Review - Heir of Fire

Heir of Fire

Title: Heir of Fire
Series: Throne of Glass (Goodreads)
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Author: Sarah J. Maas   
Age Group: YA
Source: Amazon (purchased)

Review

I am only three books into this series and I am already obsessed and in awe of Maas’ skills as a writer and the complex but intriguing characters she has created. This is definitely for me one of the hardest series to review without giving spoilers because there is so much in this ya fantasy that happens that depends on spoilers. However, I am definitely going to try and continue to review this series as best I can by avoiding spoilers whilst still sharing the excitement of this book and overall series as I continue to read it.

I would like to start with what I thought was perhaps the weakest part of Heir of Fire and for me that was the lack of development for Chaol and Dorian. Although I could see instances were there was the possibility and chance for development it just wasn’t reached and for me this was a real shame. Out of the two of these characters I definitely think that Dorian had the least personal development and his story arc felt like an unnecessary filler rather than something that was actually powerful enough to push him to challenge and develop as a character in the world that he is an individual of. Considering the fact that the previous book, Crown of Midnight, opened up a huge opportunity for Dorian to develop unfortunately this book did not take that chance up and instead found Dorian mostly unneeded in this book (that is until the cliff-hanger we are left with, another chance for development that I hope will be better because I do really love Dorian and what he brings to the series). Though, I will say that as earlier stated there were instances of development between Chaol and Dorian which were strong and hopefully allows development in the next books of this series. One of the instances is when Dorian challenges Chaol’s worldly prejudices, and I think was a great example not only of their potential for character development but Maas’s abilities as a writer too to make her readers think (yes, even in a ya fantasy):

“… And of course you wish she wasn’t who she is. Because you’re not really scared of those things, are you? No—it’s what they represent. The change. But let me tell you…things have already changed. And changed because of you…” […] “As for Celaena,” he said again, “you do not have the right to wish she were not what she is. The only thing you have a right to do is decide whether you are her enemy or her friend.” […] So he stared down his friend, even though he knew Chaol was hurting and adrift, and said, “I’ve already made my decision about her. And when the time comes, regardless of whether you are here or in Anielle, I hope your choice is the same as mine.”

In the previous book, Crown of Midnight, there was a huge cliff-hanger that left an open opportunity for the development of magic that has been slowly introduced and developed since the first book. You will not be disappointed by Heir of Fire and its continued ability to develop the magic system, which one would expect in a fantasy ya. Though I will not personally give away all that happens I will admit one key plot-line that has been hinted at since Throne of Glass and that is that we finally meet real life Fae (though not from Adarlan). Heir of Fire for me undoubtedly saw an incredible and strong character development for Celaena. From the previous book she is still processing and struggling with some difficult events, that I will not discuss because no one likes a spoiler, but this has left her struggling by herself with no one to talk to or more importantly because she is unwilling to forgive and seek help from others. However, through an unlikely relationship that develops throughout Heir of Fire Celaena does slowly begin to talk to another individual and begin to process her struggles and emotions. But this is not a quick process and one that leads to a hugely compelling relationship development between herself and the one she receives help from as well as I’ve already stated a chance for her to heal as an individual too.

“There is this … rage,” she said hoarsely. “This despair and hatred and rage that lives and breathes inside me. There is no sanity to it, no gentleness. It is a monster dwelling under my skin. For the past ten years, I have worked every day, every hour, to keep that monster locked up. And the moment I talk about those two days, and what happened before and after, that monster is going to break loose, and there will be no accounting for what I do. […] “For whatever it’s worth, I don’t think you would destroy the world from spite.” His voice turned hard. “But I also think you like to suffer. You collect scars because you want proof that you are paying for whatever sins you’ve committed. And I know this because I’ve been doing the same damn thing for two hundred years.”

Heir of Fire also saw an introduction of some fantastic new characters that will become and have already shown their huge importance to the development and continuation of this series. The new characters include Manon, Rowan and Aedion. I hugely admire and respect Maas’s ability as a writer to create a host of distinct characters that she is able to maintain and give each their own personalities and voices to that do not read the same (this is a huge feat for any author and Maas is absolutely incredible for managing this so successfully). At the end I found that I’m in absolute adoration of Manon and Rowan in particular and cannot wait to see more of them in the rest of the series I leave you with the following quote about Manon:

‘She counted to ten, because she wanted to hunt, and had been that way since she tore through her mother’s womb and came roaring and bloody into this world.’

Synopsis (From Goodreads)

Consumed by guilt and rage, Celaena can't bring herself to spill blood for the King of Adarlan. She must fight back...

The Immortal Queen will help her destroy the king - for a price. But as Celaena battles with her darkest memories and her heart breaks for a love that could never last, can she fulfil the bargain and head the almighty court of Terrasen? And who will stand with her?

Key Quotes 

'Chaol closed his eyes for a moment. “A part of me will always love her. But I had to get her out of this castle. Because it was too dangerous, and she was … what she was becoming…” “She was not becoming anything different from what she always was and always had the capacity to be. You just finally saw everything. And once you saw that other part of her …,” Dorian said quietly. It had taken him until now, until Sorscha, to understand what that meant. “You cannot pick and choose what parts of her to love.” He pitied Chaol, he realized. His heart hurt for his friend, for all that Chaol had surely been realizing these past few months. “Just as you cannot pick which parts of me you accept.”

‘She had made a vow—a vow to free Eyllwe. […] Celaena had decided on one plan to follow when she reached these shores. One plan, however insane and unlikely, to free the enslaved kingdom: find and obliterate the Wyrdkeys the King of Adarlan had used to build his terrible empire. She’d gladly destroy herself to carry it out. Just her, just him. Just as it should be; no loss of life beyond their own, no soul stained but hers. It would take a monster to destroy a monster.’

‘She’d deserved that particular blow in the brawl she’d provoked in last night’s taberna—she’d kicked a man’s balls into his throat, and when he’d caught his breath, he’d been enraged, to say the least.’

“Does your lover know what you are?” A cold question. […] She heard, more than felt, something die from her voice as she said, “We’re not—together. Not anymore. I let him go before I came here.” He looked over his shoulder. “Why?” Flat, bored. But still, slightly curious. What did she care if he knew? She’d curled her hand into a fist in her lap, her knuckles white. […] “Because he’s safer if he’s as repulsed by me as you are.” “At least you’ve already learned one lesson.” When she cocked her head, he said, “The people you love are just weapons that will be used against you.”

“Why don’t I give you the lashing you deserve?” He looked so dead set on it that she blinked. “If you ever take a whip to me, I will skin you alive.” He let go of her and stalked around the clearing, a predator assessing its prey.’ 

Similar reads

The Cruel Prince, The Shadows Between Us, Red Queen, Serpent & Dove, Six of Crows, Shadow and Bone

Afterthoughts

Who would you cast for a Throne of Glass adaptation?

What are your thoughts on this series?

Did you enjoy Heir of Fire?

Which new characters did you love from Heir of Fire?

Review - Ruin and Rising

Ruin and Rising

Title: Ruin and Rising 
Series: Shadow and Bone (Goodreads)
Publisher: Orion  
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Author: Leigh Bardugo  

Age Group: YA

Source: Amazon UK (Purchased)

Review

Bardugo is a fantastic writer and the final book in the GrishaVerse trilogy left me in absolute awe of the story and characters that she created. Having read the previous two books in this series I was definitely psyched to see how Ruin and Rising would end, I can undoubtedly say that I was not disappointed. In contrast to the first two books I did feel that Ruin and Rising started out a little slower, the pacing before the main action began did take me a little longer to get into the excitement of this book and finale, but once I got over the initial slowness I raced through this book mainly because of the fantastic depth of the world building and the interactions between the cast of characters. I personally feel that the beginning slowness was a result of this book being the final in the trilogy and had to purposefully build up to the main climatic action of the battle between Alina and the Darkling. Because if there had been too much before this then it would have maybe been written as a longer series rather than a trilogy and if there had been too much stuffed into the final book it would not have resulted in a satisfying resolutory finale that we got.

