Scan barcode
A review by ohkmurr
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If I thought the stakes in An Ember in the Ashes were high, A Torch Against the Night skyrocketed them. From the very start, we have a classic countdown disease—a trope I love, which can also be difficult to pull off in a way that doesn't feel like a gimmick.
The story is absolutely incredible, and I did not see quite a few of the plot twists coming. I will forever be amazed at Tahir's world-building and storytelling ability.
I'm also a bit embarrassed by how long it took me to realize that this story is basically World War II: a woman hell-bent on eradicating an entire race of people, a warden who performs experiments on people at a prison that all but guarantees a slow and painful death.
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Violence
Again, the violence/body horror is "Game of Thrones Lite," and similar to the violence described in Grady Hendrix's works/Stephen King's works.