The Crown of Embers (Girl of Fire and Thorns)

The first book was slow. The pace didn't pick up until over half way through the story, but I still enjoyed it because it was interesting enough that I wanted to find out what happened next and it involved a lot of the main characters interaction with her faith in God. However, after reading the entire story, I decided not to continue with the second book, because it was just too slow for me. About a year after I pick up the first book, again and re-read it. After finishing it for the second time, but more enthusiastically, I decide that I would go ahead and buy the second book. That was a mistake. The second book is ten times slower and holds a lot of shockingly worldly views. The writer quotes scripture but the main character, Elisa is not at all devoted in her faith to God. The writer adds gays to this story on top of it all, which is just down right heart breaking. Not even in a book where scripture is quoted can there be a real depth of faith and biblical understanding. This is discouraging in a world that already encourages adultery and bisexuals, we are now including it all into our Christian faith. Maybe I'm taking this all a bit too seriously, because maybe this author didn't even know what she was quoting from the Bible, so this entire story was never intended to be about God but just exactly what the world wants to see. :( If that's true, Rae Carson then I wish you would had never made this story appear anything less then that. You cannot both serve the world and God.

I really fell in love with Girl of Fire and Thorns, and I was anxious to see what was in store for Elisa and her kingdom in Crown of Embers. I was once again pulled into the unique world that Rae Carson created and found dastardly plans, political intrigue and some very emotional moments. Just because Elisa has returned and assumed the throne after her husband's death does not mean there will be a peaceful time for anyone. I was so devastated by what happened to Humberto in book one that I wasn't sure if I could move on from that story line, but trust me when I say that this book found new ways to suck me in. The romance was bittersweet and wonderful, the action was non-stop and the plot twists seemed to keep coming. I can't put into words what makes me love a fantasy novel, but The Crown of Embers seems to take all of the elements that are universal to great works (romance, adventure, betrayal, intrigue) and constructs them into a book that demonstrates Rae Carson's superb storytelling abilities.

If I admired Elisa in book one, I grew to love her in this installment. Elisa is strong, but she doesn't always seem to know it and her strength isn't necessarily physical. There is no sequence in which she all of a sudden becomes a superhero. Instead, her strength is in her determination to persevere for her kingdom and for the people around her. Her strength is also in her intelligence, which is one of my favorite things about Elisa. She is afraid, but she acts anyway. In my mind, this is the type of heroine that is much more interesting to read about because being frightened and doing it anyway is the very definition of bravery. I cannot stop recommending this series to everyone because it is so engrossing and different. The world building was, once again, excellent and the way that Rae Carson so artfully captures all of Elisa's personal relationships makes it a book (and series) that will be on my all-time favorites list, for sure. As for the ending, I'm sure my fingers will grow very sore after hanging off of this cliff until I can get my hands on book three!

I enjoyed this book.

Elisa discovers it’s not easy being queen especially when it appears someone is trying to undermine her.
She makes mistakes and bad decisions and it’s very easy to forget that she’s only seventeen years old. But she’s intelligent and learns from her mistakes.

My issues with the first book weren’t really a problem here.
Elisa is no longer fat, not that I had any issue at all with her weight it was refreshing having a heroine that wasn’t stick thin. But it was the obsession with food and weight to the point that I felt it overpowered the early part of the book that annoyed me.

The constant praying and references to God weren’t as bad either so I was set for a good read.

I was also delighted to discover that Hector finally shaves off his moustache. I felt in the previous book it had a bigger part than him as it twitched it’s way through the pages.

It’s straight onto the third and final book The Bitter Kingdom for me now.

Quote

“A quarterstaff is not very subtle. Or handy. If an kidnapper comes at me, what am I supposed to do? Say, ‘Excuse me, my lord, while I pull my enormous quarterstaff out of my bodice?”

Review

I read the first book, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, a while ago and was completely blown away by it. It was an epic fantasy story with Hispanic influences and a unique main character. While I had heard from some amazing people/bloggers whose opinions I completely trust -such as Alicia @ Kernels of Nonsense– that the sequel was amazing too, I was hesitant. What if it suffered from second-book-syndrome? What if it just felt like filler and a set-up for the final book? I’m happy to say that it didn’t! It was just as incredible, maybe even more so.

In this novel, Elisa is struggling as queen. She has people opposing her rule from within the court and the outside. The Invierne haven’t given up on her land/godstone yet, and now she is even facing threats from within her own walls -even though those are much more subtle. While all of this is happening, Elisa is also desperate to find out more about her Godstone, and the destiny that supposedly awaits her. This triggers an epic journey, with friends and foes.

Wow. I can’t say much else than just, wow. This trilogy is absolutely gripping. I didn’t want to put it back down, not until I finished it and would find out what happened! Not only is Elisa’s journey intriguing, the characters are too.

We both get to more of the same characters and are introduced to new ones. The same characters would be Ximena, her maid, Hector, head of the guard and so on. We had already gotten a chance to meet them in the first book, but here it just went much deeper. Then there are some new additions as well, which I obviously can’t talk about because that would be a giant spoiler.

I learned so much more about the side characters, who each have an intriguing and unique story. I find that so important, especially for fantasy novels. You can’t just have one interesting character. Your side characters need to be intriguing too, otherwise why would I want to read about them? Rae Carson has got that down. Each of the side characters adds his own story to the whole, adds to Elisa’s life and character and helps her develop and grow. Rae Carson is the queen of writing incredible characters.

I’m going to summarize the plot in one sentence. Elisa goes on an epic journey, which challenges not only her faith in God, but her faith in her own abilities as well.

P.S. I kind of want a Hector too.

If you haven’t picked up this trilogy yet, I’d highly recommend you to do so. If you’ve read the first one but were hesitant about the sequel like I was, go ahead and read it! You have nothing to fear. I can’t wait to read The Bitter Kingdom and find out what Rae Carson has in store for me next.

This is the second book in the series. Elisa is struggling to run the country, but is plagued by a series of problems, from riots to assassination attempts. She has been advised to find a husband to help bring the country together and give her the support she needs to rule. As she is pondering the best solution, Elisa finds out some information that may lead her to learn more about her Godstone and its powers. Along with her trusted companions, she embarks on a secret mission that is cloaked by the purported search for a husband. Her growing feelings for Hector lead to additional internal conflict. As she searches for answers, Elisa finds more than she expected and is lead to additional heartbreak that will be explored in the concluding volume.