For me, you cannot write a fantasy series without the addition of fantasy creatures and Bardugo certainly included her fair share of them within this trilogy. If you own the more recent book covers with the picture of the fantasy creatures (the stag, sea whip, and firebird) on them then you were probably one of the readers, like myself, who was excited to see how Bardugo included them in the series. As I read all three books I found that the story wasn’t just about the final battle between Alina and the Darkling but it felt to me that the other main driving plot was the hunt for the fantastical creatures. Therefore, I felt that throughout my reading of the first two books and Ruin and Rising in particular there was a huge build up and expectation drawn out for the reader to finally meet these creatures. I won’t give away too much but I think the depiction may divide some readers over whether they were satisfied with the overall time and depth spent on the climatic potential meetings of these creatures (not just in Ruin and Rising but the other two books as well).

Although the main driving plot of this book is the build up to the battle between Alina and the Darkling what I loved most was the interactions and personal journeys of the characters before the climatic battle. In the previous book Alina and a few select Grisha were forced to flee the Darkling and so Ruin and Rising gave these few Grisha a chance to develop as individuals and redeem themselves with the readers. Personally, I loved the interactions between Alina and the other Grisha as this gave her and the readers a chance to see Alina interact and develop a relationship with others like herself (in the previous books she had felt isolated from them) and allowed her to come to terms with who she was and how it was partially up to herself whether she allowed herself to connect with others like herself. For example, there is a scene that I think was rather key to helping the Grisha as a group connect and develop their relationships with one another (not just for Alina with each Grisha) when they discuss their individual struggles and lessons with Baghra: 

‘Harshaw snorted. “I set fire to her hut in class.” […] “Accidentally! She refused to ever teach me again. Wouldn’t even speak to me. I saw her on the grounds once, and she walked right by. Didn’t say a word, just whacked me on the knee with her stick. I still have a lump.” He yanked up his trouser leg, and sure enough, there was a knob of bone visible beneath the skin. “That’s nothing,” Nadia said, her cheeks pinking as we all turned our attention to her. “I had some kind of block where I couldn’t summon for a while. She put me in a room and released a hive of bees in it.” “What?” I squeaked. It wasn’t just the bees that had shocked me. I’d struggled to summon for months at the Little Palace, and Baghra had never mentioned that other Grisha got blocks.’

I do feel that Alina as the main protagonist definitely developed as an individual. But it is the supporting Grisha, Zoya, that I felt had developed significantly as an individual in this series and Ruin and Rising itself. Zoya and Alina were not always agreeable with one another and though they are not able to resolve all their differences I think that in Ruin and Rising they begin that process and there is the potential to see a better relationship between the characters. Also who doesn’t love some of the quips from Zoya:

“Perfect,” said Zoya. “From a tunnel to a tomb. What’s next, an outing to a slaughterhouse?”

Synopsis (From Goodreads)

The capital has fallen.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

Key Quotes 

‘The monsters name was Izumrud, the great worm, and there were those who claimed he had made the tunnels that ran beneath Ravka […] it was easy to believe that Izumrud still lived somewhere, waiting to be woken by the call of heroes, dreaming of the fine meal he would have if only some hapless child would walk into his mouth. A beast like rests; it does not die.’ 

‘The Saint rattled the bars of her underground cage. This was her war, and she demanded freedom to fight it.' 

“War is the price of change.” “And its ordinary people who pay it, peasants like me. Never men like you.”

“Yes, yes,” said Zoya. “The Sun Summoner can summon. And all it took was a few deaths and a minor explosion.” “You blew something up?” said Harshaw plaintively. “Without me?”

'The rest of us waited for the gangway to be lowered, then shuffled off the barge. “Impressive,” Mal said. I shook my head in wonder. “How does he do it?” “Want to know my secret?” Nikolai asked from behind us. We both jumped. He leaned in, looked from left to right, and whispered loudly, “I have a lot of money.” I rolled my eyes. “No, really,” he protested. “A lot of money.”

'Nikolai tapped the ring. “Console yourself knowing that, should you ever punch me while wearing it, you’ll probably take my eye out. And I’d very much like you to. Wear it, that is. Not punch me.” 

Similar reads

Sorcery of Thorns, A Curse So Dark and Lonely, The Shadows Between Us, Serpent & Dove

Afterthoughts

I absolutely loved the sass between Alina and Nikolai. And I really enjoyed the scenes with David and Harshaw too as some of the ragtag Grisha clan.

