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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
sad
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
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This first book in the Ember in the Ashes series came out a decade ago but it stands the test of time. Tahir drags the reader straight into the action and doesn't let up. It's written in present tense which adds to the sense of forward motion and drive, which worked a treat for me. We learn about the world; its place, people, magic and secrets as we go. No dull exposition for the first hundred pages here. The pay off it that there is clearly plenty more to learn in subsequent books.
Central character are compelling and complex. The Commandant is an actual villainous villan who earns her title repeatedly. This is a dual POV narrative, with elite soldier, Elias and reluctant spy, Laia, bringing bucketloads of heart and doubt to the story. Side characters were equally interesting - I am sure that Cook's story will be revealed in later books.
Tahir's prose is gorgeous; she doesn't waste time but it is in no way perfunctory. It's poetic, descriptive, devastating and very intentional. Because as well as being a well written book, it is a well plotted book. There were several points that I genuinely had no idea what was coming next or rather how major story beats would be achieved. And each development was wholly satisfying and maked sense in the story world.
This is categorised as young adult though I think its a substantially better read than many fantasy novels for all ages. And it doesn't pull its punches - this is a brutal story.
All said, I'll be picking up the next book in the series!
Central character are compelling and complex. The Commandant is an actual villainous villan who earns her title repeatedly. This is a dual POV narrative, with elite soldier, Elias and reluctant spy, Laia, bringing bucketloads of heart and doubt to the story. Side characters were equally interesting - I am sure that Cook's story will be revealed in later books.
Tahir's prose is gorgeous; she doesn't waste time but it is in no way perfunctory. It's poetic, descriptive, devastating and very intentional. Because as well as being a well written book, it is a well plotted book. There were several points that I genuinely had no idea what was coming next or rather how major story beats would be achieved. And each development was wholly satisfying and maked sense in the story world.
This is categorised as young adult though I think its a substantially better read than many fantasy novels for all ages. And it doesn't pull its punches - this is a brutal story.
All said, I'll be picking up the next book in the series!
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Book was good at first but I felt like the author started by making the main character helpless and then suddenly she could fight but still complained like she was helpless. I did not like that the characters I “shipped” did not end up staying together so for me it wasn’t the story I was looking for. All in all plot was written well and had some good climaxes.
adventurous
dark
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
adventurous
dark
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
I know this is a beloved series by many so I think the problem is me. I wanted to love this so bad but I’m too old and grumpy for the more flagrant YA tropes these days and everyone just pissed me off. I considered pushing through and trying to read more since I own books 1 & 2 but life is too short to read books I don’t enjoy 🤷🏻♀️
So what bothered me? In short:
- I disliked both narrators
- ‘Scim’ which I assume to be short for scimitar (just write the fucking word)
- The characters were all entirely blank moods copied from the Standard Teen YA Character Catalogue and they were pissing me off in their first POVs so I didn’t think it would get much better
- The hints of a love triangle (just, no)
- There felt like a LOT of lore dumping but in the Fourth Wing kinda way (derogatory)
- It’s a vibes based statement but I just didn’t want to keep reading it and that little motivation was not going to save me 1/4 of the way into the first book of a 4 book series
Anyways, I hope this book works for others but it’s a no from me.
So what bothered me? In short:
- I disliked both narrators
- ‘Scim’ which I assume to be short for scimitar (just write the fucking word)
- The characters were all entirely blank moods copied from the Standard Teen YA Character Catalogue and they were pissing me off in their first POVs so I didn’t think it would get much better
- The hints of a love triangle (just, no)
- There felt like a LOT of lore dumping but in the Fourth Wing kinda way (derogatory)
- It’s a vibes based statement but I just didn’t want to keep reading it and that little motivation was not going to save me 1/4 of the way into the first book of a 4 book series
Anyways, I hope this book works for others but it’s a no from me.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes