This is a review for the third book in the Throne of Glass series and so may contain spoilers from the previous books.
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release: 11th September 2014
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Source: Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Synopsis:
"Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien's only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan's Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King's Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan's biggest threat - and his own toughest enemy.
While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?"
Review
Heir of Fire feels like a different read compared to the first two books in the series. It’s less action and mystery driven and instead focuses on world building and character development, both of which are done incredibly well making me feel more immersed in this world and more attached to these characters emotionally.
We’re introduced to several new characters in Heir of Fire which created multiple storylines all of which I personally really liked. Each storyline had so much going on and I enjoyed reading about each character equally which really kept the pages turning. All too often with books like this I tend to have my favourite characters and find myself spending the chapters in between their story wishing I could flick ahead to continue reading about them but I never felt that way once with Heir of Fire.
Celaena’s story brought out so many emotions in me. She’s now in Wendlyn training her fae abilities with warrior Rowan and coming to terms with her past and who she truly is. I loved getting some of Aelin’s backstory and by the end of the book Celaena Sardothien has rose from the ashes of her past and has never been more fearsome.
Chaol and Dorian keep us up to speed on the goings on back at the castle whilst both of them are coming to terms with Celaena’s revelation and where their loyalties lie. They also have to contend with the arrival of Aelin’s cousin Aedion who is a fantastic new character who keeps you guessing!
My favourite new character introduced is Manon a brutal and blood thirsty witch who is training with Wyvern (DRAGONS!!!) to fight for the King of Adarlan. Although Manon’s storyline perhaps didn’t fit in as smoothly as the other new characters I absolutely loved anything to do with her and her Wyvern and I’m intrigued to see how her part plays out in the rest of the series.
Heir of Fire is without doubt my favourite book of this series so far. With dragons and witches, fae and magic, fire and love, betrayal and loyalty Sarah J. Maas has given me everything I could want in a Fantasy novel. This series just gets better and better and has introduced a whole new generation to a love for Fantasy.
