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'An Ember in the Ashes Series' by Sabaa Tahir (Sa16+) [SPOILERS]
Welcome to The Book Seekers' Book of the Month for February 2020!
During February, we read An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir - and we noticed how hooked you all got! So we're opening up the discussion thread for the whole series: come in, settle down and discuss An Ember in the Ashes, A Torch Against the Night, A Reaper at the Gates and, of course, the highly anticipated finale, A Sky Beyond the Storm!
Age Rating | Sa16+ Genre | Fantasy Summary from Goodreads | 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.
It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.
But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.
There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.
CONTENT WARNINGS
SPOILER!!: CW
Moderate violence. Mentions (no descriptions) of rape and suicide.
You can discuss ANYTHING that is related to An Ember in the Ashes in here. However, it must be kept SPOILER FREE until at leastFebruary 15th. You can include spoiler-y content as long as it is under a spoiler tag. Remember that other people might not be as far along in the book as you.
Any posts that contain spoilers (that aren't under spoiler tags) will be edited by a Book Club mod.
This discussion will be active until March 15th. That being said, the thread will remain open for everyone to discuss the book after that time, too.
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Professor Pink | Mrs. Bruce Wayne | I'm on a Goat | Glitterpuff | Dumbledore's Defense Squad | BHB
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tegz
My mum actually got me into this series you guys make me want to reread it so I can share all my thoughts. I really enjoyed it too. Just wait till you finish them all!
I did! I did! I'm obsessed. Please tell me your thoughts.
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yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________ __________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind
Made of Awesome | Ern-la the Best-wa | TZ's Apogee
Quote:
Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl
I'm in!!!!!!!!!
SPOILER!!: WELL, WHAT DID YOU THINK?!
I loved it.
SPOILER!!: I THINK THIS
I loved it too
SPOILER!!: Okay more
I've only read the second book, so I guess even in spoilers you can spoil me. I have to say that Helene has grown on me, that I wanted to set Keenan on FIRE, that I am desperate to know what is going on with Cook, and I'm heartsick over Izzi, and WTAF WHO TOLD ELIAS HE COULD DIE. Granted, it didn't stick, but...
Professor Pink | Mrs. Bruce Wayne | I'm on a Goat | Glitterpuff | Dumbledore's Defense Squad | BHB
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cassirin
SPOILER!!: I THINK THIS
I loved it too
SPOILER!!: Okay more
I've only read the second book, so I guess even in spoilers you can spoil me. I have to say that Helene has grown on me, that I wanted to set Keenan on FIRE, that I am desperate to know what is going on with Cook, and I'm heartsick over Izzi, and WTAF WHO TOLD ELIAS HE COULD DIE. Granted, it didn't stick, but...
That's all.
Eehehehe.
SPOILER!!: HECK
Aww, heck. I like Helene more but I kept wondering: Why wouldn't the author just have her heal Elias from that stupid poison?!
Also, you'll have to read the third book to find out more about Cook and Elias' mum. I will say that the information revealed about them is NOT that surprising, but eh. I will also say that I still wanted more development and details on the super close relationship between Laia and her brother.
LIKE WOW THE TWIST WITH KEENAN THOUGH, right?!?! I still low-key like the Nightbringer though; maybe even more than Cain?
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yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________ __________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind
Made of Awesome | Ern-la the Best-wa | TZ's Apogee
Quote:
Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl
SPOILER!!: HECK
Aww, heck. I like Helene more but I kept wondering: Why wouldn't the author just have her heal Elias from that stupid poison?!
Also, you'll have to read the third book to find out more about Cook and Elias' mum. I will say that the information revealed about them is NOT that surprising, but eh. I will also say that I still wanted more development and details on the super close relationship between Laia and her brother.
LIKE WOW THE TWIST WITH KEENAN THOUGH, right?!?! I still low-key like the Nightbringer though; maybe even more than Cain?
This has become a two person conversation.
SPOILER!!: More stuff
I mean, the author didn't have her find out he was dying during the short time their paths overlapped. I for sure thought she WAS going to heal him, and then... nope.
I'm going to read the third book SOON, but since the fourth isn't out yet, I"m not rushing it. I have a lot of questions that I want answered, and in order to avoid spoilers, I'd be better of reading it soon.
THE TWIST WITH KEENAN. Did you see it coming? I felt like there was foreshadowing with Elias and Keenan interactions that suggested something more was going on with him. Is it weird to HATE Keenan but to be intrigued by Nightbringer?
Professor Pink | Mrs. Bruce Wayne | I'm on a Goat | Glitterpuff | Dumbledore's Defense Squad | BHB
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cassirin
This has become a two person conversation.
SPOILER!!: More stuff
I mean, the author didn't have her find out he was dying during the short time their paths overlapped. I for sure thought she WAS going to heal him, and then... nope.
I'm going to read the third book SOON, but since the fourth isn't out yet, I"m not rushing it. I have a lot of questions that I want answered, and in order to avoid spoilers, I'd be better of reading it soon.
THE TWIST WITH KEENAN. Did you see it coming? I felt like there was foreshadowing with Elias and Keenan interactions that suggested something more was going on with him. Is it weird to HATE Keenan but to be intrigued by Nightbringer?
Well well well....
SPOILER!!: ANYONE CAN STILL JOIN IN & DISCUSS
Yeah. I guess there's something to be said for not having a predictable ending there. And his path took a totally different course because of the poison, so.
Book #4 is coming out this fall, according to Nat!
Ahhhh no, I really did not! Because he had such a long history with the Rebels and even with knowing her parents! I thought the traitor among them was going to be the head of the Rebels, whatever his name was. Hate the traitor, but respect the Nightbringer. I like his backstory; it's really important and sad.
There are SO many ways the fourth book could go, too. Can't wait for you to read the third one!
__________________
yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________ __________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind
Made of Awesome | Ern-la the Best-wa | TZ's Apogee
Quote:
Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl
Well well well....
SPOILER!!: ANYONE CAN STILL JOIN IN & DISCUSS
Yeah. I guess there's something to be said for not having a predictable ending there. And his path took a totally different course because of the poison, so.
Book #4 is coming out this fall, according to Nat!
Ahhhh no, I really did not! Because he had such a long history with the Rebels and even with knowing her parents! I thought the traitor among them was going to be the head of the Rebels, whatever his name was. Hate the traitor, but respect the Nightbringer. I like his backstory; it's really important and sad.
There are SO many ways the fourth book could go, too. Can't wait for you to read the third one!
SPOILER!!: wait one more thing
How did Helene get away with finding Laia and not arresting her when she encountered her in that cave? It was before she found out that the Commandant was threatening a coup, before she had even met the Warden and knew he had Elias... she had a job to bring them BOTH back, right? But she then found Laia and just walked out of the cave, and NO ONE SAID ANYTHING.
Professor Pink | Mrs. Bruce Wayne | I'm on a Goat | Glitterpuff | Dumbledore's Defense Squad | BHB
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cassirin
SPOILER!!: wait one more thing
How did Helene get away with finding Laia and not arresting her when she encountered her in that cave? It was before she found out that the Commandant was threatening a coup, before she had even met the Warden and knew he had Elias... she had a job to bring them BOTH back, right? But she then found Laia and just walked out of the cave, and NO ONE SAID ANYTHING.
Ok. That's all.
SPOILER!!: Great Question!
I dunno. She failed at basically every task crazy ol' Marcus gave her and yet kept her head. I mean, some of those tasks were just busy work, but still.
Also, all throughout book 2 and 3 I kept wondering who was running the school, Blackcliff, because Keris was not there??? She was off doing other things always??
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yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________ __________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind
Made of Awesome | Ern-la the Best-wa | TZ's Apogee
Quote:
Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl
SPOILER!!: Great Question!
I dunno. She failed at basically every task crazy ol' Marcus gave her and yet kept her head. I mean, some of those tasks were just busy work, but still.
Also, all throughout book 2 and 3 I kept wondering who was running the school, Blackcliff, because Keris was not there??? She was off doing other things always??
SPOILER!!: full of good questions, that's me
Maybe it's Spring Break, Ro. We don't know. They didn't do a new culling of firsties because of the trials in the first book, so it's possible they've suspended school indefinitely. The whole point of the place was to prepare for choosing a new Emperor someday, and they chose that dummy crazypants Marcus.
Professor Pink | Mrs. Bruce Wayne | I'm on a Goat | Glitterpuff | Dumbledore's Defense Squad | BHB
SPOILER!!: Yes yes
Yes, yes, Ern. My point was just that it wasn't ever really addressed.
Anywhoooo, come back when you've read the third one, okay?
__________________
yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________ __________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind
Puff by day, snake by night | Mj's bestie | Always UP to Something...
I actually listened to the first one on libby and once I start with audio I like to do the entire series with it, because if I buy one book I have to buy them all. I put a hold on the second back in February and it is so popular to check out I'm still waiting for it!
Little Fox | ½ of Lauralie | Ravenclaw with a Hufflepuff heart and a Gryffindor soul | #HouseNATARIANA
I'm about half way through A Reaper at the Gates and
SPOILER!!: I'm suspicious
As soon as I found out that Helene has the last part of the star, I'm paranoid that Harper is the Nightbringer, like Keenan was. But maybe not because he has admitted to Helene that he wants something from her. I'M SUSPISH.
