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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
It's hard to find a second book in a trilogy that matches the first in action and character development. This one delivers.
** Spoilery review**
Quite enjoyed this second book in the series, although I thought that the zafira bit was anticlimactic. I thought the scene where she gets into the tower and "battles" with the old Invierne gatekeeper was rather simplistic and short. It should've been an epic battle, but instead it was a five-minute discussion and then a little attack sequence that didn't provide any tension. However, I'm looking forward to book 3 to find out how Elisa outmaneuvers Conde E and deals with the Invierne group once & for all.
Quite enjoyed this second book in the series, although I thought that the zafira bit was anticlimactic. I thought the scene where she gets into the tower and "battles" with the old Invierne gatekeeper was rather simplistic and short. It should've been an epic battle, but instead it was a five-minute discussion and then a little attack sequence that didn't provide any tension. However, I'm looking forward to book 3 to find out how Elisa outmaneuvers Conde E and deals with the Invierne group once & for all.
4.5 stars
Still hate Elisa, and am not a huge fan of the writing, buut this story has sucked me in. I'm excited to see where it goes in the third book.
Still hate Elisa, and am not a huge fan of the writing, buut this story has sucked me in. I'm excited to see where it goes in the third book.
Seriously!? We have to wait for another year? After that cliffhanger?? Really!!?
Despite the unsatisfying ending, Crown of Embers is just as good as The Girl of Fire and Thorns. Elisa continues to grow and mature into her roles as queen and bearer of the godstone. It seems that she finally has the confidence to take charge of her own destiny. I guess we'll find out. Eventually ;)
Despite the unsatisfying ending, Crown of Embers is just as good as The Girl of Fire and Thorns. Elisa continues to grow and mature into her roles as queen and bearer of the godstone. It seems that she finally has the confidence to take charge of her own destiny. I guess we'll find out. Eventually ;)
I'm continuing to enjoy this excellent fantasy series (starting with [b:The Girl of Fire and Thorns|10429092|The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1)|Rae Carson|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323448113s/10429092.jpg|13282366] - and you do need to go in order). It features one of those fantasy worlds that you can just sink into, trusting the author to have her world-building in order. It's also a pleasant change from the more common northern European-inspired fantasy worlds - this is a world of deserts and tropics and heat, and the setting is key to the rest of the story.
Carson also has a knack for complex, conflicted characters. Most impressive, to me, is the way spirituality is a key component of the story - both in terms of who Elisa is as a person and a ruler, and in terms of creating a believable fantasy world.
This second volume ends on something of a precipice - we're not quite hanging off the side of the cliff, but the fates of several characters are up in the air. You can bet I'll be picking up book three when it's published!
In terms of audience/age level, there's some frank conversations about sex, but it's all either in the past or hypothetical - no one actually has any. Violence is the typical fantasy stuff, assassination attempts and magical stuff, with real, painful consequences.
As with the first one, I'd definitely recommend the series to fans of [a:Kristin Cashore|1373880|Kristin Cashore|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1273894652p2/1373880.jpg] and [a:Robin McKinley|5339|Robin McKinley|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1314406026p2/5339.jpg] (although, stylistically, I think this has more in common with Cashore). It's also a series I've been recommending to adults who are discovering YA fantasy and want something that's a balance of fun reading and depth.
Carson also has a knack for complex, conflicted characters. Most impressive, to me, is the way spirituality is a key component of the story - both in terms of who Elisa is as a person and a ruler, and in terms of creating a believable fantasy world.
This second volume ends on something of a precipice - we're not quite hanging off the side of the cliff, but the fates of several characters are up in the air. You can bet I'll be picking up book three when it's published!
In terms of audience/age level, there's some frank conversations about sex, but it's all either in the past or hypothetical - no one actually has any. Violence is the typical fantasy stuff, assassination attempts and magical stuff, with real, painful consequences.
As with the first one, I'd definitely recommend the series to fans of [a:Kristin Cashore|1373880|Kristin Cashore|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1273894652p2/1373880.jpg] and [a:Robin McKinley|5339|Robin McKinley|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1314406026p2/5339.jpg] (although, stylistically, I think this has more in common with Cashore). It's also a series I've been recommending to adults who are discovering YA fantasy and want something that's a balance of fun reading and depth.
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Better writing than the first in the trilogy, and I just had to start the third immediately!
Loved how much more character driven this book was compared to the first one. Elisa is growing so strong and continues to be as driven and brave as she was in the first book. The build up of her and Hector’s relationship is perfect, and even Storm grew on me. The team that form the queen, her personal guard, Mara, Storm and Belén is just PERFECT and I can’t wait to follow the rest of their adventures in the final installment of this trilogy.
I really enjoyed reading this book! Elisa had so much character growth, and that’s super wonderful to read. I learned some new things and the world building expanded even more. The storyline kept me wanting more. I can’t wait to read book three!