An Ember in the Ashes

By Sabaa Tahir

Book Overview

BOOK ONE IN THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES

One of Time Magazine's 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time
Instant New York Times bestseller
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir
Amazon's Best Young Adult Book of 2015
People's Choice Award winner - Favorite Fantasy
Bustle's Best Young Adult Book of 2015

"This novel is a harrowing, haunting reminder of what it means to be human -- and how hope might be kindled in the midst of oppression and fear." -- The Washington Post

"An Ember in the Ashes could launch Sabaa Tahir into JK Rowling territory...It has the addictive quality of The Hunger Games combined with the fantasy of Harry Potter and the brutality of Game of Thrones."--Public Radio International

An Ember in the Ashes glows, burns, and smolders--as beautiful and radiant as it is searing.--Huffington Post

"A worthy novel - and one as brave as its characters." --The New York Times Book Review

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire's impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They've seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia's brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire's greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school's finest soldier--and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he's being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined--and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0593206932
• ISBN13: 9780593206935
• Release Date: September 2020
• Publisher: Razorbill
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.9" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Cover was different

The cover was different than the one I was shown when purchasing.

A great way to start a series.

I love a fantasy novel with epic battles and magic!. Its been such a page turner and pleasure to read.

A great addition to any fantasy readers library!

An Ember in the Ashes, published on April 28th, 2015, is the first book in the An Ember in the Ashes series written by Sabaa Tahir. It is classified as being both young adult and fantasy and debuted at #2 on the Young Adult New York Times Best Seller list. The full list of Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes series includes: An Ember in the Ashes, A Torch Against the Night, A Reaper at the Gates, and A Sky Beyond the Storm. Two of Tahir’s novels, An Ember in the Ashes and A Torch Against the Night, were listed among Time Magazine's 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time in 2020. The setting in An Ember in the Ashes is one of high-fantasy that was inspired by Ancient Rome. The characters in the book are diverse, complex, and unforgettable while reading. To quickly summarize the story: An Ember in the Ashes follows a girl named Laia who is spying for the rebels against the reigning empire in exchange for their help in rescuing her captive brother while a boy named Elias struggling to free himself from being an enforcer of a tyrannical regime. Right off the bat, the action is there and the story immediately takes off. Elements of tension, angst, and hope are all present in this book. Tahir’s work is a beautiful addition to the fantasy genre and is a much needed breath of fresh air that the genre needs to bring more readers into the fantasy sphere. I would recommend this book to readers entering high school and to any readers who enjoy fantasy as a genre!

It’s been a long time since a book has sucked me in like this

Sabaa Tahir is an amazing writer, she created this completely believable world while inserting magical elements that as a reader I wasn’t expecting. She also has a gift for writing characters. She plays on all their strengths and weaknesses making them relatable and lovable.

An Absolute Amazing Read!

This book sucked me right into it's world from the very first page so that I couldn't put it down till I'd finished the very last page (and the acknowledgements when I was denying that it could be the end). The plot and characters are uttering fascinating and immediately have you rooting for them. I was gasping and giggling out loud, unable to contain my emotions while reading. This is a book I would reccomend to everyone!

A flawless blend of history and magic

The similarities drawn between Rome and the Martials is masterfully done. I forgot several times while reading this that indeed magic is not real and we don't currently live under threat of martial law. The characters are skillfully woven and you'll be guessing until the end. I seriously couldn't put this down.

A Fantastic and Well-Crafted Novel!

This novel was amazing! Sabaa Tahir creates a beautiful world rich with culture and life! I feel like the world building (mostly map/landscape wise) and the history/legends could have been a little more fleshed out. I'm hoping A Torch Against the Night, book two, will cover it a little more. The story itself was very well thought out and incredibly smooth. I found myself running through chapters at a time without a thought! The romance didn't feel 'shoved-in-your-face' forced but wasn't overly subtle either. The plot didn't revolve around the love. There wasn't necessarily a love triangle, per say, but there were two characters (who had no idea of the other's existence. Not a competition and not cheating either) who were in love/falling in love with the same girl. Overall, it was a very adventurous and entertaining read! Content: (Recommended for 13-14 +) Language: Various swearing including b-----d, b---h, d--n (and it's variations), exclamations of 'Ten h--ls!'. Romance: Talk of brothels and prostitutes from the soldiers. Mentions of rape, and it's suggested that it happens frequently at the Academy. One attempted (and failed) rape. A character is in love, but it isn't returned. A slow blossoming romance, nothing more than occasional closeness and a few kisses. Two characters are locked in a bedroom but do nothing more than sit and talk. Violence: Students at the Academy are training to become lethal fighters, so expect some blood and death, though not too gory. At one point comrades are pitted against each other in a battle to the death. Drug/Alchahol: Some drinking. If you liked this book, then you may enjoy: Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton