Book Review | Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas.

"Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien's only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan's Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King's Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan's biggest threat - and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

This third novel in the Throne of Glass sequence, from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J Maas, is packed with more heart-stopping action, devastating drama and swoonsome romance, and introduces some fierce new heroines to love and hate." (synopsis from NetGalley)

I have been fondly referring to this book as the 'second round of set-up' for the Throne of Glass series. Surprisingly, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Celaena Sardothien is back, and she's mourning the loss of her closest friend. Ordered across the seas, she now has a new mission. Before she can do anything, someone finds her first. Someone she'd hoped she'd never meet.

Look, if we're being totally honest, I was weary with how this series was going to progress (given that Celaena is now on another continent and things are suddenly spread across seas and whatnot). This was undoubtably a new direction, and I worried that it wouldn't live up to my expectations (which, admittedly, are really, really high). Given this, Heir of Fire was done really well.

I only really had two issues with the book. One: the pacing. Heir of Fire was a little slower than it's predecessors. Given that Maas had to create this new continent (which she did exceptionally well, mind you) and the story's new direction, this was to be expected. It took its time in ramping up the speed. Still, it was slow. However, around halfway through, things really started to pick up. I found myself prioritising reading the novel over doing uni work (this happens often, but for context, I was reading this when I had six assignments due in a two week period).

My other issue is a really, really minor one: Manon Blackbeak. It's not that I hate her. It's not even that I dislike her. I just haven't entirely warmed up to her yet. It'll happen. Just not right now.

Now, the good things (and brace yourself, because there's a lot).

As you all very well know, Celaena Sardothien is my absolute-favourite-character-in-the-entire-world. I am ridiculously protective of her. She's a bad-ass with all the assassin-y skills. But you know what else she really enjoys? Shopping. Pampering herself. She is my favourite. In this novel, she was as great as ever. Admittedly, in the beginning I found her moping a little irritating. But then I got it - in this instalment, we see Celaena's vulnerability at an all time peak. Further development of the greatest character ever? I think yes.

Of the original characters, I think they were developed further, and it was great seeing what was happening back in Adarlan. My heart is a little crushed. I won't say why because *spoilers*

Of most of the new characters, I got very quickly invested. Particularly so in Aedion (who I found had some very similar parallels to Celaena - unsurprising, I suppose) and Rowan (who I think has a wonderful dynamic with her). And before you ask, no. No, I don't ship Rowan and Celaena. That relationship is purely platonic in my eyes.

As I mentioned before, Maas did a wonderful job with the new world of Wendlyn. Superb. Also, DRAGONS. They're coming. (Well, wyverns. But I've looked it up. They're pretty much the same thing).

I am so fricking keen to see where this series is going. Maas didn't exactly leave us on a cliffhanger in the normal sense. Nothing happened suddenly in the last pages. It's more of a cliffhanger of anticipation for the rest of the series.

Basically: Buy it the day it comes out. Then we can actually talk.

Rating: **** (4 Stars)

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Publication Date: September 11th 2014

Goodreads | Sarah J Maas' Twitter | Sarah J Maas' Website

Want to buy it? You can get it here:

Book Depository | Fishpond | Bookworld | Amazon

Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC

My Top 10 Books of 2013

It's that time of year again. That time when the 'Top 10' lists come out. As such, I thought it only appropriate that I make my own top 10 book list of 2013.

It was really hard to choose only ten. I have read so many enjoyable books this year, and it hurt me having to make cuts. I did it though, and here they are! All the books I included were new to me (in other words, none of these are books I'd read in past years), and are ones that were my personal favourites (so, the ones I enjoyed the most rather than the ones I thought had the best technique, etc. etc.) 

(I don't know why I felt like I had to say that, but I did so there. Let's just get on with it)

1.

