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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
Crown of Embers by Rae Carson Review
Holy Fuck, a book without insta-love! There must be a blue moon or something, right?
Thoughts:
Rae Carson may be one of the few authors of Young Adult fiction I love most. Here’s why: she doesn’t slut shame, she doesn’t write insta-love, she writes realistic character development, and she has the heroine save herself instead of the male lead swooping in.
But, she also does something I feel was quite brave: she created a story line that has a big influence on religion. Yet, she doesn’t preach or force the reader the religious aspects of her novel. She never makes you feel uncomfortable with the religious parts of the book. I love this because I’m not at all a religious person. To be perfectly blunt, I’m an atheist. Just because I don't have the same beliefs as Elisa, doesn't mean I’m going to judge others for their personal beliefs. I can proudly say that the book doesn’t prescribe to one of the belief systems that Carson presents in her novel.
Elisa may be religious, but it’s presented in a way that doesn’t force itself on the reader. It’s completely plot based and personal to the protagonist. Never once did I think or suspect Carson was trying to force her opinions on me. I’ve read books like that. For example a certain science fiction writer, who will remain nameless because he’s an asshole. I won’t fucking give him the pleasure of mentioning him in this review.
The relationship development in this book was phenomenal. I loved how Elisa’s relationship with her nurse Ximena changes. Elisa becomes so much more independent in this book, even though she feels like everything is falling apart. The way Hector and Elisa’s friendship changes becomes one of the best part of this book.
Summary:
Elisa has earned her right as Queen of Joya d’Arena. She’s fought for and lost those she’s loved. Unfortunately, her hardships as Queen don’t end there. She must now rule her kingdom with confidence. She must become the ruler her husband wasn’t. This provides difficult for Elisa because there are many who don’t believe she has the strength to be a strong ruler. The Quorum lords don't trust her. The people are now struggling for their livelihood and rioting. Everyone has demands. If it’s not the Quorum lords, than it’s the people of Joya d’Arena. She wants to do what’s right for her country. But Elisa can’t quite figure out how to please everyone.
Stakes become even higher when her life is threatened. Elisa becomes frightened for her life. She needs to find out who almost killed her and why. Elisa believes some within her trust circle have been plotting against her. In addition Elisa is losing control of her crown. Some may not think she has the right to be Queen. Elisa believes that if she finds the knowledge and power of her Godstone, than her ruling will not be questioned or even threatened. She journeys towards something that will help her gain the power of her Godstone.
Along the way Elisa gains many things. She realizes more about love, friendship, confidence, and independence than she knew before. This book becomes more about Elisa’s confidence and independence than anything else. She learns that intelligence and confidence becomes the power to rule her nation. She doesn’t need to please everyone. She learns to be a strong ruler, something which her husband didn’t gain in his lifetime.
Plot:
Rae Carson’s plot actually stays consistent. This doesn’t mean that her plots aren’t complex. The focus in this book stays on: Elisa gaining the courage and strength to rule her people. Whether that means going in search of something that she believes will get her there or dealing with assassination attempts that would prevent her from her purpose. Carson doesn’t stray from the main plot. But even so, Carson does have some sub-plots; but, they don’t take the focus off Elisa’s determination to become a strong Queen for the people of Joya d’Arena. Elisa's relationships become part of gaining confidence in her abilities. Each major part in the Crown of Embers has purpose and leads to something that will lead to the climax of the novel.
Writing:
The descriptions in Crown of Embers may not be gorgeous prose per say, but Carson has a talent for setting the mood for the reader. She’s able to use description to create tension in action scenes or slow the pacing down to create an intimate moment. The moments when Elisa and her friends reach their destination make for some of the most beautiful descriptions:
There are no palm trees here, just sprawling cypress and towering eucalyptus and a tree I’ve never seen before, with such huge broad leaves that a single leaf would cover my whole body. Birds flit among branches; dappled light catches on them and shoots away in prismatic facets. It’s so startlingly odd that I peer closer.
No, not birds. They’re giant insects, as large as ospreys, with downy white abdomens and gossamer wings.
Carson shows her characters feelings with exuberance:
Up ahead, the curtains of the queen’s carriage part, and Ximena peeks out. I smile and wink. She starts to smile back, but then she sees Hector beside me and her smile fades. The curtain swishes back into place.
