A TORCH AGAINST THE NIGHT BY SABAA TAHIR // spoiler-free book review: yes you are reading that right and i’m mentally unwell about this series

You know that scene about 84 years in Titanic? Fun fact: that scene was originally filmed about me.

But please do join me in this pinch me moment because I READ THIS DAMN BOOK AFTER 84 YEARS AND I’M HERE TO CRY ABOUT IT…

But first, please take a moment to admire the journal spread I made last year about this series!

Title: A Torch Against The Night
Series: Ember quartet book #2
Author: Sabaa Tahir
Page count: 454
Date published: 8 September 2016
Genre: Young adult epic fantasy

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Synopsis:

Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.

Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.

But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike.

Bound to Marcus’s will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape…and kill them both.

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STAR RATING: (5 out of 5 stars)

Jesus Christ, it only took me 50 bajillion years to finally read this book, but boy was I proud of myself; my ego was through the roof. But also, as expected, this book ruined me as the rest of the series continued to do. Some may agree that my caution was well warranted.

Also very stupid of me to leave doing these reviews so late because my brain has malfunctioned, but I will try my best to do this series justice.

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AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Can I end now? I think I’ve conveyed everything appropriate to say, right?

Okay, fine, I’ll be serious. We’ll start with world-building. Because I was wholly shocked that I could keep up with a high fantasy book in 2025, but all credit to Sabaa because she’s a genius. This world is inspired by the Roman Empire, but set in the desert, and wowee was I taken right there ito this non-existent world. It’s simultaneously beautiful and terrifying.

This leads us to the writing — simple and oh-so powerful. This book in particular, holds space for describing the world itself, which I really loved; it really takes its time going into the details of its surroundings and lore. A masterclass in YA fantasy tbh.

Also, you’ll have to wait for my review of book three for more thoughts on the extra POV which was introduced in this book, because I swear I have them, but just be patient. What I can say now is that going between each of their perspectives was effortless; never are we confused with whose head we are in, which is the greatest difficulty in multi-POV writing.

Elias will always be my baby child. This soft giant deserves a big forehead kiss, and I am more than willing to give one. Laia is lowkey a grower. I’ve always loved her, but she goes on a journey throughout the books, which was a spectacle to watch. Helene is… well, Helene. We’ll get into her.

Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about the last book where all my babies are safe and sound and nothing too tragic is happening to them… Oh wait. I mean, to a degree, I’m right?

The romantic chemistry between Elias and Laia? Electric as always. Obsessed with them. One of the best lines in the series is in this book, FREAKING KILL ME NOW I WANT TO WEEP ABOUT IT. The books have all blurred ngl, so let’s head on into my next review *smirk*

Not kidding, come back tomorrow for more!!!

 “So long as you fight the darkness, you stand in the light.”

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“Your emotions make you human. Even the unpleasant ones have a purpose. Don’t lock them away. If you ignore them, they just get louder and angrier.”

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“Elias and Laia are each other’s countermelodies. I am just a dissonant note.”

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“The stars are so different when you’re free.”

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“But a part of me wants to fling the cloak off and put Elias’s back on. I know I’m acting the fool, but somehow Elias’s cloak made me feel good. Perhaps because more than reminding me of him, it reminded me of who I was around him. Braver. Stronger. Flawed, certainly, but unafraid. I miss that girl. That Laia. That version of myself that burned brightest when Elias Veturius was near. The Laia who made mistakes. The Laia whose mistakes led to needless death. How could I forget?”

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“Perhaps grief is like battle: After experiencing enough of it, your body’s instincts take over. When you see it closing in like a Martial death squad, you harden your insides. You prepare for the agony of a shredded heart. And when it hits, it hurts, but not as badly, because you have locked away your weakness, and all that’s left is anger and strength.”

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“Most people,” Cain says, “are nothing but glimmers in the great darkness of time. But you, Helene Aquilla, are no swift-burning spark. You are a torch against the night — if you dare to let yourself burn.”

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“You are my temple”, I murmur as I kneel beside her. “You are my priest. You are my prayer. You are my release.”

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HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK? OR STARTED THIS SERIES? WHAT DID YOU THINK? WHO’S YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER? I’D LOVE TO KNOW