Will the world ever tire of a thrilling dystopian novel? Answer: never. Brimming with hot action, intense passion, and a deadly streak of danger, Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes keeps readers hooked till the last word. Ranked #2 on New York Times list, this compelling dystopian, reminiscent of ancient Rome, has become an instant favorite.
Released only April 28 of this year, a sequel to the novel has already been demanded by readers and approved by publishers. Good thing too, for the last pages of the book had readers teetering off the cliff’s edge. With the story’s ambiguous and action-packed ending, audiences are left dying for more.
Flipping through the first few pages, the story pushes off with a glimpse into a tyrannical and elitist society, seen and interpreted through they eyes of Laia, an impoverished girl whose family is brutally punished by the Martial Empire’s elite warriors: Masks. Inspired by the merciless power of ancient Rome, the empire holds no pity for those who disobey.
One nightmarish evening, Laia’s brother is taken prisoner by the Masks. She commits herself to finding him, no matter what it takes. She would even go as far as to join the infamous rebel organization and spy on a high official at the most exclusive military academy in the empire. Here, only the elite warriors train, subjected to brutal trials and cutthroat competition.
Elias, the school’s finest soldier, the most promising warrior, rising to be unbeatable, is secretly unwilling. He detests what he has become, and resents what his friends and family are: cold-blooded killers. Dreaming of escape, he meets Laia posing as a servant girl, and their destinies become inexplicably intertwined.
With his yearning to extricate himself from the empire’s tyranny and her mission to destroy it, they find ways to aid one another in their ambitions. Woven together seamlessly, their dual points of view throughout the novel provides a 360 degree view of the the empire’s values and practices, and displays the conflicting emotions that torment both characters.
Written with a clever hand, Tahir brings the story to life on page with rich imagery and hair-raising action, gripping readers with an ink and paper fist. It pulls you in with this compelling nearness that Elias and Laia have, always a glance away from finding one another. Along with this, there is Laia’s constant fear of the offical she spies on, a woman who is notorious for her cruelty when it comes to servants, and this chilling terror will keep you frozen in place.
Suffering painful indecision and forced to make heartbreaking choices, both characters will make you want to wrap them up in a blanket and give them a steaming mug of tea. Yet, Tahir gives her characters a dry humor that offsets the stark reality of their lives, and a chance to fall in love. Unfortunately, there is little time for love when the entire empire, including your own mother, wants to execute you.
Filled with exciting action, agonizing emotional turmoil, and a fascinating dystopian culture with ancient values, An Ember in the Ashes will spark a blazing fire in your reading life.
