An Ember in the Ashes
a novel
Readers rate it 4.1 (661 on Hardcover)
470 pages · Released Apr 28, 2015 · Penguin
Content report card
What's inside
What it offers
Educational value
A note for parents
An Ember in the Ashes is a dark, emotionally intense dystopian fantasy inspired by ancient Rome that deals with themes of oppression, resistance, and moral complexity. The book contains significant violence including battle scenes and brutal military training, along with mature themes like slavery and authoritarianism; however, graphic gore is limited. It's best suited for mature teenagers who can handle morally gray characters and heavy subject matter, though the story offers meaningful messages about courage, choosing humanity, and hope amid darkness.
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From the publisher
BOOK ONE IN THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES • One of Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy and 100 Best YA Books of All Time • People's Choice Award winner • Bustle's Best Young Adult Book “This novel is a harrowing, haunting reminder of what it means to be human—and how hope might be kindled in the midst of oppressio... BOOK ONE IN THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES • One of Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy and 100 Best YA Books of All Time • People's Choice Award winner • Bustle's Best Young Adult Book “This novel is a harrowing, haunting reminder of what it means to be human—and how hope might be kindled in the midst of oppression and fear.” — The Washington Post The beloved and bestselling fantasy series that “glows, burns, and smolders.” (Huffington Post). 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. ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR FROM The Wall Street Journal • Buzzfeed • LA Weekly • Bustle • Paste Magazine • Indigo • Suspense Magazine • The New York Public Library • Popsugar • Hypable
Shelved under
- Young Adult Fiction
- A mix driven
- Strong Character Development
- Loveable Characters
- Diverse Characters
- Weak Character Development
- Unloveable Characters
- Not Diverse Characters
- Plot driven
- Character driven
- found family
- Adventurous
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ISBN 9781595148032 · Penguin