What did you think of the fantastical creatures?

Who was your favourite character from this book or from the whole trilogy?

Do you think the Darkling was truly a villain with no redemption or was he potentially another victim of the society he was born to?

Were you satisfied with the conclusion of this trilogy? 

Have you read the other works set in the Grisha world? 

Are you looking forward to the tv adaptation?

Review - This Vicious Cure

This Vicious Cure (Waterstones Exclusive)

Title: This Vicious Cure
Series: This Mortal Coil (Goodreads)
Author: Emily Suvada
Genre: Sci-fi, Dystopian
Publisher: Penguin books 

Age Group: YA

Source: Waterstones (purchased)

Review 

This Mortal Coil series is a Ya sci-fi series, with a twist, and one that will leave you both shocked and impressed by Suvada’s writing and storytelling abilities. I started this series a few years back when I discovered This Mortal Coil and was instantly consumed by the story itself and Suvada’s masterful writing skills. I hadn’t read the first two books in this series that recently and by the time I came around to This Vicious Cure I slightly regret not rereading them before this final book in the series. This is because I had forgotten some key plot points and due to this series being very heavy on the science explanations (which I think only make total sense if you don’t have a gap between reading the books in the series). Suvada certainly knows how to write an intriguing plot, major plot twists, and engaging characters. Having finally finished this series I was not disappointed and cannot wait to see what Suvada next decides to write.

This Vicious Cure is unlike the previous books because it is written from two different narrators. For some readers multiple narration does not always work, and I sometimes believe that for some books I’ve read this is true. However, this is not the case for This Vicious Cure. I think the double narration is hugely successful in this book because it allows us to view two different individuals approaches to surviving a pandemic and how far they will go to find a cure. Catarina is still one of the main narrators alongside another very important character that shall remain unnamed in this review to keep from spoiling the overall series. What I will say about the second narrator is that their responses and actions towards the pandemic and attempts to find a cure contrast strongly with Catarina’s. But what both narrators equally struggle with is the moral and ethical decisions and actions they have to make and do to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their attempts to save the rest of society.

‘When you’re working with a virus that could kill everyone on the planet, there should be no limit to the things your prepared to do to build a vaccine.’

Although there are a lot of strengths and reasons to enjoy this series finale I did find that there were some personal disappointments whilst I was reading it. In the previous books there was a huge interaction and development of relationships between Cat and the following characters: Cole, Leoben, Anna and even Dax. However, by This Vicious Cure a lot of these relationships were pushed aside and I personally felt they were forgotten about, which was rather disappointing. Although I do understand that the focus of this book was to finish the series by finding a cure and reaching a satisfying conclusion, I do think that the sudden lack of relationship developments was a weakness in this book. But apart from this I did really enjoy the series and its conclusion because it did leave me with a satisfying conclusion, there was plenty of shock twists that appeared and were answered, and overall I was left with hope that there is a future for these beloved characters. 

‘A new design is woven through the animals etched across him. A phoenix – its flaming wings inked in gold and crimson, its story tangled with the others – taking flight, burning into ash and being reborn as something new. It seemed appropriate for me.’

This Vicious Cure 

Synopsis (From Goodreads)

Two factions at war.

A plague that can't be stopped.

A cure that could destroy them all...

Cat's hacking skills weren't enough to keep her from losing everything - her identity, her past, and now her freedom.

Meanwhile, the person who's stolen everything from her is close to realizing a hacker's dream: the solution to humanity's problems in gene form. Or so she thinks...

But now a new threat has emerged - a threat that could bring the world to the brink of a devastating war.

Both sides will stop at nothing to seize control of humanity's future, and that the centre of this war is Cat, and a race against the clock save millions of lives . . .

*The extraordinary conclusion to the This Mortal Coil trilogy - who will survive the oncoming storm?*

Key Quotes 

‘... It’s a Panacea – a piece of code that lets us alter our minds the same way we change our DNA. It should be the most important code in existence, but it's still missing one final, crucial piece.'

‘Every part of this lab seems genuine – every door, every tree and pebble has been perfectly coded to smell, taste and feel realistic. It’s a flawless simulation, barely distinguishable from reality. And there’s absolutely no way out.’ 