She’s an author that shows the reader the characters emotions. But, she doesn’t leave out the internal thoughts on the characters part either. I never felt left out or confused when reading this book. It’s the mark of great writer when you never find yourself confused. Shockingly, this has happened to me too many time in the past to count. Consistency people! it's a powerful thing.
Characters:
Elisa
Elisa becomes a woman in this book. She matures and grows in her realizations about her strength and her relationships. By the end you’ll be routing for her intense confidence in herself. I love confident heroines, but I prefer to read about how they gain their confidence. We get to see this journey in Elisa. The scene where Elisa tells off her nurse is fucking BRILLIANT! I’m so glad she didn’t just brush off her nurse as if it was nothing, who's constantly deciding for Elisa. If Elisa’s nurse Ximena were a man, how would you feel? She’s constantly making decisions for Elisa; rather than making them with Elisa’s permission. I loved that scene. My other favorite scene is the scene with Mara and the lady’s shroud. You’ll see what I mean. It’s amazing to read a novel that doesn’t shy away from the female body image.
Mara
Mara, Elisa’s good friend, shows her colors in Crown of Embers. She doesn’t hide away her thoughts and opinions. When Elisa asks whether Mara’s ever had a lover before, she goes right out and says to Elisa:
“Mara, have you ever had a lover?”
She doesn’t hesitate. “Yes. Two.”
That’s great that she doesn’t regret her decisions and isn’t embarrassed of her sexuality. There’s no slut shaming on Elisa’s part either. I didn’t come across slut shaming once in this book. It’s fucking rare to come across a book that doesn’t do that. Mara isn’t rich or stuck-up. She’s completely happy with being herself. She’s a normal girl.
Ximena:
Ximena, Ximena, Ximena. She’s constantly hot and cold with me. One moment I love how kind and strong she is and the next I want to gut her. I hate, just fucking hate how she goes over Elisa’s head as if she knows what’s best for Elisa
Elisa is old enough to understand what’s right for her life. She doesn’t need some old granny doing it for her. Elisa has fought in a war as well as become Queen of Joya d’Arena. I think she fucking knows by now what she wants. Yeah. Elisa’s young. But, that doesn’t mean she can’t decide for herself. That’s it for Ximena. I’m not talking about her anymore. She pisses me off too much.
Romance:
Oh, you want to know about the mushy part of Crown of Embers? Elisa and Hector…Hector and Elisa. Ah, yes. A slow burn romance. My favorite. I LOVE THE ROMANCE IN THIS BOOK! It grows so realistically and it’s so well developed that it becomes so much more satisfying than fucking insta-love. The smallest of the intimate moments become the most heart wrenching parts in my opinion. Carson creates these little descriptions between Hector and Elisa:
His gaze drops to the ground, and his chest rises and falls with a breath. “Always.”
which grow to something so much bigger:
something overtakes me, desperation maybe, and before I know it I’m slipping my hand past the tent flap. My fingers find his wrist. It shifts, and suddenly my hand is wrapped in one of Hector’s much larger ones. Something about his gentle strength brings tears to my eyes.
Although beware, the ending is utterly and completely ANGER-INDUCING! You’ll understand what I mean if you’ve read the book.
Holy Fuck, a book without insta-love! There must be a blue moon or something, right?
Thoughts:
Rae Carson may be one of the few authors of Young Adult fiction I love most. Here’s why: she doesn’t slut shame, she doesn’t write insta-love, she writes realistic character development, and she has the heroine save herself instead of the male lead swooping in.
But, she also does something I feel was quite brave: she created a story line that has a big influence on religion. Yet, she doesn’t preach or force the reader the religious aspects of her novel. She never makes you feel uncomfortable with the religious parts of the book. I love this because I’m not at all a religious person. To be perfectly blunt, I’m an atheist. Just because I don't have the same beliefs as Elisa, doesn't mean I’m going to judge others for their personal beliefs. I can proudly say that the book doesn’t prescribe to one of the belief systems that Carson presents in her novel.
