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A review by surbhi_reads
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
5.0
“Life is made of so many moments that mean nothing. Then one day, a single moment comes along to define every second that comes after. Such moments are tests of courage, of strength.”
OMG! This book wrecked me. It is so good! I have heard and read so many good things about it and I have to say after reading this I am not disappointed in the least. It is one of those novels, which is just prefect, subtle, electrifying and so precious; it took over my mind and heart. The novel is essentially inspired from ancient Rome and I was so invested in the story of these characters and the brutal, dangerous, nasty and oppressive world they live in that I was in a daze the entire time I read it and will continue to live in its stupor for many days to come.
The story revolves around two main characters Elias and Laia and a bunch of other characters. Elias is a soldier training to be mask in the notorious Blackcliff military academy in the city of Serra. Laia on the other hand is a 17-year-old scholar girl, living with her grandparents and brother. The Martial Empire, who have conquered their lands, centuries ago, oppresses the scholars. Everything changes for Laia when her brother is arrested for treason and the masks murders her grandparents. Laia escapes the masks but now only wants to free her brother from the Empire’s clutches, no matter what the cost. Even if it means working for the Resistance and spying on the evil commandant of the Blackcliff.
“There are two kinds of guilt. The kind that's a burden and the kind that gives you purpose. Let your guilt be your fuel. Let it remind you of who you want to be. Draw a line in your mind. Never cross it again. You have a soul. It's damaged but it's there. Don't let them take it from you.”
Elias wants nothing to do with the Empire, he wants to desert and run to a faraway land but fate intervenes and he is bound to stay at Blackcliff against his will. The path of these two characters intersect in the academy under most strenuous circumstances and both of them are forced to make a choice. A choice that will put both their lives at a greater peril than it already is.
OMG! Again, the story is just sheer perfection. The writing is gorgeous, deep, engrossing and detailed. Both Elias and Laia tells the story through their POV and both of them has such a clear and distinct voice, I was instantly enamoured by their narration. There is not a definitive love-story in the book but there is certainly the romantic angle/ triangle/ square brewing in the background that makes this story so much more complex, intriguing and profound. Sabaa creates the perfect amount of drama, angst, viciousness, misunderstandings and vulnerabilities among characters and it gave me so much feels. The story is fast-paced, action-packed with never a dull moment. There is at least one scene, which is so tormenting, and inhuman, it literally made my heart bleed for a certain character.
Obviously, the characters are just exquisite. Elias is love. I just want to leave it at that. Seriously, though he is brave, righteous, susceptible and charming. He is the best in his class but he is never smug or feign perfection and that might easily be the best thing about his character because he knows his weakness and even in the bleakest of the situation he does not lose his soul. Then there is Laia, she is my baby. Honestly, I have never been as afraid for any character as I was for Laia but her character growth is nothing sort of phenomenal and amazing. She is so real with all her insecurities, weaknesses and the pressure to live up to his brave mother. We see her so unsure of herself at first but she knows what she needs to do, her character is a revelation and it is such a pleasure reading about her as she finds her strength and courage.
“Fear can be good, Laia. It can keep you alive. But don't let it control you. Don't let it sow doubts within you. When the fear takes over, use the only thing more powerful, more indestructible to fight it: your spirit. Your heart.”
Another character that I truly loved though is Helene. She is one of those grey characters who is morally ambiguous but I love characters with that traits. Helene is so raw and misunderstood but I get her, I know where she is coming from. I feel for her, I adore her for making out the best of so many worst situations, and I am totally rooting for her and Elias to end up together.
Even the other characters be it Cook, Izzy, Sana and of course Keenan, leaves considerable impact on the story and I do not even know where do I begin with the commandant because she is just pure evil, horrific, vile and a nightmare. Moreover, how could I forget the Augeres, so some of their actions are misguided but they are extremely mysterious creatures and honestly I don’t know what to really make of them so I guess we will see, what they are really up to. The mythical aspect of the story gives some serious Arabian night vibes, what with the stories of Nightbringer and all. I seriously hope though that more of those aspects is explored in the rest of the book in the series.
Overall, this is a five star read for me and I will highly recommend it. I think it is a very strong, comprehensive and fascinating first book, which sets great many events in motion and I am really looking forwards to read the other stories in the series. I suppose if you are anything like me and loves book with significant amount of cruelty, ruthlessness and carnage but also love, hope, compassion and friendship, you will love it.
Fierce, tyrannical and mesmerizing!
