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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
Finished reading: January 4th 2019
“I lie awake for a long time, wondering which would be more foolish, to prepare for something that may never happen, or not to prepare for something that might.”
I read the first Fire And Thorns book back in 2015 and even though I enjoyed it, I somehow never picked up the sequel. I read the novellas last year, and thought it was about time to finally finish the last two books this year as well. First up is book number two The Crown Of Embers. I admit I had forgotten about a lot of details of the first book and it took a little time to adjust, but I was able to pick up the thread easily enough after a few chapters. The first thing that stands out in this series is the detailed and wonderful worldbuilding. I loved the inclusion of many references to Spanish names and words and the way the world is constructed. It's a very interesting high fantasy world and we get to see a lot of it in the sequel. This series has a religious angle, but handled in just the right way that it doesn't become too present for those who are like me agnostic. The writing style is engaging and makes it easy to keep reading those pages until you reach the last page. I wasn't sure about every character; some can get annoying, and I could have done without the romance cliches and love triangle, but overall the story does deliver. The quest the main characters go on in The Crown Of Embers is an intriguing one, and it definitely ends with a mayor cliffhanger. I'm looking forward how things will continue in the final book!
Mauh Mauh Mauh!!!! I pleased, very, very, very pleased with this second book. I can't even begin to express the emotions that I'm feeling right now. Such wonderful character development. Elisa, Hector, Storm, Conde Tristan and so many others I enjoyed immensely their character growth throughout the book.
Hector's and Elisa slow burn relationship is torture but in a very very good way. The FEELS ARE REAL :)) Onto the next book I go....giddy excitement.
Hector's and Elisa slow burn relationship is torture but in a very very good way. The FEELS ARE REAL :)) Onto the next book I go....giddy excitement.
"I am a grown woman, and a queen. You are dismissed."
The strength that takes.
The self love and assurance that takes.
The confidence and sheer force of will that takes to say those words with conviction is everything. Elisa's growth gave me chills and earnest relationships with her friends and potential lover make the story so much more exciting. It's a more character driven type of sequel full of heart and epiphanies about the importance of inner strength.
Besides Elisa's growth, one of my favorite parts of the story was the relationship between Hector and elisa. Theirs is a relationship built on the foundation of trust and friendship. One that eventually blossoms into something still search for in real life. It was wonderful to not read about insta-love or Male love interests with toxic tendencies.
I'm looking forward to rereading the last book in this series. So far, I have enjoyed each book even more so than I did when I first dove into the pages.
The strength that takes.
The self love and assurance that takes.
The confidence and sheer force of will that takes to say those words with conviction is everything. Elisa's growth gave me chills and earnest relationships with her friends and potential lover make the story so much more exciting. It's a more character driven type of sequel full of heart and epiphanies about the importance of inner strength.
Besides Elisa's growth, one of my favorite parts of the story was the relationship between Hector and elisa. Theirs is a relationship built on the foundation of trust and friendship. One that eventually blossoms into something still search for in real life. It was wonderful to not read about insta-love or Male love interests with toxic tendencies.
I'm looking forward to rereading the last book in this series. So far, I have enjoyed each book even more so than I did when I first dove into the pages.
I loved this book. I think I loved it even more than Girl of Fire and Thorns. Why?
1) There was more castle intrigue. I'm a huge fan of castle intrigue.
2) There were more interesting characters. I loved Cosme in the first book, but she was one of the only characters that I felt attached to. Here we have more double-crossing peeps, more love interests (well, only one), and some intriguing peeps like Mara and Storm. Mara's character got fleshed out a little bit more. She's sort of like me. (By which I mean,she also has a dirty mind she's just like me, okay?) And Storm was entertaining. I liked him.
3) THERE WAS MORE HECTOR. MUCH MORE HECTOR. I think that's self-explanatory.
Anyways, 5/5 stars! I'd give more if I could. And I do think that--defying all laws of sequels--Crown of Embers has beat out Girl of Fire and Thorns in regards to its epicness.
1) There was more castle intrigue. I'm a huge fan of castle intrigue.
2) There were more interesting characters. I loved Cosme in the first book, but she was one of the only characters that I felt attached to. Here we have more double-crossing peeps, more love interests (well, only one), and some intriguing peeps like Mara and Storm. Mara's character got fleshed out a little bit more. She's sort of like me. (By which I mean,
3) THERE WAS MORE HECTOR. MUCH MORE HECTOR. I think that's self-explanatory.
Anyways, 5/5 stars! I'd give more if I could. And I do think that--defying all laws of sequels--Crown of Embers has beat out Girl of Fire and Thorns in regards to its epicness.
It's the rare second book in a trilogy that manages to be as compelling as the first, but The Crown of Embers does it with panache. It helps, I think, that there's a separate, defined arc here—although Elisa is continuing her effort to stabilise her kingdom and secure her people's safety, she's also on a somewhat more personal quest to understand and solidify her own power.
One thing that frustrates me, though, is that the positive-body-image message of the previous book is diluted somewhat in this one. Now when Elisa describes her body, she mentions things like 'the slight softness in my lower belly' and 'the way my inner thighs just brush when I stand' (170 for both). It's unfortunate, because it sounds like she's now, by any reasonable definition, she's quite slim, but she's using these as ways that she's still 'too big'. Maybe a minor 'hmmm'. Just...hmmm.
One thing that frustrates me, though, is that the positive-body-image message of the previous book is diluted somewhat in this one. Now when Elisa describes her body, she mentions things like 'the slight softness in my lower belly' and 'the way my inner thighs just brush when I stand' (170 for both). It's unfortunate, because it sounds like she's now, by any reasonable definition, she's quite slim, but she's using these as ways that she's still 'too big'. Maybe a minor 'hmmm'. Just...hmmm.
I really enjoyed book 1, and felt this was a solid follow-up, and I'm looking forward to reading the next one. I have it on hold at the library.
As I mentioned in my review for book 1, the names ... of the people and the places, were a little more unique than many reads (although this is often true for fantasy). I think it was a little easier this go round, as I was already familiar with most of the names.
... as for the romance. In book 1, I think it's set up a little that we (the reader) wonder if something will develop between Elisa and Alejandro. Of course that ends up not happening. Back then, I did wonder if there was a future for Elisa and Hector, but then there was the whole kidnapping and Umberto. But then, Umberto died ... and Hector is around again and see? I was right! There was something there.
I love the imaginations of fantasy writers! Beyond the names, the idea of the godstone is unique. All the underlying doctrines and such add interest.
Very much enjoying this series ...
As I mentioned in my review for book 1, the names ... of the people and the places, were a little more unique than many reads (although this is often true for fantasy). I think it was a little easier this go round, as I was already familiar with most of the names.
... as for the romance. In book 1, I think it's set up a little that we (the reader) wonder if something will develop between Elisa and Alejandro. Of course that ends up not happening. Back then, I did wonder if there was a future for Elisa and Hector, but then there was the whole kidnapping and Umberto. But then, Umberto died ... and Hector is around again and see? I was right! There was something there.
I love the imaginations of fantasy writers! Beyond the names, the idea of the godstone is unique. All the underlying doctrines and such add interest.
Very much enjoying this series ...
Welp, that just punched me right in the feels.
Another really, really solid offering from this series! I'd really like a bit more world-building, especially since some of the magical elements and logic are a bit wonky, but this was highly satisfying in many other ways.
It's been nice to see Elisa grow into her role as queen, and find inner reserves of strength through some particularly tough situations.
Another really, really solid offering from this series! I'd really like a bit more world-building, especially since some of the magical elements and logic are a bit wonky, but this was highly satisfying in many other ways.
It's been nice to see Elisa grow into her role as queen, and find inner reserves of strength through some particularly tough situations.
I thought this was better than the first book, it didn't have any parts that dragged on and was fairly fast paced.