A sky beyond the storm

At last, the fourth and final volume (alas!) of Tahir's epic An Ember in the Ashes cycle has arrived. Happily, it finds the gang all here: Laia of Serra, of course; Elias, who is now known as the Soul Catcher, his emotions and much of his memory taken away by Mauth, aka Death; and the Blood Shrike. Oh, yes, there, lurking in the darkness, are the monstrously evil Commandant and the Nightbringer, King of the Jinn. As for the story, suffice it to say, the Commandant is in league with the Nightbringer to conquer the Empire. The Blood Shrike is their sworn enemy, her infant nephew being the Emperor and her sister, the Queen Regent. Laia--seeking to destroy the Nightbringer, who is busy with world-ending plans--is also trying desperately to bring Elias back to his old self. But can she succeed? Arguably the most ambitious of the four novels in the cycle, Tahir's latest offers exciting action, mounting suspense, and beautifully realized characters to love or despise. But more seriously, it also invites long thoughts about such large issues as death and love. Despite a pesky deus ex machina near the end, the result remains a deeply satisfying exercise in plotting and remarkably skillful storytelling. Readers will be reluctant to bid it adieu.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: An Ember in the Ashes is a best-selling series, and this book would have its loyal fans lining up even without the buzz being conjured by the publisher.

*Starred Review* At last, the fourth and final volume (alas!) of Tahir's epic An Ember in the Ashes cycle has arrived. Happily, it finds the gang all here: Laia of Serra, of course; Elias, who is now known as the Soul Catcher, his emotions and much of his memory taken away by Mauth, aka Death; and the Blood Shrike. Oh, yes, there, lurking in the darkness, are the monstrously evil Commandant and the Nightbringer, King of the Jinn. As for the story, suffice it to say, the Commandant is in league with the Nightbringer to conquer the Empire. The Blood Shrike is their sworn enemy, her infant nephew being the Emperor and her sister, the Queen Regent. Laia—seeking to destroy the Nightbringer, who is busy with world-ending plans—is also trying desperately to bring Elias back to his old self. But can she succeed? Arguably the most ambitious of the four novels in the cycle, Tahir's latest offers exciting action, mounting suspense, and beautifully realized characters to love or despise. But more seriously, it also invites long thoughts about such large issues as death and love. Despite a pesky deus ex machina near the end, the result remains a deeply satisfying exercise in plotting and remarkably skillful storytelling. Readers will be reluctant to bid it adieu.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: An Ember in the Ashes is a best-selling series, and this book would have its loyal fans lining up even without the buzz being conjured by the publisher. Grades 9-12. Copyright 2020 Booklist Reviews.