Reviews

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

alexasolis98's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book makes me feel very conflicted. Like so much happened and not at all. Time and locations at times don't make sense. Laia and Elias are working to free Darin from Kauf. With the help of Afya, Keenan and Izzi. Eventually our group splits and Elias ends up with a side quest-ish. Helene is tasked with tracking down Elias. And the Commandant is up to no good.

At the end when Laia is told that she should take her brother to healers in Marinn because he has been knocked out for a MONTH! Homegirl says no, she's go it. Like i get it he wakes up like the night after but how does that make sense.

Another thing, this is probably more of a personal thing but

I fucking hate the Augurs. I hate when the future is known and people have to suffer for the desired outcome of that future, as if people aren't dynamic. The Augurs say things that make it seem like the characters have a choice, however, they are essentially making those choices for them. Telling Helene she has to be broken and then made. So many people die, and they know this will happen and yet they do nothing. They give people vague information but do not do anything to help. I hope it is explained why they stand and do nothing except shape the future the way they want it to go.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Sexual assault, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Body horror, Blood, Colonisation, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Slavery, War, Pedophilia, Rape, Gaslighting, Death, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Violence, Child abuse, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, and Misogyny

mellowbry's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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

3.75

Improvements

• Helene -
  I enjoyed her POV. While her love for Elias was still prominent, it became even more morally complicated and helped her reevaluate the Empire's methods and beliefs. Her cold relationship with her family, particularly her sister Livia was heartbreaking; their violent end by Marcus was sickening. I can't wait for Helene to take that bastard down! Speaking of which...
  Marcus - While he's still the same predatory asshole as before, I'm glad we get to see glimpses of his survivor's guilt for killing his brother Zak through brief hallucinations. While there weren't many instances, I hope this plays a larger role in the later novels. 
  The Twists That Worked: Keenan is the Nightbringer and the traitor who killed Laia's parents and sister (WOAH!!) and Harper is Elias' half-brother (or at least half-family) 
  Abilities: So, Laia has powers...invisibility. Thankfully, Laia acknowledged her desire to learn more about her abilities so HOPEFULLY, the third book will FINALLY answer some questions. Elias' abilities, or I guess, dealing with the Soul Catcher to aid spirits towards the afterlife was an interesting turnabout for the poison problem. But... I get the feeling that the deal won't last for long.
  Hmmm

Disappointments

• Love Square -
  Putting aside the character growth of Helena and the character reveal of Keenan, this love square was still boring. Also, damn Laia and Elias were quick to seal their relationship at the end of this book! I kind of wish we could've seen that turn after pages of hesitancy rather than have it so abruptly. 
  Pacing - Like a lot of people, I thought the pacing was super fast. There were rarely any moments to breathe and when there were I wish we could get to see more of certain things, like stories of Elias' Tribal life, stories of Helene and her family, etc. Mainly just moments of character to balance the plot. 
  The Twists That Didn't: The Warren and the Nightbringer working together, "Darin is dead" fluke, Marcus knowing the Commadant's assassination plot against him (how?? did I miss the explanation??) 
  The Commandant: She's become a shadow of her former self from the first book. Yes, she did poison her Elias, her only fucking son, and that's twisted af, but after this, she just...disappears. Hopefully, she causes more prominent mayhem in the next book. 
  
  Lastly, RIP Izzy. Imma hate to read the scene when Cook finds out.

chaeinception's review against another edition

5.0

I'm not fine at all. All I want right now is cry while waiting for A reaper at the gates to come out. Sabaa I hate you ♡

mags_readsbooks's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

This sequel definitely lived up to the hype from book 1! The suspense throughout the book was great and I loved the added POV from Helene. 

Sabaa Tahir continues to keep us on our toes throughout the book with some awesome twists and turns. Some unexpected character development that I loved (!!) came to light in this book too. 

I disliked Helene in book 1, but the depth of her character from her POV is bringing me back around in book 2… makes me feel like I could like any “villian” if I get to know them. 

Loved the underlying theme of hope throughout the book as well. Great cliffhangers and surprised in every chapter. Never a dull moment! 

shng's review

adventurous emotional tense

5.0

notapenguin's review against another edition

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Death

Moderate: Child abuse, Slavery, and Grief

Minor: Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Rape

rothebibliophile's review

adventurous challenging 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? Yes

5.0

dianareadsalot's review

4.0

very good....

sotet_demonom's review against another edition

4.0

This picks up fast. The pacing is good. I think mood-wise my heart hasnt really been into a lot of YA lately, but this was a good book overall. The characters are well thought out, and the magic system is interesting. I was satisfied with the end tying up some of those loose ends, and setting up the next 2 books. The audio is well done too, the narrators were great.

love_your_shelf's review

5.0

4.5