Starred Review Tahir continues the epic adventure she began with her debut, An Ember in the Ashes (2015). Now her third volume in the cycle begins where the sequel, A Torch against the Night (2016), left off. Elias, now the Soul Catcher and urgently needing to heighten his powers, is up to his eyebrows in despairing ghosts and angry jinn. Laia, who loves him, is desperate to foil the world-destroying machinations of the Nightbringer while also saving her people, the Scholars, from destruction. And the Blood Shrike is at sword's point with the consummately evil Commandant and determined to save her sister from the brutality of the sadistic, increasingly irrational emperor Marcus. Meanwhile, wars (and rumors of wars) threaten to bring the empire to its knees. Treachery abounds and courage seems no match for it. In short, Tahir has created another compelling story that defies readers to stop turning the pages. Credit her mastery of the suspense-inducing cliff-hanger, heightened by the three alternating points of view: Elias, Laia, and the Blood Shrike. As for her readers' point of view, Tahir's legions of fans will be delighted to find an inconclusive ending, which promises a fourth volume. The saga continues.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: This series has been huge since its debut; don't bet against the latest volume or the one(s) still to come.

Laia now finds herself as the face of the resistance; Elias learns to ferry souls as the Soul Catcher; and Helene embraces her role as Blood Shrike for a mad, young emperor. This third book centered on the Roman-esque Martial Empire (An Ember in the Ashes; A Torch Against the Night) features fantastical threats, political plotting, and the constant threats of war and oppression. Well-crafted and emotionally engaging.