An Ember in The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir... Absolutely Brilliant

An Ember in The Ashes An Ember in The Ashes Book One
Written by Sabaa Tahir
Fantasy, Romance
Published April 27th 2015
464 Pages
Thank you to Harper Voyager
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RATING ★★★
What if you were the spark that could ignite a revolution?

For years Laia has lived in fear. Fear of the Empire, fear of the Martials, fear of truly living at all. Born as a Scholar, she’s never had much of a choice.

For Elias it’s the opposite. He has seen too much on his path to becoming a Mask, one of the Empire’s elite soldiers. With the Masks' help the Empire has conquered a continent and enslaved thousands, all in the name of power.

When Laia’s brother is taken she must force herself to help the Resistance, the only people who have a chance of saving him. She must spy on the Commandant, ruthless overseer of Blackcliff Academy. Blackcliff is the training ground for Masks and the very place that Elias is planning to escape. If he succeeds, he will be named deserter. If found, the punishment will be death.

But once Laia and Elias meet, they will find that their destinies are intertwined and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

In the ashes of a broken world one person can make a difference. One voice in the dark can be heard. The price of freedom is always high and this time that price might demand everything, even life itself.
Laia lives a humble life living within the Scholar community, where the brutal Martials reign supreme and leave the townsfolk cowering in fear. Living with her grandparents, she and brother Darin work to put food on the table, while Darin is increasingly distancing himself for the favour of his sketches. He's secretive and sneaks out each night, until the Empire are on their doorstep. A night raid ensures no witnesses and with a Mask in attendance, the deadly elite soldier is unlikely to leave anyone alive.

Laia has no option but to run while Darin is being taken captive. Alone and now with Darin her only remaining family member, Laia enlists the aid of the Resistance, an underground group of revolutionaries once affiliated with her late parents. In exchange for freeing Darin, they propose that Laia infiltrate Blackcliff, a school under the order of the Empire, where killers are trained. Posing as a slave, Laia will work as a house slave under the Commandant to gather information about the upcoming Aspirant trials.

But she never expected to run into Elias, the Commandant's son who is on the verge of deserting the Empire. With a need to protect Laia, his peers begin to question his loyalty and Laia will be used against him in the ultimate test of allegiance. Laia believes he cannot be trusted, but it won't be Elias who will betray her. Time is running out to free Darin, but with her own life in the hands of Blackcliff, Laia just may be the one who needs saving.

MY THOUGHTS

My review for An Ember in The Ashes is one of the most difficult I've felt expressing. When you absolutely adore a book so deeply, that you're left lost for words. From the world building, to the characters, even the romance and just when you think you've read it all.

Told in dual points of view, Laia is a Scholar, a girl who lives to make ends meet for her grandparents, since the death of her parents some years ago. Her brother leaves for hours at a time, taking his sketch book in the middle of the night and bringing the Empire raid in his wake. The Legionaries spare no mercy, capturing Darin in the raid and forcing Laia to flee. With a deadly Mask hunting her, she has no choice but to heed the warning of her late parents and seek the aid of the underground Resistance. But their assistance comes at a price.

Elias is an elite soldier in training, expected to fulfill his role as a brutal Mask upon the completion of graduation. But Elias has other plans. He wants to escape, to free himself of his mother's cold and calculating reign over Blackcliff, his internal struggle against needless killing not going unnoticed by his peers. Before Elias can escape, he's chosen as an Aspirant for the trials to determine who will be the next leader. Three tests that decide the victor. But Elias isn't the bloodthirsty monster his mother is, or his grandfather expects him to be.

Two world collide when Laia is brought to Blackcliff, a lowly house slave with fire in her eyes and a determination that Elias sees in himself. It was glorious! The romance takes a backseat to the oppression and darkness of their world as the two form a tentative friendship. It mixes a dystopian society with fantasy and a touch of the brutality of the Roman and Greek empires with the battle of intelligence against arms. The world building was immaculate, from the wary streets of the Scholars, to the darkness that surrounds the Academy, it was so incredibly vivid and set the scene for an enslaved and oppressed society. The intensity was delicious, the characters well developed and although set in a world so far removed from modern day society, they were crafted to be likable and relatable. The secondary characters were distinct and Sabaa Tahir was able to weave in their individuality, where so many young adult books seem to skim over.

It was utterly stunning! It instilled in me a sense of righteousness, I wasn't only immersed, but felt as though I was placed in the action. I loved it. Every. Single. Moment.

THE VERDICT


Read. It. An Ember in The Ashes isn't a book you borrow, it's a book you need to own and read it again and again. This isn't yet another fantasy slash dystopian, it's immaculate. It'll have you completely immersed and torn between wanting to savoir the storyline and flying through the pages demanding to know where Sabaa Tahir will take the reader next. I loved it. I adored it. And now I'm hungry for more.

