An Ember in the Ashes

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.

Claire's Review 5 of 5 Stars

Hmmm Where do I start? This book was AMAZING! I found myself drawn into the world of Laia and Elias, finding myself in tears over what Laia goes through and totally falling for Elias, and how he is different to the rest of the Masks.

I'm finding that writing this review without spoilers is really hard! All I want to say is go and read it! I guarantee you wont be disappointed, it had me gripped from start to finish! I cannot wait to see how this is translated to the big screen and will definitely be in the queue to see this in the cinema when it is released!

The only issue I had with this was the ending seemed to creep up very fast and by the last page, I found myself staring at the book and shouting 'NO, NO NO!!' I don't mind cliffhangers in general, but I need to know what happens here and this cliffhanger has driven me crazy! I cannot wait until the sequel is released!