Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - A Torch Against the Night

So many emotions throughout this books makes the review hard to write. I would find myself crying at the happiest moments or the moments where everything changed. <

> when Keenan revealed who he was I felt as betrayed as laia did. <

> When Elias sacrifices himself I found that I felt the need to scold him <

> Tahir has done an excellent job of making me care for her characters. I will be forever enchanted by this series.

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katsbooks's review against another edition

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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.

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sydapel's review against another edition

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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

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nerdynatreads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Pun Intended -- July Wrap Up || 9 books!

While I'd say the first book was a great first installment, this one was... good enough? The plot still has me intrigued and keeps making me come back for more, because what the heck is the end game? How are these three idiots going to save their country? I gotta know.

That being said, two-thirds of reading this book was painful, because I can't stand two-thirds of the narrators. I get that Laia is new to this and inexperienced, but God, she is dumb at times. The romantic element in her POV is also unbearable and has me rolling my eyes so hard. Helene, on the other hand, seems actually capable half the time, but then she runs headfirst into a situation and makes the stupidest mistakes. It was very difficult to root for either of them because I don't have faith in their abilities. Specifically, I'm told that Helene has been trained most of her life to be an amazing soldier and leader, but I don't see it in her actions.

Elias is much different. His major flaw is taking on too much blame, trying to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. In this book though, he actually receives some character development in that respect! I was happy to see it!

As for the other two, it seems like trauma keeps being utilized in place of development? I'm impressed that this YA fantasy is so dark and gritty, but that doesn't excuse poor character work.

Elias's perspective also allowed for more exploration of the magic in this world, which I was hoping to see. I would have liked more explanations for why we were seeing such things, but it was enough to make me keep going. There were tidbits of it for Laia's POV also, but not enough to make me care very much.

There are a few plot twists that take place, one that I think was supposed to be particularly shocking and hurt, but I just... didn't care? Most shocks I saw coming, but one at the end did make my jaw drop, I'll admit.

This was a frustrating read because when I finished, I considered DNFing the series, but dammit, I need to know what's going to happen.

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