‘My entire existence was built on serving another person’s needs, but I’m not going to be pushed around any more. I want a life, I want to be free and I’m willing to fight for it.’ 

‘I don’t remember everything from when we were children…and I don’t want to. I don’t think there’s much benefit to carrying pain around forever. Memories can be precious, but sometimes they’re just a burden. A wound that won’t ever heal.’ 

'…A lot of people start out as twins and end up absorbing their sibling instead of being born with them. Shark embryos eat their siblings in the womb. What Cartaxus did was evil, but nature can be pretty vicious too.” “You must be fun at parties,” Anna mutters.’

Similar reads

Nemesis, Eve & Adam

Afterthoughts

So many Parallels to the Coronavirus we are facing right now, luckily with less Lurkers (thank goodness)

How far would you go to create a cure?

What would you do to survive a pandemic?

What books would you recommend for someone who liked this book and series?

Let me know what you loved about this book or series, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Review - Matched

Matched

Title: Matched
Series: Matched (Goodreads)
Author: Ally Condie 
Genre: Romance, Dystopian
Publisher: Penguin books 

Age Group: YA

Source: Bought at a local book sale

Review

If you are looking for a light and fluffy read than Matched is definitely the one for you. I know that this book was all the rage a few years back when I was still in high school during the hype of dystopian literature following the success of The Hunger Games. If I had read this book back when I was a young teenager I know that I would have loved it. But as a young adult in my early twenties I was not so keen on this book, not because of the work itself, but because I have personally outgrown ya dystopian romance. Condie’s writing itself is easy to read and non-challenging for ya readers. Although, I will note that even though this book is easy to read there are some interesting themes and issues that are raised that could challenge a reader to think. One of these issues that could make a reader think was the idea of not dying alone and controlling peoples lifespans and aspirations, ‘You could die alone. No one should die alone’. However, I personally found that the pace of the book itself moved rather slowly and was perhaps a contributing factor to my lack of enjoyment.

This book is about forbidden romance in a dystopian society that controls who you marry, how many children you have, your food intake, and when you will die. All these themes are definitely a trope one would expect in a dystopian ya and Condie does not fail to include these in Matched. Cassia is the main protagonist and starts out rather selfish and indulged as a member of the Society who has earned the privileges of a good citizen. She is given a good Match, is on track to have a successful career, and remain a loyal member of the Society. A drawback of her privileged life though is not to question the Society that controls her life and many others as well as her major inability to empathise with other people’s difficulties, ‘I am not used to seeing someone suffer. I turn away’. I struggled to connect with Cassia as the protagonist, not only because I found that throughout the book there was little character development, but because she was just willing to accept the world she lived in as the right way to live and avoid questioning or challenging the inequalities that she began to begin to see and comprehend. Maybe Cassia has the potential to develop over the rest of the series and I really hope this is the case. 

If one of the reasons you love ya dystopia is because of the romance, especially forbidden romances, then this book will not disappoint. Cassia is not only Matched to her perfect future partner but there is a mistake that is made in the system and for a minute another potential Match is shown to her, and of course he is forbidden to her. The romance that develops between the forbidden teenagers is slow moving at the beginning but eventually quickens and becomes rather thrilling. And as their relationship progresses so does Cassia’s ability to begin questioning the injustices of her Society. 

‘I want to reach up and touch that skin under his eyes, the one place I’ve seen any vulnerability in him, make him feel better. And then I could run my fingers there, across his cheekbones, down to his lips, to the place where his jaw meets his neck, where his neck meets his shoulder line. I like the places where one part meets another, I think, eyes to cheek, wrist to hands. Somewhat shocked at my own thoughts, I take a step back.’

Synopsis (From Goodreads)

On her seventeenth birthday, Cassia meets her Match. Society dictates he is her perfect partner for life.

Except he's not.

In Cassia's society, Officials decide who people love.

How many children they have.

Where they work.

When they die.

But, as Cassia finds herself falling in love with another boy, she is determined to make some choices of her own.

And that's when her whole world begins to unravel . . .

Key Quotes 

‘Every minute you spend with someone gives them a part of your life and takes part of theirs.’

