emmakhend's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
An Ember in the Ashes is one of my favorite YA fantasy books of all time. I’ve reread this book quite a few times and I never get bored with it. The world-building and characters are fantastic and loveable. The conflict throughout the series is gripping and engaging. Sabaa Tahir has an amazing writing style and portrays emotions and plot effortlessly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Violence, Sexual assault, Torture, Xenophobia, Misogyny, and Death
luuley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Sexual harassment, Death, Violence, Abandonment, Grief, Child death, Sexual assault, Genocide, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent and War
Minor: Rape and Suicide
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Torture, Kidnapping, Blood, Bullying, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Death, and Classism
ellieshay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.75
Overall I really loved this book.
It was a great YA fantasy, definitely one of my favorites, with true morally grey characters, strong character growth.
We follow Laia who's life is ripped out from under her in the first chapter. And follow her as she tries to spy to get information to those who can help save her brother.
We get a true understanding of her fears and real human reaction to such horrors that start the beginning of her story. In so many stories we have from the begin, the MC is straight up brave, witty and deals with the dark situations in epic ways. Laia was shown in such a great way. We sore her let fear control her, how she runs and feels guilt. How she isn't strong (from here point of view) and we watch as she grows from wanting to be saved to understanding that she must, relay on herself and become the brave MC we see in the end and we root for it!
We then also follow Elias who is training as a killer for the empire and how he truly hates and dismises the empire and the wrongness of what he is trained. We watch as he is prepping to flee from his post only to be thurst into trails where he is promised 'true freedom'. We follow as he graples with the mortality of what happens and his actions and reactions to the injustice. We watch him growing and dealing for living the people and life he has known for a life he wants and knows is morally better and see him accept his darkness and his morals as he makes his decisions.
Overall the two MC were both great character to follow and deal with their weaknesses, strengths and morals. The character development definitely was the main focus of the book, and it was building up the characters before there connections.
There was a very minor sub-plot of romance. It wasn't the focal point of the store. I'm sure it will growth and become more prominent as the books go on, but I just found it lacking. Felt more like a ow burn in that the MC's really didn't met or see each other till about half way through the book. There stories were told separately before they became connected, which I kind of liked.
<Spolier> chapter 38 was so cutel and unfair! This author is not afraid to kill so many characters! I tried while reading this part you really felt Elias pain and his faith break in this moment completely with the empire. </Spolier>
So over all the book and a bit of a slow start but once it started to come together and the characters got closer to there goals it really picked up and I couldn't put it down.
It was a great YA fantasy, definitely one of my favorites, with true morally grey characters, strong character growth.
We follow Laia who's life is ripped out from under her in the first chapter. And follow her as she tries to spy to get information to those who can help save her brother.
We get a true understanding of her fears and real human reaction to such horrors that start the beginning of her story. In so many stories we have from the begin, the MC is straight up brave, witty and deals with the dark situations in epic ways. Laia was shown in such a great way. We sore her let fear control her, how she runs and feels guilt. How she isn't strong (from here point of view) and we watch as she grows from wanting to be saved to understanding that she must, relay on herself and become the brave MC we see in the end and we root for it!
We then also follow Elias who is training as a killer for the empire and how he truly hates and dismises the empire and the wrongness of what he is trained. We watch as he is prepping to flee from his post only to be thurst into trails where he is promised 'true freedom'. We follow as he graples with the mortality of what happens and his actions and reactions to the injustice. We watch him growing and dealing for living the people and life he has known for a life he wants and knows is morally better and see him accept his darkness and his morals as he makes his decisions.
Overall the two MC were both great character to follow and deal with their weaknesses, strengths and morals. The character development definitely was the main focus of the book, and it was building up the characters before there connections.
There was a very minor sub-plot of romance. It wasn't the focal point of the store. I'm sure it will growth and become more prominent as the books go on, but I just found it lacking. Felt more like a ow burn in that the MC's really didn't met or see each other till about half way through the book. There stories were told separately before they became connected, which I kind of liked.
<Spolier> chapter 38 was so cutel and unfair! This author is not afraid to kill so many characters! I tried while reading this part you really felt Elias pain and his faith break in this moment completely with the empire. </Spolier>
So over all the book and a bit of a slow start but once it started to come together and the characters got closer to there goals it really picked up and I couldn't put it down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Rape
jennabenna's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.75
This was a good first book in the series. The world, main characters, and conflict are set up well. I found the slow pace if Laia's personal growth to be frustrating, and Elias to be a little too "perfect". I didnt love the dumb choices the characters (especially Laia) kept making. But I am optimistic for continued growth from the characters, so I cant wait to read the next two books now that the plot has really gotten going!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Slavery and Genocide
Minor: War, Rape, and Murder
charlizardbookboi17's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Slavery, Abandonment, Torture, War, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Child death, and Grief
st4rchaser's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Rape
rachelfayreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Torture, Slavery, Death, Police brutality, Murder, Grief, and Classism
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
esconce's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have read this whole series but just wanted to write my final reviews, the characters in this book definitely get better as the story and series as a whole progresses. I personally really disliked Helene in the beginning but over time she became my favorite character by the end of the series. It definitely has a couple “Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire” sort of moments, but it deals with a surprising amount of classism racism and more that honestly just fits really well. The world building is just top tier and Keenan stays as one of my favorite characters from the beginning to the end. :D 9/10 would read again
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Classism, Cursing, Hate crime, Death, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual harassment
takarakei's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.25
If you like books where no one is who they say they are and you don't know who you can trust... this is it! It's very dark, honestly I am surprised this is labeled as YA. Besides it following young adults and them all being horny teenagers, the subject matter that this deals with is very adult (see TW). I really enjoyed the dual POVs, world building, and the mysterious qualities. It is very attention grabbing and interesting right from the get-go, and it was a very unique concept. I can feel a much more intriguing plot line to come in the rest of the series...
You have a soul. It's damaged, but it's there. Don't let them take it from you...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Torture, Physical abuse, Death, Child death, Sexual harassment, Confinement, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: War, Rape, Colonisation, Trafficking, Sexual assault, Genocide, Misogyny, and Grief
Minor: Abortion, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Death of parent
This is an extremely dark book hence the long list of TW Rape/SA - there is none graphic on page, but rape is referred to a lot (seems to be common occurrence in this world) and