As i keep remarking to people, all the best fun in Fantasy and Sci-Fi seems to be coming from the Young Adult Market. Not that I mind at all. Its just an interesting turn of events that after the mess of last year's Hugo Awards, the better writing is happening in a subgenre that is intended to be a little lighter on matters of world domination and more rollicking good adventure stories. 
 So I was highly amused that with An Ember in the Ashes Sabaa Tahir blows that condescending crap right the hell out of the water. 
 Ive seen a number of reviews commenting about the fact that Tahir's world is based on ancient Rome. It's sad that having fantasy worlds set in societies not based in Western Europe still requires commentary, but there it is. Whats better is the way Ember takes on the big questions of government that few are talking about post-Vietnam war. When does training become brainwashing. How much does one really owe one's government. Is a peaceful society a good society. What is the nature of loyalty, and when is it wrong to give it. 
 And all wrapped up in an epic spy adventure. How could it miss? Pick this one up, and you'll fight the kids for its sequel next fall.