Elisa may be religious, but it’s presented in a way that doesn’t force itself on the reader. It’s completely plot based and personal to the protagonist. Never once did I think or suspect Carson was trying to force her opinions on me. I’ve read books like that. For example a certain science fiction writer, who will remain nameless because he’s an asshole. I won’t fucking give him the pleasure of mentioning him in this review.
The relationship development in this book was phenomenal. I loved how Elisa’s relationship with her nurse Ximena changes. Elisa becomes so much more independent in this book, even though she feels like everything is falling apart. The way Hector and Elisa’s friendship changes becomes one of the best part of this book.
Summary:
Elisa has earned her right as Queen of Joya d’Arena. She’s fought for and lost those she’s loved. Unfortunately, her hardships as Queen don’t end there. She must now rule her kingdom with confidence. She must become the ruler her husband wasn’t. This provides difficult for Elisa because there are many who don’t believe she has the strength to be a strong ruler. The Quorum lords don't trust her. The people are now struggling for their livelihood and rioting. Everyone has demands. If it’s not the Quorum lords, than it’s the people of Joya d’Arena. She wants to do what’s right for her country. But Elisa can’t quite figure out how to please everyone.
Stakes become even higher when her life is threatened. Elisa becomes frightened for her life. She needs to find out who almost killed her and why. Elisa believes some within her trust circle have been plotting against her. In addition Elisa is losing control of her crown. Some may not think she has the right to be Queen. Elisa believes that if she finds the knowledge and power of her Godstone, than her ruling will not be questioned or even threatened. She journeys towards something that will help her gain the power of her Godstone.
Along the way Elisa gains many things. She realizes more about love, friendship, confidence, and independence than she knew before. This book becomes more about Elisa’s confidence and independence than anything else. She learns that intelligence and confidence becomes the power to rule her nation. She doesn’t need to please everyone. She learns to be a strong ruler, something which her husband didn’t gain in his lifetime.
Plot:
Rae Carson’s plot actually stays consistent. This doesn’t mean that her plots aren’t complex. The focus in this book stays on: Elisa gaining the courage and strength to rule her people. Whether that means going in search of something that she believes will get her there or dealing with assassination attempts that would prevent her from her purpose. Carson doesn’t stray from the main plot. But even so, Carson does have some sub-plots; but, they don’t take the focus off Elisa’s determination to become a strong Queen for the people of Joya d’Arena. Elisa's relationships become part of gaining confidence in her abilities. Each major part in the Crown of Embers has purpose and leads to something that will lead to the climax of the novel.
Writing:
The descriptions in Crown of Embers may not be gorgeous prose per say, but Carson has a talent for setting the mood for the reader. She’s able to use description to create tension in action scenes or slow the pacing down to create an intimate moment. The moments when Elisa and her friends reach their destination make for some of the most beautiful descriptions:
There are no palm trees here, just sprawling cypress and towering eucalyptus and a tree I’ve never seen before, with such huge broad leaves that a single leaf would cover my whole body. Birds flit among branches; dappled light catches on them and shoots away in prismatic facets. It’s so startlingly odd that I peer closer.
No, not birds. They’re giant insects, as large as ospreys, with downy white abdomens and gossamer wings.
Carson shows her characters feelings with exuberance:
Up ahead, the curtains of the queen’s carriage part, and Ximena peeks out. I smile and wink. She starts to smile back, but then she sees Hector beside me and her smile fades. The curtain swishes back into place.
She’s an author that shows the reader the characters emotions. But, she doesn’t leave out the internal thoughts on the characters part either. I never felt left out or confused when reading this book. It’s the mark of great writer when you never find yourself confused. Shockingly, this has happened to me too many time in the past to count. Consistency people! it's a powerful thing.
Characters:
Elisa
Elisa becomes a woman in this book. She matures and grows in her realizations about her strength and her relationships. By the end you’ll be routing for her intense confidence in herself. I love confident heroines, but I prefer to read about how they gain their confidence. We get to see this journey in Elisa. The scene where Elisa tells off her nurse is fucking BRILLIANT! I’m so glad she didn’t just brush off her nurse as if it was nothing, who's constantly deciding for Elisa. If Elisa’s nurse Ximena were a man, how would you feel? She’s constantly making decisions for Elisa; rather than making them with Elisa’s permission. I loved that scene. My other favorite scene is the scene with Mara and the lady’s shroud. You’ll see what I mean. It’s amazing to read a novel that doesn’t shy away from the female body image.
