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A review by portuguese_bookaholic
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
“There are two kinds of guilt: the kind that drowns you until you’re useless, and the kind that fires your soul to purpose.”
In a world inspired by Ancient Rome, a revolution is brewing...
Laia is a Scholar, an oppressed people who have been conquered and enslaved by the mighty Martials, forming the Empire. After losing her grandparents and watching her beloved brother being arrested, she reaches out to the Scholar Resistance for help. The cost? She has to infiltrate the feared Blackcliff Academy, where the Martial elite troops are brutally trained, and spy on the terrifying Commandant, who has a reputation for ruthlessness and cruelty.
Elias is a Martial, but for the first few years of his life, he was raised as a Tribesman. Now the top student at Blackcliff, the years of training haven't quenched his doubts about the life that has been planned out for him. He hopes for freedom and is plotting his escape from the clutches of the Empire. But he's also struggling with leaving behind his loved ones and betraying his comrades and friends, especially his best friend, Helene.
When Laia and Elias meet, sparks fly. Can two such different people be exactly what the world needs? In the war ahead, their biggest fight will be for their souls.
-----
How could I have taken such a long time to pick up this book?! It is SO GOOD!
Sabaa Tahir is a bold storyteller, with a very direct writing style, and she doesn't pull ANY punches. The story immediately begins at full speed and from that point on it never lets up! It's just surprise after surprise, revelation after revelation, and mystery after mystery. There are scheming, betrayal, attraction, deadly secrets, and even a competition to the death, for good measure. In short, everything good is in this book. But make no mistake, this world IS brutal and bloody, and completely merciless.
The characters are richly built, with unique personalities and voices, believable conflicts, and amazing growth. At this point, Elias is my favourite, I love his inner struggle, his determination to do better, to do right, even when everything and everyone seems to be against him, even when his very fate seems to want to lead him towards something completely different from what his heart is telling him to be. But Laia and Helene are also very interesting in their diametrically opposite personalities. And the villains, especially the Commandant? SUCH a complex character, and how much I'm loving to hate her!
This story has everything: high-stakes quests, backstabbing, twists, lurking magic, and a little sprinkling of romance to spice things up.
A 5-star read for me and deserving of all the hype and accolades. I just can't wait to continue with this story!!!
In a world inspired by Ancient Rome, a revolution is brewing...
Laia is a Scholar, an oppressed people who have been conquered and enslaved by the mighty Martials, forming the Empire. After losing her grandparents and watching her beloved brother being arrested, she reaches out to the Scholar Resistance for help. The cost? She has to infiltrate the feared Blackcliff Academy, where the Martial elite troops are brutally trained, and spy on the terrifying Commandant, who has a reputation for ruthlessness and cruelty.
Elias is a Martial, but for the first few years of his life, he was raised as a Tribesman. Now the top student at Blackcliff, the years of training haven't quenched his doubts about the life that has been planned out for him. He hopes for freedom and is plotting his escape from the clutches of the Empire. But he's also struggling with leaving behind his loved ones and betraying his comrades and friends, especially his best friend, Helene.
When Laia and Elias meet, sparks fly. Can two such different people be exactly what the world needs? In the war ahead, their biggest fight will be for their souls.
-----
How could I have taken such a long time to pick up this book?! It is SO GOOD!
Sabaa Tahir is a bold storyteller, with a very direct writing style, and she doesn't pull ANY punches. The story immediately begins at full speed and from that point on it never lets up! It's just surprise after surprise, revelation after revelation, and mystery after mystery. There are scheming, betrayal, attraction, deadly secrets, and even a competition to the death, for good measure. In short, everything good is in this book. But make no mistake, this world IS brutal and bloody, and completely merciless.
The characters are richly built, with unique personalities and voices, believable conflicts, and amazing growth. At this point, Elias is my favourite, I love his inner struggle, his determination to do better, to do right, even when everything and everyone seems to be against him, even when his very fate seems to want to lead him towards something completely different from what his heart is telling him to be. But Laia and Helene are also very interesting in their diametrically opposite personalities. And the villains, especially the Commandant? SUCH a complex character, and how much I'm loving to hate her!
This story has everything: high-stakes quests, backstabbing, twists, lurking magic, and a little sprinkling of romance to spice things up.
A 5-star read for me and deserving of all the hype and accolades. I just can't wait to continue with this story!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Abandonment