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A review by the_library_of_mary
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
What a great start to a series! I have been meaning to read this series for a while now, and I'm so glad I bit the bullet with it. Tahir has such a 'storytelling" vibe, I don't know quite how else to describe it. She is able to capture the characters in a descriptive way, and even though I was reading this book I almost felt like I was watching it.
Our two narrators, Elias and Laia, give a great perspective into this world as we start our story here. An enslaved person and a martial, two polar opposites in this society and we get to see the realities of both worlds throughout the story.
I really like the way bonds and relationships are displayed. The relationship between Elias and Helene was a favorite of mine, having this person that is so much a part of you and trying to navigate that relationship as it develops and changes.
Laia as she finds herself and her strength felt natural, lots of ups and downs which I think gave her character a lot of depth. She felt honest and her decisions and actions fit her. This is where the "storytelling" aspect comes back for me because her scenes felt like it was a story based on her decisions, not that the plot points were already decided and she was just going through the scenes.
The Commandment, woof. What a great villain.
I knew this was a fantasy, but I guess I didn't really think about like magic and fantasy creatures being in the story. It makes sense that they are and I love it. I'm so excited to delve into this worlds mythology and see what's going on. Lots of hints given in this book with a lot of open ends.
I can't wait to start the second book!
I really thought Elias was going to die at the end of this book. I'm happy he didn't cause I think this character is being built up in a really great way, but what a shocking ending that would have been!
I am so invested in Helene. I think she is such a morally ambiguous character and I love that about her. Seeing where her loyalties and her boundaries are kind of move around but also somehow stay true to herself? ( that doesn't make any sense I know). What I mean is, I think she a flawed character in a really honest way that I love to see especially in a female character.
Keenan and Laia, I was rooting for them but as soon as that scene with Elias happened. It was over. I hope he doesn't turn out to be a bad guy, because I still really like him!
Izzi and Cook better be alright or I'm gonna riot!
Our two narrators, Elias and Laia, give a great perspective into this world as we start our story here. An enslaved person and a martial, two polar opposites in this society and we get to see the realities of both worlds throughout the story.
I really like the way bonds and relationships are displayed. The relationship between Elias and Helene was a favorite of mine, having this person that is so much a part of you and trying to navigate that relationship as it develops and changes.
Laia as she finds herself and her strength felt natural, lots of ups and downs which I think gave her character a lot of depth. She felt honest and her decisions and actions fit her. This is where the "storytelling" aspect comes back for me because her scenes felt like it was a story based on her decisions, not that the plot points were already decided and she was just going through the scenes.
The Commandment, woof. What a great villain.
I knew this was a fantasy, but I guess I didn't really think about like magic and fantasy creatures being in the story. It makes sense that they are and I love it. I'm so excited to delve into this worlds mythology and see what's going on. Lots of hints given in this book with a lot of open ends.
I can't wait to start the second book!
I really thought Elias was going to die at the end of this book. I'm happy he didn't cause I think this character is being built up in a really great way, but what a shocking ending that would have been!
I am so invested in Helene. I think she is such a morally ambiguous character and I love that about her. Seeing where her loyalties and her boundaries are kind of move around but also somehow stay true to herself? ( that doesn't make any sense I know). What I mean is, I think she a flawed character in a really honest way that I love to see especially in a female character.
Keenan and Laia, I was rooting for them but as soon as that scene with Elias happened. It was over. I hope he doesn't turn out to be a bad guy, because I still really like him!
Izzi and Cook better be alright or I'm gonna riot!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder
Moderate: Rape, Kidnapping, War