Tahir, Sabaa. (2015). An Ember In The Ashes. Penguin
Random House: New York. ISBN: 978-1-59514-803-2.
Plot Summary
Elias and Laia are the two major characters in this fantasy
book. Elias is a great student at the
Blackcliff Military Academy for the Martial Empire, which is currently in
power. Laia was born and raised in a
poor region of the Empire where the locals are considered inferior due to their
attempts to rebel against the Empire.
Elias and Laia share the desire to be free as their one similarity. Laia becomes a slave so she can spy on people
and gather information to aid in the release of her brother, the last living
relative she has. Elias is attempting to break out from his life of
subservience to the brutal rule of the Empire, an Empire that believed him to
be one of the chosen because of his family ancestry. They collaborate to
realize their goals when their worlds cross, Elias and Laia embark on a risky
scheme to achieve their freedom together as the drama comes to a close.
Critical Analysis
The reader will be interested by the numerous fantasy
aspects in this critically acclaimed book by Sabaa Tahir. The elite law enforcers of the Empire, The
Masks, start things off by torturing a family and killing all except one
member. Blackcliff is a very dangerous
military academy that uses various sorts of torture to control the behavior of
its students. A wonderful tale of
mystery and intrigue is woven from espionage, catacombs, resistance groups,
ghouls, supernatural animals, and tribal people with unique abilities. Elias and Laia, the two main protagonists,
are from completely different backgrounds, but they come together when they
both understand that they are yearning for freedom. Elias desires freedom from the Empire's hold
on his existence. Laia is desperately attempting to free her brother, the sole
survivor of her family, from a horrifying jail where he has no business being.
She volunteered to become the brutal Commandant of Blackcliff's slave in order
to help uncover information that would help him be set free. Tahir's writing
style enables the reader to share the characters' profound suffering, enduring
bonds of friendship, and joy. Numerous characters
contribute to the development of this engaging book. Laia is compared to an ember in the ashes at
the conclusion of the novel since she survived every challenging circumstance
she encountered. Because she believed
she was weak at the beginning of the novel, I thought the contrast was
fantastic. As the plot develops, she
comes to see that she is a remarkably resilient individual who starts to speak
up for herself and refuses to submit to anyone.
The analogy paints a very precise picture of Laia because it illustrates
how an ember in ashes must rely on its own heat and strength to survive the
fire that is fading out all around it.
It wasn't until that comparison that I realized what the book's title
meant. Young adult readers aged 15 and
up should read An Ember in the Ashes.
Review Excerpts
Publishers Weekly, starred review - “Tahir’s deft,
polished debut alternates 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.”
Booklist - “First-time novelist Tahir has written an
ambitious sword-and-sand adventure story that is notable for its suspense and
scope.”
The New York Times Book Review - “[An Ember in the
Ashes] thrusts its readers into a world marred by violence and domination yet
does so with simple prose that can offer moments of loveliness in its clarity.
This complexity makes Ember a worthy novel—and one as brave as its characters.”
Connections
*A character comparison of the strength of both characters
Elias and Laia because there are many differences and similarities.
*A study of the rule of Empires throughout history.
*Many topics can be discussed such as family ties,
friendship, loyalty, and slavery.
Awards Received
Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy
Books of All Time
Time Magazine’s 100 Best YA Books
of All Time
Amazon's Best Young Adult Book of
2015
People's Choice Award winner -
Favorite Fantasy
Bustle's Best Young Adult Book of
2015
The New York Times Bestselling Series
Other Books In The Series
Tahir, Sabaa. (2016). A Torch
In The Night. Penguin Random House: New York. ISBN:
978-1101998878.
Tahir, Sabaa. (2018). A Reaper
At The Gates. Penguin Random House: New York. ISBN:
978-0448494500.
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