September First Book In A Series BOTM - An Ember in the Ashes, by Sabaa Tahir

[Felicia]

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

[Shorouk]

15%
(view spoiler)[I liked the characters directly . I am curious about this world and how the two main characters will come together.The part of the Augur scared me alot. This reading of his mind was weird. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

UGH I'VE READ THIS SO MANY TIMES.

[Shorouk]

34%
(view spoiler)[ The story is very interesting . I am more invested in Alias's story. I think I will Like his character to the end . I am in the beginning of the trails but I could that it would grab my attention .I appreciate all the mentions of the Arabic names in the story (hide spoiler)]

[Shorouk]

77%
(view spoiler)[The characters in this story grew on me . I love Elias,Kennan,Izzy and laia. I hate the Commandant and Marcus . They are alive for me . I am interested to see what's coming.The story is getting more complex. (hide spoiler)]

The ending
(view spoiler)[This was a very good read. I cried in the forth trial.I liked the characters more. I am interested to see what will happen next. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Alaina wrote: "UGH I'VE READ THIS SO MANY TIMES."

Dude right hahaha. Where was this last month

[Erica]

25% (view spoiler)[ I cannot believe Laia is going in as a slave to try and save her brother and yet thinks she is weak. I wonder if Elias is going to be the next emperor. I assume that their paths will cross at some point so anticipating that (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Andrea wrote: "Alaina wrote: "UGH I'VE READ THIS SO MANY TIMES."

Dude right hahaha. Where was this last month"

we should've waited hahaha

[Felicia]

Poo. I need to read this.

[Erica]

50% (view spoiler)[ ugh I cannot stand Elias's mother! What kind of person wants their child killed. And maybe it will be something between Helene and him and not him and Laia. Now that theyre in their 2nd trial I can also see to what length the others will go to try and stop them. Laia I hope is making a positive progress with Teluman, only time will tell. (hide spoiler)]

[Erica]

75% (view spoiler)[ I cannot believe that he didnt go and kiss her after she proclaimed her love for him!! Him and Laia cannot be together, but him and Helene would be a power couple. I cannot wait until the 3rd trial is finished to see who wins and where they stand in ratings after 3. (hide spoiler)]

[Erica]

100% (view spoiler)[ I cannot believe they are both alive! When I thought they could never be together I was clearly mistaken. I cannot wait until I read the next book to find out what happens next. So upset Marcus won grrrr I hate him and Elias's mother SO much (hide spoiler)]