An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a brutal world, set 500 years after the Martials conquered the Scholars. Scholars are forced to live in squalor, unallowed to read, craft weapons, or gather. Laia’s family was in the resistance, but after they were killed, she and her brother lived with their grandparents. Elias was born to the Empire, one of the best cadets in the graduating class, but he’s not happy with his lot in life.
When a series of events bring them together, the Empire will burn…
(Cheesy!!!!)
Okay, real talk, the world building was strong–supposedly it was based on the Roman empire. The character development, however, was lacking in the beginning, and once the action started amping up (right before the announcement of the Trials) the action filled the spaces where character development would be. I did enjoy the development and character arc of Laia, however, I just wish it hadn’t taken so long for her to get a spine.
Fast read, looking forward to the next one.
Algul Siento 