The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi (HarperCollins UK)

Wardens’ Empire and the thirteen cities are brutally ruled by blood. The rulers Embers have red blood, underlings Dusters blue and Ghostings clear.

As wardens, Embers claimed their power and assembled the guilds to maintain order, prosperity and peace. Truth, duty, strength, knowledge. Empire!

So six trials were decided for each guild. Six for strength, six for duty, six for knowledge, six for truth. All across six mooncycles. Every ten years the Embers compete to find the best, among the red in Aktibar.

But there exists underground society, Sandstorm. In the Night of the Stolen they stole twelve children and disappeared into the beyond. As babes they were taken from their Ember families and set on a path to tear down the foundations of the empire. The Sandstorm crafted them into leaders with one purpose: to destroy the empire from within. They are the Stolen, born to Ember parents but made by Dusters.

After many years it seems that Sylah is the only survivor to make it out of the Night of the Stolen alive. Until something happens.

This is a fantasy novel at its best. Characters are great. Sylah, fierce heroine, addicted to dangerous drug and lost in her own world. Jond, another Stolen, haughty and beautiful. Anoor, adventurous and dreamy Duster and Hassa, crippled, caring and honorable Ghosting. 

Narrative is fast-paced and full of twist and turns. Soon becomes obvious that blood doesn't define people or their virtues. Change can start off small.

The Final Strife is the first book of a trilogy and I look forward to another. Maybe we will explore beyond the sea...

Highly recommended to all fantasy lovers.

5/5