Reaper at the Gates (An Ember in the Ashes #3) by Sabaa Tahir
1/22/2019
Plot:
Beyond the Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger.
The Blood Shrike, Helene Aquilla, is assailed on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable, while the Commandant capitalizes on his madness to bolster her own power. As Helene searches for a way to hold back the approaching darkness, her sister's life and the lives of all those in the Empire hang in the balance.
Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. But while hunting for a way to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would aid her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she'd have to fight.
And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. But in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that will stop at nothing to ensure Elias's devotion–even at the cost of his humanity.
Thoughts:
This one was epic. It took me so long to finish reading it, I guess I had a slow start but towards the end I was just breathing it in.
If you thought you could not hate a character more, well you'll hate Keris even more here. She's not just thinking small here. The empire? Uh-uh.. how about the whole world? That's right, world domination baby! You gotta at least be impressed with her ambition and nerve.
The Nightbringer is just as bad as Keris, but I don't know why I don't loath his character that much. Maybe because he's just really trying to bring back the balance? He is seeking justice for what happened to him and the other Jinns. And also his lost love? Okay that was beautiful, but he's gotta stop his vengeance at some point.
Elias was not doing so good here. He neglected far too many things in the beginning and look what happened? The ghosts has broken free. Yeah he was back to being cool when he finally became a legit Soul Catcher but dude, that was really too late. Clean up your mess and get your act together! I don't know why he even made that promises to Laia that he'll find a way for them to be together. Will they ever be? I don't think I want them to be together though. Hahaha.
What's more difficult than being at a verge of a war, stopping the Nightbringer, and family drama? Laia figuring out her real feelings for Elias. Understandably so since she was just duped by the Nightbringer. Well, I was crushed too. I shipped Laia and Keenan so hard and all hell just broke lose after the revelation of his real identity. It made for a really twisty plot, one I accept whole heartedly, because I hate if it would've been a love triangle drama!
What's really funny was Laia was all over the place trying to figure out how to stop the Nightbringer and when she does and accomplishes what she had planned to do, it turns out that it was all for naught. Once again she had made a mistake. Just shows how you can't fight destiny smh.
Helene was the true hero in this book. Everyone was going bat shit crazy with their feelings and panicking over the future but she was focused on one thing and one thing only. To protect her sister Olivia and her baby. By protecting them she was also protecting the empire. She was so diligent and headstrong. For every chapter, my admiration for her just grew and grew. I guess it would be safe to say that she has the spotlight on this book. There was lots of suffering for her too. Beating the Commandant was her ultimate conquest, and when she thought she's done it, she gets battered again, now from all sides. She was like a poor kitten cornered with nowhere to run, but like a lion she fought and fought and fought and it was so heart breaking because she carried all those load on her shoulder, yes she had help but we all know the stakes are higher for her, and she's just one person. She's the Blood Shrike but for the most part she was still just a young lady. And it broke me more that she because she's too bound to her duty that she keeps her feeling at bay, when at this point she had no one to answer to but herself and that she could have allowed herself a little bit of happiness by accepting Harper's feelings. Helene, you are my hero. I wish for a better plot for you in the next book.
Only looking forward to the next book for Helene and Harper! Hahaha! Laia and Elias are too overrated at this point. LOL!
Quotes:
"Hope is stronger than fear. It is stronger than hate."
Rating:
★★★★★
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