Elias and Laia are running for their lives.
After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.
Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.
But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike
Bound to Marcus’s will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape…and kill them both.
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My Review Of Torch Against The Night
A Torch Against The Night is the second installment in the An Ember In The Ashes Quartet, and I was not disappointed. This book was fast-paced and never dragged, making it easy to read. I’ve fallen in love with the main three characters, each bringing a different dynamic to the story. The suspense that was built up from the start was fantastic. I loved adding Helene’s POV; I think she brings an important perspective to the reader.
What I Loved About Torch Against The Night
Characters: I love these characters. Sabaa does a fantastic job portraying their motivations and conflicts. Even if the chapter is not from their point of view, you still know what they’re feeling and thinking and their internal conflicts. I thought it might be hard to switch over to Helene’s POV, but I enjoyed it and ended up connecting with her instantly.
Suspense: I loved how the writing builds suspense throughout the book. I think it’s really smart that Sabaa writes the chapters in different POVs. It adds this layer of suspense because you always want to get back to the other characters to see what’s going on or if they’re okay.
Villains: I loved how villains were written in this book because they sit in a grey area. You understand their conflicts, motivations, and where they’re coming from. They’re written in such a way that you only know what they’re up to once they’re doing it, taking you by surprise.
Unpredictability: This book keeps you guessing and turning the page to discover what happens. Not everything works out 100% right all the time, and that’s a breath of fresh air.
Would I Recommend A Torch Against The Night?
Yes, I feel this book and series will be my favourite this year. The characters and their dynamics are unmatched. I already picked up A Reaper At The Gates and will review it soon. If you love fantasy with plot and character driven writing, you’ll love this book.
About Sabaa Tahir
A professional author since 2015 and a journalist before that, Sabaa’s books have sold more than a million copies, are New York Times and international bestsellers, and have been honored by TIME Magazine on a list of the 100 best fantasy books of all time. Her book All My Rage won the 2022 National Book Award, the Printz Medal and the Boston Globe Horn Book Award. Her work has appeared on many best book lists including: Amazon, Buzzfeed, The New York Public Library, Indigo, Barnes & Noble, Hypable, Paste, Bustle, LA Weekly, The Wall Street Journal, TIME and Entertainment Weekly.