Elisa is back at court, Queen, and still the Chosen one. Her first battle was won, yet it seems that the war is not over. With her husband dead, it is left up to her to be a strong leader, but she still has the insecurities she showed us in the first novel. She always compares herself to her sister, Elodia, who is a strong leader. Elisa strives to be, yet let’s herself get misled by her quorum of leaders. That same quorum has declared that she must wed again and create a strong union. As she interviews candidates, while gazing longingly at her right hand man Hector, she realizes that things are worse in her kingdom than she thought, and she finally decides to react.

As with the first novel, the pace is a little slow, but I have come to care for these characters and want to see the plot to its resolution. As this story goes on, Elisa’s plodding quickens until she is finally moving full steam ahead, with a plan of action that makes this book move along quickly. As the Chosen, with a godstone embedded in her naval, there is certainly a religious can’t to the story, yet that does not detract from the romance or adventure and somehow even enhances it. I do wish that there was maybe a little less respect between she and Hector, but, well, I guess she is the Queen and he can’t just jump her. Though I wish he would!

This was a great second book. I was a little worried, I hate second books. The pace was great, the action and romance were well done. These are fun fast pace books that really hold your attention. I just grow to like our characters more and more and I love the change that happens over time as she finds her footing in her new life.
Sex: She stands before a mirror naked, this is more of a coming of age thing then a sexual thing. There is talk of sex out of wedlock. She walks in on two men making out.
Violence: There is not as much in the middle book, more court intrige. There is a couple nasty atempts to kill the main character and others get hurt. Sword fighting, stabbing. There is a whiping. Nothing is too detailed.
Language: None that I can remember.

Wow just wow What a great book :)
This sequel was way better than the first book. I think it was just because there was a lot of traveling in the first one and we got to slowly know the characters. In this one you already know who Elisa is, and we get to learn more about the people around her. She makes new friends and welcomes old one, she has her life threatened again, someone is trying to kill her or take her alive, there's betrayal in her palace, there are sorcerers trying to get her, but among all this craziness there's hope for love awwww :)

The General and the Conde want Elisa to get married to make allies and make her country look stronger. But Elisa isn't really interested, she starts to look and think of Hector differently. I liked this part of the book. When Elisa and Hector have moments alone. They were cute and awkward but I always look forward to them.

I like Hectors character a lot. He was so serious and reserved it just makes you want to get to know him, figure him out, what he likes, what makes him laugh, what's his favorite color, anything damn it, I think he would be perfect for Elisa but of course someone has to get in their way.

Someone needs to just smack Ximena already. I thought she was going to be the cool ninja bodyguard, jumping out to protect Elisa, but no, she was more a maid and an annoying friend or parent that deliberately keeps you from things or people for your own good, cus it's God's Will she says. Something is up with her. I don't like it.

Mara turned out to be a good friend. I was suspicious of her in the first book but she opened up to Elisa and truly wants to help and wants Eli to be happy. Belen was cool too. It was hard to trust him but he tried and proved to be loyal, and a good spy. Storm, it was funny reading the other characters purposely try to annoy him. He was cocky and smug at first but once on the ship, not so tough was he :) I really liked getting to know Felix, he is part of Hectors other life we don't know. So it's nice to get an insight of his past and his family.

This book started off with a bang, there were some slow parts but I didn't mind them as much as I did in the first book. I liked reading Elisas thoughts. How everything was paced well, time wasn't fast forwarded like in the first book. We got to see what was going on in that moment. And feel all does emotions.

I really enjoyed Elisas and Hectors, shy, awkward, cute relationship slowly grow. They both knew they felt something for each other but didn't know how to take the next step. And once they did they didn't know if they should. Which is sad and wrong cus they just have to be together.

Elisas grew a yr older, and grew to be braver and confident. A different from the shy, scones eating girl. She still likes her coconut scones, don't get her wrong but dessert isn't really on her mind anymore. I like her, she does sometimes blurt out random things but at least she seems like a cool person, thinking of others. She's still learning to use her powers but I think she'll get stronger and be the Queen she what's to be.

Eeep! This book was just as amazing as the first one, if not better!!

After tragedy has struck the kingdom Elisa, and after everything both her and her Kingdom have lost she’s sure nothing can get worse. Until it does. Now Elisa is being attacked from all sides, her kingdom, her people, and the killers lurking in the shadows. Now Elisa knows it’s just the beginning and she must set out to try and find anything she can to get the upper hand for this oncoming war.

Elisa is a lot stronger in this story than we’ve seen her in the past. She’s still the smart royal princess from the first book who loves food, prayer, and strategy, but she’s also a girl who has lost a lot. She’s lost her husband and her first love. I loved reading about her coming into her own and learning to stand on her own feet.

I am super excited about the blooming romance in this story. I liked Hector from the first book and now that he’s the front-runner for Elisa’s heart I can’t help but happy dance. Hector is strong, caring, and just an all around amazing character. Even if Elisa wasn’t going to end up with him, which she might I enjoy his character a lot. He does and goes through a lot for Elisa and I really feel they are a perfect match for one another since they have the similar minds and love of country.

I am so glad I am enjoying this series so much. We get new characters and new dangers in this book that we haven’t seen before. We get another amazing journey across the seas where things become even more complicated. Lastly, I feel we get more romance and subtle character growth. Elisa is a lot stronger of a character starting out the second book so I felt we didn’t need to see the major character growth we saw in her from the first book. I enjoyed the adorable yet fan needing romance in this story and I can’t wait to find out what happens since that ending was killer.

Originally reviewed at: http://www.shaelit.com/my-reviews/2012/08/review-the-crown-of-embers-by-rae-carson/

The Crown of Embers opens five months after the Battle of Brisadulce. [If you haven’t read the first book, spoilers ahead.] The people of Joya d’Arena seem to adore their foreign queen Elisa, but the country is shaken. The animagi’s (animaguses’?) fire continues to eat away at the ruined boundaries of the city, reminding everyone of what has been lost.

When Elisa ventures out to celebrate her seventeenth birthday, her parade is attacked by an animagus who demands that she surrender herself to the Invierne to “fulfill God’s will.” (Yes, Ms. Carson does an excellent job of keeping up with the unanswered themes from the last book.) If she doesn’t, his people will come for her like ghosts, killing those dear to her.

Within the first twenty-six pages, I was spoiling for a fight. The animagus’s threat begins to turn Elisa’s people against her – not all at once, but slowly, especially as the death count mounts. Her situation is also tenuous within the palace as the Quorum leaders try to trap her into an unwanted marriage. Though queen, Elisa has very little power at her disposal. She’s a foreigner, an interloper, and a young, inexperienced one at that. Her advisors want to curtail her power or steal it for themselves. Her people want to be safe, even if it means giving up their queen. Her nobles want to marry her or belittle her or both.

