An Ember in the Ashes is the first book in Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes series. In this fanatastical world, inspired by ancient Rome, the Martial Empire has taken over the continent. Many lands have been annex and many people, most notably the Scholars, have been enslaved. In the Empires finest military school, Blackcliff, soldiers are ruled by the ruthless commandant and are tried to be merciless killing machines and warriors known as masks. Elias is one of the best soldiers the school has yet feels trapped in the military society. Laia is a Scholar girl living in the slums of Serra. Laia’s family is murdered and her brother is imprisoned. After going to the Resistance for aid, Laia is given an opportunity. If she wants the Resistance to rescue her brother, she must spy on the callous commandant. Both Laia and Elias narrate the story in first person.
Both Laia and Elias are put in unforgiving environments. Elias survived the merciless training at Blackcliff and became one of the best students, but he always felt trapped. Despite being trained to do violence, he doesn’t want to be a heartless killer. He dreams of being free from the horrors of the Martial Empire. As a character, Elias is strong, resourceful, and thoughtful, but hates himself for his actions.
Laia’s mother and father were a part of the Resistance, but were killed, leaving her with her grandparents and brother Darin. Laia’s grandparents are murdered and Darin is imprisoned after their home was raided. Instead of staying to help Darin (and likely dying as a result) Laia flees and goes to the Resistance for help. Because of running, Laia counts herself as a coward. She devotes her life to rescuing her brother and uses the memory of her brother to help her through the trials she faces.
An Ember in the Ashes is amazing. This book is a page-turner. As with most fantasy books, it takes a little while to truly get into the book. After the first few chapters, the book has you hooked and by page 100, the book has captured your mind and soul. It is impossible to willingly put down. Sabaa Tahir creates an amazing world that I hope will be further explored in the following installments. This book is not for the faint of heart. The world is ruthless. Both protagonists are forced into painful, terrifying and soul-crushing trials. An Ember in the Ashesdiscusses themes of freedom and bravery, themes that really connect to the characters obstacles and create more empathy for the protagonists. I give this 446 page book 5 stars.
An Ember in the Ashes
This is a fantastical world inspired by ancient Rome. The Martial Empire has taken over most of the continent and enslaved a people known as the Scholars. The Augurs are high ranking military officials with magical abilities and believed to be immortal. A military school known as Blackcliff trains kids to be powerful soldiers called masks.