Just One Day / Gayle Forman / Goodreads
4.5 STARS

I actually reviewed this more fully in this video. If you're after a smaller review, however, here we go. I found this book fantastic. There's no other way to say it. I was able to relate to Allyson on a weirdly high level. The setting Forman created was maintained exquisitely throughout the novel. Everything about it was A+. It's easily one of the standouts of 2013 for me. 

2.

The Bone Season / Samantha Shannon / Goodreads
4 STARS

I've been planning on writing up a full review for this book for a while, so I'll try and keep this brief. There are certainly some problems with The Bone Season. It does develop into a fascinating read, however, at the very beginning I did find the writing a little clunky and there being a bit of an info dump. Despite this, the world building was great, I love Paige as a main character and there is real potential for the series. 

3.

Sleeping Dogs / Sonya Hartnett / Goodreads
3.5 STARS

I had to read this for uni, and I had no idea what I was getting into. I don't necessarily love this book, but there's something about it. It's a Southern Gothic set in Australia. Most of the characters are intensely dislikable, and not a whole lot happens. But there's still something about it. I think it might be the writing. And that ending - wow. It's tiny but it definitely packs a punch.

4.

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) / Sarah J Maas / Goodreads
5 STARS

I review Crown of Midnight (and Throne of Glass) here. Everything about this book is amazing, though. Absolutely everything. The character development and the world development. The relationship development. EVERYTHING. I honestly cannot wait until the next book is released.

5.

Out of the Easy / Ruta Supetys / Goodreads
5 STARS

I've been wanting to write a full review for this one for a while too. It's just a standout piece of historical fiction. Josie is a great main character and I really delved into 1950's New Orleans. I had a minor issue with the ending though - I didn't feel enough closure with some things. But, nevertheless a wonderful read.

6.

Seventeen & Gone / Nova Ren Suma / Goodreads
4.5 STARS

 I wrote a full review for this book here. Nova Ren Suma is easily one of my favourite authors. Her prose is spectacular and she consistently writes intriguing plots. This is no exception. It's such a quietly compelling book, and it takes a really interesting turn towards the middle to end. Just trust me. This is a must read.

7.

Wuthering Heights / Emily Bronte / Goodreads
4.5 STARS

I filmed a review for Wuthering Heights here. I have such mixed feelings about this book. I mean, most of them are good but some aren't. Loved the writing, hated the narrative-in-a-narrative format. Loved the pacing and plot line, but hated the relationship between Cathy and Heathcliff. Overall, though it was really interesting.

8.

Bridget Jones' Diary / Helen Fielding / Goodreads
4.5 STARS

Oh my god. Bridget Jones' Diary is one fantastic read. Bridget is a hilarious main character. The embarrassing situations she got herself into made me cringe. I mean physically cringe too, not inwardly cringe. Very quick to read, and amusing to no end.

9.

Unravel Me (Shatter #2) / Tahereh Mafi / Goodreads
4.5 STARS

I did a review for this book here. In terms of how it works as a sequel, I think Unravel Me surpasses Shatter Me in every single way. There is so much development in the characters (particularly Juliette and Warner. God, I love them together), and development in the world. The writing improved twice-fold. Everything about this series got so much better. If there's anything I'd recommend, I'd say this: If you hated Shatter Me, give Unravel Me a go. It just might surprise you.

10.

North & South / Elizabeth Gaskell / Goodreads
4 STARS

I filmed a review for this one right here. A+ classic. Much love for this book. I was first aware of this book when I watched the BBC Adaptation with Richard Armitage (sigh!) in it. Don't go in expecting a similar story. I found that the interactions between Margaret and Mr Thornton were very, very different. Nevertheless, it was still really well-paced, great characters and I enjoyed every moment of reading it. 

Notable Books:

Fairytales for Wilde Girls / Allyse Near / Goodreads

Fangirl / Rainbow Rowell / Goodreads

These two book are outstanding, and must-reads. While they didn't make it into the top 10, I still thought they were worth a mention. Definitely add these to your to-read lists. :)

What about you guys? What were some of your favourites thislast year?