Make no mistake I loved A Torch Against the Night but I also raged pretty hard at some parts of the book. I love a story that can get me that involved that I’m angry and yelling at the characters. This installment had a great pace and I even had to set it down after reading the first thirty pages because I felt stressed out.Title: A Torch Against the Night
Author: Sabaa Tahir
Published August 30th 2016 by Razorbil
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.
Okay I have to tell you my frustrations come in the form of Laia. I have to say in Ember I was kind of torn about her. I really liked how her character developed and felt more connected to her towards the end. In A Torch Against the Night I want to slap her multiple times. As my love for Elias grew my aggravation with Laia did too. Her actions seem to cause a lot of other people having to make sacrifices but she herself was not making any. I mean in reality what does Laia have to lose besides her life at this point. Her main goal is to save her brother which in theory is a noble cause but she seems more driven by guilt. Ugh just some of things she does...ugh.
Elias oh Elias. He was the light of my life in this book. Everything he was doing just made me like him more. I was also heartbroken over the some of the the things he has to go through. It’s hard to really say much about Elias without giving anything away but I can tell you...oh I just want him to come out on top of this whole deal. Rule the world or something.
Helene is another character that I’ve been torn about it. I like her, I don’t like her, I’m like seriously what are you doing. I have to say though her commitment to her duty is admirable and her love for her family is strong. She is one of those characters that are hard to pinpoint your feelings on until the end.
I really liked Harper. What an interesting addition and I like he takes on more of a front and center role. He’s definitely someone who intrigues me and adds to the story.
The other side characters are great and all have their roles to play.
I loved everything about this plot and the way this book gave me the feels. Not necessarily good feels all the time but that’s okay because I was completely absorbed. Just thinking about it makes me want to read it again.
Wow two more books hugh. I have to say the plot is pretty amazing so far and I can’t wait to see where it’s going. I’ve got my theories and I’m interested to see how it all fits together. For me this was a really great read. I don’t know how I’m supposed to wait for the next book. How..how!
