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| 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.’
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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?
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