A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

A Reaper at the Gates (Ember Quartet, #3)

by Sabaa Tahir

The highly anticipated third book in Sabaa Tahir's New York Times bestselling Ember Quartet.

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.

Reviewed by Ashley on

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Well shit. Maybe I don't love this series? D:

I stopped reading on page 62. It's not that I hate it; I just feel like this series has maybe taken a turn that doesn't particularly interest me. I really don't love Elias's whole thing with the Soul Catcher. And in general I feel like magic popped up EVERYWHERE in this book where there was none before, and everyone is just 100% on board with it and zero questions asked. Elias regularly convenes with dead spirits? Cool. Cool, cool, cool, cool. No questions there. Just blind acceptance.

In general I just preferred the vibe of the first book, which was near zero magic and a greater focus on military/empire stuff.

Maybe I will go back and try to finish this at some point… I don't know. I'm really bummed. 

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Reading updates

  • 6 February, 2021: Started reading
  • 6 February, 2021: on page 0 out of 480 0%
  • 7 February, 2021: on page 62 out of 480 13%
  • 7 February, 2021: Finished reading
  • 7 February, 2021: Reviewed