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booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.5
A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT begins where AN EMBER IN THE ASHES left off, with Elias and Laia having just escaped so that Laia can attempt a rescue of her brother from the prison, Kauf.
The worldbuilding focuses on the Tribes more this time around, maintaining things established in the first book but not doing as much worldbuilding for the other groups and locations. One thing that's new is the Waiting Place where Shaeva helps the dead pass on. A lot of new backstory and worldbuilding is conveyed to Elias there, gradually through a series of conversations.
One of my favorite things about the structure of this series is that Laia and Elias each have another person they're interested in. Rather than a standard love triangle, this creates something more tangled where it's uncertain whether they're both interested in a relationship with each other. Any potential romance takes a backseat for much of the book because of the circumstances of their journey, but there's just enough there to keep things interesting. I like how Keenan's storyline plays out, I genuinely didn't guess what was going on with him and I'm pretty pleased with the reveal. Helene isn't around the others as much, but I like that because her chapters get a chance to be on their own rather than echoing Elias's, since in the first book we only saw Helene through Elias (and very occasionally Laia).
Each of the characters have specific and very understandable reasons for acting at cross-purposes. Some of those justifications are definitely on the evil side, but so far none of the characters are evil for the sake of it. Their justifications may be power, security, making sure no one can do to them what they're doing to everyone else, but there's always a reason. In a series that seems determined to add perspectives with each sequel, that's not an easy feat. I don't have to like all of the point-of-view characters in order to enjoy the book. Even when I vehemently disagree with them it's not a frustrating reading experience, instead it's highly engaging.
This is the second book in a quartet, and it wraps up a pretty important thing left hanging from the first book, since this is where the planned attempt to rescue Laia's brother is made. The journey itself functions mostly as a new storyline, though technically it began at the very end of the first book. Several smaller things are resolved, but the first book ends on a cliffhanger and then this one picks up immediately where it left off, which makes it harder for me to remember which things where mentioned at the end of the first vs the beginning of the second. Some things related to Helene are specifically left for later in a way that makes me think they may drive the third book. Helene is a new narrator, her perspectives joining the rotation with Laia and Elias. Laia and Elias are consistent with themselves in the first book, though they do change gradually in this one (especially Elias). There's an audiobook narrator for each perspective, Laia, Elias, and Helene. I like the performances, they did a good job.
This begins exactly where the first book left off, with Laia and Elias running through the tunnels. Reminders of what happened in the first book are doled out slowly, when the characters have a moment to think while running for their lives. It wouldn't make sense to start here, since the main plot is the second half of the story begun in the first book. Since it's a quartet it does set up plenty to keep the story going, but Laia became a slave in the first book in hopes of getting her brother rescued and this book is about the journey for that rescue attempt. Beginning here without having that setup would make a lot of the story less satisfying.
Laia and Elias are traveling to Kauf to rescue Laia's brother. They're joined by some characters from the first book, and the party splits and reconfigures several times as they get help along the way. Helene is the Blood Shrike, trying to deal with the hateful Commandant's machinations from the inside, all while under the thumb of the new emperor. In an attempt to get back at Laia and the resistance, the Commandant is using her influence to try and wipe out the Scholars and anyone she thinks of as helping them. These plot threads intersect more towards the end, establishing a new status quo going into the third book.
I enjoyed this and will keep reading the series!
The worldbuilding focuses on the Tribes more this time around, maintaining things established in the first book but not doing as much worldbuilding for the other groups and locations. One thing that's new is the Waiting Place where Shaeva helps the dead pass on. A lot of new backstory and worldbuilding is conveyed to Elias there, gradually through a series of conversations.
One of my favorite things about the structure of this series is that Laia and Elias each have another person they're interested in. Rather than a standard love triangle, this creates something more tangled where it's uncertain whether they're both interested in a relationship with each other. Any potential romance takes a backseat for much of the book because of the circumstances of their journey, but there's just enough there to keep things interesting. I like how Keenan's storyline plays out, I genuinely didn't guess what was going on with him and I'm pretty pleased with the reveal. Helene isn't around the others as much, but I like that because her chapters get a chance to be on their own rather than echoing Elias's, since in the first book we only saw Helene through Elias (and very occasionally Laia).
