Review: Heir of Fire

Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3)
by Sarah J. Maas
YA Fantasy
Amazon  /  Goodreads

Plot Summary:

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 is a fantastic expansion on the world-building set-up in the first two books of this series.  There's more on magic, on Celaena's past, on the nature of the Fae and on the different kingdoms.  This book intertwines three separate storylines to bring all of this to life - each storyline has fascinating character developments and an exciting conclusion, so that I found myself completely invested whenever each chapter changed to the new setting.  I was really impressed with how the author brought all the threads together in the end, making this third book a very complex, well-structured fantasy with incredible depth.

The characters were a major reason this book was so awe-inspiring.  There are some new ones that just steal your heart (or crush it, as it applies) and I was surprised by how much I was rooting for fierce Manon, prickly Rowan and shrewd Aedion.  Manon especially is surprisingly endearing for a character so vicious. Even though, at first, I was much more interested in what Celaena or Chaol and Dorian were up to, Sarah J. Maas really made me care about all of the characters in this book.  And Sorsha!  Such a sweet, kind, and seemingly ordinary girl who faces many challenges to become a very important part of the story.  I was so rooting for her as well.  The character writing in this book is just gorgeous.

For most of the book, the plot more develops the potential of each character and the consequences of their actions, than focuses on actual action, although there are many suspenseful moments throughout.  The last few chapters however were like fireworks - just great big explosions of I-Can't-Believe-This-is-Happening.  Well worth thoroughly getting to know the characters involved and everything at stake to get to the surprises and revelations in the end.  And Celaena shows yet again just how powerful she is, which is deeply satisfying given all the trials she goes through in this book.  All three storylines really are emotionally satisfying and yet also emotionally shattering.

This series continues to amaze me - it's complex, marvelous fantasy with wonderful character development and depth.  Celaena is a heroine that continues to surprise with each unfolding aspect of her character and it's wonderful to know that all the attention on her throughout this series is completely deserved.  I am absolutely addicted to this series!

(I received this book from the publisher or author for a fair and honest review.  I was not compensated for this review.)