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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“The field of battle is my temple. The swordpoint is my priest. The dance of death is my prayer. The killing blow is my release.”
Cutthroat and intensely atmospheric, An Ember in the Ashes was definitely a strong series-starter. I hardly expected the amount of character depth or complex world building that was delivered. I’m already itching to discover what the next instalments have in store.
~★~ What is this book about? ~★~
In a world similar to ancient Rome, commoners are ruled by Martials -ruthlessly trained assassins serving the emperor. When Laia’s family is killed and her brother jailed by a Martial, she is determined to fight for his freedom- and his life. Laia’s only chance at saving him means spying for rebels as a slave in Blackcliff academy.
Elias is one of Blackcliff’s top students. As a Martial in training, disobedience guarantees a public lashing at best, and a painful death at worst.
Herein lies the problem: Elias is repulsed by the academy, unable to stomach the killing and tyranny being forced upon him. He plans to desert before his graduation, except no deserter in Blackliff’s history has ever escaped with their life.
~★~
To put it simply: An Ember in the Ashes was a ride and a half. Sabaa Tahir’s writing style was really intriguing from the get-go, ensuring I was able to fall into both Elias and Laia’s perspective with ease. Conflicts are high from the very first chapter, entailing what is to be a continuously climactic adventure for readers.
It’s pretty amazing how every character portrayed in this novel feels tangible. Tahir does a phenomenal job of making sure even her side characters are well developed. Laia and Elias were both intriguing and full of heart, so naturally, I loved them. I even came to care for some names that hardly appeared more than a few times. Helene in particular was a fantastic deuteragonist; hearing that she has her own POV in the next book makes me so excited!
The thorough attention paid to worldbuilding was what initially stood out to me about An Ember in the Ashes. It’s been far too long since I’ve read a YA fantasy with this distinct of a prose/atmosphere. This was a really satisfying beginning to what I’m sure will be a breathtaking series.
A solid 2.5. I started reading a hard copy version but switched to the audio book version. Let me preface this review by saying that I am NOT a fan of fantasy. Anyway, I thought this book was very slow in the beginning. It took awhile to get me "hooked". The ultimate message was timeless and unconventional, but at times, I felt like I was watching a Lifetime movie (1. bad thing happens, 2. resolution, 3. repeat multiple times). The thing that kept me reading were the characters...very well-written in that respect. I know if I ran into Sabaa I'd have a couple of questions for her in regard to her writing style; she made some pretty interesting wording choices that has me curious. Overall, I enjoyed this read and would recommend if you like fantasy or dystopian novels.
Unbelivably Amazing! This book is incredible! I loved EVERYTHING about it! Rarely do I see an author who can write from two different perspectives and make me not only care equally about them but give them such unique and separate voices! Elias and Laia are two of my favorite characters ever. They are strong and weak, different but similar, and both are such a pleasure to read about. I loved the worldbuilding, the trials, the hope that even when it looked like it had been crushed continued to rise above despair and failure. Read it people! The hype is legit for An Ember in the Ashes.I NEED a second book! PLEASE!!!
Edit: They just released the news that there will be a sequel!!!!!! YES!!!!!
Edit: They just released the news that there will be a sequel!!!!!! YES!!!!!
Wow...That was pretty lovely actually. I say that because I was completely BORED for the first few chapters and then all of a sudden a spark was lit and I couldn't stop. This was a WONDERFUL read if you can get past the first few chapters. There was so MUCH to this book. I am so very impressed with this story especially knowing it was a debut novel for this author. I just was so immersed into this world that it was difficult for me to get out of it. I only took breaks to work and to sleep. I was so very in love with some characters and definitely in hate with others but the actual plot was so beautiful! I wish I had the nerve to ask this author how she mapped out this story without losing her place or making it confusing because there are so many twists and turns. There are so many details that could easily have easily thrown the story off at ANY point. I just appreciate Sabaa Tahir's gift a million times more knowing this was her first attempt. Im officially a fan and i don't know if i will ever not be.
The best part for me? I know that there was an ending and was expecting a Cliff hanger. You kind of get one but its more of a rough roll down a grassy hill. There was so much resolution (Not really resolution i guess but I really felt at peace with this ending!) but at the same time i felt like a new story was already beginning. I couldn't even be upset with the ending because it was beautiful and perfect. I wish I could have grabbed book two and continued on with everyone.
Even if it's something you wouldn't normally read just give this a shot. It has a little bit of everything in it - romance, violence, supernatural beings, a little history, military/boarding school scenery, mommy issues, sorrow, happiness, loyalties are tested, a whole empire is at risk, traitors and revolutionaries. Surprisingly this was a beautiful novel without sex and Laia was the most modest female lead i have ever met. I love her.
I know - my review is all over the place and i didn't even talk about the characters If i were to do that I think that this would be pages and pages long. Maybe another post.
The best part for me? I know that there was an ending and was expecting a Cliff hanger. You kind of get one but its more of a rough roll down a grassy hill. There was so much resolution (Not really resolution i guess but I really felt at peace with this ending!) but at the same time i felt like a new story was already beginning. I couldn't even be upset with the ending because it was beautiful and perfect. I wish I could have grabbed book two and continued on with everyone.
Even if it's something you wouldn't normally read just give this a shot. It has a little bit of everything in it - romance, violence, supernatural beings, a little history, military/boarding school scenery, mommy issues, sorrow, happiness, loyalties are tested, a whole empire is at risk, traitors and revolutionaries. Surprisingly this was a beautiful novel without sex and Laia was the most modest female lead i have ever met. I love her.
