An Instant New York Times Bestseller
One of Time Magazinea�TMs 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time
An Amazona�TMs Best Young Adult Book of 2015
Peoplea�TMs Choice Award Winner a�" Favorite Fantasy
A Bustlea�TMs Best Young Adult Book of 2015
An Ember in the Ashes (Book 1)
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 Empirea�TMs impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. Theya�TMve seen what happens to those who do.
But when Laiaa�TMs 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 Empirea�TMs greatest military academy.
There, Laia meets Elias, the schoola�TMs finest soldier a�" and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny hea�TMs being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined a�" and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.
Age Range: 12 and up | Grade Level: 7-9 | Lexile Measure: HL680L