An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir captivates with its fast-paced, immersive storytelling and complex characters. Readers praise its intense plot and emotional depth. Some find the violence graphic and the narrative dark, but it effectively conveys a gripping, high-stakes fantasy world. Strong debut for YA enthusiasts.

Readers who enjoy epic fantasy with strong character development and intense action scenes will love An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. Fans of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard will appreciate its dystopian elements and gripping narrative.

Set in a brutal world ruled by the Martial Empire, An Ember in the Ashes follows Laia, a young Scholar girl seeking to rescue her imprisoned brother, and Elias, an elite warrior at the ruthless Blackcliff Military Academy, as they both strive for freedom amidst violence, espionage, and trials that test their courage and resolve. The book discusses violence, death, rape, enslavement, corporeal punishment, and child abandonment.

Dark / Adventurous / Suspenseful / Emotional / Mysterious

Sabaa Tahir

Novel

An Ember in the Ashes

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore An Ember in the Ashes reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read An Ember in the Ashes | SuperSummary

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Overview

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An Ember in the Ashes Summary and Study Guide

Background

An Ember in the Ashes Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “The Raid”

Part 1, Chapters 1-4

An Ember in the Ashes Part 1, Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 5-10

An Ember in the Ashes Part 1, Chapters 5-10 Summary & Analysis

Part 1: “The Raid” - Part 2: “The Trials”

Parts 1-2, Chapters 11-15

An Ember in the Ashes Parts 1-2, Chapters 11-15 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “The Trials”

Part 2, Chapters 16-20

An Ember in the Ashes Part 2, Chapters 16-20 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 21-26

An Ember in the Ashes Part 2, Chapters 21-26 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 27-30

An Ember in the Ashes Part 2, Chapters 27-30 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 31-37

An Ember in the Ashes Part 2, Chapters 31-37 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 38-40

An Ember in the Ashes Part 2, Chapters 38-40 Summary & Analysis

Parts 2-3, Chapters 41-45

An Ember in the Ashes Parts 2-3, Chapters 41-45 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 46-50

An Ember in the Ashes Part 3, Chapters 46-50 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

An Ember in the Ashes Character Analysis

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Themes

An Ember in the Ashes Themes

Symbols & Motifs

An Ember in the Ashes Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

An Ember in the Ashes Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

An Ember in the Ashes Essay Topics

An Ember in the Ashes

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read An Ember in the Ashes?

Reading Age

Book Details