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A review by destdest
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Seems like trauma/violence porn at some points (or maybe it’s the realities of a cruel regime). Elias (and Helene), in particular, can't seem to catch a break. But it's the character connection/interaction between Elias and Helene that keeps me hooked.
I never would’ve dreamt of it, but I find Helene the most interesting. She cannot kill Elias and yet she must; the Commandant is playing chess with her, her soldiers don’t respect her, and her family has sworn allegiance to Marcus, a certified butthole, fighting his own demons. I don’t dislike Laia, but I feel like I’m just being told she’s brave/different now. But I’m not really seeing it. her invisibility power does sound like it could be dope now that she’s mastered it.
I also loved that Elias got to see his family again.
There are some parts I enjoy and others I don’t like. As far as interest, it’s like 4 – 5 stars, but I don’t know if I like how some of the heavier elements are handled. But I can’t put this series down either, so onto book 3 I go.
TW: genocide, enslavement, prison torture, seizures, death, child abuse
Ending thoughts (major spoilers): it feels like Helene gained this whole family overnight. I don’t remember them being mentioned in the first book much, if at all.
I was surprised when Laia slept with Keenan because most books have the female lead “untouched” by no one other than the LI, even during a love triangle.
I liked that the Scholar people played a huge role in their own escape. It wasn’t like Elias was the chosen “savior” or something. Maybe he brought morale up, but they also helped themselves. It’s always iffy when the savior of a people is an outsider, but I think the story avoided that.
Also, loved that he died. You don’t expect the hero to die in these stories, even if he does cheat death for a few pages more.
The whole Keenan-Jinn felt majorly cheesy. I thought he was just helping the warden because they had information on a family member of his who wasn't killed.
I never would’ve dreamt of it, but I find Helene the most interesting. She cannot kill Elias and yet she must; the Commandant is playing chess with her, her soldiers don’t respect her, and her family has sworn allegiance to Marcus, a certified butthole, fighting his own demons. I don’t dislike Laia, but I feel like I’m just being told she’s brave/different now. But I’m not really seeing it.
I also loved that Elias got to see his family again.
There are some parts I enjoy and others I don’t like. As far as interest, it’s like 4 – 5 stars, but I don’t know if I like how some of the heavier elements are handled. But I can’t put this series down either, so onto book 3 I go.
TW: genocide, enslavement, prison torture, seizures, death, child abuse
Ending thoughts (major spoilers):
I was surprised when Laia slept with Keenan because most books have the female lead “untouched” by no one other than the LI, even during a love triangle.
I liked that the Scholar people played a huge role in their own escape. It wasn’t like Elias was the chosen “savior” or something. Maybe he brought morale up, but they also helped themselves. It’s always iffy when the savior of a people is an outsider, but I think the story avoided that.
Also, loved that he died. You don’t expect the hero to die in these stories, even if he does cheat death for a few pages more.
The whole Keenan-Jinn felt majorly cheesy. I thought he was just helping the warden because they had information on a family member of his who wasn't killed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Forced institutionalization, and Torture
Moderate: Child abuse, Grief, and Slavery