An Ember in the Ashes (Unabridged‪)‬

Parts of this book is exciting, but then near the end, it seems to lose the action and get stuck in a loop. Basically first 4/5 of book is great, last 1/5 it slows like all the action is being saved for the next book. Decent characters, interesting for the most part. I listened to the audio book and the narration was decent, not great but able to be listened to without falling asleep or feeling like listening to nails on a chalkboard. Overall something perfect for a road trip but not with young children.

This series of audiobooks is perfect! Especially because it has so many narrators! Book one has Steve West (as Elias) and Fiona Hardingham (as Laia) and as the series goes on more narrators are added but never changed! The book is so compelling and action-packed that I literally listened to it for HOURS a day. You probably won’t press the “pause button” too often. I also love the complex characters! They’re not just copy-and-paste personalities like so many other novels, they’re thoroughly thought out and are properly executed. It’s a little violent, but it doesn’t bother me personally. I’d say the torture and killings of children is the only violence that I think went a little too far, even though it’s just a book. I understand it’s supposed to be a cruel world, but I just don’t like violence inflicted on children being used in entertainment. But other than that it’s absolutely fantastic! I HIGHLY recommend it if you like great series and great narrators! 10/10 💯

Narration: I love this book’s narrators (yup, there’s two)! At first, I thought the man’s voice was a little—I don’t know—hard to listen to. Mainly because his voice is very deep and kind of course, so it just wasn’t what I was used to when listening to audiobooks. However, after a couple chapters I’ve gotten used to it (even his attempts at feminine voices). The woman narrator’s voice adds to the character so much (even more so than the man’s), so I really enjoy listening to her chapters.

Story: A few chapters in, I was hooked. Every single scene keeps you on the edge of your seat. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop reading—or in this case, listening. When the characters’ fate intertwines it creates a chain of interesting chapters that reveal more of the characters. Unlike most books I’ve read, this one has a strong world foundation and allows the characters to grow gradually, but never boringly. The characters’ fears are relatable and realistic. They’re not unbelievably strong (mentally, at least). At one point (I won’t tell it precisely for spoiler reasons), I actually started to get mild anxiety while anticipating what would happen next. I’m quite glad this book doesn’t revolve around the romance aspect, like a few other fantasy books I’ve read. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, action-packed, edge-of-your-seat, (I should just say thriller) romance-filled, dramatic, violent, incredible world, evolving characters, intellectual book—this may be just the right thing.

My complaints: 1. One of the protagonists, Laiah (not sure if I spelled her name correctly), thinks of the same thing a little too often. 2. I know this is kind of inevitable but, when it switches POVs and the other protagonist (the one who’s not the POV in the chapter) the female narrator, for example, does the voice of the male narrator’s character. It’s not THAT big of a deal, but it’s kinda confusing sometimes. But I understand it’s unavoidable and it really doesn’t bother me THAT much. And that pretty much all.

Overall thoughts: TRY IT OUT! I know it’s expensive but it’s worth it! There’s really no other book to compare it to, but I’d say world-wise it’d be The Hunger Games because it’s cruel like that. But the plot is definitely COMPLETELY different. It’s not one of those books that’s trying to be another one—like so many I’ve seen trying be Harry Potter or The Hunger Games 🙄. Anyways, it’s a must-buy! Hope you enjoy it!