An Ember in the Ashes

An Ember in the Ashes, published on April 28th, 2015, is the first book in the An Ember in the Ashes series written by Sabaa Tahir. It is classified as being both young adult and fantasy and debuted at #2 on the Young Adult New York Times Best Seller list. The full list of Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes series includes: An Ember in the Ashes, A Torch Against the Night, A Reaper at the Gates, and A Sky Beyond the Storm. Two of Tahir’s novels, An Ember in the Ashes and A Torch Against the Night, were listed among Time Magazine's 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time in 2020. The setting in An Ember in the Ashes is one of high-fantasy that was inspired by Ancient Rome. The characters in the book are diverse, complex, and unforgettable while reading. To quickly summarize the story: An Ember in the Ashes follows a girl named Laia who is spying for the rebels against the reigning empire in exchange for their help in rescuing her captive brother while a boy named Elias struggling to free himself from being an enforcer of a tyrannical regime. Right off the bat, the action is there and the story immediately takes off. Elements of tension, angst, and hope are all present in this book. Tahir’s work is a beautiful addition to the fantasy genre and is a much needed breath of fresh air that the genre needs to bring more readers into the fantasy sphere. I would recommend this book to readers entering high school and to any readers who enjoy fantasy as a genre!

Sabaa Tahir is an amazing writer, she created this completely believable world while inserting magical elements that as a reader I wasn’t expecting. She also has a gift for writing characters. She plays on all their strengths and weaknesses making them relatable and lovable.

This book sucked me right into it's world from the very first page so that I couldn't put it down till I'd finished the very last page (and the acknowledgements when I was denying that it could be the end). The plot and characters are uttering fascinating and immediately have you rooting for them. I was gasping and giggling out loud, unable to contain my emotions while reading. This is a book I would reccomend to everyone!

The similarities drawn between Rome and the Martials is masterfully done. I forgot several times while reading this that indeed magic is not real and we don't currently live under threat of martial law. The characters are skillfully woven and you'll be guessing until the end. I seriously couldn't put this down.

This novel was amazing! Sabaa Tahir creates a beautiful world rich with culture and life! I feel like the world building (mostly map/landscape wise) and the history/legends could have been a little more fleshed out. I'm hoping A Torch Against the Night, book two, will cover it a little more. The story itself was very well thought out and incredibly smooth. I found myself running through chapters at a time without a thought! The romance didn't feel 'shoved-in-your-face' forced but wasn't overly subtle either. The plot didn't revolve around the love. There wasn't necessarily a love triangle, per say, but there were two characters (who had no idea of the other's existence. Not a competition and not cheating either) who were in love/falling in love with the same girl. Overall, it was a very adventurous and entertaining read! Content: (Recommended for 13-14 +) Language: Various swearing including b-----d, b---h, d--n (and it's variations), exclamations of 'Ten h--ls!'. Romance: Talk of brothels and prostitutes from the soldiers. Mentions of rape, and it's suggested that it happens frequently at the Academy. One attempted (and failed) rape. A character is in love, but it isn't returned. A slow blossoming romance, nothing more than occasional closeness and a few kisses. Two characters are locked in a bedroom but do nothing more than sit and talk. Violence: Students at the Academy are training to become lethal fighters, so expect some blood and death, though not too gory. At one point comrades are pitted against each other in a battle to the death. Drug/Alchahol: Some drinking. If you liked this book, then you may enjoy: Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton