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A review by ofclumsywords
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"...and then I'm going to rattle the stars."
This is the third time I have read this book, which proves just how amazing it is. Out of the entire Throne of Glass series, this one is my favorite as there is such an incredible character growth.
In the first two books of this series, the reader is introduced to Celaena Sardothien who is chosen as one of the competitors to become the kings champion and new assassin. But at the end of the second book we find out that Celaena is just an alias and instead she is Aelin Ashryver Galathanius, the presumed dead princess of a once great kingdom that was destroyed by the evil king she now serves. The beginning of this book finds Celaena lost and broken after her friend was brutally murdered. She has lost all will to fight or do anything other than wallow in her grief after losing one more person she cares about in her life. But she is forced to face her past and learn how to use her uncontrolled powers so she can take up her rightful place as queen.
Even though it is revealed that she is really Aelin, Celaena refuses to be called by her given name and all through the book she is still referred to as Celaena. In the very last chapter of this book, Celaena finally allows herself to be addressed as Aelin. It is only when she has forgiven herself for her past and has overcome her fear of her powers that she accepts who she is and that she is the rightful queen. In those final moments, that is the last time she will ever call herself Celaena and also the last time the author uses that name when the chapters are in Aelin's POV. It is such a powerful and incredibly cool moment to not only see Aelin accept herself but for the author to switch gears and fully change a characters name, especially in the middle of a series.
I will always have a love/hate relationship with Sarah J Maas as an author. But I cannot give up these books for the life of me. This was her first series she ever wrote and for that it will always be my favorite since it was before she got too famous. This series fills me with the exact same joy as the Harry Potter series does every time I crack open its covers. It will never get old to me and I find comfort in returning to this incredible world Maas has created and unforgettable characters who feel like old friends.
This is the third time I have read this book, which proves just how amazing it is. Out of the entire Throne of Glass series, this one is my favorite as there is such an incredible character growth.
In the first two books of this series, the reader is introduced to Celaena Sardothien who is chosen as one of the competitors to become the kings champion and new assassin. But at the end of the second book we find out that Celaena is just an alias and instead she is Aelin Ashryver Galathanius, the presumed dead princess of a once great kingdom that was destroyed by the evil king she now serves. The beginning of this book finds Celaena lost and broken after her friend was brutally murdered. She has lost all will to fight or do anything other than wallow in her grief after losing one more person she cares about in her life. But she is forced to face her past and learn how to use her uncontrolled powers so she can take up her rightful place as queen.
Even though it is revealed that she is really Aelin, Celaena refuses to be called by her given name and all through the book she is still referred to as Celaena. In the very last chapter of this book, Celaena finally allows herself to be addressed as Aelin. It is only when she has forgiven herself for her past and has overcome her fear of her powers that she accepts who she is and that she is the rightful queen. In those final moments, that is the last time she will ever call herself Celaena and also the last time the author uses that name when the chapters are in Aelin's POV. It is such a powerful and incredibly cool moment to not only see Aelin accept herself but for the author to switch gears and fully change a characters name, especially in the middle of a series.
I will always have a love/hate relationship with Sarah J Maas as an author. But I cannot give up these books for the life of me. This was her first series she ever wrote and for that it will always be my favorite since it was before she got too famous. This series fills me with the exact same joy as the Harry Potter series does every time I crack open its covers. It will never get old to me and I find comfort in returning to this incredible world Maas has created and unforgettable characters who feel like old friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail