73 pages 2 hours read

Sabaa Tahir

An Ember in the Ashes

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2015

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Set in a brutal world ruled by the Martial Empire, An Ember in the Ashes follows Laia, a young Scholar girl seeking to rescue her imprisoned brother, and Elias, an elite warrior at the ruthless Blackcliff Military Academy, as they both strive for freedom amidst violence, espionage, and trials that test their courage and resolve. The book discusses violence, death, rape, enslavement, corporeal punishment, and child abandonment.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir captivates with its fast-paced, immersive storytelling and complex characters. Readers praise its intense plot and emotional depth. Some find the violence graphic and the narrative dark, but it effectively conveys a gripping, high-stakes fantasy world. Strong debut for YA enthusiasts.

Who should read this

Who Should Read An Ember in the Ashes?

Readers who enjoy epic fantasy with strong character development and intense action scenes will love An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. Fans of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard will appreciate its dystopian elements and gripping narrative.

RecommendedReading Age

14-18years

Lexile Level

HL680L

Book Details

Genre

Fantasy

Romance

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Fear

Relationships: Friendship

Values/Ideas: Power & Greed