Sabaa Tahir's An Ember In The Ashes series takes place in a world ruled by a tyrannical Emperor. Elias is a soldier, groomed to follow orders, but secretly questioning his loyalty to the empire. Laia is part of the lower class who becomes a spy in order to free her brother, who has been imprisoned for treason. When their paths cross, they embark on a journey neither could have predicted. Each character in the book has to fight their personal battles, in addition to, well, actual battles. It explores themes of courage, what it means to be free, and the importance of finding hope, even when all seems lost.