An Ember in the Ashes

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir is a gripping young adult fantasy novel set in a brutal empire inspired by ancient Rome, where the oppressed Scholars endure subjugation under the ruthless Martial rulers. The story alternates between Laia, a Scholar girl who infiltrates a notorious military academy as a slave to spy for the Resistance in exchange for rescuing her imprisoned brother, and Elias, a skilled soldier grappling with his conscience amid deadly trials to determine the empire’s future leaders. Their paths collide in a tale of rebellion, destiny, and moral ambiguity, blending intense action, vivid world-building, and themes of freedom and oppression.