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mypatronusisajedi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
aargot1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Gore, War, Violence, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Blood
Minor: Abandonment and Colonisation
kilic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Slavery, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
shahdhazem's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I loved this so much like the rest of the series it was a great conclusion. The plot was led out nearly perfect I loved how the author managed to explain everything flawlessly. There was a HUGE character development for both Laia and Helene which I absolutely loved. The series discuses themes of slavery and colonisation in a very complex way and it also lights a spot on mental health and how to find your self in the middle of absolute chaos also themes of losing loved ones. I'd strongly recommend this series but like I said before and will say again now check the trigger warnings before you read. I think that's it it was a really beautiful experience for me I got attached to the characters and got my heartbroken but still I can see myself re-reading the series in the futures cause it's exactly my type.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Confinement, Cultural appropriation, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Slavery, and Torture
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
I’ve finally finished this series, and I have more emotions than I know what to do with. This is undoubtedly my favorite book in the series, even though (because?) it broke my heart the most. Sabaa Tahir is not afraid to rip my heart out, stomp on it, and then glue it back together. I respect that but also hate it. (Nothing against Sabaa. She’s great. But also, how dare she??)
I read Reaper back in 2018, and looked up a recap of that book before starting this one. It’s a sign of Tahir’s skill that as soon as I started reading, I fell back into the world as if it hadn’t been three years since I did so last. I was sucked into the story immediately, and terrified for all of the characters.
Unexpected things I loved: Helene, Helene and Harper’s relationship, Laia and Helene’s friendship. The theme here is that, despite sometimes wishing her chapters didn’t interrupt me reading about Laia and Elias, the girl really grew on me. I have so much respect for her, even if, at times, I was internally shrieking because she was being so dense regarding her love life. Also, her and Laia bonding over how much men suck was the quality content I didn’t know I needed in my life. Such a small thing, but a great one.
I knew I loved Laia and Elias, but in between Reaper and Sky, I forgot just how much. They caused me SO MUCH PAIN as I was reading this freaking book, I don’t know how to express it all. The romantic tension between these two and Elias’ tendency to nope out of literally every conversation because he couldn’t handle his own feelings… oh my god. I mean, that specific part of Elias did make me giggle occasionally, but for the most part, I was just internally screeching. When she brought him a mango. When he helped her with her hair. SO MUCH SCREECHING. So help my hopeless romantic heart.
Characters aside, the plot was also brilliant. No one ever caught a break. I never knew what was about to happen. Nothing ever felt repetitive, and there were certainly no easy victories. I think Tahir took the story with the jinn in a very clever direction, one I personally didn’t expect. The war certainly didn’t go the way I expected. I was getting closer and closer to the end, and more and more stressed because of how few pages were left and how much was still wrong. I love books that scare me that way. I’m only being a little bit sarcastic. :)
As for the ending…I can’t believe both Harper and Darin are dead! That’s so cruel. That’s evil. My poor girls. Helene lost her boyfriend, Laia lost her brother… I’m honestly not sure who broke my heart more. Thank every deity out there that, miraculously, Laia’s mom was alive and took over the role of Soul Catcher so that Laia at least had Elias. If she lost her brother AND they weren’t endgame, it was extremely likely that I would’ve thrown the book across the room. So much heartbreak. So much pain. But a surprise came in and sort of saved the day, a little bit, so not everything was awful. The last couple of chapters actually had quite a few happy moments, including for Laia and Elias, and if not for the fact that it was after 2 in the morning and I share a small apartment with my family and didn’t want to wake anyone up, who knows how loudly I would’ve squealed. Internally, I was squealing very loudly. The last couple of pages fixed my broken heart with their Elaia content. I’m choosing to focus on that more than… other things. I’m happy for Helene too, and I think something might eventually happen with her and Musa?? But I was 90% focused on my ship, and wow, did Sabaa deliver. My heart was about to explode when Elias gave Laia the engraved armlet, especially since he got all flustered at the end. It was ADORABLE.