I know - my review is all over the place and i didn't even talk about the characters If i were to do that I think that this would be pages and pages long. Maybe another post.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this review has like insane amount of spoilers in it stop reading it rn if you thought it wouldn't have too many it does and also its super curse word heavy sorry
also isnt so much a review as a rant mostly
this book genuinely made me feel emotions i didn't even know existed
world was so fucked up, trials were SO fucked up especially the trial of strength honestly felt like all of the most insane and terrible events ever were happening to ME the way this book effected me. loved it so much omg
and the way that this made me feel something about every single little character too like the burning hate i have for marcus in every fiber of my being, but then also what happened during and right after the trial of strength still had me feeling for him for a second there like omg this book was so good ugh
the end holy shit. HELENE. i hate the augurs for doing her like this icl. like yes elias gets to live and be free but i feel like elias' little idea of her setting him free as her blood shrike hit harder but no i get hit with "after this, we're enemies" AHHHHH SHUT UP NO i feel so bad for her rn because she has to endure that clown marcus it's actually like not okay at all fuck. i feel like she's gonna have a pov in book 2 and its going to be sickening to watch her do whatever marcus wants which might actually be my last straw
AND THE FLASHBACK TO WHEN THEY WERE YEARLINGS AND THEY LOOKED OUT FOR EACH OTHER SO THEY COULD SURVIVE WHILE SHE WAS ABOUT TO KILL HIM WAS SO BEYOND DIABOLICAL IM ACTUALLY TEARING UP THINKING ABOUT IT RN
and faris and dex letting him go omg stop like literally every second of this book from trial of strength on is just raw misery
i feel like i barely talked about laias pov sorry it's just that like mazen's betrayal surprised literally nobody but i love izzi my free baddie and i hate the commandant fuck that bitch her own family hates her evil ass and everything as they should like thanks for giving birth to the only non-brainwashed seeming mask of all time when it comes to the scholars and everything but thats literally your only value as a being and your only contribution to the world fuck you. and the contribution is like her greatest regret to like ugh fuck you.
also kinda confused though because why did the grandfather even hate her sm her whole life anyway prior to everything with her trying to kill elias all the time and just being like a raging bitch as the commandant like where did the beef originate because she was kind of right in that her behavior even as commandant apart from her treatment of elias was sort of everything that he would've been proud of and admired in his kid because they're like the same traits he takes pride in within elias. was it just the thing he said about girls not belonging at blackcliff and if so thats a: ew wtf bro and b: confusing asf because they get picked by the augurs so it wouldn't have really been her choice to go to blackcliff anyway even as like the only girl they pick per generation so im a little lost there but he low key looks like he started the asshole streak if thats the whole lore there
also laia might be a little more like the lioness than we thought guys!! except im feeling like maybe that isnt such a compliment atp im not sure i feel like somethings fishy with the lioness between like cook like fucking quivering at the sound of her name and the earlier flashbacks of her and the dad fighting like idk maybe the lioness was actually a bitch im kinda confused if i like her or not rn i feel like theres more to come with this
read this if you wanna feel something and feel it a lot
also isnt so much a review as a rant mostly
this book genuinely made me feel emotions i didn't even know existed
world was so fucked up, trials were SO fucked up especially the trial of strength honestly felt like all of the most insane and terrible events ever were happening to ME the way this book effected me. loved it so much omg
and the way that this made me feel something about every single little character too like the burning hate i have for marcus in every fiber of my being, but then also what happened during and right after the trial of strength still had me feeling for him for a second there like omg this book was so good ugh
the end holy shit. HELENE. i hate the augurs for doing her like this icl. like yes elias gets to live and be free but i feel like elias' little idea of her setting him free as her blood shrike hit harder but no i get hit with "after this, we're enemies" AHHHHH SHUT UP NO i feel so bad for her rn because she has to endure that clown marcus it's actually like not okay at all fuck. i feel like she's gonna have a pov in book 2 and its going to be sickening to watch her do whatever marcus wants which might actually be my last straw
AND THE FLASHBACK TO WHEN THEY WERE YEARLINGS AND THEY LOOKED OUT FOR EACH OTHER SO THEY COULD SURVIVE WHILE SHE WAS ABOUT TO KILL HIM WAS SO BEYOND DIABOLICAL IM ACTUALLY TEARING UP THINKING ABOUT IT RN
and faris and dex letting him go omg stop like literally every second of this book from trial of strength on is just raw misery
i feel like i barely talked about laias pov sorry it's just that like mazen's betrayal surprised literally nobody but i love izzi my free baddie and i hate the commandant fuck that bitch her own family hates her evil ass and everything as they should like thanks for giving birth to the only non-brainwashed seeming mask of all time when it comes to the scholars and everything but thats literally your only value as a being and your only contribution to the world fuck you. and the contribution is like her greatest regret to like ugh fuck you.
also kinda confused though because why did the grandfather even hate her sm her whole life anyway prior to everything with her trying to kill elias all the time and just being like a raging bitch as the commandant like where did the beef originate because she was kind of right in that her behavior even as commandant apart from her treatment of elias was sort of everything that he would've been proud of and admired in his kid because they're like the same traits he takes pride in within elias. was it just the thing he said about girls not belonging at blackcliff and if so thats a: ew wtf bro and b: confusing asf because they get picked by the augurs so it wouldn't have really been her choice to go to blackcliff anyway even as like the only girl they pick per generation so im a little lost there but he low key looks like he started the asshole streak if thats the whole lore there
also laia might be a little more like the lioness than we thought guys!! except im feeling like maybe that isnt such a compliment atp im not sure i feel like somethings fishy with the lioness between like cook like fucking quivering at the sound of her name and the earlier flashbacks of her and the dad fighting like idk maybe the lioness was actually a bitch im kinda confused if i like her or not rn i feel like theres more to come with this
read this if you wanna feel something and feel it a lot
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated