"You didn't need a weapon at all when you were born one."
There are no words to describe this book. I just finished it and I am literally broken. I'm amazed I'm even writing right now, that my fingers are moving across the keyboard, because all I want to do is lay on my bed and let the book sink into my mind, let myself fully register what just happened. Because what just happened is crazy. Terrible. Painful. Horrible. Mental. Tear-jerking. Hateful. Hopeful. Fearful. And it's just mean that I have to wait a year to get more answers, yet at the same time undoubtedly be assaulted with more questions. Anyways, my point is that this review may not completely make sense because, like I said before, this book destroyed me, and it's a wonder I'm even attempting to put into words something that cannot be put into words (only sobs, whimpers, and screams).
When I first started the book, I was a bit annoyed with the characters. They were all so messed up as a result of what happened in the last book and I just wanted them to all stop pitying themselves and start kicking butt like they always do. Thankfully, after Rowan showed up in Celaena's life, things started picking up. And weirdly enough, things started picking up for Chaol after he meets one of the King's most fearsome generals, a person he hates. He was kind of mopey throughout the entire book, but I suspect that a meeting with Celaena will fix that up. Ohh I just can't wait for their reunion (though I will admit I may have been just a teensy bit unfaithful to Chaol for a while. Oops. Dorian took up one of the smallest parts of the novel, and I'm oh so thankful to that, because he annoyed me most of all. What happens at the end though...it completely makes up for everything (as endings often do).
I'm ashamed that I was bitching about Celaena boring me in the beginning though because of the sheer quantity of emotional and physical pain she had to endure throughout the novel. Her pain brought tears to my eyes, which says a lot considering I'm not a crier. Several times I found myself just proud to love her and know her since she is for sure one of the strongest heroines I've ever known. Like, I can't think of anyone who's had to go through what she has (and I'm talking about book characters). As much as I adore Celaena, I would NEVER want to be her; she is selfless and brave and strong, and if I had to face what she did, I'd probably drop dead from shock.
Basically reading 'Heir of Fire' is like reading three books, or four if you'd rather. There are four different parts of the story: Chaol's and Dorian's stories (sometimes they intertwine, sometimes they don't), Manon's story, and of course, Celaena's story. At the beginning, I found myself resenting each of these stories except Celaena's. What did I care about an evil witch, a pitiful guard (sorry Chaol, but you really had problems), and a prince whose romance annoyed the heck out of me. Now Celaena and Rowan? They were interesting. You know me, whenever I see a tall, brooding guy, the first thing that pops into my head is "romance!". However, the author kept me guessing until the very end (and again, what an end it was).
Anyhow, I digress. What I was trying to say was that while at first I disliked all the different perspectives and stories contained within the one book, at about halfway through the book I started enjoying them, and really getting into the other characters' stories, and many times I was thankful for them as Celaena's life became way too intense for my already wet cheeks and eyes. I grew invested in Manon's relationship with her wyvern, and yes, I actually came to like her. I also started growing fond of Celaena's cousin, Aedion, after I got to know him more (though I still don't love him or anything...he's not the nicest guy in the world). And the Healer, Sorscha, she still annoyed me. There was nothing bad about her really, but she seemed so...I don't want to say stupid, but...okay I don't know how to describe what I disliked about her. Maybe it's because she had thoughts like Gods, his lips were soft. Just...no.
One of my favorite things about 'Heir of Fire' was seeing how the characters changed from the beginning of the book until the very last page. Each of them changed significantly thanks to events in the book, and it was interesting watching my feelings toward them alter. At the start, it was easy to judge the characters, but once I got to know them more - or they revealed more about themselves - I saw the good and bad sides of everyone. I suppose it all came down to the fact that everyone was petty in the first chapter, and started growing from there.
The author also made me realize that even I can enjoy a story without the entire book revolving around two lovers. While 'Throne of Glass' started out concentrated on the love triangle between Celaena, Dorian, and Chaol, 'Heir of Fire' focuses completely on character development, history, and the upcoming war (c'mon, we all know it's going to happen), and it barely even touches on any romance. And yet what surprised me was that I STILL LIKED THE BOOK. Amazing, right? I don't know if it's because I'm growing as a person, or because of Sarah's skill as a writer, but I'm leaning toward the latter.
Even at the third book in the series, the author managed to bring new characters and conflicts into the series, and am I ever so glad she did! We learn so much more about Celaena in this book than we ever did before, and I can guarantee you won't want to miss even a second of her past (or the glimpse into the future). Though 'Heir of Fire' was not what I expected, in some ways it was better, and I advise everyone to purchase this book as soon as it comes out, and/or enter the giveaway for the ebook below!
