A Torch Against the Night (Ember Quartet, Book 2)

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But while it’s true that Elias and Laia are inexcusably static, the third main character, Helene, gave me more food for thought. She is deeply torn between her due loyalty to her family and the Empire and the strong relationship that binds her to Elias, and from the very beginning she resolves to act according to the obligations of the first. Since she’s but a human being, she questions her decision again and again. I totally agree with the author’s choice to give Helene doubts about her doing, since seeing how strong Helene’s attachment to Elias and her loyalty to the Empire were, any other path for her would have felt like a bit out-of-character. The thing is that Tahir does not know how to give a character its due depth. Helene is complex only on the surface: deep down, she’s flat as paper, just like the others. She is the only interesting character of this book, and I could not care for her less than what she does. I wish I could go into the romance ( and maybe I will once this comes out), but it would spoil pretty much everything. Though, I can happily say that my ship is sort of happening, so there’s that! Lots of twists and turns, and wrong decisions happened, which people may not like.. but I understood. In the end, however, I think most people will be happy with everything. The adventures and journey in this book was hard and gruesome on the main characters. Laia clearly grew ALOT but still, I fear for her safety. I just want her to be happy and live in a fairytale is that too much to ask for?? First-time novelist Tahir has written an ambitious sword-and-sand adventure story that is notable for its suspense and scope.”— Booklist

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir | Waterstones

Seriously, I just have nothing bad to say about this book. I think, if I tried, I could feasibly come up with an original-ish idea for a fantasy that has not been done before. However, I think to take a somewhat familiar story and inject it with new life so that it becomes virtually unputdownable is a much more commendable achievement. Bravo, Ms Tahir, bravo. If there’s one thing I got from Helene’s character is she thinks the martials are the superior race than the Scholars and the tribal people. To her Scholars, who are canonically brown people, who has been enslaved and systematically murdered on their own land are subhuman. For Helene, they should merely accept their destiny as slaves. To her, they don’t deserve to uproot their lives and dream. This is what makes Elias and Helene different. Elias with his given maternal’s privilege and station, he saw through everything. His eyes are wide open and conscious with the imperialism that is going on around him. Like Helene, he was brainwashed by the empire too; but he stopped himself before he become a harbinger of destruction. Helene had that chance. He showed her the terrifying lives of the Scholars. She chose not to be moved.Helene is given three men to aid in her search. Two are friends but one, Harper, is a spy for the Commandant. She searches fruitlessly but finally gets a tip from Cook. Helene finds Laia and aides her with directions. Helene decides to leave Elias to his fate to go warn Marcus of a coup that the Commandant is planning. She is going to declare herself impress. Harper says he is no longer a spy for the Commandant. He was tasked to kill Helene but he will not. 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. I mean I know it’s realistic but it’s very very sad. Still, i absolutely loved this story and that we saw more place outside of the empire as well as new people. Helene Aquilla, however, was incredible. I didn't think it was possible to love her more than I did in Ember, but I was so wrong. She grows a lot in this installment, through emotional hardships that plague her at every step. Her whole journey is a turning point, the stepping stone for her maturity. The question of duty vs. heart remains deeply rooted into her persona and heartbreak shapes her anew in an astounding, almost terrifying image. I cannot wait to see how this colder, broken, hollowed Helene is going to enact her revenge and show the world her wrath. After all, the title of this book is an omen to the fire in Helene Aquilla.

A Torch Against the Night (An Ember In The Ashes Book 2) A Torch Against the Night (An Ember In The Ashes Book 2)

Spoiler Free Review.... I've now added to this review and it's only at the very end there will be spoilers (which is marked in capitals and in bold, so here is your warning) I repeat. The betrayals. They will own you. They will shatter you. Damn, I trust convincing characters so easily. if you have a glue gun, a toilet paper roll and some glitter, that's easy enough to remedy. behold! The sequel to Tahir’s bestselling smash An Ember in the Ashes finally comes out in August, and let me tell you, it does not disappoint.”— Book RiotIt felt like a land tremor.” Elias takes a step away from the wall and eyes the ceiling. “Except Serra doesn’t have land tremors.” Even though I still have a million questions, I enjoyed this book immensely. I cannot wait until the next installment to see how things work out for Elias and Laia. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that things will heat up a little, because I'm dying for some romance. Nonetheless, I'm loving this series! By far, the most compelling aspects of this continuation are the villains. The Commandant manages to upgrade her bitch title to the one of ultimate bitch. I swear, I haven't read such a beautifully written bad character in a long time, one that thrives on power and bloodshed, on gore and brutality and perennial violence. It was fascinating and utterly horrifying to witness how easily she can make a whole nation crumble. Giving this book 2 stars largely feels like I'm being liberal. I'd rate this less than one if not for Helene's chapters. The story was mostly confined to roads, as the leads barrel their way, away from the Empire's clutches. The romance felt forced and extremely annoying.

A Torch Against the Night Audiobook Free Sabaa Tahir - A Torch Against the Night Audiobook Free

After attending a briefing about the Trials at the Commandant’s office, Elias and the other Aspirants come across Laia outside the door. Marcus begins choking her. Helene convinces to ignore it to avoid anyone getting more hurt. Elias feels guilty for letting Marcus abuse her and believes he should have done something to stop it. The jinn show Elias their memories of Sher Jinnaat and what their lives were like before they were imprisoned. They show him how they were imprisoned by the Star. Elias is heartbroken at the pain they experienced. Tahir’s deft, polished debutalternates between two very different perspectives on the same brutal world, deepening both in the contrast. In a tale brimming with political intrigue and haunted by supernatural forces, the true tension comes from watching Elias and Laia struggle to decide where their loyalties lie.”— Publishers Weekly, starred review My girl Hel goes through

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Is it just me or is this review very confused? You see, it took me 4 days to write it. I don't know, I feel like I'm confusing everything, maybe it's just me, but I always find it hard to explain myself when I talk about something so good. Suddenly, further down the tunnel, a thud echoes. The soldiers spin, draw steel, and hurry to investigate. In seconds, the light from their lantern fades, the sound of their footsteps fainter and fainter. Biedenharn, Isabella (April 18, 2016). "An Ember in the Ashes sequel excerpt unveiled". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved July 11, 2021.