This review is a mess because I finished the book at nearly 3 in the morning and now it’s 4 a.m. and I’m also a mess. But it’s definitely honest, and even though I seriously did ramble, it got my point across. I loved this book so much, despite the emotional turmoil I experienced while reading. Like I said, it’s my favorite in the series, followed by Torch, then Reaper, then Ember. I think. It’s been a hot minute since I read the first three, but anyway. The whole series is spectacular, and I can’t wait to read more from Sabaa Tahir. 🖤
Representation
I read Reaper back in 2018, and looked up a recap of that book before starting this one. It’s a sign of Tahir’s skill that as soon as I started reading, I fell back into the world as if it hadn’t been three years since I did so last. I was sucked into the story immediately, and terrified for all of the characters.
Unexpected things I loved: Helene, Helene and Harper’s relationship, Laia and Helene’s friendship. The theme here is that, despite sometimes wishing her chapters didn’t interrupt me reading about Laia and Elias, the girl really grew on me. I have so much respect for her, even if, at times, I was internally shrieking because she was being so dense regarding her love life. Also, her and Laia bonding over how much men suck was the quality content I didn’t know I needed in my life. Such a small thing, but a great one.
I knew I loved Laia and Elias, but in between Reaper and Sky, I forgot just how much. They caused me SO MUCH PAIN as I was reading this freaking book, I don’t know how to express it all. The romantic tension between these two and Elias’ tendency to nope out of literally every conversation because he couldn’t handle his own feelings… oh my god. I mean, that specific part of Elias did make me giggle occasionally, but for the most part, I was just internally screeching. When she brought him a mango. When he helped her with her hair. SO MUCH SCREECHING. So help my hopeless romantic heart.
Characters aside, the plot was also brilliant. No one ever caught a break. I never knew what was about to happen. Nothing ever felt repetitive, and there were certainly no easy victories. I think Tahir took the story with the jinn in a very clever direction, one I personally didn’t expect. The war certainly didn’t go the way I expected. I was getting closer and closer to the end, and more and more stressed because of how few pages were left and how much was still wrong. I love books that scare me that way. I’m only being a little bit sarcastic. :)
As for the ending…
This review is a mess because I finished the book at nearly 3 in the morning and now it’s 4 a.m. and I’m also a mess. But it’s definitely honest, and even though I seriously did ramble, it got my point across. I loved this book so much, despite the emotional turmoil I experienced while reading. Like I said, it’s my favorite in the series, followed by Torch, then Reaper, then Ember. I think. It’s been a hot minute since I read the first three, but anyway. The whole series is spectacular, and I can’t wait to read more from Sabaa Tahir. 🖤
Representation
- protagonist, love interest, and side characters of color
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Genocide, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Violence, Torture, and Grief
Moderate: Sexism, Death of parent, and Slavery
Laia’s parents are already dead, but they/their deaths are referenced semi-frequently, as is slavery. As far as I noticed, it was only discussed as something that happened to a race of people prior to this book and that shouldn’t happen again, not actually anything that happened on-page.escapismforlife's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5
" To be fearless means to have a heart of steel. "
I finished last night on July 29 , 2021. I have some good thoughts others not so much.
Helene is the true most valuable character in this final book of the Ember In The Ashes series. She isn't good but that's because of forced circumstance.The fact she didn't get a happy ending with Harper.
After everything she had to go through with her whole family being murdered almost made me rip this book up.
This is a good place to say this, screw Keris Veturia. I don't care what she went through as a kid with the Scholars. She did much, MUCH worse to the characters I loved.
The Nightbringer and Mauth just creeped me out for the entirety of this final book. So they did their job but not in a big way like Keris. It felt minimal in the middle through ending of this book even though their ancient Jinn who are supposed reckless. They also didn't deserve their closure but I'm just glad they died.
