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a_kira's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
phoenix2's review against another edition
3.0
A Torch Against The Night is the second book of the "An Ember in the Ashes" series and it picks up right after where the first book left off.
This time, the narration is through a three POV format, which was pretty perfect, as it gave the reader an insight into the political arena that the two main characters left behind. Also, Helene turned out to be a great character, changing from the convenient third party in a questionable love triangle, to a strong lead with her own background story.
The story itself, in addition, was enjoyable at first, but got a bit tiring towards the ending. The big twist was indeed shocking, though, looking back now, I was indeed baffled by the speed at which was relationship was progressing. So, yes, the clues were there, but one can't pin them down that easily, which made the twist even more unexpected and startling.
Finally, the writing is enjoyable and the characters are showing more potential as the chapters go by.
This time, the narration is through a three POV format, which was pretty perfect, as it gave the reader an insight into the political arena that the two main characters left behind. Also, Helene turned out to be a great character, changing from the convenient third party in a questionable love triangle, to a strong lead with her own background story.
The story itself, in addition, was enjoyable at first, but got a bit tiring towards the ending. The big twist was indeed shocking, though, looking back now, I was indeed baffled by the speed at which was relationship was progressing. So, yes, the clues were there, but one can't pin them down that easily, which made the twist even more unexpected and startling.
Finally, the writing is enjoyable and the characters are showing more potential as the chapters go by.
maria928'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
4.0
gauriraut's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
I forgave the insta love, and Laia, her wishy washy-ness in Book 1, but here it was so tedious to get through. For around 350 pages she moves between Keenan the bad boy and Elias the (ex) frat boy, when she should be focusing on Darin the smart boy.
I mean, we get a literal monologue about how she's upset that Keenan removed Elias's cloak and put his on her. Like miss girl, ffs, get a grip!
I understand that she's young, in shock, sorrow, and therefore clinging to any semblance of warmth, but her weakness of spirit was exhausting. Only at the end (similar to book 1) does she show courage and do what's needed without excessive thinking.
Helen's POV was a much needed addition because otherwise this would've been a mostly roadtrip, monologue book without the plot moving at all. She's the most compelling character in the book so far.
I also liked where Elias's story went and considering that I'm honestly hoping that the romance doesn't happen.
Will read books 3 and 4 because reading them and finding out how this series ends was the goal for which I reread books 1 and 2.
I forgave the insta love, and Laia, her wishy washy-ness in Book 1, but here it was so tedious to get through. For around 350 pages she moves between Keenan the bad boy and Elias the (ex) frat boy, when she should be focusing on Darin the smart boy.
I mean, we get a literal monologue about how she's upset that Keenan removed Elias's cloak and put his on her. Like miss girl, ffs, get a grip!
I understand that she's young, in shock, sorrow, and therefore clinging to any semblance of warmth, but her weakness of spirit was exhausting. Only at the end (similar to book 1) does she show courage and do what's needed without excessive thinking.
Helen's POV was a much needed addition because otherwise this would've been a mostly roadtrip, monologue book without the plot moving at all. She's the most compelling character in the book so far.
I also liked where Elias's story went and considering that I'm honestly hoping that the romance doesn't happen.
Will read books 3 and 4 because reading them and finding out how this series ends was the goal for which I reread books 1 and 2.
adajorda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
sumayyaha's review against another edition
5.0
rating - 4.5 stars
____________________________________
let's get over with the negative first. my only reason for 0.5 off is because it was bit slow as expected when you're building tension but that's it.(and the only reason it took me 15 days to read it)
Sabaa Tahir did it again! Her writing that isn't so descriptive as to call it flowery but strikes hard enough to be compelling and beautiful just complimented the story so well. Not to mention, the characters-the characters-are freaking amazing, morally gray, strong, brave, on the edge-of-breaking (mentally) but-still-manages-to-stay-afloat. And plot twists..?! and battle?!
So yes, if you liked what little (seems very little now) that you got in book one, yes, book two is worth it.