Usually, unavoidable conflict within a book makes me unpleasantly tense. While I was distressed and frustrated by Elisa’s apparent lack of options, I didn’t despair. Why? Because Elisa is Elisa. She is Maleficio, a cunning mastermind, the bearer of the Godstone. If anyone can get out of a mess, it’s her, right?

I was spoiling for a fight, because I thought Elisa was going to start kicking butt. But she didn’t. Elisa endured tremendous changes in the last book, but she still had so much more to change. She is Maleficio of the desert, not Joya d’Arena. She is a cunning mastermind who fends off an attack from outside, not one from within. She’s the bearer of the Godstone but she has no idea how to wield it outside of pairing it with an amulet. She is a warlord (warlady?) who can wage devastating guerilla strikes, but diplomatic struggles and politics are her sister’s strength, not her own.

Whereas Elisa’s change in the last book was more external (her slimming down, her physical strength), her change in this book is more internal. She knows what she can do. She knows what she’s capable of. She knows what she wants and doesn’t want. The problem is in Elia herself.

There’s a spot in Crown when Elisa is being attacked. Several assassination attempts have already occurred, but for this one she’s (semi-)prepared. There’s shouting and chaos, blood and fear. And then one of my favorite parts of the entire book:

"The blood from Hector’s wound drips to the floor now. My head swims at the sight. Don’t you dare faint, Elisa.

Then something about the smell, metallic and hot, snaps me back to myself. It’s familiar.

It’s war."

She can handle war. She can handle strategy and violence and pain. What Elisa has to learn is power – the power of being queen, of taking responsibility upon her own shoulders.

Ms. Carson handles Elisa’s continuing growth deftly. Not once does Elisa become overly weak or whiny, which is a hard thing to do in the face of unavoidable conflict. She is clever, buying herself time as often as she can while she thinks of a way to turn the situation to her advantage. She makes poor choices in places, yes, but they are at least understandable choices.

As always, Elisa has a small band of supportive friends. Cosme is off ruling her new kingdom and therefore doesn’t make an appearance, but she sends a small delegation to the palace, so we’re able to meet some old friends. Mara especially is given a chance to shine, and Rosario is as cute as ever. (I want one of him, I really do.)

We also make the acquaintance of a few more characters. I won’t tell you much about them, but two are especially great. One is a suitor vying for Elisa’s hand and the other is a spy living in the heart of her city. I look forward to seeing what roles they take on in later stories.

Ms. Carson also irons out the few complaints I had about the first book. Fire and Thorns was slow in places, especially in the beginning, whereas Crown is engaging from start to finish. The reader is treated to action and adventure, sneaky political intrigue and mind games (but nothing as confusing as the first book), trips through hidden tunnels to forgotten cities, and a meeting with the absolute creepiest hermit I’ve ever read.

My other complaint – that of a lacking romance – is completely taken care of in Crown. Holy smokes.

I don’t know if Ms. Carson was planning to ignite a romance between Elisa and Hector from the beginning and I caught on or if I was unintentionally clever, but I’ve been in Hector’s corner from his first appearance in Girl of Fire and Thorns. Oh wowzer did my loyalty pay off.

For you Humberto or Alejandro fans out there, don’t worry, they’re not forgotten. But they are gone, irrevocably gone, and Hector isn’t. Given that this is the second book in the series, Elisa and Hector can hardly be classified as insta-love. Instead, their attraction a slow, steady burn. Oh sure, there’s a little issue with Elisa being queen and needing to marry for political advantage and Hector being the head of her Royal Guard, but holy spicy guacamole.

The Crown of Embers is a masterpiece, fully equipped with action, intrigue, suspense, mystery, and a romance that will curl your toes. (Pages 189-190, I love you dearly.) If you’d like a helping of all that, topped with some sturdy character development and an ending that will leave you clamoring for more, then go preorder The Crown of Embers NOW. September 18th is just around the corner.

Points Added For: ALL THE POINTS TO HECTOR!!!! Okay, and some bonus points for Rosario, Belen, character development, Franco (you rocked my socks, man), humor, and that creepy gatekeeper.

Points Subtracted For: Conde Tristan’s uber-predictable secret, lady’s shroud (a magical herbal birth control that is a very worn YA lit device), and a secondary romance that rubbed me the wrong way.

Good For Fans Of: The Girl of Fire and Thorns (the first book by Rae Carson), the Graceling series by Kristin Cashore, the Trickster series and the Provost’s Dog series by Tamora Pierce.

Notes For Parents: Once again, I don’t remember any language, but there may have been a word or two. Violence, homosexuality, magic, birth control, nudity (but not conjugal nudity, if you know what I mean), a possible allusion to the Creation vs. Evolution debate.

Disclaimer: I received a free ARC copy of this book from HarperCollins.

The Crown of Embers, sequel to The Girl of Fire and Thorns, is a relaxing and enthralling novel. While the city, Brisadulce, is still recovering from the recent war, Elisa, now queen of Joya D'Arena, must face not only the constant threat of the Inviernos and their animagi, but also rebellion in her own ranks.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, it took me a while to truly get into this story. Fortunately, as with the previous book, the characters and wonderful world building captivated me and especially the last half of the story became a feast to read.

What I truly love about the main character, Elisa, is that she is a very realistic character. She is by no means perfect and, as a queen, she still has much to learn. She tends to be a bit naive in matters of state as well as in matters of the heart.

Hector, the male lead, is everybody's dream of a hero. He is strong and authoritative but enigmatic enough to keep one guessing.

The combination of suspense, an adventurous quest and some beautiful, if sometimes poignant, romance, make The Crown of Embers an extremely worthwhile read. (Ellen Fritz)

After reading The Girl of Fire and Thorns(5 Stars) I was an emotional train wreck. I followed Elisa on her journey through love, heartbreak, death, danger, and terrible loss, the kind of loss that has you covering your eyes, scared to read more because you know that everything, every hope of a happy ending (whether the book ends happily or not) is gone. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with Elisa's devotion to her mission and her fiery recklessness that was just ballsy enough to save the day. Because I loved the first book so much, I waited for this with such anticipation and maybe it's because I waited so long or because the first book in the series had such a huge effect but this sequel was seriously lacking the magic of the first book.

After a coming out victorious from a war with an army of animagus sorcerers Elisa has a lot of rebuilding to do. Alfonso, her husband and former king is now dead, leaving her queen and bearer of the Godstone. Since the attack, she is deemed weak and unfit to rule. Her country is in shambles, the damage from the war is astronomical and one area has already seceded. Riots take place almost daily in reaction to raises in taxes, inability to trade, make profit, or gain the materials needed to rebuild. The people are living in a state of chaos and fear. In the meantime, Elisa has several attempts made on her life and is nearly assassinated. In an effort to save her kingdom, Elisa is faced with a choice, to marry once again, not for love but for the good of her people or to go on a hopeless quest for the fabled zafira. Zafira is the magical energy that God gifted the world with, that runs just beneath the surface of the Earth. There's a prophecy and legend that whoever harvests this power will be undefeatable and essentially immortal because of this gift from God. Elisa believes that this quest is the only way to save her people. Teaming up with Storm, a princeling former animagus/sorcerer, Conde Tristan, Elisa's former suitor turned ally, and her usual set of fierce subject-Hector, Mara, Belin, etc., Elisa struggles to survive tests directly from God, which include an assassin, a traitor, a hurricane, a tornado, and a crazed gatekeeper.

After the first 80% of the book, the book really picks up and turns into an infuriating love story. But it's a love story that makes your heart warm and dance with happiness.

Elisa becomes a stronger, more confident woman, her choices are more cunning and full of self-sacrifice.

Sexual tension. Who doesn't like good old-fashioned sexually frustrated couples?

The aha moment when Elisa and Hector realize their feelings and the impossibilities of them.

The moment when Elisa chooses herself over her destiny. Even I felt empowered. I was so proud of Elisa, it was like watching a baby deer struggle to stand and walk for the first time. This was a beautifully natural moment.

Storm. Storm is just, there's something dangerously sexy and weird about him. New character but definitely one not easily forgotten and I'm looking forward to seeing more of him in the future.

CONS:
The first 3oo or so pages of this book were a struggle. Although many things were happening it felt sluggish and choppy. Even the assassination attempts didn't hold my attention.

The battle between the gatekeeper, Elisa, and Storm was far too easily won.

WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THE JOURNEY? The entire book is centered around finding this gate to zafira and the moment when everything is supposed to reach a climax, well, wasn't momentous at all.

Elisa's choice to reject the 'crutch' of zafira. In retrospect the entire novel was a basically a lesson in learning to depend only on yourself. If you need to be strong find the power within and don't search for outside, easy sources.

Mucking through the first 300 or so pages of the book is necessary to understand the last 100 pages that almost are amazing enough to make up for it.

All in all, Elisa and Hector's love story was and will continue to be reason enough to continue reading Elisa's story. Overall, The Crown of Embers was good, but not up to Girl of Fire and Thorns standards.

WHAT I LIKED

Everything!!! Oh my gosh this book was so much better than The Girl of Fire and Thorns, and that's saying something since I really enjoyed the first book too! Right from the beginning, literally the first ten pages there was non-stop action. Oh man I felt terrible for Elisa. I would say at least four times someone tried to kill her, it was that bad. Now that everyone knows that Elisa is the chosen one, enemies from all over the place want her dead. Even people who you think are on her side want her dead. Elisa can trust NO ONE!
I loved Elisa! She truly grew into herself and became a stronger woman. Along with trying to prove herself a good queen to her kingdom, she is trying to figure out why and how she is the chosen one for God. She cannot figure out what her purpose is but she didn't give up. She was very smart and witty when it came to difficult situations. She knew how to solve problems, or get out of sticky situations when things arose. (I seriously wish I had her tenacity!) Plus, she was always brave. Had there been someone attempting to kill me more than once I would have gone into a depression or hid like a big scaredy cat lol. But no, she takes the bull by the horn and faces her fears. Elisa seriously is the whole package. She also has a very strong sense of wisdom and compassion for her people and friends. She follows her instincts, allowing her to see potential threats and who her true friends are.
Then comes Hector. Hector, Hector, Hector. Why must you be so wonderful and nerve wracking at the same time?! I absolutely LOVED Hector! He was the best guardian for Elisa, always protecting her and defending her to the death. He was also very sexy and dreamy. That Man sure has a way with words to a woman. SWOONS! He also knows the ways to a woman's heart. I loved the chemistry build up between he and Elisa. They grew to love each other and boy did the love between them spark! I had myself fanning at times. Through their grief, they learned to trust one another unconditionally and that is how they began to fall in love.
The side characters. I really enjoyed the side characters Mara, Tristan, and Belen. They brought out some of the comedic humor when things got too serious. Mara and Tristan turned out to be really great friends for Elisa. I'm glad she had a few people who she could trust or turn to for advice. Mara was funny when she brought up a certain subject about sex. She definitely had me cracking me up at those times.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

As much as I love Hector, I also wanted to wring his neck! He could be so frustrating at time when he was choosing duty over his love for Elisa. I wanted to go in there and yell at him to screw devotion and just kiss her already!!! Okay rant over lol.
I'm still confused who these Inviernos are and what their history is with the godstones? The author did not delve into it that much and it left me a little frustrated on what's going to happen.

FINAL VERDICT

Would I recommend this book? That's a abso-freaking-lutely hell YES!! Sorry got carried away. This book has action, adventure, romance, everything you want in a book. This book far surpassed its predecessor and I cannot wait to finish the conclusion of this series. If you want to read an awesome fantasy series with a strong leading lady, then I really recommend this to you. I have to find out if Elisa and Hector survive because they have to be together! I also want to find out who these Inviernos are more and why they want Elisa as a living sacrifice to the godstone? The Bitter Kingdom, here I come!

Favorite quote:
"I told you I wouldn't let it interfere with my work. But every time you smile at me, and especially when you look at me the way you're looking at me right now, everything disappears. His thumb sweeps across my bottom lip, down my chin. His voice is low and dark as he says, When it happens, I'm not guarding you anymore. Your enemy could come up behind me, and I would never know, because all I'm thinking about is how badly I want you."
Hector talking to Elisa

I have a confession. While, I was greatly looking forward to reading this book I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. My problems with book one stemmed from the fact that our main character, Elisa, relied heavily on God for her power despite the fact that she discovered the power to lead within herself. I didn't like the religious reliance even though it wasn't shoved down my throat. While book two pulls back on it, it's still there. But it wholly disappears in the second half of the book to give way to a story that had me freaking out and proclaiming my love in the middle of a Starbucks.

