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bibliorama's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Enjoyment - 4
From what I've seen from other reviewers, this book is a turning point for whether or not readers like the direction that the series is heading. Some think that it changed for the worse, I would have to say I'm in the camp of enjoying this installment the best so far. This additional felt more magical and had some more horror-esq vibes, which I was in to. It also felt more grown up, which is definitely a different tone from the first two books. The setting was also more interesting and we finally got a ton of history for the world that the story is set in. That history and the exploration of Celaena's past was a lot of fun to read.
Start - 3.5
These books always seem to take me a minute to get fully into and the story seems to take a minute to get going as well. For this book it was in part because of Celaena's mental state, but I still remember this beginning a lot more than Crown of Midnights.
Characters - 4
There were some new additions to the cast, so I'm going to rank them each individually.
Celaena - Still the most interesting and she has a really big character arc in this book that was satisfying to go through. Learning about her history and seeing some flashback scenes really helped develop the world.
Manon - Next fave. I love the animal companion trope in books and Manon's storyline is filled to the brim with that. I also liked her morally gray nature and the expansion of the world the witches brought. It also gave us insight to more of the King's plans, which were very much needed. Plus she has a sick costume what can I say.
Chaol - Now, Chaol seems to be the punching bag of this series and here I would have to say, "No". Bro is literally the only thing keeping the plot going in Rifthold and actually taking steps to figure out the King's power. Without Chaol, no one would know how the King banished magic. This doesn't mean that I want him and Celaena together or that that's why I'm on his side. I'm on his side because for all the talk Dorian and Aedion and everyone seem to give about not being on Celaena's side, Chaol is the only one taking actions that will actually help her for when she gets back. Plus, he is the only one who remembered to let Eyllwe know that a certain person was back.
I said what I said. And in Crown of Midnight, he went back for the dog.
Rowan - Very broody, I like the back and forth between him and Celaena. No real strong opinions have been formed where he's concerned. I would like to see some interactions between him and the other Fae that he's known for centuries. I think that would give me better insight into who he really is.
Aedion - I like the connection he has to Celaena and to Terrasen. That's the extent of my opinions on him.
Dorian - Bro what were you even doing. He felt very bratty. Call it an unpopular opinion and I get he's got certain things going on at the moment, but so does everyone. Let's face it, someone had to be at the bottom of this list and he made it easy.
Atmosphere - 4
This book had the best vibes in the series so far. I love a good forest setting and this is that book. I really enjoyed getting to learn about some other creatures in the world like the Fae. I have to say one of my favorite parts was the storytelling in the kitchen at night. Those were great vibes and I wish we got told more of the stories about Wendlyn.
Plot - 4.5
The plot in this was a bit slower and a lot more character driven. However, I liked the character struggles that were at the forefront of this book and how they shaped the plot.
Ending - 4.5
Really fun battle that felt liked it topped every fight scene that we've seen so far, but not so crazy that we still can't grow beyond it. There feels like there's a nice power crawl happening and hopefully that continues.
Style - 4
SJM has a writing style and she sticks to it what can I say. But I think her style best suits the fairytale nature of this book the best.
Overall - Solid 4
From what I've seen from other reviewers, this book is a turning point for whether or not readers like the direction that the series is heading. Some think that it changed for the worse, I would have to say I'm in the camp of enjoying this installment the best so far. This additional felt more magical and had some more horror-esq vibes, which I was in to. It also felt more grown up, which is definitely a different tone from the first two books. The setting was also more interesting and we finally got a ton of history for the world that the story is set in. That history and the exploration of Celaena's past was a lot of fun to read.
Start - 3.5
These books always seem to take me a minute to get fully into and the story seems to take a minute to get going as well. For this book it was in part because of Celaena's mental state, but I still remember this beginning a lot more than Crown of Midnights.
Characters - 4
There were some new additions to the cast, so I'm going to rank them each individually.
Celaena - Still the most interesting and she has a really big character arc in this book that was satisfying to go through. Learning about her history and seeing some flashback scenes really helped develop the world.
Manon - Next fave. I love the animal companion trope in books and Manon's storyline is filled to the brim with that. I also liked her morally gray nature and the expansion of the world the witches brought. It also gave us insight to more of the King's plans, which were very much needed. Plus she has a sick costume what can I say.
Chaol - Now, Chaol seems to be the punching bag of this series and here I would have to say, "No". Bro is literally the only thing keeping the plot going in Rifthold and actually taking steps to figure out the King's power. Without Chaol, no one would know how the King banished magic. This doesn't mean that I want him and Celaena together or that that's why I'm on his side. I'm on his side because for all the talk Dorian and Aedion and everyone seem to give about not being on Celaena's side, Chaol is the only one taking actions that will actually help her for when she gets back. Plus, he is the only one who remembered to let Eyllwe know that a certain person was back.
I said what I said. And in Crown of Midnight, he went back for the dog.
Rowan - Very broody, I like the back and forth between him and Celaena. No real strong opinions have been formed where he's concerned. I would like to see some interactions between him and the other Fae that he's known for centuries. I think that would give me better insight into who he really is.
Aedion - I like the connection he has to Celaena and to Terrasen. That's the extent of my opinions on him.
Dorian - Bro what were you even doing. He felt very bratty. Call it an unpopular opinion and I get he's got certain things going on at the moment, but so does everyone. Let's face it, someone had to be at the bottom of this list and he made it easy.
Atmosphere - 4
This book had the best vibes in the series so far. I love a good forest setting and this is that book. I really enjoyed getting to learn about some other creatures in the world like the Fae. I have to say one of my favorite parts was the storytelling in the kitchen at night. Those were great vibes and I wish we got told more of the stories about Wendlyn.
Plot - 4.5
The plot in this was a bit slower and a lot more character driven. However, I liked the character struggles that were at the forefront of this book and how they shaped the plot.
Ending - 4.5
Really fun battle that felt liked it topped every fight scene that we've seen so far, but not so crazy that we still can't grow beyond it. There feels like there's a nice power crawl happening and hopefully that continues.
Style - 4
SJM has a writing style and she sticks to it what can I say. But I think her style best suits the fairytale nature of this book the best.
Overall - Solid 4
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Colonisation, Slavery, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and War
Minor: Vomit
tiana_king's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death of parent, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Slavery, Alcoholism, Grief, Mental illness, Torture, and War
ninaevan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This one was slower than the rest... felt like a way to build up the next book rather than something that stands well on its own, but there’s never a dull moment in this series so I really can’t complain. I’m enjoying this world a lot!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Blood, Death, and Torture
Minor: Body horror, Colonisation, Excrement, and Vomit
ka_ke's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Heir of Fire is a world/plot building book. It is a powerful transition from Crown of Midnight to Queen of Darkness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Murder, Slavery, Violence, and War
Moderate: Torture
emmasbookshelf27's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think so far in the series this is my least favourite of the books. I loved all the other ones but I felt like there was a hundred page lag in the middle where it could have been sped up. I also felt like the flashes to Manon and sometimes Choal were unnecessary with very little new information being added to the story or character development. I definitely do not think this was a bad book but I do think it was a weaker one in the series. I also would like to note that I think this was an important book for the character development of celena and will serve as a foundation for her future personality moving forwards.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Colonisation, Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and War
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