A Torch Against the Night: 2 (Ember in the Ashes)

Product Information

I was afraid to get too attached, fearing that I'd risk an emotional meltdown in the upcoming chapters. But there are several others who steal the thunder too: Afya Ara Nur, Mamie Ralie, and even the despicable Marcus Zarrar. heart remains deeply rooted into her persona and heartbreak shapes her anew in an astounding, almost terrifying image.

While this ending wouldn't be considered a cliffhanger, in my opinion, there are many unanswered questions. When I say superficial, it's not just that people keep falling for each other, it's just that they fall, move on, fall again, and cycle again. It was much faster, for one, but that’s not always a good thing: it felt like plot had been sacrificed for action. here, in her new role as blood shrike - the sword that does the ruthless emperor's will, she really shines.The 103 third parties who use cookies on this service do so for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalized ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products. But I guess the good things is -with the amount of sheer hatred all readers must develop towards the villains- it will feel a lot satisfying when they do get beaten (if that happens).

A morally conflicted 20 something year old sucked into a life that was not his choosing seems like a good start for a character, add a touch of family problems and loyal best friends and you have a he perfect combination. One negative is that the book does suffer slightly (at least toward the first two thirds) from 'middle book syndrome' in that it is largely unclear as to why the main characters are doing what they are doing. 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. Other things worth mentioning: the Aquilla family; Avitas Harper (omg you're gonna love him and I hope he plays a bigger part in the following books); KEENAN HOLY SHIT KEENAN; Izzzzzzyyyyyy; COOK; Shaeva (oh, sweetie); Afya, the most badass and honorable Zaldara ever; Elias with children around -- you're not up to it, I'm telling you.But while it’s true that Elias and Laia are inexcusably static, the third main character, Helene, gave me more food for thought. Fellow readers, please, for your own good, go read Kat's, Sarah's, and Nastassya's reviews- I just did it, and I know I will be laughing for hours. The story follows former slave Laia and former soldier Elias on a mission to save Laia's brother; and Helene, the unfortunate blood shrike. there's a lot i respect about her character, but i like my heroines to have a little more of an edge to them, and laia's just a bit too squeaky for me, and her very formal avoidance of contractions grates on me a bit.

As the characters had already been introduced, the story was able to get going quite quickly, and I adored their interactions with each other. Whilst the settings were arguably better presented in An Ember in the Ashes, this sequel takes us out of Blackcliff and unleashes us into an entire world.I mentioned earlier that I thought Laia and Elias were lacking in a depth that was fully provided by An Ember in the Ashes. 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. Laia, sweetie, if your own neck is on stake and there’s absolutely nothing you can do to help those poor people you don’t even know personally, like hell you can. I wondered if I would be able to easily follow the stories of Laia, Elias and Helene after more than a year away from them, but I needn't have worried.