A Reaper at the Gates

An Ember in the Ashes, Book 3

By: Sabaa Tahir

Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham, Katherine Lee McEwan, Maxwell Caulfield, Steve West

Length: 15 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

"Thrilling and hard to put down, readers will absolutely devour Tahir's latest." (BuzzFeed)

An Entertainment Weekly Summer Reads pick!

"The perfect summer read." (The Washington Post)

The highly anticipated third book in number-one New York Times best-selling author Sabaa Tahir's Ember Quartet.

Beyond the Martial Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger.

Helene Aquilla, the Blood Shrike, is desperate to protect her sister's life and the lives of everyone in the Empire. But she knows that danger lurks on all sides: Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable and violent while Keris Veturia, the ruthless Commandant, capitalizes on the Emperor's volatility to grow her own power - regardless of the carnage she leaves in her path.

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 in the hunt to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would help 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 demands his complete surrender - even if that means abandoning the woman he loves.

©2018 Sabaa Tahir (P)2018 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“The book deftly handles serious issues like the costs of genocide and war. Both action-packed and emotionally engaging, A Reaper at the Gates is the perfect summer read.” (The Washington Post)

"Tahir has created another compelling story that defies readers to stop turning the pages." (Booklist, starred review)

"Fans of the series will not want to miss this action-packed installment." (Bookish)

can't wait for the next book

love the story how plots was originating from the first book comes to life now

This Book Is Perfect: Spoiler Free Review

It's rare for me to fangirl over a book, but here we are. Reaper at the Gates is book 3 out of 4 in the Ember series. It's really important to remember that this book is not the end of the series. (I think a lot of people thought this would be a trilogy.)

The story picks up exactly where book 2 ended, and the theme is raising the stakes. Elias must figure out the magic of the Waiting Place or the world is in mortal danger. Laia must stop the Night Bringer or the world is in mortal danger. Helene must stop Keris or the world is in mortal danger. This series does not suffer from the dreaded sagging middles that can slow down other series. No, there is hardly a quiet moment, or even a moment without mortal danger. When there are quiet moments, get ready for some big reveals about the three main characters and the Night Bringer.

You may be wondering why there is a 4th narrator. Maxwell Caulfield plays the Night Bringer. That's right. We finally get to hear directly from him and maybe even some of his side of the conflict. As always, Fiona Hardingham, Kantherine, McEwan, and Steve West provide flawless performances and bring the book to life.

I really can't say anything negative about this book except that there are so many great quotes in it that now I need the paper book too so that I can see them on the page. Sabaa Tahir is an absolute writing queen.

Could listen to again and again

** spoiler alert ** My heart! My soul! My soul catcher!

Ok I can’t review without spoilers so for the top part being spoiler free for anyone who might click by accident the development, depth and growth in this book was amazing. It was so well written and structured and just... all of the stars.

And now SPOILERS AHEAD!


I’m not even sure where to start so I think ill outline characters and their arcs because that’s easier then plot points when you are running on emotions.

LAIA- My Queen, my heart, my baby who deserves all the happiness. Laia goes from this fringe unit rebel when we see her and Darin again to this bad ass rebel queen by the end. And in between she losses everything all over again. She makes a friend and must leave him behind. She has to sacrifice having Darin with her because he’s needed elsewhere. She has to part from Elias again and again. And not because she wants to, not because they want anything but one another but because stupid ghosts and stupid waiting places. Laia finds family that she then must leave behind. And in the end she fights. She started out in book one so scared, so timid and now she will stare down an army to save a life. Laia is my queen hands down.

ELIAS- My poor sweet soul catcher is caught between two worlds neither of them his. He wants so badly to help his family, to help his friends, to save the woman he loves. But at every turn he is yanked back to do a job he isn’t prepared for. He wants so badly to just help people and be a good man and so many forces work against him. Still he decides what to do never with ill intent in his heart.

HELENE- 500% the most improved! I’ve always loved the other two voices. But Helene I hated, then she was annoying but now I feel like I can vibe with her. I don’t agree with her still on most points but I also found myself routing for her as she struggled between saving the empire and her family. Her chapters no longer bore me to tears lol.

THE NIGHTBRINGER- Total asshole who in some respects you wanted to feel bad and then you had to remind yourself “Cool motive, still murder” and I hate him all over again.

Over all I could talk for hours about his book and on my bookstagram I expect I will once everyone else has read it. But until then know this book is bomb, this series i life and I can’t recommend more!

A must to finish this trilogy!

I am not sure there will be a 4th book - probably. But I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the first two books and this third book is no different. I like how the chapters are divided by person. Helps me keep up with what is going on.

A must, MUST listen!

If I thought book 2 had twists, then these were mental hurricanes by Sabaa Tahir! I now understand why established authors envy the sheer immensity of her story, plot and world! I am in awe of the raw talent and amazing performances by Fiona Hardingham and Steve West!

This was Amazing!!

I love the series and even better in Audio!! I can’t wait for the next one!!

best of them yet!

I don't know how I'm going to survive without the next book. This book was amazing, exciting, heart wrenching, and revealing.

Dark and compelling with glimmers of hope

While I am not as eagerly awaiting the next book as much as Melissa Mcphail's next pattern if shadow and light, this is a close second. Great read. well written awesome characters and performance.

A Reaper at the Gates

Book three of this series was terrific and had me listening long into the day. The story seems to be taking a dark turn. I look forward to the last book. The narrators are amazing!

A great third chapter!

I liked the first two books as well, but I have to admit that in this one the story and the characters really grew on me. Yes, as other reviewers pointed out, there is romance here and there, but not so much to be annoying. A must listen!