P.S. I absolutely fangirled over the fact that both this book and the last one ended with Celaena sailing away on a ship!!!<3
There are no words to describe this book. I just finished it and I am literally broken. I'm amazed I'm even writing right now, that my fingers are moving across the keyboard, because all I want to do is lay on my bed and let the book sink into my mind, let myself fully register what just happened. Because what just happened is crazy. Terrible. Painful. Horrible. Mental. Tear-jerking. Hateful. Hopeful. Fearful. And it's just mean that I have to wait a year to get more answers, yet at the same time undoubtedly be assaulted with more questions. Anyways, my point is that this review may not completely make sense because, like I said before, this book destroyed me, and it's a wonder I'm even attempting to put into words something that cannot be put into words (only sobs, whimpers, and screams).
When I first started the book, I was a bit annoyed with the characters. They were all so messed up as a result of what happened in the last book and I just wanted them to all stop pitying themselves and start kicking butt like they always do. Thankfully, after Rowan showed up in Celaena's life, things started picking up. And weirdly enough, things started picking up for Chaol after he meets one of the King's most fearsome generals, a person he hates. He was kind of mopey throughout the entire book, but I suspect that a meeting with Celaena will fix that up. Ohh I just can't wait for their reunion (though I will admit I may have been just a teensy bit unfaithful to Chaol for a while. Oops. Dorian took up one of the smallest parts of the novel, and I'm oh so thankful to that, because he annoyed me most of all. What happens at the end though...it completely makes up for everything (as endings often do).
I'm ashamed that I was bitching about Celaena boring me in the beginning though because of the sheer quantity of emotional and physical pain she had to endure throughout the novel. Her pain brought tears to my eyes, which says a lot considering I'm not a crier. Several times I found myself just proud to love her and know her since she is for sure one of the strongest heroines I've ever known. Like, I can't think of anyone who's had to go through what she has (and I'm talking about book characters). As much as I adore Celaena, I would NEVER want to be her; she is selfless and brave and strong, and if I had to face what she did, I'd probably drop dead from shock.
Basically reading 'Heir of Fire' is like reading three books, or four if you'd rather. There are four different parts of the story: Chaol's and Dorian's stories (sometimes they intertwine, sometimes they don't), Manon's story, and of course, Celaena's story. At the beginning, I found myself resenting each of these stories except Celaena's. What did I care about an evil witch, a pitiful guard (sorry Chaol, but you really had problems), and a prince whose romance annoyed the heck out of me. Now Celaena and Rowan? They were interesting. You know me, whenever I see a tall, brooding guy, the first thing that pops into my head is "romance!". However, the author kept me guessing until the very end (and again, what an end it was).
Anyhow, I digress. What I was trying to say was that while at first I disliked all the different perspectives and stories contained within the one book, at about halfway through the book I started enjoying them, and really getting into the other characters' stories, and many times I was thankful for them as Celaena's life became way too intense for my already wet cheeks and eyes. I grew invested in Manon's relationship with her wyvern, and yes, I actually came to like her. I also started growing fond of Celaena's cousin, Aedion, after I got to know him more (though I still don't love him or anything...he's not the nicest guy in the world). And the Healer, Sorscha, she still annoyed me. There was nothing bad about her really, but she seemed so...I don't want to say stupid, but...okay I don't know how to describe what I disliked about her. Maybe it's because she had thoughts like Gods, his lips were soft. Just...no.
One of my favorite things about 'Heir of Fire' was seeing how the characters changed from the beginning of the book until the very last page. Each of them changed significantly thanks to events in the book, and it was interesting watching my feelings toward them alter. At the start, it was easy to judge the characters, but once I got to know them more - or they revealed more about themselves - I saw the good and bad sides of everyone. I suppose it all came down to the fact that everyone was petty in the first chapter, and started growing from there.
The author also made me realize that even I can enjoy a story without the entire book revolving around two lovers. While 'Throne of Glass' started out concentrated on the love triangle between Celaena, Dorian, and Chaol, 'Heir of Fire' focuses completely on character development, history, and the upcoming war (c'mon, we all know it's going to happen), and it barely even touches on any romance. And yet what surprised me was that I STILL LIKED THE BOOK. Amazing, right? I don't know if it's because I'm growing as a person, or because of Sarah's skill as a writer, but I'm leaning toward the latter.
Even at the third book in the series, the author managed to bring new characters and conflicts into the series, and am I ever so glad she did! We learn so much more about Celaena in this book than we ever did before, and I can guarantee you won't want to miss even a second of her past (or the glimpse into the future). Though 'Heir of Fire' was not what I expected, in some ways it was better, and I advise everyone to purchase this book as soon as it comes out, and/or enter the giveaway for the ebook below!
P.S. I absolutely fangirled over the fact that both this book and the last one ended with Celaena sailing away on a ship!!!<3
Book Synopsis: Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.
While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?
Source: Received a copy from Bloomsbury USA Childrens for review.
Title: Heir of Fire
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publication Date: September 2, 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Genre: High Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 565 pages
Giveaway:
This is an international giveaway that ends in one week, on August 25th. The winner of this giveaway will receive one ebook ARC copy of 'Heir of Fire', book three in Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series.
