Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes is a gripping fantasy set in a brutal, Rome-inspired empire. A soldier and a slave – bound by a single fateful choice – find their lives entwined as rebellion stirs against a ruthless regime.
Get the An Ember in the Ashes Audiobook on AmazonListen on Audible · also in Kindle & printWhat An Ember in the Ashes is about
An Ember in the Ashes alternates between Laia, a young woman from an oppressed people who becomes a spy to save her imprisoned brother, and Elias, an elite soldier of the Martial Empire who longs to be free of its cruelty. Their paths cross within the empire’s harsh military academy.
As both are forced into impossible choices, their fates become increasingly linked amid danger, intrigue, and the spark of resistance. Told in dual perspectives, it’s a tense, fast-moving fantasy about oppression, courage, loyalty, and the price of freedom.
| Author | Sabaa Tahir |
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Why An Ember in the Ashes is great on audio
The alternating Laia and Elias chapters come through well on audio, building tension from both sides of the story. The An Ember in the Ashes audiobook is an immersive, propulsive listen.
Who should listen
For readers who love high-stakes YA fantasy, dual perspectives, and oppressive-empire settings. It depicts violence and cruelty, so it suits older teens and up.
If you like An Ember in the Ashes, listen to these next
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
- Divergent by Veronica Roth
- One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
How to listen to An Ember in the Ashes
An Ember in the Ashes is available on Audible and Amazon. If you’re new to Audible you can listen with a free trial, or buy the audiobook (also in Kindle and print) on Amazon.
Get the An Ember in the Ashes Audiobook on AmazonListen on Audible · also in Kindle & printFrequently asked questions
Is it part of a series?
Yes – it’s the first book in Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes series.
How can I listen to the audiobook?
It’s available on Audible and Amazon. New Audible members can start with a free trial, or buy it on Amazon.
Whose perspectives is it told from?
It alternates between Laia, a spy, and Elias, a soldier – a dual structure that’s part of the novel itself.
Is it a dark fantasy?
It’s set in a brutal empire and includes violence and oppression, so expect some dark, tense material.