Also, Helene's perspective that I never knew I needed..(I love her). She is so incredibly strong in the face of possible failure that will end with blood on her hands, quite literally. And you see her mental state crumbling and still, she holds on..just WoW
However, Elias will always be my favorite though he is somehow the perfect male character and yet faced imperfect actions but he is reckoning with them and it is so heartbreaking but soo necessary. Also, the whole lesson each character learns about themselves/within themselves is incredibly nuanced. Unlike those lessons in some other YA where they were basically hitting the characters with it but for some reason, it took the whole book for them to realize something I could've learned from Elmo! (no disrespect though, he taught me things haha) Oh and need I say anything about Afya Ara Nur ...cause YES she was amazing. Truly a woman of honor.
Ohh and there are so many messed up people in here but not just for the sake of villainy, I like how they all have something to gain or lose and that's what drives them.
now let's talk spoilers simply because I must discuss.
Also really sad that Sabaa Tahir isn't afraid to kill people like COME ON that hurt. but also its adds to the stakes but ouch.. and I just knew that Elias wouldn't make it out entirely "alive" but arghhh I cry for him poor boy..the torment he faces smh ITs even worse that he is such a good guy..
Interested to see if Darin is all he's cracked up to be, I hope since he's woken up he is as reliable as he was before if not funny and charming (I mean you tend to lose those qualities when one is being tortured right?)
____________________________________
let's get over with the negative first. my only reason for 0.5 off is because it was bit slow as expected when you're building tension but that's it.
Sabaa Tahir did it again! Her writing that isn't so descriptive as to call it flowery but strikes hard enough to be compelling and beautiful just complimented the story so well. Not to mention, the characters-the characters-are freaking amazing, morally gray, strong, brave, on the edge-of-breaking (mentally) but-still-manages-to-stay-afloat. And plot twists..?! and battle?!
So yes, if you liked what little (seems very little now) that you got in book one, yes, book two is worth it.
Also, Helene's perspective that I never knew I needed..(I love her). She is so incredibly strong in the face of possible failure that will end with blood on her hands, quite literally. And you see her mental state crumbling and still, she holds on..just WoW
However, Elias will always be my favorite though he is somehow the perfect male character and yet faced imperfect actions but he is reckoning with them and it is so heartbreaking but soo necessary. Also, the whole lesson each character learns about themselves/within themselves is incredibly nuanced. Unlike those lessons in some other YA where they were basically hitting the characters with it but for some reason, it took the whole book for them to realize something I could've learned from Elmo! (no disrespect though, he taught me things haha) Oh and need I say anything about Afya Ara Nur ...cause YES she was amazing. Truly a woman of honor.
Ohh and there are so many messed up people in here but not just for the sake of villainy, I like how they all have something to gain or lose and that's what drives them.
now let's talk spoilers simply because I must discuss.
Spoiler
When Keenan's true nature was revealed I WAS ECSTATIC I just knew he was wrong in some way. Nightbringer was a surprise but I KNEW iT. I just couldn't accept that Laia was into him because he was just...a dude... he had no special qualities to me and he also seemed easily angered which is never attractive to me cough adam cough aNyways he doesn't hold a candle to Elias and its disgusting how he more or less gaslighted her into her trust for him. She gave him everything, heck she gave him her body. Even though she says he must have had some love for her bc he couldn't obtain the star fracture without it, I still don't buy it. Well at least ..he didn't love her enough to stop her pain or maybe he wanted revenge more. whatever, the point is I severely dislike him.Also really sad that Sabaa Tahir isn't afraid to kill people like COME ON that hurt. but also its adds to the stakes but ouch.. and I just knew that Elias wouldn't make it out entirely "alive" but arghhh I cry for him poor boy..the torment he faces smh ITs even worse that he is such a good guy..
Interested to see if Darin is all he's cracked up to be, I hope since he's woken up he is as reliable as he was before if not funny and charming (I mean you tend to lose those qualities when one is being tortured right?)
ishywishy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25