Laia and Elias happy ending was something I needed to hold on to. For a good majority of Part 3, 4 and 5 I couldn't handle the sadness of lost.
But the love between them was that relationship that made me read to the end. I have invested to much emotion into the relationships of this series not to see at least one couple get a happy ending.
Musa I just have no words for him being there. He is that supporting character that deserves closure. I did need more of him but was happy he stayed. Him and Helene deserve the comfort they can provide each other.
" To be fearless means to have a heart of steel. "
I finished last night on July 29 , 2021. I have some good thoughts others not so much.
Helene is the true most valuable character in this final book of the Ember In The Ashes series. She isn't good but that's because of forced circumstance.
After everything she had to go through with her whole family being murdered almost made me rip this book up.
This is a good place to say this, screw Keris Veturia. I don't care what she went through as a kid with the Scholars. She did much, MUCH worse to the characters I loved.
Laia and Elias happy ending was something I needed to hold on to. For a good majority of Part 3, 4 and 5 I couldn't handle the sadness of lost.
But the love between them was that relationship that made me read to the end. I have invested to much emotion into the relationships of this series not to see at least one couple get a happy ending.
Musa I just have no words for him being there. He is that supporting character that deserves closure. I did need more of him but was happy he stayed. Him and Helene deserve the comfort they can provide each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Grief, and Sexism
morganphoenix's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Death
rachellewiski's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
Do not read this series of you value your happiness, this book will destroy you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Sexism, Misogyny, Slavery, and Genocide
crazyrandom_music's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
theespressoedition's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Well well well, this might be my favorite book of the series - and that's saying something, considering I still didn't really enjoy it all that much.
Just like the rest of the books, it was insanely slow with a ton of depressing sequences filled with torture and gore. I also got really confused while reading this one because of all the different kinds of mystical creatures: jinn, ghosts, fey, etc. - they all began to muddle together, especially as Elias went back and forth between "himself" and The Soul Catcher. That was another confusing bit: everyone seeming to have multiple names. Helene was also Blood Shrike, Nighbringer was formerly Keenan and also Meherya and The King-of-No-Name. I couldn't keep up with all of the terms and characters as they changed forms or went back and forth in the storyline.
I think my favorite part (sarcasm) was the fact that after Helene lost her parents and one of her sisters, her other sister is killed before her eyes and then her lover is murdered as well. Can this girl get a break?? It was the last book and while she's definitely not my favorite character, I wanted some kind of happy ending for her.
In addition to that, I did NOT want Keris to have any kind of positive ending. The fact that she was able to go to The Waiting Place and pass on with her mother felt way too generous for someone as horrific as her.
Okay, so let's be honest, I could actually pick apart this book in every way, which kind of breaks my heart. Towards the end, I was actually interested for the first time throughout the entire series - and I even cried once (GASP). I only wish it could have been like that earlier on. All-in-all, this series receives a 2-star rating from me. It just isn't the best.
Just like the rest of the books, it was insanely slow with a ton of depressing sequences filled with torture and gore. I also got really confused while reading this one because of all the different kinds of mystical creatures: jinn, ghosts, fey, etc. - they all began to muddle together, especially as Elias went back and forth between "himself" and The Soul Catcher. That was another confusing bit: everyone seeming to have multiple names. Helene was also Blood Shrike, Nighbringer was formerly Keenan and also Meherya and The King-of-No-Name. I couldn't keep up with all of the terms and characters as they changed forms or went back and forth in the storyline.
I think my favorite part (sarcasm) was the fact that after Helene
In addition to that, I did NOT want Keris to have any kind of positive ending. The fact that
Okay, so let's be honest, I could actually pick apart this book in every way, which kind of breaks my heart. Towards the end, I was actually interested for the first time throughout the entire series - and I even cried once (GASP). I only wish it could have been like that earlier on. All-in-all, this series receives a 2-star rating from me. It just isn't the best.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder, Slavery, and Torture
Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Grief