A Torch Against the Night Review
Book: A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes #2)
Author: Sabaa Tahir
Genre: High Fantasy
My Rating: 5 stars!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Summary (from Goodreads):
Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.
Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.
But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike.
Bound to Marcus’s will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape…and kill them both.
Overall Thoughts:
I loved being back in this world! I love all the characters, the plot, and the writing! This book was everything I was looking for in a sequel and it delivered in every way!
Characters:
Both Laia and Elias have to grow a lot throughout the book. They are thrown into situations that are far different than anything either had ever experienced before. Laia discovers that she is stronger than she originally thought and far more capable than anyone ever expected from her. Elias has to reevaluate who he is now that Blackcliff is no longer deciding it for him. Together, they change and evolve to be the person they need to be.
One thing I did not like was the romance in this book. I’m going to keep this spoiler free, but the romance that Laia pursued in the middle of the story seemed forced and unnatural. Now that I have finished the book, I understand why it needed to happen, but I don’t really like it when a romance is used as a plot device. Thankfully, the romance aspect of this book was minor, so it didn’t take away from the overall story.
I loved the added element of Helene’s perspective because I love her character! She is so complex and being inside her head was fascinating! I also liked her perspective because we got to see an inside look into the government and the politics of this world. The position of Blood Shrike is so interesting, so I’m glad we got to have her perspective!
Plot:
The plot of this book was nonstop! There was always a plan being hatched and a journey to begin. Plus, add in three characters with ulterior motives and complex world, it was always changing!
Writing:
I love Sabaa Tahir’s writing! It is flowery, but not too ornate, simple, yet complex. She makes me feel exactly what her characters are feeling and it caused me to have a deep connection with her story. I read this book quickly because her writing makes it easy lose yourself in the story!
Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone looking for an awesome ya high fantasy series to get lost in and become obsessed with. These books remind me of Throne of Glass with some Renee Ahdieh and Leigh Bardugo mixed in.
Have you read this book? Comment your thoughts below! I would love to hear from you!
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