If you’re a regular reader of book blogs or viewer of bookstagram or booktok posts, this probably isn’t the first time you’ve heard of an Ember in the Ashes. It’s easily one of the most popular YA fantasy series of the 2010s.

Despite this, I actually only started to read it a couple of years ago, and I haven’t finished the whole series yet. (At least, not at the time I’m writing this.) But I loved the first two books, so I thought it would be great to have the first one be this month’s reading recommendation.

So, enough preamble; let’s get to it!

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir Overview

An Ember in the Ashes follows two main point of view characters: Laia, a girl who has spent her whole life living under the oppression of the stringent Martial Empire, and Elias Veturius, a boy who is the most promising young soldier of that same Empire. Both of them have been living in a form of captivity for as long as they can remember.

When Laia’s older brother is arrested for treason against the Empire, she embarks on a mission to rescue him. She enlists the help of rebels, who promise to free her brother. But, there’s a catch; in order for them to stay true to their word, she must agree to act as their spy in Blackcliff Academy, the Empire’s greatest military school. Determined to get her brother back, she accepts these terms.

It’s at Blackcliff that Laia meets Elias, the top student and a model soldier. But, despite his high standing at the school, Elias secretly wants out of this life of violence and tyranny—out of the shadow of the Empire altogether, even. It isn’t long before they realize that their destinies are one and the same, and that there’s much more sinister things going on at Blackcliff than either of them could imagine.

Personal Thoughts

The world is based largely on ancient Rome, which is unique—and very refreshing—for a fantasy world. Interesting as the world is, however, there’s no need to fear lengthy lore dumps in this book; you’re only given the information you need to understand the story and to set the tone, nothing more and nothing less. 

For the most part, the pacing was pretty good, though I do remember that it was a bit of a slough for me to get through the middle. I’m so glad that I stuck with it to the end, though, and I’m sure you’ll be too; the ending is worth it. (Don’t worry, that’s all I’m going to say.)

All right, I think that about wraps it up. If you’ve already read an Ember in the Ashes and are looking for something like it, feel free to look into some of the similar titles that I’ve listed below. And be sure to visit again next month to see our next reading recommendation! Until then, happy reading!

Books Similar to an Ember in the Ashes

• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
• Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
• The Young Elites by Marie Lu