Trigger content- murder, child abuse, rape threat, violence and bloodshed.
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OMG! This book wrecked me. It is so good! I have heard and read so many good things about it and I have to say after reading this I am not disappointed in the least. It is one of those novels, which is just prefect, subtle, electrifying and so precious; it took over my mind and heart. The novel is essentially inspired from ancient Rome and I was so invested in the story of these characters and the brutal, dangerous, nasty and oppressive world they live in that I was in a daze the entire time I read it and will continue to live in its stupor for many days to come.
The story revolves around two main characters Elias and Laia and a bunch of other characters. Elias is a soldier training to be mask in the notorious Blackcliff military academy in the city of Serra. Laia on the other hand is a 17-year-old scholar girl, living with her grandparents and brother. The Martial Empire, who have conquered their lands, centuries ago, oppresses the scholars. Everything changes for Laia when her brother is arrested for treason and the masks murders her grandparents. Laia escapes the masks but now only wants to free her brother from the Empire’s clutches, no matter what the cost. Even if it means working for the Resistance and spying on the evil commandant of the Blackcliff.
“There are two kinds of guilt. The kind that's a burden and the kind that gives you purpose. Let your guilt be your fuel. Let it remind you of who you want to be. Draw a line in your mind. Never cross it again. You have a soul. It's damaged but it's there. Don't let them take it from you.”
Elias wants nothing to do with the Empire, he wants to desert and run to a faraway land but fate intervenes and he is bound to stay at Blackcliff against his will. The path of these two characters intersect in the academy under most strenuous circumstances and both of them are forced to make a choice. A choice that will put both their lives at a greater peril than it already is.
OMG! Again, the story is just sheer perfection. The writing is gorgeous, deep, engrossing and detailed. Both Elias and Laia tells the story through their POV and both of them has such a clear and distinct voice, I was instantly enamoured by their narration. There is not a definitive love-story in the book but there is certainly the romantic angle/ triangle/ square brewing in the background that makes this story so much more complex, intriguing and profound. Sabaa creates the perfect amount of drama, angst, viciousness, misunderstandings and vulnerabilities among characters and it gave me so much feels. The story is fast-paced, action-packed with never a dull moment. There is at least one scene, which is so tormenting, and inhuman, it literally made my heart bleed for a certain character.
Obviously, the characters are just exquisite. Elias is love. I just want to leave it at that. Seriously, though he is brave, righteous, susceptible and charming. He is the best in his class but he is never smug or feign perfection and that might easily be the best thing about his character because he knows his weakness and even in the bleakest of the situation he does not lose his soul. Then there is Laia, she is my baby. Honestly, I have never been as afraid for any character as I was for Laia but her character growth is nothing sort of phenomenal and amazing. She is so real with all her insecurities, weaknesses and the pressure to live up to his brave mother. We see her so unsure of herself at first but she knows what she needs to do, her character is a revelation and it is such a pleasure reading about her as she finds her strength and courage.
“Fear can be good, Laia. It can keep you alive. But don't let it control you. Don't let it sow doubts within you. When the fear takes over, use the only thing more powerful, more indestructible to fight it: your spirit. Your heart.”
Another character that I truly loved though is Helene. She is one of those grey characters who is morally ambiguous but I love characters with that traits. Helene is so raw and misunderstood but I get her, I know where she is coming from. I feel for her, I adore her for making out the best of so many worst situations, and I am totally rooting for her and Elias to end up together.
Even the other characters be it Cook, Izzy, Sana and of course Keenan, leaves considerable impact on the story and I do not even know where do I begin with the commandant because she is just pure evil, horrific, vile and a nightmare. Moreover, how could I forget the Augeres, so some of their actions are misguided but they are extremely mysterious creatures and honestly I don’t know what to really make of them so I guess we will see, what they are really up to. The mythical aspect of the story gives some serious Arabian night vibes, what with the stories of Nightbringer and all. I seriously hope though that more of those aspects is explored in the rest of the book in the series.
Overall, this is a five star read for me and I will highly recommend it. I think it is a very strong, comprehensive and fascinating first book, which sets great many events in motion and I am really looking forwards to read the other stories in the series. I suppose if you are anything like me and loves book with significant amount of cruelty, ruthlessness and carnage but also love, hope, compassion and friendship, you will love it.
Fierce, tyrannical and mesmerizing!
Trigger content- murder, child abuse, rape threat, violence and bloodshed.
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