Heir of Fire - Review

Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3)

By: Sarah J. Maas

Published: September 2, 2014 by Bloomsbury USA Children's

576 pages

Source: Personal Kindle Library

(Goodreads / Amazon)

Summary:

She was the heir of ash and fire, and she would bow to no one.

Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak—but at an unspeakable cost. Now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth...a truth about her heritage that could change her life—and her future—forever.

Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena must find the strength to not only fight her inner demons but to battle the evil that is about to be unleashed.

The king's assassin takes on an even greater destiny and burns brighter than ever before in this follow-up to the New York Timesbestselling Crown of Midnight.

MY REVIEW:
OH MAN. OH MAN. OH MAN! There is so much that I felt at the end of this book and so many thoughts went running through my head. But to reveal them would be to ruin the journey that it took to get to this point in the story. Suffice it to say that book three, is hands down, my favorite of the series thus far!

Book three really ups the stakes. Loads more characters are introduced as a major battle is brewing. There are many things revealed that were unexpected. Many more that are heartbreaking. The addition of Manon and the Wyvern's...that was strangely touching. The addition of Rowan...all I can really say there is YES!

Calaena is quite broken and defeated. Still serving the king as his assassin she is sent to a country to kill its king and prince. But the discoveries she makes while she is there are life and world changing. It's fair to say that for all of the main characters there is loads of character growth and development. There are so many aspects to this one story that it has become an incredible fantastical world filled with magical creatures, witches, Fae, demi-Fae, humans, warriors, princes, kings, queens and more.

In the romance portion of the story, book one I felt like the two guys who had been introduced as romantic interests for Calaena were on even ground and neither stood out to me as a better fit. In book two, one of them definitely took the lead and I was happy with it at the time but there still felt like something was missing. In book three, I came to realize that Calaena needed someone who accepted all parts of her, including the part of her that is a lethal warrior. I'm still not sure where this leaves her, romantically, but I will say that my hope for her is not with either of the first two guys (obviously being vague is necessary given the spoilers if I was specific). However, it's not clear which direction the author is leaning in this regard....which I suppose just makes it that much more intriguing.

This third installment really is a game changer in the story. If you are new to the series, and love YA Fantasy with tons of world building, action, battles and yes, romance, then this is a must read series! Check out my other reviews:

Book one, Throne of Glass (4 stars)
Book two, Crown of Midnight (4 stars)

Top 5 Favorite Quotes:
"Maybe we could find the way back together."

"You cannot pick and choose what parts of her to love."

"...you are trusted and respected. So I am staying. Because you are needed, and because I will follow you to whatever end."

"I claim you...I don't care what you say and how much you protest. I claim you as my friend."

"I do. Until my last breath, and the world beyond. To whatever end."

Language: 2 (medium)
Mature Content: 1 (light)
Final Rating: 4.5 stars