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crystalisreading 's review for:
The Crown of Embers
by Rae Carson
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.