Saaba Tahir cemented her popularity as a writer upon releasing her debut novel, An Ember in the Ashes.
An instant New York Times bestselling book and countlessly praised by readers, it quickly took the world by storm, earning countless accolades—including a spot on Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time.
If you’re eager to embark on the An Ember in the Ashes series and discover the militaristic dystopia of the Martial Empire, you’re in luck—here is everything you need to know before getting started.
1. Overview of the An Ember in the Ashes Series
The An Ember in the Ashes series is a young adult series set in a world heavily inspired by Ancient Rome. Genre-wise, it’s a fantasy romance narrative with heavy dystopian elements, written in a dual first-person point of view, alternating between both protagonists.
Laia and Elias live subjugated by the Martial Empire, although in vastly different ways.
Laia lives with her family in the slums of the Empire, struggling to survive and seeking to avoid trouble—until Laia’s brother is arrested for treason. Desperate to rescue him, Laia strikes a deal with the rebels: she will infiltrate the Empire’s military academy in exchange for their help saving her brother.
There, Laia meets Elias—the campus’ most exceptionally talented soldier, who secretly questions the tyranny and yearns to be free from his duty.
This fated meeting will change the future—theirs, and the Empire they defy.
2. An Ember in the Ashes: The World
The world Laia and Elias live in is heavily inspired by Ancient Rome’s customs and way of life, featuring fantasy elements that give the characters supernatural abilities.
Five centuries before the main story, the Martial clans conquered the Scholar Empire, establishing themselves as the Martial Empire and subjugating the Scholars as second-class citizens, often slaves or poverty-stricken.
As the name indicates, the Martial Empire is heavily militaristic, relying on Blackcliff Academy to train its most efficient soldiers. Children are taken from their families at six years old to be taught at Blackcliff for 14 years, and one of them will become the future Emperor.
However, the Martial Empire is not without challengers—and a Resistance, made up primarily of Scholars, prepares to strike back.
The world is also inhabited by efrits—fey creatures that can awaken magic in humans, giving some of them certain exclusive abilities that they can command.
3. An Ember in the Ashes: The Characters
The An Ember in the Ashes series has a vast cast of characters, but the story is centered on its protagonists, Laia and Elias.
Laia is a young woman living with her grandparents and brother in the slums of the Martial Empire. As a Scholar, she is deemed a second-class citizen and lives in the most abject poverty while avoiding trouble with the Empire. However, when her brother gets captured and sentenced, she becomes a spy for the Resistance.
Elias is an exceptionally talented soldier—and a candidate to become the next Emperor. However, behind his militaristic prowess lies a questioning mind that doubts the Empire and yearns for freedom. Despite this, he feels trapped as the heir of one of the Empire’s most prestigious families and the son of the Commandant of Blackcliff.
Surrounding them are a cast of colorful characters, including Helene Aquilla—Blackcliff’s only female student and Elias’ best friend who years for his affections, and Keenan, the Resistance’s stoic second-in-command who seems to grow a certain tenderness for Laia.
4. Books of the An Ember In The Ashes Series in Order
Book #1: An Ember in the Ashes
Freedom is a mere illusion in the Martial Empire, where defiance’s punishment is swift death, and everyone’s bodies, minds, and souls belong to the Emperor.
Laia and Elias are both captives of the Empire, although in vastly different ways. Laia is a Scholar and, thus, a slave deemed less than human. Elias is a soldier, taken from his home at six years old to serve the Empire without a choice.
However, when Laia infiltrates the Empire’s greatest military academy to help save her captured brother, her life and Elias’ intersect, twist, and turn—and it may be the perfect recipe for escaping the Empire, reaching freedom, and changing history.
Book #2: A Torch Against the Night
The second book of the An Ember in the Ashes series continues directly after the first one, so beware of potential spoilers for the previous entries from this point onwards.
After the events of the Fourth Trial, Elias and Laia are on the run. Martial soldiers chase after them as they venture into Kauf—the Empire’s most dangerous prison and the place where Laia’s brother is captive.
But freeing him and saving the Scholar population won’t be easy. To make matters worse, they are being ruthlessly chased by the new Emperor, the Commandant, the warden of Kauf, and Helene herself—bound by the heartbreaking duty to capture and execute the traitors.
Book #3: A Reaper at the Gates
Once again, beware of spoilers for the previous entries in the An Ember in the Ashes series.
The foundations of the Martial Empire are shaking and threatening to collapse, and war is brewing inside and outside its borders. Inside, Helene desperately tries to protect her sister against the unstable Emperor and the power-hungry Commandant.
Outside of the intrigue, Laia knows the real danger lurking behind: the Nightbringer. But stopping him will not be easy—even less so without help.
On his own, Elias gave up the only thing he ever wanted: freedom. Now, as the Soul Catcher, he is bound to ancient powers that will make him forget everything, including Laia.
Book #4: A Sky Beyond the Storm
Set a few months after the events of A Reaper at the Gates, A Sky Beyond the Storm is the last book of the series. This summary, therefore, also spoils the previous three books.
Chaos has finally settled, and war is the only option. The jinn are finally free, destroying everything on their path as the Nightbringer sets on bloody revenge against humanity.
Meanwhile, the new Empress of the Empire seeks vengeance against the Blood Shrike and what’s left of her family. Helena and Laia, now together, grieve and move forward to save what they have left—and Laia discovers the unlimited power that may save or doom them all.
The Soul Catcher, meanwhile, struggles between his duty and his love. But he upholds his oath and, moving forward, takes on one last mission.
5. Supplementary Books in the An Ember in the Ashes Series
While the core An Ember in the Ash series consists of four books, the universe created by the author continues to expand.
There are two prequel graphic novel series, with a third one to come soon. Beautifully illustrated, they showcase the main characters’ lives and adventures before the start of the main series. A Thief Among the Trees stars Elias, Helene, and Tavi as they are sent on a dangerous mission, while A Spark Within the Forge focuses on Laia and her brother Darin.
But Tahir seeks to grow the worldbuilding even further. Her book Heir is set in the same universe, yet follows an entirely new set of characters.
6. Who Should Read the An Ember in the Ashes series?
With its mixture of fantasy, romance, and historically inspired worldbuilding, An Ember in the Ashes is a perfect read for YA fans seeking a thrilling adventure and tragic romance amid a dystopic hellscape.
If you’d like more romantasy books, don’t forget to check out the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. However, if you’d prefer something darker, take a look at the 17 best dark fantasy books.
