A Torch Against the Night: 2 (Ember in the Ashes)

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Along the way, the Commandant Keris Veturia—now Emperor Marcus's lieutenant—makes things more difficult by assigning a man named Avitas Harper to go along with Helene. Because I don't like using acronyms, and typing out the titles taking long, we will refer to them as book 1 and 2. I could not be more pleased with this series and cannot wait to find out what happens in the third book, and recent release, A Reaper at the Gates. Moreover, the fact that the majority of Elias and Laia’s arc took place on the road was rather tedious. While a lot of readers may find her struggles annoying, I found her growth to be realistic; after all, one simply does not transform into a soldier after years of living a sheltered and privileged life.

I felt like the first book talked about and promised a lot of horrors, but in this one it all comes to life. I loved how determined Elias was to help Laia save her brother, even though he was risking getting caught and never getting his freedom.

After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt Elias and Laia as they flee the city of Serra. here, in her new role as blood shrike - the sword that does the ruthless emperor's will, she really shines. They plan to head to Kauf prison, where they will attempt to free Darin, Laia's brother, who has been imprisoned there. I can’t believe how long it took me to read this book but I am so ready for the third book when it comes out! The world she built is rich, full of Asian based lore, creatures of immense power and ruthless games.

Hunted by Empire soldiers, manipulated by the Commandant, and haunted by their pasts, Laia and Elias must outfox their enemies and confront the treacherousness of their own hearts. you will yell at your favorite characters, laugh with their loved ones, and perhaps even shed a tear or two for a villain. Other things worth mentioning: the Aquilla family; Avitas Harper (omg you're gonna love him and I hope he plays a bigger part in the following books); KEENAN HOLY SHIT KEENAN; Izzzzzzyyyyyy; COOK; Shaeva (oh, sweetie); Afya, the most badass and honorable Zaldara ever; Elias with children around -- you're not up to it, I'm telling you. It is war and everyone is fighting for their own, and there are no rules or limits as to how they do it.In the city of Serra, Helene Aquilla finds herself bound to the will of the Empire's twisted new leader, Marcus. 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 . She is my least favorite character, for she is unbearably racist and classist, and I personally do not have the patience for characters who, even in adulthood, choose to ignore their internal prejudices.

For instance, when Elias makes the decision to help Laia succeed in her mission of saving her brother, he is at a difficult crossroads: how does he protect Laia without killing more people?

There, she spent her time devouring fantasy novels, raiding her brother’s comic book stash, and playing guitar badly. Almost from the first sentence, we are provided with an action-packed story that is simply bursting with magic. Regardless, there is a sort of redundancy in both Elias and Helene's POVs as they both battle their own demons.