Monday, January 30, 2017

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir (11/27/15)


I finished reading this book the other. I finally gave in to temptation and bought the hardbook cover. Let me tell you, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this book. 

"Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free. Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear."

I was enthralled with the description of this book. I knew I wanted to read it, but I didn't want it to end. So I eventually gave in and started it. I was immediately sucked in to their world and ached for their troubles and trials. 

It was hard to not feel pain for Laia and her circumstances. She was so young, and had already lost so much at such an age. And to witness the atrocities that she saw, was hard. I have to say that she was a very courageous character and I was very impressed with all that she withstood. There were several times when I wanted to slap her and knock some sense into her. But, overall, I liked her. 

Elias. What more can I say about him. Other than the fact that he is a very complicated person/character. I was shocked at what he had been through himself. I felt for him. In every sense of the word. There was so much that he wanted, yet everything was just out of his fingers reach, literally. 

The connections and relationships that these characters developed were wonderful. I was rooting for Laia and Elias from the very beginning (how stupid of me, right?). There are other characters that I would rather not talk about, because, well that would mean that they meant something to both Elias and Laia, and we (meaning "I") don't want that. I'd rather be oblivious to those feelings. 

I have to say that I was very impressed with Sabaa Tahir. She did an amazing job creating this wonderful yet dreadful world. A world where there is evil and nasty things and people that are willing to hurt those that are helpless. A world where you serve your Emperor with Mind, Body and Soul before serving yourself and those you "love". A world where EVERYONE is a prisoner in one way or another. 

I literally ached as I neared the end of this book. I didn't want that last page to arrive so soon, yet it did. I was however happy with how it ended. I was happy that Laia was the one that rescued Elias, and that he would have to help her rescue her brother. 


No comments:

Post a Comment