A review by sgyawriter
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-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? No

4.5

I wanted to give this book 5 stars, but the violence is just too much for me personally. However, unlike some books I've read where violence is treated as the answer to oppression and injustice, in this book violence is seen as wrong - as the characters, especially Elias, wrestle with it and hate it. I can't sympathize with a main character who thinks violence is the answer - just kill everyone who's involved in the oppressive system. But a character who sees the oppression but also wrestles with the implications of violence, that I can sympathize with. 

The story overall was gripping and suspenseful and I could hardly put it down. The characters are fully developed and you totally root for them in all their impossible tasks. The romance aspects were sweet too - the Moon Festival scene was probably my favorite part. I'll definitely be picking up the next book.