There was a lot of political maneuvering in the beginning and that is, perhaps, what made it so slow for me. The second half of the book began with that epic adventure that we expected Carson to deliver after reading book one and that's what made this book nearly unputdownable. It just took a while to get to that point. We picked up shortly after book two where Elisa's own political allies are turning against her and her people are rioting. There have been several attempts on her life and just as many people want her dead as those who want her to live. Characters from the past blast back into her life and her most trustworthy friends seem to be doing nothing but hurting her. And worst of all, she is being forced to search for a proper suitor and husband to ally her war-riddled country with someone else. It's all rather great, and it holds your attention, but it just can't keep you glued to the page until over two hundred pages into the book. That's what makes the beginning feel so long and the amazingness that is the epic adventure pass by all too quickly.

But what I really loved about this book were two story arcs in particular: Elisa's journey to being a proper queen and Hector. Elisa acknowledges that she's been a weak ruler and she truly wants to be better. Hints of a powerful woman shine through at certain parts of the book and you can't help but think, "I'd want this girl to be my queen if I was forced to subject to one." It's a huge emotional and psychological step up from book two.

And Hector. Oh, how I love you so. You and your newly lacking mustache are absolutely amazing and I love you. A lot. With all of my heart. Seriously. These two had a romance that began in book one with cute side-long glances and such. Now, their interactions are all the more frustrating because they remain cute. Yet these two are entirely devoted to each other and supremely passionate. I love every minute of this romance--the way one should progress.

This high fantasy is epic. It really is. It left me reeling and highly anticipating book three, though I don't want to say goodbye to this series or this amazing world or even these amazingly well written characters just yet. Full of many surprises I couldn't even hint at because of major spoilers, this book is one that you should definitely read. This series is worth continuing because the surprises are limitless and this book promises you the most epic epic of all time to take place in book three. Simply put, Rae Carson is a genius.

After the first book , I belive this is my favorite out of the trilogy. The author continues to showcase Elisa's intelligence and her tenacity for becoming a better ruler. It is inspiring that the author describes what a true partnership is in a relationship. The protective nature her love interest displays and his ability to be what she needs and vice versa. His role is not overbering, his ability to be smart and not obnoxious about it. I like their ability to get things done while maintaining a relationship. This is a good example of how a relationship should work in tandem and give the young girls of the world a bit of insight of how a healthy relationship should be. Friendship is another aspect that I like in this story. The "ride or die" mentality like Frodo and Sam in the Lord of the Rings. Everybody has a place in this adventure and a skill set.

After finishing The Girl of Fire and Thorns I was really excited to start this book. This is rare for me because when I first saw the cover of Fire and Thorns, I was not expending such a great story. I’m really am not a fan of fantasy but Rae Carson will capture your heart. She literally made a great impression.

In The Crown of Embers we continue the journey of Queen Elisa of Joya d’Arena. After the death of her husband, King Alejandro, Elisa encounters new responsibilities and she is conflicted to do the right thing. After all, she is only seventeen. Not only Elisa now has to take her role more serious, but she is still trying to learn more about her Godstone, the source of her powers.

Okay, enough about Elisa. To start with, I really didn’t like King Alejandro. He was such a jerk to Elisa, although at the end I felt bad for his death, but I was happy he was terminated (HA!). Hector. God, I adored him from the very beginning. He was such a sweetheart to Elisa even if his duty was to defend his king. He was a great friend to her since he met her and I was grateful that he was always trying to protect her. Now that Elisa is finally paying attention to Hector, I couldn’t help but do happy dances. In this book, my love him for just grew. God, he is such a gentleman!

I’m surprised to realize I enjoyed this sequel better than the first installment. It starts a bit slow, but honestly when it picks up, the action does not stop to the very end. And the ending is totally a “WTH! Where is the next page” moment. It will leave you shock. I highly recommend this series to everyone. A must read!

What I Liked: 1) Hector. If you didn't see this one coming (in the book), then you're just not having enough fun in romance. He's the strong silent type that fits in with the setting of the book, and can quietly steal someone's heart without even realizing that he's done it. I really like how much better we get to know him throughout this story. 2) The traveling. A lot of this story (both in The Girl of Fire and Thorns and Crown of Embers) is dedicated to travel. I especially love the perspective this gave me about this world. As the reader, it gives you the opportunity to explore a lot of the world and understand how everyone lives and why there may or may not be discord - which obviously there is, since in the summary it mentions the country crumbling. 3) The....Bachelorette? As Elisa is a young, new ruler, and a widow, naturally she is urged to choose a husband, to help her rule. It was pretty comical, the way people were pushing different men towards her. And there was one man in particular who I knew she was getting close to, and I could see that going somewhere...and was not surprised at all in the way that one turned out.

What I Didn't Like: I had mentioned in my review of The Girl of Fire and Thorns how much I liked Elisa's growth, how strong she'd become in the end. However in this one, it seems she's gone back to the whiny person she was in the beginning of the first book. I didn't like seeing her digress like that, and thought it wasn't the best direction for her, given the direction of the story. But she's still likeable, and I am curious about what's to come.

Overall Thoughts: While Crown of Embers didn't excite me as much as The Girl of Fire and Thorns, it was still a nice continuation. There were some things that I liked better about book 2 than book 1, and vice versa. I was glad to get to know some of the characters a little better, and pleased with the addition of some humor (though I think some of it was unintentional). Crown of Embers is a nice continuation of an already good storyline.

Ahoy me mateys! This was the sequel to The Girl of Fire and Thorns. Book two was super fun. Elisa is still a muddle as a human and a leader. The politics are messy, the assassination attempts many, and choices made not necessarily the ones that you expected. Yet again I enjoyed watching Elisa make mistakes and learn as life progresses. The secondary characters also change and grow or diminish in ways I did not expect. Storm and Tristan in particular make me happy. Storm for his honesty and disgruntled nature. Tristan just because. The magic is explained a little more in terms of how it works and the religious aspects actually decrease in terms of explanation but the feeling of the prayer still appears in the undercurrents throughout. If you liked this review visit The Captain's blog at[...]

The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson is the second book in the Fire and Thorns trilogy, so there are likely to be spoilers for Girl of Fire and Thorns. I feel the need to preface this review with the fact that I read Crown of Embers will traveling, i.e. in hotels and riding in cars. This means that I was frequently distracted by conversations around me, music playing, and babies crying. I'm a bit worried that this kept me from being pulled in as much as many other people were, but I tend to think that if a book is going to really engross me, it will manage even if sometimes I'm getting distracted from it. I actually found myself having difficulty deciding on any opinion right after I finished it, which is a bit odd for my very opinionated brain, haha. But, just wanted to warn you in case you are unhappy that I didn't think Crown of Embers was quite a 5 star book for me ;).

