being said, the crippling fault of this story is it’s romance. In the middle of a fast paced action packed story, the author attempted to craft a love triangle with very little actual content between love interests. I cant recall a single conversation Laia had with Keenan that held substance beyond trauma bonding, and while Elias and Laia interact in significantly better ways, their chemistry is limited and interactions are numbered. Tahir had a lot to focus on, and I think the story would have been so much better if she had taken more time to develop a romance over the course of several books, because it’s not pertinent at all to the plot. Or, it shouldn’t be.
That being said, some points in the plot fall just short because of this lack of romance. Not to spoil, but there is a scene that is detrimental to the entire ending of the first book that depends on a romance that just… isn’t developed? I didn’t mind much, giving the fast pacing of the novel, but it did make me laugh a bit audibly when one character said to Laia something about being torn between two men she hadn’t genuinely developed with.
I’m excited to read the next book in the series, regardless!
nadiandr's review against another edition
5.0
“Life is made of so many moments that mean nothing. Then one day, a single moment comes along to define every second that comes after. Such moments are tests of courage, of strength.”
booksinthelakes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
emiann2023's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. What a breath-taking adventure. I adored every moment of this book, and cannot wait to read it's sequel.
banana83854's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. The storytelling was superb, the characters jumped off the page, and the world building was solid. Only sad I took so long to get on this train. On to the next one!!!