Mara
Mara, Elisa’s good friend, shows her colors in Crown of Embers. She doesn’t hide away her thoughts and opinions. When Elisa asks whether Mara’s ever had a lover before, she goes right out and says to Elisa:
“Mara, have you ever had a lover?”
She doesn’t hesitate. “Yes. Two.”
That’s great that she doesn’t regret her decisions and isn’t embarrassed of her sexuality. There’s no slut shaming on Elisa’s part either. I didn’t come across slut shaming once in this book. It’s fucking rare to come across a book that doesn’t do that. Mara isn’t rich or stuck-up. She’s completely happy with being herself. She’s a normal girl.
Ximena:
Ximena, Ximena, Ximena. She’s constantly hot and cold with me. One moment I love how kind and strong she is and the next I want to gut her. I hate, just fucking hate how she goes over Elisa’s head as if she knows what’s best for Elisa
Elisa is old enough to understand what’s right for her life. She doesn’t need some old granny doing it for her. Elisa has fought in a war as well as become Queen of Joya d’Arena. I think she fucking knows by now what she wants. Yeah. Elisa’s young. But, that doesn’t mean she can’t decide for herself. That’s it for Ximena. I’m not talking about her anymore. She pisses me off too much.
Romance:
Oh, you want to know about the mushy part of Crown of Embers? Elisa and Hector…Hector and Elisa. Ah, yes. A slow burn romance. My favorite. I LOVE THE ROMANCE IN THIS BOOK! It grows so realistically and it’s so well developed that it becomes so much more satisfying than fucking insta-love. The smallest of the intimate moments become the most heart wrenching parts in my opinion. Carson creates these little descriptions between Hector and Elisa:
His gaze drops to the ground, and his chest rises and falls with a breath. “Always.”
which grow to something so much bigger:
something overtakes me, desperation maybe, and before I know it I’m slipping my hand past the tent flap. My fingers find his wrist. It shifts, and suddenly my hand is wrapped in one of Hector’s much larger ones. Something about his gentle strength brings tears to my eyes.
Although beware, the ending is utterly and completely ANGER-INDUCING! You’ll understand what I mean if you’ve read the book.
SO GOOD! But now I have to wait for the next book.... Alana, Jessi, you should both read these books (this is the second in the series).
Dear Ms Carson,
This book made me sad sad sad. Predictable. and every theme that you took on so bravely in your debut (spirituality and the body)- have devolved sadly into predictable places.
This book made me sad sad sad. Predictable. and every theme that you took on so bravely in your debut (spirituality and the body)- have devolved sadly into predictable places.
Oh Rae Carson, Rae Carson, Rae Carson – how dare you pull at my heartstrings like that? Thank God I waited to start this book until I had an ARC of The Bitter Kingdom in hand as well. Also, hip hip hooray for authors who GET characters and write REAL characters and ohmygosh guys I can’t get over these CHARACTERS. Erm, anyways, let’s get reviewing, shall we?
The story picks up on Elisa’s birthday, a day that should have been full of celebration and adoration for and from her people. Instead, Elisa is once again attacked by an animagus, who warns that her enemies are not as defeated as she would think. They want Elisa as a “willing sacrifice,” though she doesn’t know why. Her journey to discovery leads her to more questions about her Godstone, her beliefs and even the founding of her nation. Along the way, she meets new friends and discovers that some old ones might have more to them than meets the eye.
The stakes are certainly high in this novel, as that first attempt on her life is only one of many throughout the book. Elisa is constantly being hounded, even by those she thought were friends, and it takes her intellect and the combination of others to keep her safe at all times. I never knew where the next attack was going to come from, but I knew with certainty it was coming and I had to hold my breath til it did.
I was going to try to talk coherently about this book, but it turns out I’m fighting everything in me not to talk and talk and talk about the characters in this book. In my review of The Girl of Fire and Thorns, I mentioned that none of the characters really grabbed me except for Elisa. Not so in this book! Elisa was the prime example of a real, rounded main character that I wish more authors would follow, as always, but the cast around her was strengthened immeasurably in this book. Her companions worked in symphony with her, each with their own talents that made them important and none of them shouldering an undo amount of work. They all had faults where the others picked up the slack. They were all also really fun to hang out with.