Strengths:
I very much enjoyed the increased exploration of magic and lore in Crown of Embers. Elisa is discovering more about her Godstone and the world around her, with some heavy hints that she is still being kept in the dark about somethings. I can't wait to find out if the third book gives us answers :D.
Elisa admittedly grew a lot as a person in Girl of Fire and Thorns in terms of self-acceptance and self-confidence around her body. However, in Crown of Embers she needs to figure out what kind of queen she wants to be and how the people from her past will fit into her future. It's been an interesting ride so far!
I was very happy that Crown of Embers features old friends and new, even though at first it didn't seem like it would.
Crown of Embers succeeded in giving much more depth to certain secondary characters and I quite enjoyed this insight into their lives. I want more!

Weaknesses:
The ending of Crown of Embers almost worked out too well to my brain. Things felt convenient and part of me was grumbling that it was unrealistic, though I will admit that of course it was unrealistic, magic doesn't happen in real life >.>. But still, you know what I mean right??
I suppose this is along the lines of the above, but now I'm talking about the middle. Despite harrowing circumstances, I didn't feel enough tension in Crown of Embers. It is tricky to balance the whole "God's chosen one" with "Omg are they going to make it??" You'd think I'd be satisfied that no one was safe after Girl of Fire and Thorns, but apparently not....

Summary:
I definitely enjoyed Crown of Embers and am looking forward to reading Bitter Kingdom. However, I found my slight discontent from the first book carried over into the second book. This makes it seem that if you liked the first one, you will like the second one, and if you didn't, then you won't. At least the books are consistent right? I'm really hoping for an epic ending in Bitter Kingdom :D.

Other than the fact that I fully expected this book to be amazing, I didn't really have any expectations for The Crown of Embers. In fact, I didn't even read the blurb before picking up the book, so I hadn't really a clue what direction Rae was going to take Elisa & Co. in this time around. Sometimes I enjoy being surprised by an author, putting my faith in the fact that he or she is a fantastic storyteller and being willing to go wherever the author chooses to take the story.

This was definitely one of those times.

Rich, luscious and immense in scale, The Crown of Embers boasts both a story and world that utterly captivates me. It was the same with The Girl of Fire and Thorns, hence my expectations for "amazing" coming into this second book. The Crown of Embers is grand, adventurous, sweeping and epic. There's a lot of story here - a lot of ground covered, both figuratively and literally. And yet while it's a story that's large and grand, it's also incredibly intricate. Rae's attention to detail, her gorgeous descriptions, her artful prose, the little intrigues, the delicate machinations of the court, even down to her characters' minor physical mannerisms - it's just so well done and brings a great deal of realism and depth to both her characters and world.

Elisa. Her time with the rebels has prepared her well for leadership; but in the wake of her husband Alejandro's death she suddenly finds herself the full and rightful queen of Joya d'Arena. Not exactly a situation she's fully prepared for. Once again, she's thrown into circumstances that requires her to adapt... and quickly, because there are those that would see her deposed and/or her power weakened. And this time, she doesn't just have a handful of rebels looking to her for guidance, but an entire kingdom depending on her for their livelihood, well-being, and safety. A daunting prospect, to be sure. And because of all this, Elisa finds herself constantly battling insecurities old and new, those nagging feelings of inadequacy, doubt in her abilities, fighting her personal loneliness, never knowing who she can trust, always needing to be aware of the image she projects. Her fears and need to be seen as a strong ruler lead to some decisions that are questionable, causing her to be a ruler that's being led by political advantage rather than a queen ruling by conviction of character.

Elisa has always been a person aware of her personal failings, and she's always felt that she as a person has never been enough, and I love how Rae has continued Elisa's personal journey toward self-realization, self-confidence, self-empowerment, and self-love. Even though there are so many other things swirling around the edges of this story, this is what the Fire & Thorns series is really all about. Elisa recognizing herself for who she is, being confident in it; becoming who she's meant to be on her own terms, throwing off the burden of other people's expectations and following her heart and conscience. Being her own person, even when bound by duty. It's a truly beautiful journey.

Hector. What can I say about Hector? That I love him, might be a good place to start. I've loved Hector since the beginning. (Go #TeamMustache!) In The Girl of Fire and Thorns, he's this kind, understanding, wonderful man who I completely idolized. In The Crown of Embers he's still all of those things, yet Rae's humanized him mainly by giving him more page time and by giving the readers a chance to know him better. Hector's a man of amazingly steadfast character, with exceptional judgment, unwavering loyalty. He's quick thinking, incredibly self-sacrificing, has a wonderfully wry sense of humor - a leader who inspires fierce loyalty and confidence in those that follow him. And it doesn't hurt that he's also rather dashing and handsome (even sans mustache). In short, he's rather amazing. But he's also just a man, and this second book lets the reader peek through the cracks in Hector's armor, so to speak, and it makes me love him all the more.

Romance. Let me just sum it up with the following: "<swoony sigh>... What the?!...<determined smile>"

Bits `n bobs...

Characters. Many key characters are back in The Crown of Embers, and several new players are introduced - including one... no two... that I really love and hope to see more of in The Bitter Kingdom.

Ximena. I've found the portrayal of Elisa's relationship with her nurse Ximena to be one of the most interesting in the series. Ximena has always been a little over-zealous, a little too devout, a little heavy-handed when it comes to the safety of her young charge. But Elisa is now both a queen as well as the bearer, and this will inevitably change the dynamic of their relationship.

Love vs. duty. Always love when this conundrum comes into play - when affairs of state collide with matters of the heart. You know it's about to get interesting, people... <dun dun dun>

Godstones, Gates, and the edge of the world. Oh my! The world! Omigosh, the world! Rae has created a world that dances so closely to eras, customs, religions and traditions from our own, and yet it is so clearly and definitively fantasy. In The Crown of Embers the reader is given an even deeper glimpse into the history and workings of Elisa's world and source of power. It. Is. Fascinating. And left me wanting more, more, more.

Overall. The Crown of Embers far exceeded my expectations of "amazing," and left me stunned, happy, sad, swooning, fist-pumping victoriously and, of course, absolutely dying for The Bitter Kingdom.

