This review for Heir of Fire contains spoilers for the previous books in the series.

IF you haven’t read Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) or Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) then I would recommend you skip my review for Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3). But before you do, I want to tell you how highly I recommend this series as a whole. I loved the first book and each instalment since has lived up to the very high standard I’ve come to expect. This is a series which will appeal to young and older readers alike. Even if you are not into high fantasy – these books are beautifully written and have so many unexpected yet perfectly fitting plot turns. Perfect for fans of books like the Song of Fire and Ice series by George RR Martin.

And now without further ado, onto my review for Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3)

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #3
Also in this series: The Assassin's Blade
on September 2014
Pages: 562
Goodreads

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?

Celaena Sardothien has managed to get away from Adarlan at least for the moment. She’s out to find answers. Answers about the wyrdkeys and a potential way to defeat the King who has complete control of the realm. But to before she gets the information she seeks, Celaena has to impress Maeve, the Immortal Queen. It’s not easy for Celaena to embrace the magic within herself which she has been repressing for her entire life. Back at Adarlan, Chaol has to come to terms with Celaena’s secrets and trying to protect Prince Dorian before having to go back to his father. Dorian also has issues regarding his father but he may be able to find some peace within all the turmoil of royal life…

One of the things I love most about this series is how it’s always changing. There’s a lot going on but everything is introduced at a pace which never makes the action or drama feel confusing. In Heir of Fire we get to see Celaena start to come into her own with regards to embracing her magic. She finds herself lumped with a fae tutor of sorts, Rowan. Queen Maeve will only give Celaena the answers she seeks if she masters the fae magic she possesses. Celaena is a character who has grown so much from the first book. She has spent the past ten years trying to forget where she has come from and to ignore the fiery magic but Rowan has her facing her fears and the nightmares of her past. Celaena is both a changed person but she’s also exactly the same in all the ways which matter.

Life in the castle is also getting more complicated for those who live there. Dorian has always trusted Chaol but he can sense his best friend his hiding things from him. This leads to Dorian finding a shoulder to lean on in unexpected places. I have never really been a fan of Dorian but this book redeems him for me. He’s learning to stand on his own two feet and becoming someone worthy of ruling Adarlan. Chaol has his own problems. His father has come to take him home and Chaol doesn’t want to leave Dorian unprotected. He finds allies in the most unlikely of places and starts something so much bigger than himself.

And then there’s the witches. These fierce, warrior women are lethal and a brilliant addition to the series. They agree to do the King of Adarlan’s bidding in exchange for his gift of wyverns. These women are fierce and have a taste of blood. They are brilliant. They have their own agendas and I loved getting to read about this new angle for the Throne of Glass series. Manon and her thirteen have a lot of potential and I can’t wait to see what Sarah J Maas has them do next.

If you have liked the previous books in the Throne of Glass series, I have no doubt you will love Heir of Fire. It is a book which lives up to expectations and blows them out of the water. There is a lot of action and drama with a lovely touch of romance every here and there. While I was reading I was caught between wanting to read it as fast as I could to find out what was going to happen next but at the same time wanting to take my time because I did not want the story to end. This is a fantasy series for people who love fantasy and also those who don’t like the genre. It’s a book with young adult characters who will appeal to adults and younger audiences alike. There is no doubt I will be continuing on with this series and recommending it to everyone I know.

 

Thanks to Bloomsbury Australia for the review copy.