An Ember in the Ashes
Author: Sabaa Tahir
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy
Release Date: April 28, 2015
Publisher: Razorbill
Summary:
LAIA is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire’s greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution.
ELIAS is the academy’s finest soldier – and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias is considering deserting the military, but before he can, he’s ordered to participate in a ruthless contest to choose the next Martial emperor.
When Laia and Elias’s paths cross at the academy, they find that their destinies are more intertwined than either could have imagined and that their choices will change the future of the empire itself.
First Sentence: My big brother reaches home in the dark hours before dawn, when even ghosts take their rest.
My Review:
Welcome to the review where I give my first five star of the year. I don’t know if you know this, but I don’t give out five star ratings easily. In fact, I only gave out two five star ratings in 2014. Yes, you read that right, two. An Ember in the Ashes definitely deserves five stars from me: it was intense and absolutely epic, has a ship you will definitely ship, and pulls out all the feels. My goal today is to make every single one of you to get a copy of An Ember in the Ashes and read it for yourself because it is that good. You can always thank me later.
1. SABAA TAHIR ISN’T AFRAID TO PULL ANY PUNCHES.
The first thirty pages of An Ember in the Ashes was already full of death, blood, and gore. In short, it was brutal. The entire book continued to be extremely intense; there wasn’t a moment where I wasn’t biting my nails or gasping or even making little annoying squealing noises (hey, I couldn’t help it). I promise you that An Ember in the Ashes will constantly keep you on the edge of your seat, desperately wanting more, hoping that the characters you’re rooting for will be safe.
2. THERE WASN’T A SINGLE DULL MOMENT IN THE BOOK.
An Ember in the Ashes is an fast paced, action-packed book. Every single page will leave you breathless and totally not bored. You will finish this book faster than you think.
3. THE WORLD-BUILDING IS AMAZING.
The Rome aspect of the world definitely didn’t disappoint and I can vividly picture every part of the world in my mind. There are also TWO MAPS in the finished copy of the book. One thing I didn’t see coming at all was that An Ember in the Ashes has a supernatural element to it. No, I’m not talking about supernatural creatures like wolves and even vampires, but other unique supernatural creatures, some I haven’t even heard of before until I read An Ember in the Ashes.
4. YOU WILL FEEL ALL THE FEELS.
You will feel scared. You will feel angry. You will feel disgusted. You will feel the need to commit violence. In short, you will feel ALL THE FEELS.
5. I TOTALLY SHIP THE ROMANCE.
I SHIP IT. I SHIP IT SO HARD. In fact, I will go down with my ship (aka I will cry like crazy if they don’t get together and pick other people to be with instead)! For awhile, it looked like my ship wouldn’t sail (there were hints of a love square blooming), but after reading the entire book, I can safely say with confidence that my ship will sail eventually. Hopefully. (I hope I just didn’t jinx that. If I did, GAH.)
Are you guys sold yet? If those five reasons still hasn’t made you want to grab a copy of An Ember in the Ashes and read it asap, I don’t care. Just trust me: You guys NEED this book in your life. Have I ever steered you wrong before? Preorder this books guys. Preorder it NOW.
Oh my gosh, if I wasn’t already freakishly excited for this one–then I am now. I keep hearing such amazing things about this and GOOD GOD IT SOUNDS AMAZING.
Kara @ Diary of a Teen Writer recently posted…The Darkest Part of the Forest || Folk, Fairytales, and Beautiful Writing
Oooo I cant wait to get my hands on this! It seems like THE book that I would absolutely love :D
EM @ Books and Iced Coffee recently posted…Dewey’s 24 Hour Read- A- Thon Results
Perfect review! I read this book and agree for EVERYTHING! It was so SO good! I need a sequel though :'(
Frannie Pan @ In Clouds of Pages recently posted…Once Upon a Time: “Uprooted” by Naomi Novik
Wow! Very convincing review! This one is at the top of my wishlist! I will definitely having to get it myself if all else fails! I loved your review! Prior to this I did not know there was any supernatural element at all and hearing that there is something, totally has me hooked further in! Great review!!
Jessica @ a GREAT read recently posted…ARC Review–Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking
Great review. I am totally sold on this one. I must read it!
Cynthia recently posted…Musing Mondays – Why I Decided To Quit My Challenges
Feels and shipping? If I wasn’t already interested in this book, I’d be sold. I’ve heard so many great things about this book, but your review just makes me want to run out and grab it this second.
Dreams recently posted…Cold Burn of Magic (review)
omg! I already had such expectations for this book! Thanks for this great review Kelly
No Kelly. You haven’t steered me wrong. I actually started trusting your word back when you first read Since You’ve Been Gone and also gave it five stars. I was actually not sure if I should trust your word completely back then, but then I picked up my own copy and absolutely loved the story! Since then I always look out for your five star rating books. Which is rare so An Ember in the Ashes has to be THAT GOOD if there was nothing wrong with it. Can’t wait to get my own copy! :D
Ahhh!!! Can’t wait to read this. Great review! <3
This review format looks very familiar. ;)))))))
I NEED TO READ THIS BOOK, BUT I’m not a big fan of romance so that is the one thing that makes me hesitant about this book.
Cee recently posted…ESSENTIAL READING | Five Books Parvati (from Liars, Inc) Would Read and Why
I was already anticipating this book but after reading your review, I NEED to read it as soon as possible!
Jolien @ The Fictional Reader recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Characters Whose Friendships Are More Like Family
I was sold the moment I saw the cover the first time, and sold even harder after the synopsis. Now, I am just chomping at the bit to start reading it already! In fact, it was delivered to me on my Kindle, and I think I am going to screw the TBR for a couple of days, and jump right to this one! Thank you for your awesome review! If I wasn’t convinced already, it definitely would have done it for me!
Jaime Lester recently posted…Nobody’s Goddess by Amy McNulty ~ Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ By Jaime!
Wow! I’m waiting for this and thanks for writing such a great review! I’m going to get a copy as soon as possible and read it right away!
Regina Foo recently posted…A Personal Connection with My Beloved Writer – Romina Russell
AHHH! Your review of An Ember In The Ashes is literally EVERYTHING. I’ve read this book and I absolutely loved it as much as you do! <333
Kyla @ Carmel & Kyla recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday #22: Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan
Ah, yesss. <3 I am so happy that you loved this book Kelly :D YAY for five stars! <3 And omg, you don't do five stars often? Ack. I do so many five stars, lol :) But anyway. So so happy that this was perfect for you. Sigh. My pre-order arrived yesterday :) I want to read it so badly. But so worried, since there is so little romance, and it isn't even shipping at the end of the book :( and maybe not even a second book. And ugh. It bothers me, lol. But still excited for it :D Especially since you loved it so. <3 Beautiful review sweetie :)
Carina Olsen recently posted…Review: The Immortal Heights by Sherry Thomas
Have been hearing so many great things about this book, and a lot of bloggers have been recommending it! Thank you for your honest review. I am putting it on my TBR
You’ve convinced me! I need this book in my life soon! I can’t wait for my pay-check to come in so I can buy it <3 Before reading you're review I've heard amazing things about this book but nothing really convinced me, but the way you talk about this book makes me so excited to read it!
Lucy recently posted…Comics I Got #1
5 stars!? You have me so excited for this book! I just bought it yesterday, and definitely can’t wait to start it!
Yes to action packed story and an awesome romance!!
Thanks for the review, Kelly!
Cyn @ Book Munchies recently posted…Review: Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge
This book did have lots of action that kept you reading for more. It was very brutal, and the world was harsh to live in. Loved your review!