There are no words for how much I love Rae Carson and the world she's shared with us. Every one of her novels gets better and better. I wasn't super "in love" with THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS when I read it for the first time, but when I re-read it and then read THE CROWN OF EMBERS for the first time, I appreciated it and loved the first book so much more. I was also enamored with the new book. This year, I re-read both THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS and THE CROWN OF EMBERS so that I could read THE BITTER KINGDOM for the first time. Carson continues to repeat herself. Each book is better than the last. Nothing ever feels boring or unworthy. THE CROWN OF EMBERS is a perfect middle book, never feeling like filler to bridge two books and make a trilogy, but part of the series in and of itself. Even the novellas that take place in this world are meaningful and worth shelling out $2.99 a pop for!

***There is definitely a big spoiler from the end of The Girl of Fire and Thorns in this summary, so if you haven't read the first book yet, please check out this review instead!***

Elisa is only seventeen years old, but she has more weight on her shoulders than most girls her age. When she was sixteen, she was married off to a king from a neighboring kingdom, then kidnapped and forced to endure life in the desert. She returned to uncover an enemy's deceit and became a widow. She's now sole heir to a kingdom she never wanted. To top it all off, she bears a Godstone in her belly, complete with powers that others will--and have--killed for. Her life is constantly in peril, and in THE CROWN OF EMBERS, readers see the lengths Invierne will go to in order to succeed. Elisa must once again journey into the unknown in order to save her kingdom and loved ones. This time, she has people she genuinely cares about, and she fears for their safety due to the danger constantly surrounding her. She no longer knows who to trust, or who genuinely wants what's best for her country and who is trying to manipulate her for their own greed. She must find a new husband, but isn't willing to become a political pawn in her own kingdom. When Elisa learns about the mystical zafira thanks to an Invierno in hiding named Storm, she must embark on another dangerous adventure, and this time, the price is even higher than it was the first time around.

There are no words for the feelings that come when reading any of Carson's books. There's breath-taking adventure, wrenching heartache, and the overwhelming strength of one brave girl. Carson is a master at character development, creating both major and minor characters that readers will feel strongly about and come to love. Elisa goes from a weak, somewhat boring girl to a strong female heroine over the course of the series. Some readers didn't care for her in THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS. I encourage those readers to try again. Elisa will surprise you. She's absolutely amazing. There was also a hint of attraction between Elisa and a certain male character that is easily overlooked in the first book due to another romantic entanglement, but upon my second re-read, I saw it instantly, and was excited when the chemistry between these characters became more apparent in the second book. At the same time, love is a concept Elisa doesn't wish to embrace, because she's already experienced too much death in the seventeen years she's been alive. I can understand her wariness all too well. Again, Carson's way with writing excels here.

I will warn you that the cliffhanger is devastating this time around, but the final book is out in less than a month, so if you're just starting the series now, you'll be just in time for the powerful finale!

This is seriously one of my all-time favorite fantasy series, and I already am coveting the launch of Carson's Goldscryer Saga, which doesn't even begin until 2014 and will take another three years to get through! But I want everything and anything that Rae Carson writes. She can't write fast enough for me!

Original Review at Belle of the Literati @ [...]

"'I won't lie to you. There is always a cost. All I can guarantee is that it will be the right thing.'
'It's insane,' he says, but without vehemence.

'It's faith,' I say."

--Rae Carson, Crown of Embers

Wow, I started this book yesterday at around 2 pm, binge read, ignored everyone and everything around me until I was able finish which was around 930 pm. *whew* It was beyond worth it. A day later and I am still thinking about this book! Crown of Embers by Rae Carson is the second book in the Fire and Thorns trilogy and what a sophomore edition it was. I read Girl of Fire and Thorns a few months back and loved it! The world building was impeccable, the characters were realistic and believable, and the background of the culture was so interesting!

So the background and recap of The Girl of Fire and Thorns: *IF YOU HAVE NOT READ EITHER YET THERE ARE SPOILERS AHEAD* Elisa is an overweight princess of Orovalle who was chosen at birth by God to bear the Godstone, a precious gem inserted into her navel revealed her choosing at birth. There is one bearer every 100 years or so and a destiny will be revealed to them eventually that they are to complete. Most die young and horrible deaths due to war. Elisa is 16 and has not found her destiny yet. Girl of Fire and Thorns begins with Elisa's arranged marriage to a handsome king in a faraway country and she is eventually kidnapped by Eastern rebels hoping that she is their answer to gaining freedom from the evil Invierne who are at war with everyone and anyone. She eventually, with the help of her kidnappers turned great friends, creates the Malificio which is a rebellion-esque team of people who try and infiltrate and sabotage the invading Invierne.

What I LOVE about the first book is Elisa's growth as an independent woman and leader. She is used to being overshadowed and spoken over and not taken seriously. But during her time with the Malificio she really finds herself and begins to see what she is capable of. She is brave and loyal and able to do so many things that she usually surprises herself most of all. I love this about her character! I loved all the twists and turns Carson brought to this story. It kept changing and you never really knew where it was going to lead to or who would be the next victim. That's another thing! Carson has no qualms about killing off characters. Damn girl. I want to cower in terror as a reader hoping you don't kill off my favorite person next but I respect you immensely for biting the bullet and making some sacrifices on characters I truly thought were going to stick around through the series.

Crown of Embers picks up around 5 months after Girl of Fire and Thorns ends. Elisa is Queen regent and holding a spot for Prince Rosario once he comes of age. There are several attempts on her life throughout the novel and she believes they are being orchestrated by her own men that are supposed to be loyal to her. Messed up, right? Can't trust anyone these days...Hector *swoon times a million* is always there to save her. He is the captain of her Royal Guard and there is this constant underlying tension that he likes her more than just his sovereign Queen and she is beginning to feel the same way. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Her priest friends and Ximena the nurse have been researching the ancient texts and discover a passage that alludes to a place that holds all the power needed to rule the kingdom. Elisa knows through her Godstone that this is her destiny. So through a fake betrothal (by the way that is my all time FAVORITE word. Betrothed. Betrothal. Any form of the word Alec, I love them all) to a southern conde she sets out to find this path. Another assassination attempt on the journey splits up the group and sends Elisa seaboard to Hector's brother's ship with the others travelling to Selvarica as a hoax. She is tested along the way through a massive hurricane and eventually reaches her destination. She realizes that she does not need the power of a sorcerer to rule her kingdom, she has the strength within to do the job just fine. Then, after travelling back to Selvarica to rendezvous with the others, the assassin shows up and tells Elisa she must go with him to be a living sacrifice in Invierne. Scary much? Ximena, after discouraging Elisa from Hector the whole novel, steps in and in an effort to save Elisa offers Hector instead...and the assassin accepts. *NOOOOO!!!* She has two months to save him or he'll be dead. After a tearful goodbye she announces for them to announce her betrothal to Hector and the plan to rescue him begins...*WHERE IS THE BITTER KINGDOM I NEED IT NOW!*

OK, I need to calm down. This book was unbelievable. I could NOT put it down. I loved where the story went and the journey they took to get there. The escape across the desert, the hurricane on board the ship, it all was just so exciting to read! And Hector! Oh my gosh the sexual tension of these two characters! I was dying the whole time until he FINALLY kissed her. *sigh* I just love how these two characters' relationship grew. They truly love each other's company and make such a good team! They truly are partners even though Hector sees her as above him (and technically she is) but they work so well together! They keep each other in check in a respectful manner and always challenge each other.

