An Ember In The Ashes

An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, 446 pages

Although Laia's people have been ruled by the Empire as long as she can remember and her parents and sister were killed for being part of the Resistance, Laia has always been too afraid to fight back until the day a Mask kills her grandparents and takes her brother for questioning.  Terrified, but willing to fight to get him back, Laia finds the Resistance and agrees to spy on the Commandant of Blackcliff Academy in exchange for help with rescuing her brother.  Elias is about to graduate from Blackcliff as a Mask, however, his plan is to run immediately after graduation.  He hates the Empire and longs to be free but a major, unexpected event, throws a monkey wrench in his plans.  This was an action packed fantasy novel that I really enjoyed and think that a lot of teens will also like.  I'll be eagerly awaiting the sequel.