Review: An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Series: An Ember In The Ashes (#1)

Released: April 28th, 2015

Pages:446 Pages

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Link: Goodreads

Inspired by ancient Rome and written from two perspectives this story follows our two main characters - Laia and Elias.

Laia is a Scholar and lives with her grandparents and her older brother in the Martial Empire, which not so long ago overtook her country. The Empire is ruthless, defiance is met with death. If you don't vow to the Emperor you risk execution and destruction.

When Laias brother gets arrested and her grandparents killed, she is forced to make a decision. She seeks out the rebels. For there help to free her brother Laia has to risk her life spying for them as a slave in within the Empire's greatest military academy.

Elias is the school's finest soldier, but secretly he wants nothing more than to be free and escape the tyranny. 

When both of them realize that their fates are entwined, they learn that their choices can change everything.

“This life is not always what we think it will be,” Cain says. “You are an ember in the ashes, Elias Veturius. You will spark and burn, ravage and destroy. You cannot change it. You cannot stop it.”

I'm glad that this is officially no longer a 'stand alone', this book just screams MORE. 
This debut novel is really well and fast paced written, you could finish it in one sitting, if there wasn't the problem of sleep and grumpiness from hungry bellies...

I enjoyed Elias chapters a little more because you could almost feel his struggle for yourself. Also they were a little more action packed and had more darker insights in the world building.

Laia goes through a major development as a character which I appreciated a lot, as I found her a little bit frustrating at the beginning. I just like my female main characters to be as kick-ass as their male comrades ;).

Keenan wasn't my cup of tea and I think he needn't to be a love interest, but maybe with the next book there is more to it...
I loved the creepy, supernatural mystery parts - Cain - and can't wait to find out what's going to happen next!

Overall, this was an awesome read and I really recommend this book, especially if you are looking for something a little bit darker in YA!

Cheers,
Katha