47 comments

  1. This is the BEST book I've read this year so far. THE BEST.
    I cannot believe the author is actually going to write a sequel. YES. I can't wait!!! *-*

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    1. She'd have to, wouldn't she? Surely she wouldn't have kept us pining away like that. Couldn't agree more Frannie, absolutely awesome book and one of my favourites so far this year too.

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  2. Let us just have a moment of appreciation for this book *30 second silence* I haven't even read the book yet and I already know that I would love it. Plus it is probably one of the only dystopian books which talks more an about friendship than a 'steamy forbidden romance'! Books which I can't describe with words because they are too amazing are my favourite kind!!
    Naomi@The Perks Of Being A Bookworm

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    1. Mine too Naomi and this is one of the best dystopians you'll read this year. It's actually quite dark and not just the oppression and revolution that all typical dystopians share. I can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  3. It's amazing how many awesome reviews this book has been getting. I think I might add it to my TBR soon. Nice review :)

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    1. Thanks Soudha. It's incredible. Definitely add this one and grab a copy.

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  4. So many glowing reviews! I have this one on my wishlist, I'm hoping my hubby will surprise me with it on my birthday month; I'm sure he will ;) Such a fun review Kelly!

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    1. I hope he does too Claudia. You might need to start dropping hints though, perhaps print out the cover and leave it in spots around the house where he'll find it. You won't want to miss this one, I can almost guarantee you'll absolutely love it too.

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  5. I keep seeing AMAZING reviews of this one. I hadn't even heard of it at all, and then suddenly it's popping up everywhere! It sounds like it just got EVERYTHING right. Love when that happens :)

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    1. Me too! It's brilliant. It's much darker and more sinister than most young adult dystopians and the fantasy elements woven throughout are really delicious. Can't wait to see what you think of it poppet.

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  6. Woah, how long have you had this new design? It's gorgeous!

    Anyhow, I'd heard a couple of so-so reviews for Ember, but I desperately want to read it and so you may have just given me the push to nab a copy. Dual POVs are my fav, anyhow. Thanks for sharing your review!

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    1. A few weeks now. Thanks Alyssa, I really appreciate it.

      I much prefer dual points of view too, it makes for a more balanced read, especially if you like one narrator and not the other. But this one is awesome, both protagonists are really likable both really strong narrators as well. Looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

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  7. Oh wow. I...did not like this book. At. All. :( I can appreciate the world building, but that messy romance overshadowed everything.

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    1. I thought you probably wouldn't actually, I can imagine it might have reminded you a little of The Darkest Minds trilogy and I know how much you despised that series. The world building was so strong for me, that the romance didn't bother me in the slightest and usually it would have. But I absolutely loved it, I think I was just so immersed that I didn't take issue with anything.

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  8. Wow, so many good reviews of this one. I'm not usually interested in that many dystopians but it sounds like I need to check this one out. I am quite curious!

    -Lauren

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    1. You do Lauren, it's not your typical dystopian, but quite dark and has the added element of fantasy thrown in there as well. I have no doubt that you'll really enjoy this one.

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  9. Oh my! A fantasy/dystopian! What a genre hybrid! I think I must read this, you make it sound so good! I love fantasy and rebellion and stuff. :D Thanks for sharing Kelly!

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    1. Me too Renee, it feeds my inner troublemaker from my teen days. But it's not a rebellion as such and the lines between the villains and heroes are pretty blurred in this one. Not your average dystopian. Grab a copy, I can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  10. "The world building was immaculate." <-- SOLD. I love fantasy and Greek/Roman mythology, so I really hope this book doesn't let me down! And I'm so glad you mentioned that the secondary characters had distinct personalities--cardboard cut out side characters get on my nerves. Fantastic review, Kelly! So glad you loved this. :)

    Aimee @ Deadly Darlings

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    1. Mine too poppet. You can see the Roman and Greek empire inspiration throughout, with the Scholars and Masks being that of brains verses brawn during that ear. Really wonderfully written too.

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  11. I agree! When it comes to a book I really love, I find it SO difficult to write a few. Gah, I'm really looking forward to this one. It sounds right up my alley. And the genre mashup sounds quite intriguing. Great review. :D

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    1. It's so hard to write anything that could even be mistaken for coherent isn't it. And the longer I wait, the worse it gets. I absolutely loved this one though, the same type of intensity as Red Queen, but much darker and the world building is incredible.

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  12. I completely agree with everything you've said here Kelly. I read this one and loved it (minus the whole love pentagon thingy but whatever), but have procrastinated on writing my review because it's just so good I don't know what I can say about it, you know? Laia and Elias are both such amazing characters, and I loved them both. And Helene! She was so kickass and wonderful. <3 I don't know where this series is going, but it's sure to be great. Thanks for sharing and fabulous review Kelly! <3

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    1. Thanks Zoe.