‘All of the things that were shown in early studies to be good for longevity – happy marriages, healthy bodies – are ours to have. We live long, good lives. We die on our eightieth birthdays, surrounded by our families, before dementia sets in. Cancer, heart disease, and most debilitating illnesses are almost entirely eradicated. This is as close to perfect as any society has ever managed to get.’ 

‘Am I supposed to fight against authority?'

‘He widens his eyes a little, leans closer, lets me look as long and deep as I want.’ 

“I don’t know how the workers at the medical center stand it when they’re working on people or delivering babies. It's too hard to have other lives in your hands.” 

Similar reads

The Selection, Uglies, Divergent, Delirium 

Afterthoughts

Do believe everything that you are told in society? Do you question authority?

Do you enjoy YA dystopia's and romance's?

Have you read Matched, did you enjoy it? 

Review - Broken Throne

Broken Throne

Title: Broken Throne

Series: Red Queen (Goodreads)

Author: Victoria Aveyard
Publisher: Orion Fiction 
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Age Group: YA
Source: Amazon UK (Purchased)

Review 

I have always thought that it is important for any author of a long running series needs to give the dedicated readers the resolution that they deserve. With Broken Throne I felt that Aveyard achieved this for the Red Queen series. It has been a few years since I first read Red Queen and when I started out I wasn’t to keen or sure about whether I would continue to read it. However, I am very glad I did because although Aveyard’s writing didn’t start out strong I definitely felt by the end of the main series and in Broken Throne that she has improved incredibly as an author and has managed to create such intricate and complex characters that continue to make me question them (for the best). What I think is important about creating long running series’ is that it is a joint journey for the reader and the author. Authors do not just start out as incredible writers without faults, they too must learn as many others must, how to change and edit their work to improve as individual writers. Therefore, we as readers may begin a series and see faults that make us critical or ambivalent about continuing to read a series. However, as readers we must remind ourselves that where we must learn to achieve so must an author. For this reason Aveyard with continued readership and learning has become a strong author to watch with a series to be proud of.

Throughout Broken Throne there are documents, written by Julian Jacos, that separate the six main short stories in this collection. Personally, I really liked the inclusion of the documents they not only gave background history and information about Norta and Cal’s family but we got to see a glimpse of Julian’s personality from which some readers might have loved and missed from the main Red Queen series.

Queen Song and Steel Scars

These two short stories were previously published before this collection as Cruel Crown and some readers may have been a little disappointed to have seen them again included in this collection rather than reading new ones. However, even if these same readers had read them before I personally was grateful to read them again in this collection because it had been years since I’d last read them. Queen Song allowed us as readers to glimpse the level of cruelty that Elara was capable of but also to meet Coriane, Cal’s mother, as an individual and not through the eyes of other characters. Coriane herself never craved the crown and its duties, in fact, she preferred to tinker with mechanics rather than dress up like a princess and parade around with a crown on her head. Watching Coriane suffer as she did at the hands of Elara was difficult to read because she went from a happy woman full of potential to a broken woman at the hand of one who craved the crown she possessed but never wanted.

In Steel Scars I loved seeing how Shade and Farley met. Farley had finally been given control of her own mission which was a huge personal achievement for her but she knew the burdens that such a role would require of her too. Farley is not a woman who cowers from responsibility and this short story reminded me why I always liked her in the main Red Queen series.

‘Now I have to protect others, taking their lives – and deaths – onto my shoulders.’

World Behind

World Behind proved Aveyard’s ability to create characters that intrigue and draw you in, even after the last pages of this short story you want to know more about Ashe and Lyrisa. In this shorty story we see the tensions and conflicts held between the Reds and Silvers from a new perspective and by the end it makes you question really how different are the Reds and Silvers from one another?

Some people have argued that this story is pointless and I personally disagree because there is a subtle reference to Prince Bracken that is hugely important to the inclusion of this story in the collection (if the subtle reference is missed, it is possible to question this story’s inclusion).

‘Sometimes I wonder if the differences are more than I realise between Silver and Red... There is the blood, of course: the colour and what it gives. Abilities I cannot understand or comprehend […] But beyond that, is there more? Are they born different from us, more rigid and cruel and violent, or do they become that way? I used to think the former. Now I’m not so sure.’

