This was cray. When I first saw the hype before the book was published, I really did not get the excitement that was surrounding this book. This was a typical plot line. Even after I have finished it, I would say it's one typical plot line. But it was goddamn refreshing. |
Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.
Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.
It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.
But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.
There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.
There's so many things I loved about this book. The writing. The characters. Laia was extremely relatable throughout the book and everything just flows oh so smoothly. Then, there's side characters we don't understand.To summarise: Helen. There are some times I really like her and there are some times I just want to strangle her.
"You're sick." I back away from her. "Don't you have any regret? Any remorse? Those were our friends we killed." |
There are times you don't really understand. Like the Augurs. You don't know if these creatures are insane or wise. Do they mean harm or good? You don't know their intentions.The friendship that Laia and Izzi share, the relationships, tension, Elia's attitude, personality, the mysteries of the Empire, the cruel doings, the side characters even, made me want more of this book. I have not read such a fantastic book for such a long time and this book just made me wanna fly through it.
This book leaves many questions. So much that I feel a sequel is necessary to explain all that. I'm asking for my fangirl heart to be toyed with but there had better be a sequel.
This book leaves many questions. So much that I feel a sequel is necessary to explain all that. I'm asking for my fangirl heart to be toyed with but there had better be a sequel.
"This life is not always what we think it will be," Cain says. "You are an ember in the ashes, Elias Veturius. You will spark and burn, ravage and destroy. You cannot change it. You cannot stop it." |