Professor Pink | Mrs. Bruce Wayne | I'm on a Goat | Glitterpuff | Dumbledore's Defense Squad | BHB
@Ali, I hope you get it soon UGH I love these books so much
Quote:
Originally Posted by natekka
I'm about half way through A Reaper at the Gates and
SPOILER!!: I'm suspicious
As soon as I found out that Helene has the last part of the star, I'm paranoid that Harper is the Nightbringer, like Keenan was. But maybe not because he has admitted to Helene that he wants something from her. I'M SUSPISH.
SPOILER!!: Natalieeeeeeeee, so happy to see you reading thissssss
Ehehehehe. I hated Harper at first and then had about a 180 on him. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT U THINK!
__________________
yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________ __________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind
OKAAAAY, so I just finished reading Book 2 and there was plenty that I loooved and one or two small things that kind of annoyed me but I'm scared to look back at all of your spoiler comments because I know some of y'all have finished book 3 and my copy comes tomorrow!!!!!!
SPOILER!!:
So first, the small thing that annoyed me. The overuse of the work Skies. I just...it annoyed me that it was used so much by so many of the characters. Is it used somewhere else in the world a lot and I'm just being blissfully stupid to it all of this time or is it just in the book? I don't know but I feel like it was used a lot.
Aaaaanyway, why do I always find myself rooting for the romance that just isn't destined to be? I mean, Helene and Elias? NOPE. Maybe Helene and Harper now? I don't know.
Also, I just looooved the little slave kid's in Kauf (Tas and Bee) and then when Elias gives him one of the serric blades at the end? Super cute.
Professor Pink | Mrs. Bruce Wayne | I'm on a Goat | Glitterpuff | Dumbledore's Defense Squad | BHB
Quote:
Originally Posted by GD2204
OKAAAAY, so I just finished reading Book 2 and there was plenty that I loooved and one or two small things that kind of annoyed me but I'm scared to look back at all of your spoiler comments because I know some of y'all have finished book 3 and my copy comes tomorrow!!!!!!
SPOILER!!:
So first, the small thing that annoyed me. The overuse of the work Skies. I just...it annoyed me that it was used so much by so many of the characters. Is it used somewhere else in the world a lot and I'm just being blissfully stupid to it all of this time or is it just in the book? I don't know but I feel like it was used a lot.
Aaaaanyway, why do I always find myself rooting for the romance that just isn't destined to be? I mean, Helene and Elias? NOPE. Maybe Helene and Harper now? I don't know.
Also, I just looooved the little slave kid's in Kauf (Tas and Bee) and then when Elias gives him one of the serric blades at the end? Super cute.
The good news is, NONE of those spoilers are regarding Book 3! I just went back and checked what Ern and I were talking about, and it's all RE: Book 2, so feel free to join in our discussion.
Speaking of, I'm not sure if Ern and Nat have read Book 3 yet! BUT I HAVE! So I am eager to discuss whenever you finish reading your copy that comes tomorrow.
SPOILER!!: my spoiler reply to YOUR spoiler
LOL that's a fair annoyance! I think Skies! is their version of Merlin's Beard! LOL. I feel like this is something centaurs would say.
Same, same to both those. I'm still holding out hope for at least one of those pairings though... you'll have to read the next book to see what I mean (maybe).
__________________
yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________ __________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind
BOOMBAYAH! | #PuedoPorquePiensoQuePuedo | Certified Blank and Random Person | Raventastic
Yo guys.
A Sky Beyond the Storm is released today.
Just want to tell you that.
(still haven't managed to read this lol my bad)
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AT THE HOGWARTS YULE BALL, YOU'LL BE HANGING OUT WITH....__________________ It's a fairytale evening, and you want the entire event to be totally dazzling and
a real experience with the friendliest people around you.
Professor Pink | Mrs. Bruce Wayne | I'm on a Goat | Glitterpuff | Dumbledore's Defense Squad | BHB
Quote:
Originally Posted by RandomRaven
Yo guys.
A Sky Beyond the Storm is released today.
Just want to tell you that.
(still haven't managed to read this lol my bad)
I KNOW!
I just finished reading it a few days ago. When you guys read it, let me know your thoughts!
I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads.
__________________
yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________ __________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind
'An Ember in the Ashes Series' by Sabaa Tahir (Sa16+) [SPOILERS] 
you guys make me want to reread it so I can share all my thoughts. I really enjoyed it too. Just wait till you finish them all!
I'm obsessed. Please tell me your thoughts.
x7 
x8
I still low-key like the Nightbringer though; maybe even more than Cain? 
