An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir is a book about a scholar girl named Laia living in a world where scholars under the Martial Empire are oppressed and looked down upon. Laia’s brother is now arrested for treason against the Empire. Both grandparents were killed during the arrest. She goes off on her own looking for other rebels to help her free her brother, her last remaining relative. The price for it is to risk her life spying for the rebels within the Empire, in the Empire’s most prestigious military school where they train masks, the Empire’s special forces. At the school Laia meets the most skilled and most unwilling soldier named Elias. As their paths become closer and closer so does the extinction of the scholar race as the Empire takes more and more actions to eliminate them one by one. This book is said to be inspired by ancient Rome. It is the first book in the An Ember in the Ashes series by fantasy novel writer Sabba Tahir. I really like this book as it constantly keeps you on the edge wanting for more. When you start reading you can’t stop, and that by itself is the ingredient for a great book. What I really like about this book is that it really keeps you interested in what is going on. It does a great job in giving a clear picture of what’s going on and you can almost picture the setting. You will find yourself totally transported into a world that you will soon be familiar with. The many unexpected twists and turns really sets you on a roller coaster of surprises. As you read on without knowing time passing, this book tends to provoke many emotions in you. It is an easy book to be lost in a far away world where the characters come alive and take you on a journey that you wouldn’t t expect. I would recommend this to people who enjoy books that keep you on the edge of your seat and people who prefer action and adventure books.
Reviewed by Jay W, 10th