Each of the characters have specific and very understandable reasons for acting at cross-purposes. Some of those justifications are definitely on the evil side, but so far none of the characters are evil for the sake of it. Their justifications may be power, security, making sure no one can do to them what they're doing to everyone else, but there's always a reason. In a series that seems determined to add perspectives with each sequel, that's not an easy feat. I don't have to like all of the point-of-view characters in order to enjoy the book. Even when I vehemently disagree with them it's not a frustrating reading experience, instead it's highly engaging.
This is the second book in a quartet, and it wraps up a pretty important thing left hanging from the first book, since this is where the planned attempt to rescue Laia's brother is made. The journey itself functions mostly as a new storyline, though technically it began at the very end of the first book. Several smaller things are resolved, but the first book ends on a cliffhanger and then this one picks up immediately where it left off, which makes it harder for me to remember which things where mentioned at the end of the first vs the beginning of the second. Some things related to Helene are specifically left for later in a way that makes me think they may drive the third book. Helene is a new narrator, her perspectives joining the rotation with Laia and Elias. Laia and Elias are consistent with themselves in the first book, though they do change gradually in this one (especially Elias). There's an audiobook narrator for each perspective, Laia, Elias, and Helene. I like the performances, they did a good job.
This begins exactly where the first book left off, with Laia and Elias running through the tunnels. Reminders of what happened in the first book are doled out slowly, when the characters have a moment to think while running for their lives. It wouldn't make sense to start here, since the main plot is the second half of the story begun in the first book. Since it's a quartet it does set up plenty to keep the story going, but Laia became a slave in the first book in hopes of getting her brother rescued and this book is about the journey for that rescue attempt. Beginning here without having that setup would make a lot of the story less satisfying.
Laia and Elias are traveling to Kauf to rescue Laia's brother. They're joined by some characters from the first book, and the party splits and reconfigures several times as they get help along the way. Helene is the Blood Shrike, trying to deal with the hateful Commandant's machinations from the inside, all while under the thumb of the new emperor. In an attempt to get back at Laia and the resistance, the Commandant is using her influence to try and wipe out the Scholars and anyone she thinks of as helping them. These plot threads intersect more towards the end, establishing a new status quo going into the third book.
I enjoyed this and will keep reading the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Blood, Child abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Genocide, and Slavery
eve_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The plot of this book was more quest-based than the last one. I struggled to remain engaged during Laia's and Elias' perspectives when there was extensive travel because it felt redundant and repetitive.
⁕ Helene is slowly making her way up there on my list of all time favorite female characters. The internal conflict she faces when choosing between her patriotism, family, and Elias is a DELICIOUS addition to the book. For the unrequited love interest, she is a fully-fleshed character that is glorious in all her flaws and fears.
⁕ [spoiler] HOLY PLOT TWIST. Tahir got me good and honest. It made absolute sense and I didn't see it coming.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ The plot of this book was more quest-based than the last one. I struggled to remain engaged during Laia's and Elias' perspectives when there was extensive travel because it felt redundant and repetitive.
⁕ Helene is slowly making her way up there on my list of all time favorite female characters. The internal conflict she faces when choosing between her patriotism, family, and Elias is a DELICIOUS addition to the book. For the unrequited love interest, she is a fully-fleshed character that is glorious in all her flaws and fears.
