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paigelamoureux's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited to dive into this sequel and let me tell you, it didn't disappoint one bit! The Fiery Crown was so hard for me to put down. No, seriously, so much freaking happened in this book that it. Especially when I was getting closer to the ending of it. Boy, I was on the edge of my seat and was prepared for sadness.
Thankfully, the ending gave me hope instead. No idea if there is going to be another book but with that kind of cliffhanger - I'm prepared to volunteer to read it. I just need to know what is going to happen next and if my ship will continue to sail into happily ever after.
Besides all of that, and trying really hard not to spoil things here, if there was one thing I would change it would be the overall pacing. It definitely felt like things were dragging during some chapters which almost made me want to put the book down. Then something super interesting or unexpected would happen and I was snagged back into the book.
I was so excited to dive into this sequel and let me tell you, it didn't disappoint one bit! The Fiery Crown was so hard for me to put down. No, seriously, so much freaking happened in this book that it. Especially when I was getting closer to the ending of it. Boy, I was on the edge of my seat and was prepared for sadness.
Thankfully, the ending gave me hope instead. No idea if there is going to be another book but with that kind of cliffhanger - I'm prepared to volunteer to read it. I just need to know what is going to happen next and if my ship will continue to sail into happily ever after.
Besides all of that, and trying really hard not to spoil things here, if there was one thing I would change it would be the overall pacing. It definitely felt like things were dragging during some chapters which almost made me want to put the book down. Then something super interesting or unexpected would happen and I was snagged back into the book.
lauren_soderberg's review against another edition
3.0
Jeffe Kennedy’s The Fiery Crown is the sequel to The Orchid Throne, and revolves around the alliance of Queen Euthalia of Calanthe and Conri, the former Crown Prince of Oriel. As they unite in pursuit of a common enemy, they will find themselves growing closer and questioning whether or not their priorities are in the right place. They’ll have to discover whether or not their love for each other can overcome all else.
As a new reader to this series, I did not initially realize this was a sequel, and therefore had a more difficult time feeling connected to the characters and to their backstories. Lia and Con do have compelling chemistry, and there are some interesting supporting characters, but I just didn’t feel drawn to this book. However, for those who love fantasies with complex worlds and characters, this just might be for you.
This novel also ends of kind of a cliffhanger, though there is enough of a resolution for it not to feel manipulative or too over-the-top. So I’d say it’s a “happy for now” ending, with the most action yet to come. And I am thoroughly intrigued to see how Kennedy will wrap up this series.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
As a new reader to this series, I did not initially realize this was a sequel, and therefore had a more difficult time feeling connected to the characters and to their backstories. Lia and Con do have compelling chemistry, and there are some interesting supporting characters, but I just didn’t feel drawn to this book. However, for those who love fantasies with complex worlds and characters, this just might be for you.
This novel also ends of kind of a cliffhanger, though there is enough of a resolution for it not to feel manipulative or too over-the-top. So I’d say it’s a “happy for now” ending, with the most action yet to come. And I am thoroughly intrigued to see how Kennedy will wrap up this series.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
tani's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jeffe Kennedy continues to surprise me with the second book in the Forgotten Empires series. The story of The Fiery Crown picks up where the first book left off, with Con and Lia married and preparing to face the forthcoming wrath of Anure. Despite the prophecy, they're still facing a ton of uncertainty and an extremely precarious situation.
I think the biggest strength of this book was the development of the characters and relationships. Con and Lia have a lot of obstacles to face to their relationship, not least their own pasts and the issues that spring from them. However, I felt like Jeffe Kennedy did an amazing job of working with that. She makes sure that both of them have moments to shine and moments to grow, and it makes for a very compelling read. It's also wonderful for the romance, as I love when a couple is able to compensate for each other's weaknesses and grow together. The side characters also get some very wonderful moments to shine, which I very much appreciated, especially for Sondra.
This book also gets deeper into the magic and how that affects the world, which was very interesting. I loved learning more about Lia's nature and how that plays into everything, as well as getting more information on her past. I really enjoy this kind of gradual world-building, and Jeffe Kennedy handles it very well.
I also have to praise how drawn in this story made me feel. I read it in relatively few sittings, and I definitely stayed up late to finish it because I had to know what was going to happen, which isn't something that I do very often these days. I definitely found this installment very compelling.
If I have a complaint, it's that I felt that one element, which was very hyped, ended up being not a big deal. I do have hopes that it will come back up in the third book, but for this book, I did think that it messed up the tension of the book a bit. Still, plenty of the other events kept the tension rolling, so I can't complain too much. In all, I found this a very satisfying and enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Jeffe Kennedy continues to surprise me with the second book in the Forgotten Empires series. The story of The Fiery Crown picks up where the first book left off, with Con and Lia married and preparing to face the forthcoming wrath of Anure. Despite the prophecy, they're still facing a ton of uncertainty and an extremely precarious situation.