And can I get a round of applause for Rae for adding in a gay character whose first attribute is NOT that he’s gay, but rather that he’s a good guy who’s freaky amazing with a sword and oh by the way he’s gay but it’s not really a big deal? Because CONDE TRISTAN. That is all.
Also, let’s talk the romance in this book. I’ve mentioned that Rae wrote possibly my favorite love triangle in The Girl of Fire and Thorns, mostly because HUGE SPOILER FOR THE FIRST BOOK COMING the guys both die in the end. Maybe that makes me morbid, but it was a nice change from the norm. Now Elisa is realizing that she’s fallen in love with Hector, her fierce protector. For the first time in a long time, this is an ENTIRE romantic arc that I have shipped. Hector is not the first man she adores, with whom she shares such a magical connection that she doesn’t need to shop around. She’s fallen in love before, been burned, been hurt–and nothing about Hector and Elisa is instant. They love each other but they recognize the obstacles they face and don’t let their love dictate their actions when those actions would be stupid politically.
So why the docked star on this review? Mostly because I am terribly hard to please with middle books in trilogies, and I felt like the most exciting things in this book was set up for The Bitter Kingdom. The ending of her journey left me a little bit unsatisfied, as well. (Though the end of the book itself left me screaming. So there’s that.) I also still don’t feel like I have a completely solid grasp of the world building, though that could also just be because I haven’t read the first book in a little while.
All in all, though, I immensely enjoyed this book. It was a solid follow up to The Girl of Fire and Thorns, and it left me screaming for more. If you’re into fantasy books, this is one of the best series I’ve read in a while. I also seriously recommend these books if you’re into character heavy books, because THESE CHARACTERS. I’m usually plot-centric myself, so when *I* fall in love with an entire cast this hard it’s saying something.
Basically, go read these books. GO. I’ll wait. (I have The Bitter Kingdom on my Kindle.)
The story picks up on Elisa’s birthday, a day that should have been full of celebration and adoration for and from her people. Instead, Elisa is once again attacked by an animagus, who warns that her enemies are not as defeated as she would think. They want Elisa as a “willing sacrifice,” though she doesn’t know why. Her journey to discovery leads her to more questions about her Godstone, her beliefs and even the founding of her nation. Along the way, she meets new friends and discovers that some old ones might have more to them than meets the eye.
The stakes are certainly high in this novel, as that first attempt on her life is only one of many throughout the book. Elisa is constantly being hounded, even by those she thought were friends, and it takes her intellect and the combination of others to keep her safe at all times. I never knew where the next attack was going to come from, but I knew with certainty it was coming and I had to hold my breath til it did.
I was going to try to talk coherently about this book, but it turns out I’m fighting everything in me not to talk and talk and talk about the characters in this book. In my review of The Girl of Fire and Thorns, I mentioned that none of the characters really grabbed me except for Elisa. Not so in this book! Elisa was the prime example of a real, rounded main character that I wish more authors would follow, as always, but the cast around her was strengthened immeasurably in this book. Her companions worked in symphony with her, each with their own talents that made them important and none of them shouldering an undo amount of work. They all had faults where the others picked up the slack. They were all also really fun to hang out with.
And can I get a round of applause for Rae for adding in a gay character whose first attribute is NOT that he’s gay, but rather that he’s a good guy who’s freaky amazing with a sword and oh by the way he’s gay but it’s not really a big deal? Because CONDE TRISTAN. That is all.
Also, let’s talk the romance in this book. I’ve mentioned that Rae wrote possibly my favorite love triangle in The Girl of Fire and Thorns, mostly because HUGE SPOILER FOR THE FIRST BOOK COMING the guys both die in the end. Maybe that makes me morbid, but it was a nice change from the norm. Now Elisa is realizing that she’s fallen in love with Hector, her fierce protector. For the first time in a long time, this is an ENTIRE romantic arc that I have shipped. Hector is not the first man she adores, with whom she shares such a magical connection that she doesn’t need to shop around. She’s fallen in love before, been burned, been hurt–and nothing about Hector and Elisa is instant. They love each other but they recognize the obstacles they face and don’t let their love dictate their actions when those actions would be stupid politically.