⁕ [spoiler] HOLY PLOT TWIST. Tahir got me good and honest. It made absolute sense and I didn't see it coming.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, Child death, Torture, Gore, and Death
maggieed's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child abuse, Violence, Genocide, Slavery, and Torture
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death, Grief, Sexual assault, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
helpme71's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Blood, Gore, Gaslighting, Xenophobia, and Slavery
Minor: Sexual content and Cursing
bloodiedmuggle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
One of my absolute favorite series, this second book sucks you in even more than the first and fulfills promises of darker powers at play and the characters having to face the terrible, ultimate consequences of everyone's actions, even those not their own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Gore
victoria_elaine's review against another edition
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? N/A
4.5
I really really love this series. I’m starting the third book today haha. I think the plot flows perfectly and is SO engaging. Literally read 300 pages of this book in a day (when I should’ve been studying for midterms). Definitely recommend :)
WHY DOES HELENE GO THROUGH SO FREAKING MUCH?!?! WATCHING HER FAMILY DIE BECAUSE OF HER ACTIONS?!?! AND KEENAN BEING THE NIGHTBRINGER LIKE WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT I SCREAMED
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Murder, Torture, Violence, and War
kilic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Murder, Physical abuse, and Slavery
katsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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
5.0
“So long as you fight the darkness, you stand in the light.”
“Failure doesn't define you. It's what you do after you fail that determines whether you are a leader or a waste of perfectly good air.”
“Don't look so worried. Most successful missions are just a series of barely averted disasters.”
“You are a torch against the night - if you dare to let yourself burn.”
Whoa. This novel was a wild ride, much like it's predecessor which I also enjoyed a lot. The adventure and intrigue were a ton of fun and kept me turning pages, especially during the last half. The plot twists were on point and they just kept on coming. Between presumed deaths, actual deaths, a love triangle and a massive betrayal, the drama almost gave me whiplash, but in the best possible way. Elias is the sweetest while also being a total badass. I love how much Laia's character has grown. And while I started off not really liking Helene's POV, I really appreciated her by the end of the book. I also ended up liking Harper much more than I thought I would. I really liked the more overtly fantastical elements incorporated into this novel (as opposed to the first novel, An Ember in the Ashes) and I'm really excited to see how those elements get fleshed out in the last two novels. There are some significant trigger warnings for graphic violence, torture, child abuse and genocide so please be aware.
REREAD:
This was just as fantastic the second time around. The twists and turns were just as good. I was a little frustrated that I forgot so much about the plot over the last year but that just meant I really got to relive it. And honestly I have so many questions for book 3. The character's are so well written and I'm convinced Tahir is going to rip my heart out in the last two books. So here goes nothing.
“Failure doesn't define you. It's what you do after you fail that determines whether you are a leader or a waste of perfectly good air.”
“Don't look so worried. Most successful missions are just a series of barely averted disasters.”
“You are a torch against the night - if you dare to let yourself burn.”
Whoa. This novel was a wild ride, much like it's predecessor which I also enjoyed a lot. The adventure and intrigue were a ton of fun and kept me turning pages, especially during the last half. The plot twists were on point and they just kept on coming. Between presumed deaths, actual deaths, a love triangle and a massive betrayal, the drama almost gave me whiplash, but in the best possible way. Elias is the sweetest while also being a total badass. I love how much Laia's character has grown. And while I started off not really liking Helene's POV, I really appreciated her by the end of the book. I also ended up liking Harper much more than I thought I would. I really liked the more overtly fantastical elements incorporated into this novel (as opposed to the first novel, An Ember in the Ashes) and I'm really excited to see how those elements get fleshed out in the last two novels. There are some significant trigger warnings for graphic violence, torture, child abuse and genocide so please be aware.
REREAD:
This was just as fantastic the second time around. The twists and turns were just as good. I was a little frustrated that I forgot so much about the plot over the last year but that just meant I really got to relive it. And honestly I have so many questions for book 3. The character's are so well written and I'm convinced Tahir is going to rip my heart out in the last two books. So here goes nothing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Gore, Grief, Murder, Torture, Physical abuse, Violence, Abandonment, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Slavery, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual content
vale_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Gore, Torture, Murder, Child death, War, Trafficking, Xenophobia, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Vomit and Terminal illness
sydapel's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Murder, Racism, Sexual content, and Violence