I think the biggest strength of this book was the development of the characters and relationships. Con and Lia have a lot of obstacles to face to their relationship, not least their own pasts and the issues that spring from them. However, I felt like Jeffe Kennedy did an amazing job of working with that. She makes sure that both of them have moments to shine and moments to grow, and it makes for a very compelling read. It's also wonderful for the romance, as I love when a couple is able to compensate for each other's weaknesses and grow together. The side characters also get some very wonderful moments to shine, which I very much appreciated, especially for Sondra.
This book also gets deeper into the magic and how that affects the world, which was very interesting. I loved learning more about Lia's nature and how that plays into everything, as well as getting more information on her past. I really enjoy this kind of gradual world-building, and Jeffe Kennedy handles it very well.
I also have to praise how drawn in this story made me feel. I read it in relatively few sittings, and I definitely stayed up late to finish it because I had to know what was going to happen, which isn't something that I do very often these days. I definitely found this installment very compelling.
If I have a complaint, it's that I felt that one element, which was very hyped, ended up being not a big deal. I do have hopes that it will come back up in the third book, but for this book, I did think that it messed up the tension of the book a bit. Still, plenty of the other events kept the tension rolling, so I can't complain too much. In all, I found this a very satisfying and enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
somasunshine's review against another edition
Unfortunately I was bored for most of the book and I skipped a lot of pages. The last third of the book does get more interesting though.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
I know my example might sound like a cliffhanger, but hear me out.
The end, omg so intense. It was like the author took the characters, took them to a cliff, laughed manically and then pushed them all over, and made them hit everything on the way down. Luckily they did land and break everything. So it was not a total freefall, and for now they are safe on a tiny tree sticking out from that cliff and it might break any second.
Poor Lia. How could you be so cruel to Lia! In the first book I was a bit blaze about everyone, but here, Lia is not truly human, I do not get the whole thing. I wonder about so much since well queen of something that might waken, that will be intense too.
Conri, I was not impressed by him either in book 1, frankly he deserved to be pushed from that cliff and not saved. But he saves himself here, and I will not push him. I get that his life has been hell and all he wants is revenge.
Oh and the evil emperor must die a really painful slow, like really slow, like brought to death, nursed back, brought to death, nursed back and then have every piece of him..oh oh bloody eagle. Yes let's eagle that sucker!
Two people dancing around each other because they both want to save the world. Then darkness, so much darkness. Romance, no, this is not a romance. But it might be. One day.
Omg Lia! I am still in freefall from that cliff.
Book 3 will be something else
The end, omg so intense. It was like the author took the characters, took them to a cliff, laughed manically and then pushed them all over, and made them hit everything on the way down. Luckily they did land and break everything. So it was not a total freefall, and for now they are safe on a tiny tree sticking out from that cliff and it might break any second.
Poor Lia. How could you be so cruel to Lia! In the first book I was a bit blaze about everyone, but here, Lia is not truly human, I do not get the whole thing. I wonder about so much since well queen of something that might waken, that will be intense too.
Conri, I was not impressed by him either in book 1, frankly he deserved to be pushed from that cliff and not saved. But he saves himself here, and I will not push him. I get that his life has been hell and all he wants is revenge.
Oh and the evil emperor must die a really painful slow, like really slow, like brought to death, nursed back, brought to death, nursed back and then have every piece of him..oh oh bloody eagle. Yes let's eagle that sucker!
Two people dancing around each other because they both want to save the world. Then darkness, so much darkness. Romance, no, this is not a romance. But it might be. One day.
Omg Lia! I am still in freefall from that cliff.
Book 3 will be something else
ionab46's review
3.0
Rating: 2.75 stars
This book wasn’t bad, which is why I don’t have the heart to give it 2 stars. The first book, the Orchid Throne, was on the precipice between 3 stars and 4 stars: almost a great book. The Fiery Crown, on the other hand, is on the precipice of 2 stars and 3 stars: almost a bad book.
I think my biggest issue with this book is definitely just how SLOW it was. I wish I was exaggerating when I tell you that the first action scene doesn’t start until you’re 71% through the novel. Before that first action scene, I kid you not, it’s just the same characters talking. For hundreds of pages you just dredge through conversation, after conversation, after conversation.
And usually, I’m not someone who minds a slow read, as long as there are character arcs. The biggest issue I have with this book, is that all the characters (save Sondra) remain exactly the same. You get a little more insight on what their past is, but it’s all things we already know as a reader. We already know that Con was a slave and went through horrible things in the mines, telling us more details about it doesn’t count as character arcs. We already know Lia is only half a human, telling us more about her supernatural characteristics doesn’t count as character arcs. Emotionally, and personality wise, these characters remain utterly stagnant throughout the novel. It was exhausting and just plain boring to read about these characters, I didn’t feel invested in them in any way shape or form.
My dislike for Con just grew larger than ever. He truly, in all stereotypical manners, believes that he is right and he knows the way above anybody else. Everybody who is much smarter than he’ll ever be (Ambrose, Lia, Kara) tell him that something is bad idea, and he continues through with it anyway. To the point that I don’t even feel bad for his losses, because he brought them all on himself. This man truly thinks he can outsmart EVERYONE, and becomes the biggest pain in the ass in this novel. I really don’t even understand why anybody follows him??? He’s not charismatic or funny or smart or strategic, I don’t even understand how he’s made it this far in battle?? He literally just plunged into everything headfirst, with virtually no strategy or backup plan. Everyone warns him of a backup plan, commanders and wizards with prophecies, and women who have visions of the future, try to warn him... but nOoOoOoooo Conrí doesn’t need any of them, he will just woefully ignore all their warnings and then expect us to feel bad for him when he beats himself up about having lost everything.
Sondra & Lia much like the first book, are the only bright lights in this novel that kept this from being a 2-star bad book. Sondra actually had development as a character, both emotionally and intellectually. And Lia was funny and witty and smart, everything that Conrí lacked as a leader. I also liked Ambrose, and I felt like they (they, as in Conrí) didn’t trust him enough. If I were in this novel, at this point I would wholeheartedly listen and trust Ambrose, who’s proven himself to be their best ally in this war. And yet, the idiot Conrí walks all over the man, defying him at every turn.
All in all, I will read the 3rd book. I’m curious to see how these characters will overthrow the ruler, and I love Sondra enough that I want to know her outcome. This book seriously just barely made the mark though.
This book wasn’t bad, which is why I don’t have the heart to give it 2 stars. The first book, the Orchid Throne, was on the precipice between 3 stars and 4 stars: almost a great book. The Fiery Crown, on the other hand, is on the precipice of 2 stars and 3 stars: almost a bad book.
I think my biggest issue with this book is definitely just how SLOW it was. I wish I was exaggerating when I tell you that the first action scene doesn’t start until you’re 71% through the novel. Before that first action scene, I kid you not, it’s just the same characters talking. For hundreds of pages you just dredge through conversation, after conversation, after conversation.
And usually, I’m not someone who minds a slow read, as long as there are character arcs. The biggest issue I have with this book, is that all the characters (save Sondra) remain exactly the same. You get a little more insight on what their past is, but it’s all things we already know as a reader. We already know that Con was a slave and went through horrible things in the mines, telling us more details about it doesn’t count as character arcs. We already know Lia is only half a human, telling us more about her supernatural characteristics doesn’t count as character arcs. Emotionally, and personality wise, these characters remain utterly stagnant throughout the novel. It was exhausting and just plain boring to read about these characters, I didn’t feel invested in them in any way shape or form.
My dislike for Con just grew larger than ever. He truly, in all stereotypical manners, believes that he is right and he knows the way above anybody else. Everybody who is much smarter than he’ll ever be (Ambrose, Lia, Kara) tell him that something is bad idea, and he continues through with it anyway. To the point that I don’t even feel bad for his losses, because he brought them all on himself. This man truly thinks he can outsmart EVERYONE, and becomes the biggest pain in the ass in this novel. I really don’t even understand why anybody follows him??? He’s not charismatic or funny or smart or strategic, I don’t even understand how he’s made it this far in battle?? He literally just plunged into everything headfirst, with virtually no strategy or backup plan. Everyone warns him of a backup plan, commanders and wizards with prophecies, and women who have visions of the future, try to warn him... but nOoOoOoooo Conrí doesn’t need any of them, he will just woefully ignore all their warnings and then expect us to feel bad for him when he beats himself up about having lost everything.
Sondra & Lia much like the first book, are the only bright lights in this novel that kept this from being a 2-star bad book. Sondra actually had development as a character, both emotionally and intellectually. And Lia was funny and witty and smart, everything that Conrí lacked as a leader. I also liked Ambrose, and I felt like they (they, as in Conrí) didn’t trust him enough. If I were in this novel, at this point I would wholeheartedly listen and trust Ambrose, who’s proven himself to be their best ally in this war. And yet, the idiot Conrí walks all over the man, defying him at every turn.
All in all, I will read the 3rd book. I’m curious to see how these characters will overthrow the ruler, and I love Sondra enough that I want to know her outcome. This book seriously just barely made the mark though.
thebookishmel's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, I definitely was conflicted with my feelings overall for this novel. Considering it is the sequel to The Orchid Throne, I really enjoyed the beginning as a great transition from the end of book one into book two. I loved seeing Conri and Lia finally learn to like each other from the very beginning, but I had some issues with how they did things. Considering this is an adult book, I knew there was going to be some smut, but they really made it seem like sex was their only way of doing things or getting through any arguments, And to go off what Lia says in the book, Con really lets sex kind of take over his life for a hot sec.
However, once we dove into the political intrigue and the war strategy, I found myself enjoying the novel on another level. Similar to book one, the last 30% is THE most exciting in the entire novel. I found myself unable to flip through the pages fast enough!! With my investment in these characters, I do think it made the ending a lot more powerful. However, again Con's character continues to be the thing that bothers me in the sense that he's often times too rash and isn't the same calculative person we met in book one. I do appreciate all of the side characters and how important their role is in balancing out our main characters.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and I look forward to the final in the trilogy!
However, once we dove into the political intrigue and the war strategy, I found myself enjoying the novel on another level. Similar to book one, the last 30% is THE most exciting in the entire novel. I found myself unable to flip through the pages fast enough!! With my investment in these characters, I do think it made the ending a lot more powerful. However, again Con's character continues to be the thing that bothers me in the sense that he's often times too rash and isn't the same calculative person we met in book one. I do appreciate all of the side characters and how important their role is in balancing out our main characters.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and I look forward to the final in the trilogy!
hookedbythatbook's review against another edition
4.0
-- Read this review and more on my blog www.hookedbythatbook.com –
This book follows The Orchid Throne, and sees Lia and Con in an uneasy truce with each other. Each one has their own motivations for their union, and they don’t trust each other. They do come together well in die bedroom, though, which gives them some platform to build on. Emperor Anure is not giving up on his plan to have Lia for himself, and Con, Lia, and their advisors hatch a plan to draw the emperor out. And of course, things don’t quite go as planned for the people of Calanthe.
I didn’t read the first book, I wasn’t even aware there was one when I started this. And honestly, it didn’t matter to me. The world and the people and how everything fit together made sense. I admit, there were parts where I felt that maybe I’m missing something here, but it wasn’t anything that really hindered my enjoyment of the story.
The book is written from both Con and Lia’s points of view (alternating chapters), and that was interesting and gave a full picture of what was going on. Their relationship was very well defined and also very well developed. I loved both of them, and was rooting for them all the way.
The story flowed well with lots of action, and character growth. I definitely felt that there has to be more to Lia’s magic and that she should be able of great feats, but I guess that is still coming (I sure hope so). The book ended at an appropriate spot in the story, though it is definitely not the end of their journey yet. I had an “oh no!” moment there when I realised I have reached the end of the book.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for providing met with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book follows The Orchid Throne, and sees Lia and Con in an uneasy truce with each other. Each one has their own motivations for their union, and they don’t trust each other. They do come together well in die bedroom, though, which gives them some platform to build on. Emperor Anure is not giving up on his plan to have Lia for himself, and Con, Lia, and their advisors hatch a plan to draw the emperor out. And of course, things don’t quite go as planned for the people of Calanthe.
I didn’t read the first book, I wasn’t even aware there was one when I started this. And honestly, it didn’t matter to me. The world and the people and how everything fit together made sense. I admit, there were parts where I felt that maybe I’m missing something here, but it wasn’t anything that really hindered my enjoyment of the story.
The book is written from both Con and Lia’s points of view (alternating chapters), and that was interesting and gave a full picture of what was going on. Their relationship was very well defined and also very well developed. I loved both of them, and was rooting for them all the way.
The story flowed well with lots of action, and character growth. I definitely felt that there has to be more to Lia’s magic and that she should be able of great feats, but I guess that is still coming (I sure hope so). The book ended at an appropriate spot in the story, though it is definitely not the end of their journey yet. I had an “oh no!” moment there when I realised I have reached the end of the book.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for providing met with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
timitra's review against another edition
4.0
Rated 4.5 Stars
The Fiery Crown was a wild ride. There was action, twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat with my heart in my throat anxious to see what would happen next while dreading it at the same time. This book definitely had my emotions all over the place. I cannot wait to get my overly eager hands on the next book in the series. I definitely recommend this series.
Copy provided by publisher through Net Galley
The Fiery Crown was a wild ride. There was action, twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat with my heart in my throat anxious to see what would happen next while dreading it at the same time. This book definitely had my emotions all over the place. I cannot wait to get my overly eager hands on the next book in the series. I definitely recommend this series.
Copy provided by publisher through Net Galley