Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3)

Heir of Fire is a great third installment to the Throne of Glass series. It continues our journey through each character's life after Celaena left for Wendlyn courtesy of Chaol who didn't quite understand where he had "tossed" his friend until she actually left.

I really love this new, undiscovered world along with the people and dangers within. Even the new characters have their own type of charm... and yes, that includes Rowan. Though everyone seems to be girling over the brute of a Fae, I seem to still have my eyes on Chaol regardless of what previously happened between him and Celaena. However, going on through the story, I've learned to love Rowan in his ... Fae ways (I suppose).

This book wasn't slow as some people say it was... at least, in my opinion, it wasn't. However, I really could have done without the new character perspective of Mannon and the witches. Sure, it gave some insight as to what was happening while Celaena was away and the others were unaware of how dangerous the King was becoming, but I feel like that story stretched on and I had to continue fighting the urge to skip those pages. One thing that I really did love about the Mannon story was that it revealed what happened with Ansel (I wonder what will happen if Celaena should cross paths with her now).

The ending was great and full of action, making you want to read more right away. Alas, when I first read this book, it literally had just came out and I had to wait this agonizingly long just for Queen of Shadows to come out. I was up until 4AM reading this because I really wanted to finish it. I really can't wait to see what Celaena does next and if she finds out what happened to everyone at the castle. I want to know if (SPOILER) the king of assassins actually has this wyrdkey.

Heir of Fire finds Celaena in Wendlyn where she is in mourning over Nehemia’s death while she is supposed to search for answers on how to defeat the Wardkeys and the King of Adarlan. This book is as good as the others in the Throne of Glass series except for the fact that a new, and seeming unrelated, the main character is introduced; an Ironteeth witch by the name of Manon Blackbeak.

Celaena is in a state of depression over Nehemia’s death and the killing of Archer Finn. She is also upset about breaking up with Chaol and the utter enormity of the task to free Eyllwe from the King like she swore over Nehemia’s grave. While she is in Wendlyn on a mission to kill the royal family she is summoned by her aunt Queen Maeve of the Fae who has the answers she desires. However, she must prove her worth by training with the handsome Prince Rowan in order to receive them. This very interesting as it expands on and explores more of Celaena’s magic, Fae heritage and mysterious past. The magic in this book is very unique, if Celaena doesn’t learn to control it, it will not only destroy all those around her but will burn her from the inside out. Finally, we learn about Celaena's past which was definitely worth the wait! Everything links into that night ten years ago when Celaena’s life and that of the kingdoms’ was changed forever.

Chaol joins the rebels in an attempt to gain information that may help Dorian who’s magic is becoming stronger but harder to control. Through this Chaol meets Aedion, Celaena’s lost cousin, who has joined the King’s army and has become one of his most trusted and ruthless generals. As it turns out Aedion has always been loyal to Terrasin and has risen through the ranks in an attempt to gain more information for the rebels. Dorian meets a young healer named Sorscha who he falls in love with while she helps him hide his magic. The development of Chaol and Dorian’s characters is really good to see and helps the reader to better understand both men and what they have to do for the people they care about.

A new main character by the name of Manon Blackbeak was introduced in this book. Manon is an Ironteeth witch and is the heir of the Blackbeak clan. All the Ironteeth witches have been hired by the King to ride is his army, in exchange they each get a wyvern, a dragon-like creature. The Ironteeth witches are brutal, ferocious and enjoy eating the raw flesh of creatures they kill. That pretty much sums them up, they’re not very nice. All three covens must pick and train a mount before they all compete in the War Games to determine which coven will become Wing Leader. It is interesting how you get to learn more about the King’s movements and plans. The bond that develops between Manon and Abraxos is exciting. However, I found that this more felt like it was distracting from the main story lines.

This is a fast paced book with lots of action, suspense and mystery just like the other books in the series. These are fast becoming my favourite books. However, the sudden introduction of a new and seemingly unrelated main character made this book feel a little slow as I just wanted to read about the others.

So this book is even better than Crown of Midnight and I never thought that would happen. These books really do keep getting better and better! Also Rowen! He's so awesome! Chaol... I know so many people shipped him and Celaena but I never did so I'm glad it looks like that ship has sunk. I'm sorry if that's your ship though. I used to want her with Dorian but I don't think that will happen either. So yeah...

What I love most about Sarah's writing is how she brings out such strong emotions in me. I cried, screamed and laughed so much during this book. I don't always do that with other books. She makes her characters so real. Like Celaena, she is flawed but pushes through those flaws and becomes such a better person. I'm so proud of her! Finally forgiving herself and moving forward. I can't wait to see what she does next!

I love watching Manon grow, she was so hard at first but we slowly get to see her heart come through, Dorian finally stood up to his evil ass father! Chaol finally chose a damn side!

I also found myself really falling in love with Aedion Ashryver! I can't wait to see those two together again, I think they will make one hell of a team. He's so kickass. He will help our girl so much, if she can get him free...

Also have I said how much I adore Rowen?! He is so swoon worthy. I have been told that she and Rowen get together? I wonder how that will work for him she dies? I don't know much about that yet as I'm just starting Queen of Shadows so yeah... just my thoughts.

I also just want to add that while this book is huge that it reads so quickly. Once I actually sat down to start reading it, it only took a few days to finish. So don't be scared to jump in and go for it! I don't often give five star ratings but this one fucking earned it! Amazing from the first to the last page. Sarah J Maas as done it again!

