liralen's review
4.0
It's the rare second book in a trilogy that manages to be as compelling as the first, but The Crown of Embers does it with panache. It helps, I think, that there's a separate, defined arc here—although Elisa is continuing her effort to stabilise her kingdom and secure her people's safety, she's also on a somewhat more personal quest to understand and solidify her own power.
One thing that frustrates me, though, is that the positive-body-image message of the previous book is diluted somewhat in this one. Now when Elisa describes her body, she mentions things like 'the slight softness in my lower belly' and 'the way my inner thighs just brush when I stand' (170 for both). It's unfortunate, because it sounds like she's now, by any reasonable definition, she's quite slim, but she's using these as ways that she's still 'too big'. Maybe a minor 'hmmm'. Just...hmmm.
One thing that frustrates me, though, is that the positive-body-image message of the previous book is diluted somewhat in this one. Now when Elisa describes her body, she mentions things like 'the slight softness in my lower belly' and 'the way my inner thighs just brush when I stand' (170 for both). It's unfortunate, because it sounds like she's now, by any reasonable definition, she's quite slim, but she's using these as ways that she's still 'too big'. Maybe a minor 'hmmm'. Just...hmmm.
jenbsbooks's review
4.0
I really enjoyed book 1, and felt this was a solid follow-up, and I'm looking forward to reading the next one. I have it on hold at the library.
As I mentioned in my review for book 1, the names ... of the people and the places, were a little more unique than many reads (although this is often true for fantasy). I think it was a little easier this go round, as I was already familiar with most of the names.
... as for the romance. In book 1, I think it's set up a little that we (the reader) wonder if something will develop between Elisa and Alejandro. Of course that ends up not happening. Back then, I did wonder if there was a future for Elisa and Hector, but then there was the whole kidnapping and Umberto. But then, Umberto died ... and Hector is around again and see? I was right! There was something there.
I love the imaginations of fantasy writers! Beyond the names, the idea of the godstone is unique. All the underlying doctrines and such add interest.
Very much enjoying this series ...
As I mentioned in my review for book 1, the names ... of the people and the places, were a little more unique than many reads (although this is often true for fantasy). I think it was a little easier this go round, as I was already familiar with most of the names.
... as for the romance. In book 1, I think it's set up a little that we (the reader) wonder if something will develop between Elisa and Alejandro. Of course that ends up not happening. Back then, I did wonder if there was a future for Elisa and Hector, but then there was the whole kidnapping and Umberto. But then, Umberto died ... and Hector is around again and see? I was right! There was something there.
I love the imaginations of fantasy writers! Beyond the names, the idea of the godstone is unique. All the underlying doctrines and such add interest.
Very much enjoying this series ...
izzy_happyfornow's review against another edition
3.0
Crown of Embers is a great sequel, but suffers from what I find to be the usual mid book in a trilogy failings. Slow plot, but the build up is essential to the third book. Still this was enjoyable especially the last 25%. Also that romance! I got so happy and swoony over it.
Full review is on my blog; spoilers below also!
IT WAS INTENSE and insane and I’m so flipping proud of the decisions Elisa made. She’s becoming a real queen and I can’t wait for her to kick ass in book three!
Full review is on my blog; spoilers below also!
Spoiler
Y’all seriously that ending with Ximena and Hector.futurememory's review
4.0
Welp, that just punched me right in the feels.
Another really, really solid offering from this series! I'd really like a bit more world-building, especially since some of the magical elements and logic are a bit wonky, but this was highly satisfying in many other ways.
It's been nice to see Elisa grow into her role as queen, and find inner reserves of strength through some particularly tough situations.
Another really, really solid offering from this series! I'd really like a bit more world-building, especially since some of the magical elements and logic are a bit wonky, but this was highly satisfying in many other ways.
It's been nice to see Elisa grow into her role as queen, and find inner reserves of strength through some particularly tough situations.
dreybal's review
3.25
I thought this was better than the first book, it didn't have any parts that dragged on and was fairly fast paced.
steph01924's review
5.0
7 years later I finally got around to gushing about this book on Forever Young Adult. Check it out!
Original Review:
So this one was definitely a step up from the first book! Not that the first one was bad, but this one just kicked it all up a notch. I was thoroughly entertained. The plot...well, let's just say if you've read a vast array of fantasy books, you've probably ran across many of the same elements. But guess what? I don't care. It was still an enjoyable read, and now I'm a bit bummed I didn't wait an extra few months to start this trilogy so the third one coming in August would already be available.
Elisa still has some self-esteem issues, but now they're of a majorly different sort, the sort that are more important than 'am I too fat'; more like, 'am I going to be a good ruler of my country?' What was refreshing about this book was that Elisa didn't have any issues about being queen. She took the responsibility of being a princess who married a king who then died and left her his land pretty seriously. There was never any whining about, oh why did this happen to me, and more about, how the hell am I going to manage keeping everyone from starving and raise the taxes to help rebuild?
What's also cool about Elisa is that she is a scholarly sort, so while it seems a bit strange at first that this pampered princess is suddenly great at camping and foraging and all that, she does back it up by having an innate love of learning and reading and willingness to be taught by others. Her best feature as a queen is that she loved reading about the art of war and all the strategy that entails.
The burgeoning romance between Elisa and Hector was perfect. I'm a sucker for these types of stories, and Carson played it perfectly. There were some tingly moments and slow burns and cute banter and it all just worked for me. I may have been grinning like an idiot at times without realizing it.
The belly button gem is still weird; I tried to think if there was any other way the author could've made it all work without a freaking gem being stuck in someone's stomach like a Troll doll. It's hard, I suppose, given what the gem does. It's set up to be something tangible that's easily removed from the body (unlike a birthmark) if need be and that people can see so they can't doubt...but it's still just freaking strange.
There was less focus on her constant praying in this one, which was a blessing (ha), just because after awhile that's boring to read about. Elisa was growing up in this book and trying to work out what she believed and didn't believe about fate and being a chosen one, and that was infinitely more interesting to read through.
All in all, this was a perfect middle book to a trilogy. It really expanded on the first book, kept the excitement (and romance) up, and paved the road for the ending. I hope she's able to finish strong!
Original Review:
So this one was definitely a step up from the first book! Not that the first one was bad, but this one just kicked it all up a notch. I was thoroughly entertained. The plot...well, let's just say if you've read a vast array of fantasy books, you've probably ran across many of the same elements. But guess what? I don't care. It was still an enjoyable read, and now I'm a bit bummed I didn't wait an extra few months to start this trilogy so the third one coming in August would already be available.
Elisa still has some self-esteem issues, but now they're of a majorly different sort, the sort that are more important than 'am I too fat'; more like, 'am I going to be a good ruler of my country?' What was refreshing about this book was that Elisa didn't have any issues about being queen. She took the responsibility of being a princess who married a king who then died and left her his land pretty seriously. There was never any whining about, oh why did this happen to me, and more about, how the hell am I going to manage keeping everyone from starving and raise the taxes to help rebuild?
What's also cool about Elisa is that she is a scholarly sort, so while it seems a bit strange at first that this pampered princess is suddenly great at camping and foraging and all that, she does back it up by having an innate love of learning and reading and willingness to be taught by others. Her best feature as a queen is that she loved reading about the art of war and all the strategy that entails.
The burgeoning romance between Elisa and Hector was perfect. I'm a sucker for these types of stories, and Carson played it perfectly. There were some tingly moments and slow burns and cute banter and it all just worked for me. I may have been grinning like an idiot at times without realizing it.
The belly button gem is still weird; I tried to think if there was any other way the author could've made it all work without a freaking gem being stuck in someone's stomach like a Troll doll. It's hard, I suppose, given what the gem does. It's set up to be something tangible that's easily removed from the body (unlike a birthmark) if need be and that people can see so they can't doubt...but it's still just freaking strange.
There was less focus on her constant praying in this one, which was a blessing (ha), just because after awhile that's boring to read about. Elisa was growing up in this book and trying to work out what she believed and didn't believe about fate and being a chosen one, and that was infinitely more interesting to read through.
All in all, this was a perfect middle book to a trilogy. It really expanded on the first book, kept the excitement (and romance) up, and paved the road for the ending. I hope she's able to finish strong!
reclusivereader's review against another edition
5.0
So many of my favourite parts of this series happen in this middle book of the Fire & Thorns series. So much is revealed, so much is expanded about the world, so many swooooons -- which of course go hand in hand with a few 'args!' because obviously Carson isn't making it easy for us. But oh man. This pairing (spoiler free). So much awesome.
Once again Jennifer Ikeda knocked the narration out of the park. That said, I'm so looking forward to the additional POV and second voice in the finale and can't wait to dive in. Hurry up overdrive!
Once again Jennifer Ikeda knocked the narration out of the park. That said, I'm so looking forward to the additional POV and second voice in the finale and can't wait to dive in. Hurry up overdrive!
thechaoshour's review
5.0
I was not expecting this for the second book but thank good this book happened. I surprisingly loved it more than the first book. First of all there was way more romance which made me happy and Elisa was less annoying in this one. The ending surprised me a little bit but I think it’s going to turn out nice in the next book. I could not put this book down! I got caught up in it and had to keep reading until I finished.
Hector is easily my favorite character and I was super glad that there was more of him in this book. I was a little nervous even starting this series because there’s a lot of religious stuff in it and I don’t really like reading about all that but this book proven me wrong. As much as I don’t like religion in books (not that there’s anything wrong with it) this book really needed it and I’m really happy with it.
Hector is easily my favorite character and I was super glad that there was more of him in this book. I was a little nervous even starting this series because there’s a lot of religious stuff in it and I don’t really like reading about all that but this book proven me wrong. As much as I don’t like religion in books (not that there’s anything wrong with it) this book really needed it and I’m really happy with it.