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An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

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Brief synopsis (no spoilers): 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.
 Category: YA/Adult Cross Over (should be adult)

Why I chose this book: Saw it on a display and thought it might be worth a try. The cover said it was based on Ancient Roman society and so I was hoping it might read like historical fiction. 

My personal opinion (the review): I only read 30 or so pages, but there was a lot of foul language and violence. The writing style also didn't capture my attention. All together I decided it wasn't worth my time. 

 Warnings: 
Language: Lots of curse words
Violence: Severe
Death: Threats of killing and scenes with skeletal remains

 Movie rating equivalent: R for violence and language

 Protagonist description: Didn't really read far enough to get a good feel. 

 Point of view of story: Switches between Laia and Elias. 

 Book length: Didn't finish

 Story flow: Didn't finish.  

 Grammar and spelling issues: None.

 Character connection (no spoilers): None

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