A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

A Torch Against the Night

(Book 2 in An Ember in the Ashes series)

by Sabaa Tahir

464 pages

Published by Razorbill

Plot: Elias and Laia are on the run and trying to reach Laia's brother in Kauf prison before it's too late.  He is the hope for the resistance and their only chance to bring down the Empire. However, now that Helene is Blood Shrike, she is ordered to hunt down Elias and bring him back to Marcus, the new Emperor.  With Elias being poisoned even before he and Laia escape into the desert, their plan is doomed right from the start.  Laia's only hope is to keep Elias alive long enough to rescue her brother; otherwise, all they have planned and risked will have been for nothing.

Review: This sequel to An Ember in the Ashes does not disappoint!  Before escaping into the desert, Elias is poisoned by the Commandant -which hinders their journey significantly. They have to take a dangerous detour to get some medicine that will help Elias stop passing out from the poison.  With Helene hot on their trail, their journey becomes more and more difficult and dangerous.  Laia and Keenan are later reunited and you get to see if their romance continues or fizzles out. All I will say is - I did not see that one coming!  You'll know what I mean after you read the book! No spoilers here!  Story is told in the POV of Elias, Laia, and Helene, which was a great way to see into the minds of each character and understand their own personal conflicts.  Some very interesting plot twists towards the end that will make you eager for the next book in the series.  Recommend for the Y.A. audience. A clean read other than an implied sexual encounter between two characters.  No graphic descriptions. 

Rating: 4.5 Hearts!