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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
Overall 4 stars
Fantasy and adventure aspect is 5 stars
but
but
the character's relationship is just ... kinda ...
I'm not saying it's bad. No , gosh, not bad at all..
it's just
'way too wavering'(?)
and then sometimes I realized these character's are still teenagers haha
so it's actually normal for their relationship to be like that..
Maybe I'm just expecting too much here
and me being those doM fangirl who always embrace the stupid minor otp, and cheering for ElisaxStorm that is obv not gonna happen :"D
wish both of them their own happiness tho..
will read the final book, after I read another book (The Demon King - Cinda Williams Chima)
I need a break from the f e e l s :')
I found my self reading much much faster than before btw haha
Fantasy and adventure aspect is 5 stars
but
but
the character's relationship is just ... kinda ...
I'm not saying it's bad. No , gosh, not bad at all..
it's just
'way too wavering'(?)
and then sometimes I realized these character's are still teenagers haha
so it's actually normal for their relationship to be like that..
Maybe I'm just expecting too much here
and me being those doM fangirl who always embrace the stupid minor otp, and cheering for ElisaxStorm that is obv not gonna happen :"D
wish both of them their own happiness tho..
will read the final book, after I read another book (The Demon King - Cinda Williams Chima)
I need a break from the f e e l s :')
I found my self reading much much faster than before btw haha
★★★★★
A wonderful sequel! I enjoyed every minute of reading it.
A wonderful sequel! I enjoyed every minute of reading it.
The Crown of Embers is the second book in a series and picks up where [The Girl of Fire and Thorns] ends. At seventeen years old, Elisa is a hero and a queen with enemies at every side, a war scarred kingdom to rebuild, an army to raise, and the truth about her godstone and destiny to figure out — not to mention choosing a prince consort to marry and ensure her countries stability.
Though this is clearly a middle book, strung between the beginning and the end, it was better than the first book. The story opens just a few months after a battle and things seem almost cheery and hopeful, but the ease is quickly ripped away when an assassin comes for Elisa during her birthday procession, causing a rippling effect of panic and riots throughout her kingdom. This is immediately followed by a succession of bloody near-death incidents, court intrigues, and difficult decision making that leaves me never wanting to be the ruler of any country EVER. Elisa grew a lot in the first book and here we see her grow even more as she tries to figure out just what it means to be a queen and rule.
Like the first book, there is also a love story and this, too, was a more interesting story to me, more grown up and more complicated. Her reasons behind holding back are understandable; she's a queen, she must show propriety in all her actions, and she must choose a partner who will help consolidate her power. Love has little to do with marriage in her world.
Altogether a solid story and I can't wait to read the final book.
Though this is clearly a middle book, strung between the beginning and the end, it was better than the first book. The story opens just a few months after a battle and things seem almost cheery and hopeful, but the ease is quickly ripped away when an assassin comes for Elisa during her birthday procession, causing a rippling effect of panic and riots throughout her kingdom. This is immediately followed by a succession of bloody near-death incidents, court intrigues, and difficult decision making that leaves me never wanting to be the ruler of any country EVER. Elisa grew a lot in the first book and here we see her grow even more as she tries to figure out just what it means to be a queen and rule.
Like the first book, there is also a love story and this, too, was a more interesting story to me, more grown up and more complicated. Her reasons behind holding back are understandable; she's a queen, she must show propriety in all her actions, and she must choose a partner who will help consolidate her power. Love has little to do with marriage in her world.
Altogether a solid story and I can't wait to read the final book.
I love this book! It was a little slower for me in the beginning compared to the first one, but the payoff is there. I love that Elisa as difficult decisions to make--as a queen shoul. But that those decisions come with real sacrifices makes it more believable, enjoyable, and frustrating!
I can't wait for the next in the series
I can't wait for the next in the series
Didn't think I would like this series so much. But I do.
The last chapter made me so mad I wanted to throw my phone, giddy with excitement and made me say "oh no she didn't" one right after the other. Onto the last book.
The last chapter made me so mad I wanted to throw my phone, giddy with excitement and made me say "oh no she didn't" one right after the other. Onto the last book.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
i have no words for this perfection. this has everything i want. SO GOOOOOD.
i took notes though so i'll probably do a review/booktalk on my channel.
i took notes though so i'll probably do a review/booktalk on my channel.
What a great series! This was possibly the best middle-of-a-trilogy book I've ever read. Too often second books feel like a waste of space, a time for all that was resolved to become unresolved in annoying ways, and end on a cliff hanger that allows for the same issues to be re-resolved in the final book. Not this series. Since this is the story of Elisa, her destiny as a bearer, and her growth as a girl into woman and princess into queen, NOT just about romance, there's so much room for development and expansion in the stories without feeling redundant. there were lots of new developments in this story, some resolution to prior issues, and so much left to be resolved in the final book--and yet the ending managed to be satisfying, not merely a cliff hanger.
I wasn't expecting the reintroduction of Belen, and I was happy to see it (although the changes to his relationship with Cosme were never really addressed). Storm was a fascinating new character that grew on me as the story progressed. (Do the Invierni remind anyone else of light skinned drow?) Tristan was hard to figure out at first (although I had a suspicion about his secret before the reveal), but all the more interesting for that. And so many of the other characters, not just Elisa but also Mara and Hector and Ximena, were so much further developed in this book, growing and changing in rich and sometimes surprising ways.
I still love the world Carson has constructed, with its Spanish high fantasy feeling, and especially the rich religious tapestry that informs every aspect of Elisa's life. There are just enough similarities to Christianity, especially Catholicism, and the Christian Biblical writings, to make it feel familiar and just enough differences to make it fascinating and unique. As a Biblical scholar in college, I could definitely relate to the work that Elisa, Ximena, and the priests were doing.
I also liked a further introduction to the various areas of Elisa's kingdom, and I look forward to even more development, including beyond the borders of her nation, in the final book. I look forward to further development of all the characters, as well, especially Hector and Elisa and their relationship, but also Mara and Belen and Storm. It's going to feel like a very long wait for me.
I wasn't expecting the reintroduction of Belen, and I was happy to see it (although the changes to his relationship with Cosme were never really addressed). Storm was a fascinating new character that grew on me as the story progressed. (Do the Invierni remind anyone else of light skinned drow?) Tristan was hard to figure out at first (although I had a suspicion about his secret before the reveal), but all the more interesting for that. And so many of the other characters, not just Elisa but also Mara and Hector and Ximena, were so much further developed in this book, growing and changing in rich and sometimes surprising ways.
I still love the world Carson has constructed, with its Spanish high fantasy feeling, and especially the rich religious tapestry that informs every aspect of Elisa's life. There are just enough similarities to Christianity, especially Catholicism, and the Christian Biblical writings, to make it feel familiar and just enough differences to make it fascinating and unique. As a Biblical scholar in college, I could definitely relate to the work that Elisa, Ximena, and the priests were doing.
I also liked a further introduction to the various areas of Elisa's kingdom, and I look forward to even more development, including beyond the borders of her nation, in the final book. I look forward to further development of all the characters, as well, especially Hector and Elisa and their relationship, but also Mara and Belen and Storm. It's going to feel like a very long wait for me.