an-ember-in-the-ashes

4 Stars. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series. The Martial Empire conquered the Scholars and rule them harshly. Even minor infractions are met with death. Laia’s parents were leaders of the Resistance and were killed. She and her brother Darin live with their grandparents, until one night soldiers arrest Darin for treason, killing their grandparents. Laia runs for her life and stumbles on Resistance fighters as she flees. She begs them to free Darin. The Resistance agrees, but only if she’ll sneak into the soldier’s training academy as a slave and spy for them.

At the school she meets Elias, top of his class and son of the school’s commandant. Elias is not what he seems, however, and dreams of escaping his duties and the Empire itself. The story takes off from there, with plenty of action and intrigue. The story is interesting, there are plenty of characters to love and hate and the action is fast paced.

I had a great time reading this book. I found myself staying up very late at night because I couldn’t put it down. That’s the sign of a good book. 🙂