Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Une braise sous la cendre by Sabaa Tahir

174 reviews

looseleafellie's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

5.0

OH. MY. GOD, I feel FOOLISH for not reading this book earlier! Every ounce of the hype is 100% true. If this book is on your TBR, don’t be like me and put it off — read it immediately!

In this Ancient Rome-inspired fantasy where the brutal Martial regime rules, 17-year-old Laia must team up with rebels to save her brother from prison, while elite soldier Elias plots to escape the army and leave his life as a killer behind. From there spins a tale of a deadly competition, supernatural creatures, and mysterious prophecies coming true!

AEITA is an absolute MASTERCLASS in pacing. Once I started reading, I could hardly put the book down! It’s told in alternating chapters between the two main characters, and every time a chapter ended, I felt disappointed to have to leave the character’s point of view, only to be immediately swept up in whatever the other character was doing.

I enjoyed getting to know Laia and Elias, but the cast of supporting characters was super interesting as well, from the ruthless soldier Helene to the enigmatic Augurs to the grumpy Cook. Even the twisted, evil Commandant had a backstory that intrigued me, despite my horror at her sheer villainy.

The ending felt like a natural breathing spot while still propelling me into the next stage of the adventure. Good thing there are three more books in the series — they will probably stomp on my heart and I am SO READY.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, and Torture

otterforce's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense 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

4.0

This book is a bit more graphic than my usual reads. There are some serious streaks of violence and sadism. If you’re concerned, check out the first chapter and know that it’s kind of light compared to what’s to come.

The story and characters are both strong though and the very bad guys doing very bad (and sometimes graphic) things never feels gratuitous. It often reinforces the tension and stakes or serves the story. There’s are so many good people to offset the bad. I wouldn’t say the story is hopeful, but it’s also not overly bleak or dark.

I can’t wait to see how this series unfolds in later books.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Abortion

Minor: Suicide

readinabyss's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Fire/Fire injury

apple_atcha_reading's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

seforana's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

danaslitlist's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape and Sexual harassment

bwgwave's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Gore, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child abuse, Torture, and Abortion

mariahlynnpeck's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-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

5.0

 I happened to pick up this book at b&n just cause I really liked the cover and it sounded good. When I read this book I was so invested and I went through so many emotions especially the last 30% of the book. Hearing both Laia and Elias pov was so interesting it felt like reading 2 stories in one. Reading one and seeing how they were feeling vs how the other perceived it. I can’t wait to dive into the second one to see how their story goes.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Rape

readwithria's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this book!

An Ember in the Ashes is the brutal beginning of a YA series I would have loved when it first came out. If there’s one thing I love in my fantasy books, it’s reluctant spies baby! Laia has the makings of a very interesting character, and I’m looking forward to spending more time with her in the next books.

Elias has the more interesting arc in this book. But that being said, I could have done with less romantic tension in his POV chapters. We have some Lenny of time in the other three books, and his journey through especially Part II is really compelling even without it.

I think the world has the potential to be really interesting. We know very little about why some people have magic, where the fey creatures come from, and what the overall goals of the antagonists are. I’m looking forward to learning more about that soon, but I do wish we had learned a bit more in this book.

All in all this was an enjoyable, anxiety-inducing book. I will definitely be continuing the series. 4 stars

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Slavery, Torture, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Rape

imskylow's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense 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? No

4.5

Pleasantly surprised by this novel. I feel like I haven’t read a good political fantasy YA in a long while. All the characters have depth and emotion and the conflict feels real, too real at times especially with the genocides happening in the world. Laia is a fabulous FMC. She’s determined without being arrogant and unfeeling. She’s not a pick-me, she’s an I’ll-try-my-best. Elias is an intriguing character as well. A++

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Trafficking, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Bullying and Blood