Book Review: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Dual POV | YA Romantasy | Clean, Dark Romance Themes

If you're a fan of slow-burning tension, richly imagined worlds, and star-crossed lovers trying very hard not to fall for each other, buckle up—An Ember in the Ashes might be your next YA obsession.

This first-in-series by Sabaa Tahir delivers a gritty, emotionally charged story with all the elements we love in romantasy—danger, betrayal, forbidden love, and hope against all odds. And though it feels a bit like a dystopian at times, it’s 100% fantasy—with desert landscapes, ancient prophecies, and a brutal military empire that rules with an iron fist.

Quick Synopsis (No Major Spoilers!)

In the Martial Empire, fear rules—and mercy is weakness.

Laia is a Scholar, one of the oppressed people living under Martial rule. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a desperate deal with the resistance: spy for them inside the empire’s most brutal military academy in exchange for their help.

Enter Elias, the Empire’s most promising soldier—and also its most reluctant. Trapped in a life he never chose, Elias is secretly planning his escape. But when his path crosses with Laia’s, everything changes. What begins as a battle for survival slowly becomes a deeper journey—for both of them.

Will they fight for freedom…or become the monsters they were trained to be?

Tropes & Themes We Love:

• Enemies-to-lovers (with very high stakes)

• Slow burn romance 🔥

• Dual POV (Laia & Elias, we see you 👀)

• Rebellion against a corrupt empire

• Weak female lead discovering her inner strength + emotionally wounded male warrior

• Found courage, moral dilemmas, and glimmers of hope

• Clean romance with dark, intense undertones

• Slavery, resistance, and the high cost of freedom

  
  

Let’s Talk Romance

This is not a “kissing on every page” kind of romance. (If that’s what you’re looking for, adjust expectations accordingly!) What you will get is a slow, steady burn between two characters who are deeply shaped by their trauma, their responsibilities, and the oppressive world they live in.

Laia and Elias don’t fall in love at first sight—in fact, they barely trust each other. But Sabaa Tahir masterfully weaves their emotional connection through glances, shared pain, and tiny moments of vulnerability. It’s clean romance with dark romance stakes, and the tension is chef’s kiss.

Bonus: There’s even a hint of a love triangle for both characters. 😏

Image Sourced from Pinterest; Artist Unkown

Story Pacing & Writing Style

Tahir’s writing is accessible, clean, and emotionally rich. The pacing is slower in the first half—think careful worldbuilding, character development, and rising tension—but around the 50% mark, things start to race. Expect action-packed scenes, high-stakes decisions, and a finale that’ll leave you scrambling for book two (A Torch Against the Night).

Perfect for readers who love a payoff that’s earned.

Who This Book Is For:

• YA romance lovers who like their stories intense but not explicit

• Readers who love romantasy with a darker edge

• Fans of clean romance where the emotional depth shines through

• Hopeless romantics who crave slow burn + emotional payoff

• Anyone who enjoys dual POVs with complex, morally gray characters

• Fans of series like Throne of Glass, The Winner’s Curse, or Legend

Who Might Not Love It:

• Readers who want a fast-paced start—this one simmers before it explodes

• Fans of fluffy romance—this is heavy with war, trauma, and emotional stakes

• Anyone uncomfortable with depictions of violence, slavery, or oppression

• Those expecting a true dystopian—this is fantasy with dystopic vibes, not sci-fi

An Ember in the Ashes: Final Thoughts

An Ember in the Ashes is a must-read for fans of YA romance and romantasy who love deep worldbuilding, layered characters, and that slow, irresistible burn between two souls who just might save (or destroy) each other.

It’s dark, it’s hopeful, it’s beautifully written—and it’s only the beginning of an unforgettable four-book journey.

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