Reviews

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

ioanadanes's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.5

samants'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? Yes

4.25

The first part dragged a little, and the angst made me roll my eyes a bit, but I absolutely devoured the second half/last third of this. I found the main romance to be unexpectedly compelling, even as I found

Laia to be a hilariously,  implausibly bad, spy

. I kept wondering how

she hadn't been caught yet, but of course the Commandant knew the whole time

.

Side note: I imagine every Augur as Snoke and you can't tell me I'm wrong.

marielouise12's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-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

5.0

melissaroxks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

One of my favorite books ever. 

soulfulcrow's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.5

chloesheasby's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.25

andotherworlds's review against another edition

3.0

perhaps a 2.5, i am simply undecided

outcolder's review against another edition

4.0

Cliffhangers galore, great characters, slow burn world building, it's all love from me. Most of the cliffhangers also have a loyalty dilemma aspect that kept me invested.

Spoiler

That the real conflict isn't between the fallen Scholars Empire and the current Martials Empire but between humans and the supernatural creatures that serve the last Djinn is like our current world with still stumbling empires crumbling and others unaware of their own obsolescence about to implode and the real battle raging is between extractive, exploitative ideologies and indigenous knowledge and wisdom. You know what I mean? Like, the real war today isn't between like USA and Russia or China but between global racist, patriarchal capitalism and the protectors of life.

Also loving what feels like an Eastern Mediterranean setting, which goes well with my current music-mix of mostly Jordi Savall.

kcbadreads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark 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

4.25

Really immersive. These poor characters though… can’t wait to continue the series!

caitlinspearson's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad fast-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual harassment and Rape

This book is one long threat of rape