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

challenging 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? It's complicated

5.0

I loved this book. This was my second read.

The first time, I would have said no flaws. I feel like it’s fantasy light, more focused on politics. I loved the duel POV. I loved both the main characters. Laia was just a complete badass in my eyes. Elias was just everything, tortured soul vibes just leaving me like 🥺. There was
a double love triangle going on with both MCs being involved in their own love triangle
, but I loved that the romance angle took a backseat to the plot. It made the romantic-ish scenes all the more sweet in my eyes.

This second read through I did feel a little bit more critical. Laia was still an extremely strong person for what she endured through this book, but
she kind of acted like an assassin near the end, she had absolutely zero training.
I was constantly frustrated with Elias, because he seemed to constantly be encouraging Helene’s feelings and even reciprocating her feelings and then completely throwing it into her face later. This time around he felt like so much more of a guy, objectifying both Laia and Helene. I think the first time around I was so focused on the potential romance between Laia and Elias and all there interactions and when that would be, that everything else seemed secondary. This time around I felt like I had my focus so much more on everything else all the other people and especially the Augurs.

I’m excited to continue the series (I’ve only read book 1).
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