Iron Heart

This story allowed us to revisit the Samos siblings and see how they have begun to change for the better (though this will be a long life’s challenge, not an overnight change). Once again I loved seeing how Evangeline and Ptolemus supported one another as siblings and carried the shared burden of how their parents raised them and the choices they made to survive the Nortan war. This story proves that change is difficult and we shouldn’t expect it to be otherwise but more importantly that it is possible given plenty of time.

“…Montfort doesn’t bother me so much anymore. It isn’t easy, to relearn how things just are,” he says. “And I’m trying. I check my words. I keep quiet in mixed company so I don’t say the wrong thing. But sometimes I do. Without even knowing it.” I nod, understanding what he means. We're all doing the same, fighting against old habits and old prejudices as much as we can. “Well, keep trying.” “You too, Eve.” “I am” “Try to be happy, I mean,” he says, his voice sharp. “Try to believe this is all real.”

What is also important about this story is seeing Evangeline and Elane free to love one another freely and to express their individual selves without prejudices for being seen as other and hated for it. Aveyard is another author within the YA community who writes inclusively and represents not only straight couples but LGBTQ+ couples too. More importantly, neither is shown to be better than the other but actually suggests that relationships of any kind aren’t easy and do have their difficulties as well as their positive moments.

Fire Light

Months after Mare and Cal were separated they are finally forced to come together again at Montfort for political discussions to represent their own factions. We learn very quickly that both of them are still struggling with the choices they had to make to survive the war. However, by choosing to seek one another out and re-explore their relationship and their importance to one another they have the potential to heal one another and find some kind of happiness together. I also loved that we saw Mare reunited with her family and her interactions with them and especially the rare moments where they could forget their shared pain and laugh with (or sometimes at) one another.

“No makeup?” “Is Farley wearing any?” I sigh, crossing my arms in defence. Gisa doesn’t miss a beat. “Does Farley need any?” “No -” I start, remembering how pretty she is, until the implication hits me. “Hey!”

Fare Well

This was a very very short story but perhaps the one that leaves you asking the most questions, not because the story is unresolved, but rather because once again we are reminded of how complex Maven is as a person and not a clear-cut villain. Some would argue from reading this short story and the main Red Queen series that Maven was just as much a victim as the many others were, others may not agree. But I personally do not think it as simple as him being a victim or villain. Cal is also more complex than some may say he is I believe that too much was expected of him from a young age to see the victimisation of his brother and to save him, even as a child himself, then villainised unfairly for such an impossible task.

‘I was just a boy too. What was I supposed to do?’

Synopsis (From Goodreads)

Return once more to the deadly and dazzling world of Red Queen in Broken Throne, a beautifully designed, must-have companion to the chart-topping series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard.

The perfect addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling Red Queen series, this gorgeously designed package features three brand-new novellas, two previously published novellas, Steel Scars and Queen Song, and never-before-seen maps, flags, bonus scenes, journal entries, and much more exclusive content.

Fans will be delighted to catch up with beloved characters after the drama of War Storm and be excited to hear from brand-new voices as well. This stunning collection is not to be missed!

Key Quotes 

‘If nothing else, world leaders should know what befell our ancestors, so they can avoid such disaster in the future. I am particularly concerned by man-made climate change, an easy trap to fall into, especially for advancing societies.’ 

‘Information is more dangerous than any weapon we possess.’  

“...We don’t use our ability against our own, outside the proper channels-“. This time, his laugh was hollow. “And is Elara Merandus following that law? She hits you, you hit her back, Coriane. That's the way of my kingdom.” “It isn’t your kingdom yet”, she heard herself mutter. But Tiberias didn’t mind. In fact, he grinned darkly. “I suspected you had a spine, Coriane Jacos. Somewhere in there.”

'Strange, the most worthy people are often the least likely to say so.’ 

Similar reads

Ash Princess, Warcross, The Cruel Prince, Throne of Glass, Shadow and Bone

Afterthoughts

Have you read Broken Throne, what did you think, did it resolve any loose ends from the main series for you?

Do you think Cal could have done more for his brother Maven?

Do you think the new Nortan States will find peace and equality?

Who's your favourite character from this collection, or main series?