So why the docked star on this review? Mostly because I am terribly hard to please with middle books in trilogies, and I felt like the most exciting things in this book was set up for The Bitter Kingdom. The ending of her journey left me a little bit unsatisfied, as well. (Though the end of the book itself left me screaming. So there’s that.) I also still don’t feel like I have a completely solid grasp of the world building, though that could also just be because I haven’t read the first book in a little while.
All in all, though, I immensely enjoyed this book. It was a solid follow up to The Girl of Fire and Thorns, and it left me screaming for more. If you’re into fantasy books, this is one of the best series I’ve read in a while. I also seriously recommend these books if you’re into character heavy books, because THESE CHARACTERS. I’m usually plot-centric myself, so when *I* fall in love with an entire cast this hard it’s saying something.
Basically, go read these books. GO. I’ll wait. (I have The Bitter Kingdom on my Kindle.)
Hectoooooooooorrrrrrrr!
Also, audio performance? YES. SPOT ON.
Also, audio performance? YES. SPOT ON.
SWOOOOOOOONNNNN! Those love scenes though. DANG! More please.
3.5 stars. Embers is definitely the weakest book in the trilogy, but mostly because it has to deal with the aftermath of book one and lay the groundwork for the final book. It was still a well written book and an enjoyable read. The narrative picks up speed in the second half and takes Elisa to some very interesting places. The best part about this installment is that we get to know some great new characters as well as learning more about minor characters from the first book. Make sure that you have book 3 ready if you read this because you are NOT going to want to wait to find out what happens!
This sequel to the amazing The Girl of Fire and Thorns continues the story of Elisa and other beloved characters from the first novel. It is the story of Elisa’s new role as queen of a country after war. They won the war against the Inviernos only through Elisa’s use of the Godstone that she bears as part of her body. The war may have been won, but her enemies are all around her as spies and perhaps even manipulating her own government. After several attempts at her life, Elisa heads on a new journey; this time searching for a source of power using the guidance of her Godstone. It is a harrowing journey that will put all of those closest to her at risk. It is also a journey that readers will be thrilled to take with her thanks to the action, strong heroine and romance packed into this book.
Carson has done it again. I was looking forward to this book so much, but so often my favorite series slip in the sequels. This time, the second is as strong as the first. I love the fact that Elisa is brave, strong and almost fearless, yet at the same time has achingly large doubts about so much of her life. She is complicated as are so many of the secondary characters around her. Carson invests much in each of them, making them unique and interesting too. So many could be spun into their own novels.
The world building here is exceptional. Carson has created a place of political intrigue, murder and deceit that would be too much without the equally strong message of the power of friendship, the ability to do what is right, and the love that flows throughout the novel. Beautifully realized, the setting is made all the more vivid thanks to the characters who populate it.
Highly recommended, this book will thrill fans of the first novel. Get this series into the hands of teens who love Kristin Cashore’s Graceling series. Appropriate for ages 15-18.
Carson has done it again. I was looking forward to this book so much, but so often my favorite series slip in the sequels. This time, the second is as strong as the first. I love the fact that Elisa is brave, strong and almost fearless, yet at the same time has achingly large doubts about so much of her life. She is complicated as are so many of the secondary characters around her. Carson invests much in each of them, making them unique and interesting too. So many could be spun into their own novels.
The world building here is exceptional. Carson has created a place of political intrigue, murder and deceit that would be too much without the equally strong message of the power of friendship, the ability to do what is right, and the love that flows throughout the novel. Beautifully realized, the setting is made all the more vivid thanks to the characters who populate it.
Highly recommended, this book will thrill fans of the first novel. Get this series into the hands of teens who love Kristin Cashore’s Graceling series. Appropriate for ages 15-18.
Still a good story that picks up where the first left off. I think this one was more YA than the previous and felt more angsty-teenage girl.
I do like that the main character isn't some super-sorceress and mostly solves things with her brain, even if it might take her a while.
I do like that the main character isn't some super-sorceress and mostly solves things with her brain, even if it might take her a while.
I loved it, and more importantly, I have a bunch of students who will, too!