Review: Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas

Firstly, thanks to Bloomsbury Australia for this review copy <3



Date Read: May 27 - 29 2014
Release Date: September 11th 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury Australia
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Fantasy
My rating:  (BEST BOOK OF 2014, NOT ENOUGH STARS TO RATE)

Synopsis:

"Celaena 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. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?

The bestselling series that has captured readers all over the world reaches new heights in this sequel to the New York Times best-selling Crown of Midnight. Packed with heart-pounding action, fierce new characters, and swoon-worthy romance, this third book will enthrall readers from start to finish"

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“She would not let that light go out.”

Since reading Crown of Midnight in June last year, it has been my favourite book. It no longer stands as my favourite book ever since I finished Heir of Fire. If you need just 1 book this year, it’s Heir of Fire. I’m going to attempt to top my review of Crown of Midnight which I believe is the best review I have ever written, but it’s going to be hard because I’m at a loss of words of how to describe the force of nature that is Sarah J Maas and her magic. I know, I’ve managed to gush for AGES but it’s just rambling let’s be honest. Oh the feels.

I’m not sure how Maas does it but she just tops herself every time and I am in awe of her skill. It’s the end of May and I have to wait until SEPTEMBER for the actual book to be released? I only had to wait 2 months last year… Now I wait more than 3! Ugh. I really just need book 4 right now.

“Wendlyn. A land of myths and monsters – of legends and nightmares and flesh.”

Sent to Wendlyn by Chaol to ensure her safety, the King’s Champion has other things on her mind than finding battle plans to help the King of Adarlan infiltrate Wendlyn. Our badass heroine is on her own journey to get answers about the Wyrdkeys from the legendary Fae. But the journey proves to be one of personal growth. Celaena must finally face the demons from her past and the pain that turned her into a cold-blooded assassin. She must embrace who she is and learn to control what’s inside her. Following Celaena on this path was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever read. Period. Her development, discipline and sheer determination astounded me. This girl is what YA heroines should be. Independent. Strong. Determined. Selfless. Brave. So so brave – I admire her so much. My heart ached for this girl whose own was shredded to pieces and yet she still found the courage to stand on her own two feet and fight. Hers was a story about facing the past and family (I bawled). She is a force of her own that blazes and shines so brightly. She is the Heir of Fire.

“Then she ripped everything from that well inside her, ripped it out with both hands and her entire, raging, hopeless heart.”

Heir of Fire actually switches between multiple third person POVs so that the reader can get a feel of what is going on through Erilea. Other than Celaena, we follow Chaol and Dorian in Adarlan, and Manon Blackbeak a new character that is introduced. Manon is cool guys. She’s badass. The head of the Thirteen and a Blackbeak witch, this woman is deadly and she knows it. Despite her being on the other team I liked her deep sense of loyalty… And there was just something about her actions that seemed just and morally correct. With iron teeth and iron nails, Manon Blackbeak is not a force to be reckoned with. If and when her and Celaena go head-to-head my god that will be one of the most epic battles the world has ever seen.

“One to the gut, so Asterin could feel her own powerlessness; one to the ribs, so she’d consider her actions every time she drew breath; and one to the face, so her broken nose would remind her that the punishment could have been far worse.”

(Also, if Sarah will have me, I pledge myself to be one of her Thirteen.)

“We are the Thirteen, from now until the Darkness claims us.”

Chaol is dealing with the news of what he discovered at the end of Crown of Midnight, and Celaena’s absence is really hitting him hard. Secrets create a rift between the Captain of the King’s Guard and the Crown Prince, who is himself dealing with revelations about himself. Bring in Aedion to heckle these two and you’ve got three steamy guys in one location *fans self*. I absolutely adored Aedion. He is the cousin of the lost heir/queen of Terrasen but now works for the King of Adarlan. He is viewed as a traitor by those loyal to Terrasen. Unearthing his story was absolutely fascinating and WOAH Aedion is amazing. Another brave, selfless soul, he has so much inner-turmoil I can’t imagine how painful it must be for him to get up each day. As for Dorian, I liked how he was trying to accept himself. I really didn’t care for his budding relationship with this other new character though. Chaol. CHAOL CHAOL CHAOL this man ermagherd my love for him runs sure and true <3 He struggles so much through this book. What do you do when the person you love goes against everything you’ve been taught is right? Chaol has much growth to go through but I liked how he’s still as selfless and loving as he’s always been.

