19.2k reviews for:

An Ember in the Ashes

Sabaa Tahir

4.22 AVERAGE

ash_ana's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark 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

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I really enjoyed how this book used multiple POVs - it made the world and the stakes feel bigger. Both main characters are trying to live up to (or reckon with) their parents’ accomplishments, which gave them a lot of depth and motivation.

This story touches on harsh realities of resistance and power. The trials reminded me of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire meets a darker, more brutal world. The character growth was strong, and I appreciated that the story wasn’t predictable. Looking forward to continuing the series!

joy_reads_chaotically's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I felt like I wanted more out of this. It’s the first in a trilogy and I just wanted more from the book as far as resolution and completeness. And I didn’t love the dual narrative for Laia and Elias (I’m sure at some point we’ll find out why they basically have the same name, but I wondered the whole book). I don’t know that I will continue with the series because the pacing of this just felt so janky. Interesting world but execution meh. 

bookedbysyd's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

wolfiereads26's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous hopeful 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: Complicated

ayeitsdaye's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 40%

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So boring. I’m clearly not the intended reader. 

neelpat's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous dark medium-paced

soapbee_'s review against another edition

3.0

adventurous 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: Complicated

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A genuinely entertaining YA that I thought was going to be a lot more of a marker of its time. Classic circa 2010s tropes were certainly present but not in the same boring way and I can see this being a good foundation for the rest of the series. 

cycystation's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious 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: Yes

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GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK NOW!!!!

stephquiem's review against another edition

2.0

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I'm starting to think that epic fantasy just isn't for me. 

journeyjunkie's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark tense medium-paced