Originally posted on my blog, With Her Head in a Book. 
 Even though my rating isn't five stars, there isn't anything bad about this book! I truly like this book and blew through it. It's a story all of my YA-reading friends have loved. It's a novel I have been dying to read since the release, yet haven't until just now. The massive hype did slightly worry me, but I ultimately had nothing to worry about. Of all times, now is the time to read An Ember in the Ashes, because YALLWEST is coming up and the author, Sabaa Tahir, will be at the book festival! There is no better time. 
 Sabaa Tahir writes an easy-to-follow story. Despite this being the first in the series, I instantly knew what this world was like. There are some similarities between our world and theirs. Not so much that it seems unoriginal, but enough to make it relatable. It's not the fastest plot, which usually bothers me, but the plot is so strongly written that I couldn't wait to read chapter after chapter. An Ember in the Ashes is filled with amazing characters, a detailed setting, and enough action and twists to keep you guessing. 
 Laia and Elias make an interesting pair. While it's typical to expect romance in a fantasy YA novel, their relationship is not what I was expecting. They're also very complex, well developed characters, as are all other side characters. Laia is thrown on an impossible mission, but takes the challenge without complaint. More than anything else, she loves her brother and will fight tooth and nail to save him. She wasn't always so strong and courageous, though, which makes her very relatable. Elias (gosh I love that name) on the other hand questions the life he's been forced into. His spirit makes him so likable. Elias has become one of my favorite book boyfriends. 
 There are trials being conducted throughout the novel, where the contestants must win or be killed. While the trials were interesting, they were over before I knew it. The novel isn't only about the trials, so it makes sense they aren't heavily focused on, but I still wish more had happened. The first trial is definitely my favorite. Another topic only slightly touched upon is the supernatural. They exist in "the shadows" of the novel, crawling out of the binding in the pages (figuratively), lurking on the sidelines, waiting to make their big appearance. I hope to see more in the next novel. 
 The novel probably could have been written as a standalone, but I'm so glad there will be more in the series. This is a world I want to come back to again and again. 
 Plot: 5/5 
 Characters: 4/5 
 Writing Style: 4/5 
 Total: 4/5