“Do you think they hate us or pity us for what we do to each other?”

The romance guys. Be warned, there is barely any. I know some people were really annoyed about this but guys THERE IS A WHOLE WORLD BEING INTRODUCED TO YOU and and so much other stuff going on, like self-discovery, character growth, scary monsters to defeat and Fae to deal with so OMG I was totally fine with romance being something in the background. I will however, assure you that my Chaolena ship still sails strongly and it will continue to sail into the sunset.

BUUUUUT, one name. One man. One person to look out for who will shake up everything you may or may not believe in: Rowan. Hot damn. Stubborn, cold, not one for words, tough, steadfast, sarcastic, snarky, funny, loyal, tortured, beautiful, WARMS MY HEART *sobs*

“Until my last breath, and the world beyond. To whatever end.”

When I said there is a whole world being introduced to you I’m not shitting you. The world-building holy sweet baby Jesus. I swear on Celaena’s true name that this some of the best world-building I have EVER read. We see new lands, new realms and in between, the skies and lands that form these are diverse and phenomenal. Changing terrain, a whole array of skyscapes, landscapes, seascapes, forests, mountains and FAIRYLAND. No seriously, the place where the Fae reside is stunning. The way Maas uses colours to paint a whole palette worth of imagery is so beautiful. Everything just came to life in front of my eyes – you know in the Game of Thrones opening where cities form right in front of your eyes? Yeah this is what happened throughout the whole book.

“… The rivers toppled over the mouth of a mighty waterfall, its basin so huge that the mist floated into the clear day, setting the domed buildings, pearlescent spires, and blue rooftops shining.”

When I first read Throne of Glass I honestly had no idea what I was getting into. But Maas intelligently and quietly paved the way for the plot to grow. She really set the cogs in motion at the end of Throne of Glass, and if you thought Crown of Midnight’s plot was a twist well you’ve got another thing coming for you. Heir of Fire reveals a darkness deeply rooted in this world. One that has been there for a long time, preceding generations and humanity. For there is a force so strong and mind boggling it’s going to knock you off your feet. This is deep guys. Like woah I was reading and I was SCARED. It’s like, ohmygod how much more can these characters take? How much more darkness can this world have and not have collapsed in on itself.

“Because hers was not a story of darkness.”

Don’t even know how to praise Maas’ writing anymore. Too fantastic. Her vocabulary, her word choice. Ermagherd. It’s sophisticated like walking into a chic and modern penthouse. It’s elegant like Elie Saab’s Fall/Winter haute couture collections. It flows like water rushing along a river. It’s as smooth as Haagen Dazs ice cream. I read her writing and I fall into it. I fall into Celaena’s world. And I never want to get back up. Maas also knows how to tease but she knows when enough is enough. There is a certain point in the novel where the plot builds and builds. Think of those breathtaking battle scenes you have in movies and the massive build up to them. Don’t you hate it when the director cuts to something else and leaves you hanging? Maas could have cut off and left us hanging as she went to Chaol/Dorian or Manon’s story. But she goes on. For chapters upon chapters as Celaena’s scene grows to this halting crescendo. Each time I turned the page I was so freaking scared that the next chapter would leave me hanging. But she goes on. Right until the epic scene fades and I was left exhausted and my pillow soaked because I was holding my breath while sobbing the entire time (I know, how am I alive?).

This is THE book of 2014. Maas has managed to out-do herself once again. Heir of Fire is the strongest book in the series yet – her writing continues to grow and her flair shows in the way she weaves the tales of characters old and new. I laughed, I bawled my eyes out and I never wanted this to end. A story of family, love, friendship, loyalty and self-discovery, steeped in Maas’ signature style, the plot will leave you reeling and breathless for more.

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