Book 2 of 4 in An Ember in the Ashes
A Torch Against the Night
by Sabaa Tahir
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.
Sabaa Tahir grew up in California's Mojave Desert at her family's eighteen-room motel. There, she spent her time devouring fantasy novels, raiding her brother's comic book stash, and playing guitar badly. She began writing An Ember in the Ashes while working nights as a newspaper editor. She likes thunderous indie rock, garish socks, and all things nerd. Sabaa currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.
- Spice
- 1/5
- Burn
- Slow
- Pages
- ~460
- Ending
- Cliffy
Cliffy means it ends on a cliffhanger, mid-story.
Cliffhanger, but Book 3 is already out.
How spicy is A Torch Against the Night?
A Torch Against the Night is a 1 out of 5 on our spice scale: sweet (kisses only). Kissing, longing looks, maybe a fade-to-black. Nothing on the page.
- Steam: Glimpses and kisses
- Burn: Slow burn
- Pairing: One man, one woman
- POV: Multiple POVs
- Ending: Cliffhanger
Content warnings
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Show 8 content warnings
- Sexual assault
- Torture
- Murder
- Mental illness / anxiety / depression
- Manipulation / gaslighting
- War
- Graphic violence
- Death of a loved one
Our editorial notes, which may be incomplete. If something is a hard limit for you, check the author's own content notes too.
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A Torch Against the Night: quick answers
How spicy is A Torch Against the Night?
A Torch Against the Night is a 1 out of 5 on our spice scale: sweet (kisses only). Kissing, longing looks, maybe a fade-to-black. Nothing on the page.
Is A Torch Against the Night a standalone?
No. A Torch Against the Night is book 2 of 4 in An Ember in the Ashes. Start with An Ember in the Ashes. The series is complete.
What tropes are in A Torch Against the Night?
A Torch Against the Night features love triangle, badass heroine, road trip / vacation. It is a slow burn M/F romance that ends with a cliffhanger.
Does A Torch Against the Night have content warnings?
Our notes for A Torch Against the Night include: sexual assault, torture, murder, mental illness / anxiety / depression, manipulation / gaslighting, war, graphic violence, death of a loved one. This list may not be complete; check the author's own content notes if anything is a hard limit for you.
What should I read after A Torch Against the Night?
If you loved A Torch Against the Night, try Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson. They share its love triangle and badass heroine energy at a similar spice level.