An Ember in the Ashes is a young adult fantasy written by Sabaa Tahir and published in April, 2015.

The novel is one of the best novels of 2015:

NSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTELLER
AMAZON’S BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF 2015
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD WINNER – FAVORITE FANTASY
BUSTLE’S BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF 2015

This novel is a double narrative, but what really works well for me is the contrasting parallel plots.

♥♥♥

How does the story work?

Each chapter is dedicated to a main character in alternance.

When it’s Elias Veturius who speaks, we hear the voice of a Mask soldier who was raised most of his life at BlackCliff Academy, a place where merciless killers are made.

When it’s Laia talking, we hear the voice of a young inexperienced girl forced to spy on the Masks to save her brother Darin.

Both characters live under the same roof and rarely leave the Academy, and both want out but cannot escape the whirlpool of their destiny pulling them under.

Even if they are destined to love each other, Laia and Elias are two opposite forces that will clash along the way in subsequent books as their foretold destinies prove it: “You are an ember in the ashes, Elias Veturius. You will spark and burn, ravage and destroy. You cannot change it.” “You are full, Laia. Full of life and dark and strength and spirit. You are in our dreams. You will burn, for you are an ember in the ashes.”

Because the story mostly happens between the walls at BlackCliff, it is mostly centered around these two characters and do not treat the political and social situation. The focus is personal, intimate, and a good look into the souls of two struggling individuals.

Elias is struggling against his doubts while Laia is struggling against her fears.

He wants his freedom while she wants the freedom for someone else.

He is a prisoner while she imprisoned herself by accepting to become a slave.

The dual voice or dual POV (Point of View) is treated like two different stories that would not cross unless a romantic element drew both characters toward each other. Both plots are weaved together like the laces on a shoe with the romantic encounters being the part where the laces meet. There is a smudge of Romeo and Juliet and a smudge of Spartacus.

 

But the romance is not the focus of the book because it’s hard to not grind our teeth at the unfairness of their lives and what they both have to do to survive.

The parallel plots work in harmony in the sense that both heroes have the same aspirations and go through a huge character arc.

But both characters contrast hugely with each other. Ultimately, while Elias is at the verge of losing his soul, Laia grows a new one. “You have a soul [Elias]. It’s damaged but it’s there. Don’t let them take it from you.” “When the fear takes over [Laia], use the only thing more powerful, more indestructible to fight it: your spirit. Your heart.”

Ultimately, if Elias rescues Laia physically throughout the story, she rescues his soul. What’s not to love? With this contrasting parallel plot, the quill of the author dipped deep inside the human soul. A formative read.

♥♥♥

If you have enjoyed this article, visit Sussu Leclerc on her blog Novel Without Further Ado for more articles, and follow her on Twitter. Thanks.