AN EMBER IN THE ASHES BY SABAA TAHIR | booktalk with XTINEMAY

I LOVED THIS BOOK LET'S TALK ABOUT IT OH MAN. OH MAN.
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[jennawirtz]

The augurs reminded me of the silence brothers from TMI. Am I the only one?

[somanyfangirlfeels]

I have this crazy theory about the Augurs, but I have evidence. First off, when Helene was hurt we found out that all the Augurs had this mental link, meaning the woman Augur could not have helped Laia without the other ones knowing. Also, the last trial was solely for Elias. It didn't test anyone else's loyalty. I think that it wasn't to see if he would kill her, but if he would protect her. Also, at one point one of the Augurs said something about restoring balance. So, here is my theory. The Augurs are working against the empire to help the scholars because right now the 'balance is off' and Laia and Elias are the people that will lead the rebellion.

[anna--emilia]

I love that you can always count on a xtinemay booktalk to refresh your memory when you have literally forgotten everything ;) on to book 2!

[jessethereader]

YOU SERIOUSLY HAVE ME SO EXCITED TO READ THIS. SO EXCITE AHHHH

[angelyntor]

At first I didn't like Helene, but now I realize that she is a pretty awesome kickass character and I didn't like her because I don't ship her and Elias. I totally agree about the kiss not happening, I feel like we need to know how Elias would feel about her once they crossed that line. And nope, don't ship Keenan and Laia either.

[jonathan]

I know that this is a really old video. But I just read Ember this year. And I have a theory.

I think that Cook is Laia's mom! Cook is the Lioness! What better way to humiliate the Resistance than to kill the Lioness' husband and then enslave her? I think that is why Cook always stutters when talking about the Lioness. Because she is the Lioness.

That is my theory!

[guppy]

That third trial psyched me out so much OTL it like physically scarred me for the rest of the book because of how brutal that was

[Callmekatielee]

I'm glad everyone seems to have loved this book as much as a I did (And want more like I did. Why couldn't it have been longer!...). At the beginning, I got major "Legend" vibes, with the duo point of views and even the character roles (except the genders were swapped). However, it morphed into something completely different.

I loved the parts with Elias and Helene fighting back- to- back during the Trials. Totally brought me back to the good old Percy Jackson sword fighting days (Seriously, I think they became Percy and Annabeth for a second there).

I can't wait to see where this story goes!

[katiem]

Love your videos! Every single one of them. I've been in a book slump for about a month I'm going crazy!

[amberkashif]

OMG when Laia n Elias were stuck together in his room, n they kissed OMGDJEUBDEKWUYGQOFa KILL ME! I WANTED MORE!!!;)

[squishy]

for the tattoo, my theory is that maybe she adds another letter for every mistake she makes, so she will never forget it.

[Allkpopcrazylover]

I feel like I'm the only one who couldn't stand Helene at all, everyone loves her but I had such a massive problem with everything she did and it was just very aggravating for me to read about her.

[nj]

I don't get those Augurs. I mean, where the HECK do their loyalties lie? Are they loyal to the Empire?? Or Laia and Elias?? Or the Commandant? I mean what the hell is going on with those dudes man?! They just know stuff but act all cryptic and shit about it and then pull all sorts of unexpected stuff

[chloeelizabeth]

My absolute fave character is Elias!! He is just so amazing and so sweet. I think the masks kind of teach you how to be ruthless and not show emotion while doing horrible things to other people. I just love how Elias' mask hasn't melded with him because it shows that he can't kill and be ruthless like all the others. It shows that he is a kind, caring person. I'm done now... #Elia (Elias & Laia)

[kayleighryan]

For the most part I loved this book! There were a couple 'eeehhhh' things about it for me though..

1) If you are triggered by mentions of rape and sexual violence PLEASE DON'T READ THIS BOOK. I understand Sabaa Tahir used it to emphasize how horrible this society is but I just did not like how Laia was constantly a target for this because of how pretty she is. It's not like this was a one-time event either (yes, she was never raped but it was threatened on MULTIPLE occasions). I guess what I'm saying is that she could've found a better way to establish the setting without using rape as a plot device. 

2) I don't really ship anything. I LOVE shipping and think it's really fun, but I just couldn't find myself feeling strongly about any pairing. Part of it is because I didn't feel like Laia or Elias even had strong romantic feelings for anyone. I didn't like how the two kept flip flopping between who they liked, and the constant switching made their feelings not feel real in either direciton. 

Other than these things, this book was beautifully written and kept me on the edge of my seat! I'd compare this series sort of to the Throne of Glass series (which is SO AWESOME too) and you should really pick up a copy if you liked that book series.

[Kaitome]

#ELIA ALL THE WAY. I also really like the idea of Keenan and Izzi.

And just a thought but I really wish that (what seems to be) Zak's feelings for Helene were addressed somehow! Poor Zak, he was so sweet... I also really hope that Elias' dad is revealed sometime, if there's another book!!

Thanks for doing these book talks, you always point out things I don't notice or think about, it's refreshing!

I JUST LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH ♡♡

[electricharps]

AHH I loved this book so much! I like hearing all your crazy theories too, ahah

As for Helene getting her singing/healing powers: it's partly explained with the legend that when someone who has the potential to be a healer comes into contact with a supernatural being (which Helene did a few moments before saving Elias)!

[kyanaalexiss]

IDK OMG like...should I ship Elias and Laia because he was so protective...but then Keenan had a connection

[michellevyanca]

Christine, your makeup and wardrobe in this video are on point!!

[achapterahead]

refreshing my memory real quick before I start torch. I'm already excited for book three