      It's been one of the hardest reviews I've written and I'm pretty sure it makes little sense too. I don't often fangirl over a book, but something about this one completely captured my attention and demanded that I read it in an entire setting almost. I can't wait for the sequel, it can't come soon enough.

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  13. I actually DNF this book, it wasn't for me. I like this better than the other gold one, I wasn't the biggest fan of the love triangle and the writing. I did like the world building plot though, I'm glad atleast one of us enjoyed this book :) Wonderful review as always Kelly <3 Benish | Feminist Reflections

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    1. Thanks Benish, and so sorry that you couldn't have enjoyed it more. Perhaps sometime in the future you might pick it up again and give it another try. The same thing happened with me the first time I'd read Throne of Glass. When I reread it again and few months ago, I absolutely loved it.

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  14. So many people absolutely adore this book and one of my biggest regrets so far is not making enough time to finally pick it up and devour it. I absolutely adore books like this one and although i'm not one for love triangles this one has gotten so much love so far that I have to give it a shot. Lovely review :)

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    1. Yes Lily, you need to pick it up and start eating soon. I honestly could have done without the love triangle, but it's more an intense lust really with feelings involved. No instant love there. It's incredible and I can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  15. Yessssssssssss, I exactly felt the same after reading this book. I wanted to totally fangirl about it in my review but I didn't. I t totally my new Favorited debut fantasy book.

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    1. Me too Tash. It was brilliant wasn't it. I don't fangirl often, but this one reduced me to a grinning idiot, I just loved it that much.

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  16. I keep hearing so many amazing things about this book! I really really really need it (It's definitely going to be a book I ask for for my birthday/ purchase when my buying ban ends)

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    1. Yes, you totally need it, it was glorious! I've heard a few say that the darkness reminded them a little of Red Rising, but it had that same intensity as Red Queen did. I can't wait to see what you think of it poppet.

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  17. WELL I WNAT IT. I didn't realise it was dual narrated tho, and I'm a little concerned that their names are Ember and Elias because SOMETIMES I MIX UP SIMILAR NAMES BECAUSE I READ TOO FAST. It can get awkward, but what can you do? Hmm. ANYWAY. I want it. It's on my list-of-books-I'm-gonna-buy-when-I-fall-down-a-goldmine.

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    1. This is why I suck. Totally. I tend to write reviews at all hours, and accidentally started calling Laia 'Ember' half way through my review. Her name is totally Laia, and not in face Ember. My bad.

      But it's awesome! Read it smushy. READ. IT.

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  18. I am dying to read this Kelly,and your review isn't helping the situation either:) This book sounds like exactly my kind of book, and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.
    Beautiful review as usual, luv!:)

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    1. Thanks Mishma. Without a doubt, you'll absolutely love this one. It's dark, enthralling and will absolutely knock your socks off.

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  19. YESSS i cannot wait to pick up this book, it sounds totally incredible and up my alley! So glad to hear you loved it Kelly. The characters, the romance and the development, it all sounds sooo good! Lovely review. I can really see your passion here.

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    1. Thanks Jeann. I loved it passionately, it took me days to write one paragraph and I still couldn't convey how much I loved it. I can't wait to see what you think of it Jeann, and hopefully enjoy it as much as I have.

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  20. Nice review, Kelly :) I also really enjoyed this one and am overjoyed that it is going to be a series. Agreed that it is one to own for yourself. Plus THIS: "The romance takes a backseat to the oppression and darkness of their world as the two form a tentative friendship." YES. I am loving their dynamic and can't wait to see how it develops.

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    1. Me either Alise. And yes to it becoming a series! I don't think there was any doubt though was there? Surely they couldn't have left this one as a standalone. I have a feeling that book two is going to be even more epic.

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  21. Awesome review Kelly, I love reading reviews about books someone else adores. Honestly, this didn't really look like my sort of thing (I'm such a contemporary gal) but your review has convinced me! I'll add this to my ever-growing list ;)
    Michelle @ The Unfinished Bookshelf

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    1. I am too usually Michelle and it's only been in the last six months or so that I've been reading more fantasy releases, and this is among one of the best.

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  22. I've heard so many good things about this book and thanks to your review I want it now!

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    1. YES! You need a copy Rochelle. It's incredible and all kinds of awesome!

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  23. WOW. Count me 100% convinced to read this book, and I'm so glad I'm getting it through a swap! I love books in historical settings, and this sounds like it truly does tick all the boxes to make for a stunning page-turner. Amazing review Kelly :)

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    1. It's incredible. One of the best books I've read this year poppet. I can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  24. I NEED to read this book. NOW.
    I can't wait to read it! I think I'll buy An Ember in the Ashes right now.
    I love your review ;)

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