First Impressions

I've been dying for this book for months now. My copy finally arrived from Bloomsbury on Monday and I *might* have jumped up and down with joy. I immediately dug in, only taking breaks for homework (which I might have skipped some of), food (only when I was starving), and school (during which I often read under the table). I loved it from the very first page and gobbled the entire thing up in one big gulp!

Characters

Celaena majorly came into herself in this book. In the previous two, she's very secretive and you honestly don't know much about her. Reveal after reveal about Celaena's past hits the reader in the story. I've loved her character in the past, but her true self really shines through in this book. I don't think I can express in words how much I love her, except for: SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We get a couple new characters in this book. As a result, many of my ships have sunk, and then resurfaced with different colors. One ship I'm not sure if it'll actually be a thing or not, but I love it. The other I love, but after the end of the book, has me VERY worried! I still hate Chaol. One of the new characters is a fae named Rowan and if he doesn't end up with one of the characters, I want him all for myself! There's a ton of character development in the story, which I honestly loved reading. Also, we got Aeidon, who I knew from the beginning that I would love!

Writing

God, the writing just gets better and better, and that's saying something considering how well written Throne of Glass is. I've seen a few complaints of too much info-dumping with the book, but I didn't notice any at all. I loved every second of it, and loved reading all the flashbacks!

World-Building

The author's already done a lot of world-building in the previous two books, but she's had to add more in this one, considering over half of it takes place on a continent that's only been vaguely referenced up to this point. We also see more of the world that we already know, some through other points of view, and some just in more description.

'It wasn't the carved oak furniture, or the faded green drapes, or the warmth of the fire that made her stop dead. It was the dark-haired woman seated behind the desk. Maeve, Queen of the Fae.

Her aunt.

And then came the words she had been dreading for ten years.

"Hello, Aelin Galathynius."'


'That girl, that princess, had died in a river a decade ago. Celaena was no more Aelin Galathynius than she was any other person.'

Although Chaol Westfall may be reeling from the shock of discovering that Celaena is Terrasen's rightful queen, Celaena has no true feelings on the matter.

Her past - and who she used to be - are buried deep inside her. And she plans on keeping it that way.

Too much has happened for her to ever consider taking up a crown. Wendlyn offers nothing more than a chance to drink herself into oblivion, as she tries fruitlessly to forget what sent her there in the first place.

Nehemia. Chaol. And a tyrant on a throne that is not his own.

'Celaena was Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, heir to the throne and rightful Queen of Terrasen. It made her his mortal enemy. It made her Dorian's enemy. The future he'd once dreamed of was irrevocably gone.'

Back at the palace, Chaol struggles to deal with the truth behind Celaena's parting words. And they're made no easier to handle by the appearance of a person who looks all too familiar.

Aedion Ashryver, the King of Adarlan's General of the North.

And Celaena's - Aelin's - cousin.

Chaol has a heavy choice to make. Can he trust anyone with Celaena's secret...even someone who shares the same blood as her?

'She'd been running for so long that she didn't know what it was to stand and fight.'

Although the humans of Wendlyn may not know a queen is in their midst, some powers certainly do. Especially Maeve, Queen of the Fae and Celaena's aunt.

Coming face-to-face with the woman her mother, when alive, had kept her hidden from is not a wise move to make. But Celaena needs answers. Answers that could change the fate of the kingdom and that could allow her to return to Adarlan at last.

But everything has a price. And Maeve isn't going to give those answers to her for free.

'I wish you to become who you were born to be. To become queen.'

Celaena is to reside at Mistward, under the experienced eye of Prince Rowan, nephew of Maeve and bound to the fae queen's service. There, he will test her until she has proven worthy of gaining the answers she desperately seeks.

But these tests, unlike the ones that made her King's Champion, are not concentrated on mere mundane methods of combat and killing.

They require Celaena to use her magic.

Which is easier said than done. No matter how hard she tries, she cannot seem to summon up even a spark - something that infuriates Rowan to no end.

The light inside her is barely flickering. For what does she have live for? For what purpose does her existence serve? Such questions Celaena must answer for herself.

'She has no hope, Prince. She has no hope left in her heart. Help her. If not for her sake, then at least for what she represents - what she could offer all of us, you included. (...) A better world.'

Rowan Whitethorn has better things to do than babysit a spoiled princess who refuses to tap into her own magic. He may not know much about Celaena, but what he does know doesn't exactly inspire him to aid her.

Yet the more time he spends with Celaena, the more he comes to realise that the girl before him is only one side she shows the world. Every now and then he gets glimpses of a fiery, passionate woman who would do anything for those she holds dear.

And he can't help but think that maybe, just maybe, she has the potential to be the queen she was meant to be - if only she'd find the strength to face her fears head-on.

'You do not have a heart, Manon. We are not born with them, and we are glad of it.'

Over in the Western Wastes, Manon Blackbeak - the heir of the Blackbeak Witch Clan - has only one goal.

To win the War Games, so she can one day become Queen of the Waste.

She is a killer, but the skills that got her that title won't help her in the Games. To do that, she will have to train Abraxos, her chosen wyvern, and get it to make the Crossing successfully.

But time is against her, as is the stubborn Abraxos. But Manon has never backed down from a challenge before and she'll be damned if she will this time, when it really counts.

Will Celaena accept her past and find a way to start a court that will change the world? What secrets will lie in Maeve's much sought-after answers? And what tricks does the evil king on his stolen throne have up his sleeve?

Only time will tell.

'She was Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, heir of two mighty bloodlines, protector of a once-glorious people, and Queen of Terrasen.

She was Aelin Ashryver Galathynius - and she would not be afraid.'


**A big thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book and to Sarah J Maas for writing it!**