When Hector was injured and Elisa realized that she loved him and could wield her Godstone power I was tearing up. They are just so perfect for each other. He risks his life every day for her to be safe and there is just something about a man and his duty and honor. Hot hot hot. And she is not afraid to tell him how she really feels. They butt heads because they both will do anything to protect the other. Elisa grows so much in this book. She is strong, independent, loyal. She can make decisions and she doesn't just jump into things. She really thinks them through and tries time and time again to do the right thing for her people. Where once she was weak and quiet she has evolved into a smart, independent, and strong woman. Team Elisa! All hail the Queen!

Hands down though I think my favorite scene in the entire novel is during the hurricane. When Hector and Elisa are praying and then she feels all the prayers of the other men on board, that is what gets them through the storm. Faith. Prayer. Looking for strength in God. I cannot begin to to describe how much I love this theme and element of the book. There is a serious lack in young adult novels where faith in a higher power is recognized. Most of the time it is just ignored. I LOVE how Carson builds such a strong faith-based culture. That whole scene was so powerful and inspiring that I wanted to read it over and over. It gave me chills, really.

I loved this book. Love love love. It is rare that I like a sequel to a book more than the original but this is one of my exceptions. Crown of Embers was un-put-down-able and honestly I wish I could go back and start over from the beginning...which I might have to do in the near future. Fantastic and I cannot WAIT for The Bitter Kingdom...is it next year yet?

Oh man, so I wasn't a huge fan of The Girl of Fire and Thorns. I was so convinced it was the kind of book I should love that I even read it twice. The reread resulted in a pretty similar result, though I did like the audiobook a bit better than the print version. Despite that, I still resolved to venture through the next book. Y'all, I am so glad that I am so stubborn that I didn't give up because I was so into this book the whole way through.

At 11 hours, this audiobook is pretty dang long, but I got through it so swiftly. Believe it or not, I only started listening to this audiobook on Saturday, and I spent most of Sunday and today (I'm writing this review on Monday evening) out of the house and not with this book. Basically, I spent all of the time I could listening to this. I meant to finish three books yesterday, but instead finished a measly one because I could not stop listening to this. I'd tell myself I should go read, but would find myself deciding to stay and listen to just one more chapter or, you know, ten.

Elisa still isn't my favorite heroine of all time, but she did not get on my nerves the way she did before. She even makes reference to some of her previous annoying habits and how she has outgrown them. During the course of the book, she continues to grow. In fact, the physical journey she takes really serves to help her on her psychological journey.

Why did I love this book? Why was I so unable to walk away from it and read my other review books? Hector. I just freaking love that guy. He is totally the kind of hero that I cannot resist: all broody and inimitable on the outside with a soft, sweet center for the right woman. *melts* Through most of the book, they're right on the cusp of realizing their feelings for one another, and I got caught up in the spiral of will-they-get-together-I-must-know-right-now; I couldn't stop listening for the same reason I can't stop watching kdramas. Pretty much at all times I was yelling at Elisa to "get it, gurrrrrl."

Additionally, the plot focused much more strongly on politics than on religion this time. Though religion remains an important theme, I didn't find it to be quite so much up in my face. The political intricacies of trying to rule a kingdom she's only lived in for a short time are much more interesting to me. There were still some annoying religious things, but they took a backseat, so I'm not going to outline it.

If you like adventure, there's bunches of that too. The book freaking opens with an assassination attempt. Can you smell the drama? Just like with the first book, there's betrayal and quests and romance. Also, at the end of the journey, there is this scene that creeped me right out. Just saying.

So, if you're like me and weren't wowed by The Girl of Fire and Thorns, but really feel like it sounds like you should love it, you might want to try The Crown of Embers, because it might turn out to be worth your time.

Jennifer Ikeda again did a marvelous job with her narration. She does a great job with all of the voices, conveys emotion well in the intense scenes, and has a really pleasant voice. I am quite certain that I would not have enjoyed this book so much had I read it. For me, audio is the way to go with this series, I have no doubt.

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Elisa struggles with being a strong leader for a kingdom that's falling apart. Meanwhile she starts to fall in love with her most loyal and trustworthy friend.

Opening Sentence: My entourage of guards struggles to keep pace as I fly down the corridors of my palace.

The Review:

Elisa has come home a war hero, but the glory is short lived. After an animagus displays an unimaginable warning to the queen, death has been stalking Elisa night and day. As the sole ruler of a crumbling country, Elisa's authority is questioned everyday. She needs to be a stronger monarch, but her council suggests she marry, only to hide behind a king. Nobody trusts her to make the right decisions except the Commander of the Royal Guard and her best friend Hector. But as they grow closer and the pressure to make a strategic marriage increases, Elisa must make one of the hardest decisions of her life. Can love conquer all? Will Elisa embrace her role as queen and bearer of the Godstone? Carson weaves yet another intense, sweet and suspenseful story with quests, magic and love.

I LOVE this book. I wasn't a major fan of The Girl of Fire and Thorns, but Crown of Embers blew me away. Although there is a decrease in action compared to Fire and Thorns, there are plenty of heart-stopping moments and fast-paced events. In this book, adventure is replaced with palace intrigue and a cute, but short romance is replaced with a deep, intense star-crossed lovers. There are multiple twists that caught me by surprise but most of the book was predictable. Of course predictable can still have suspense and intrigue, just more in the how department than the what department.

Okay, I liked Humberto, but I've been rooting for Hector since we first met him in Fire and Thorns. Carson dropped insignificant hints in Fire and Thorns that something more than a friendship would develop between him and Elisa, but I was never for sure. In Crown of Embers their relationship starts like lava then ends in a volcano (yes, that's backwards, I know.) Hector sort of reminds me of a big huge cuddly teddy bear that can snap your arms if you endanger someone he loves. He tries to be stoic and polite, but as Elisa grows more attached and desperate to keep him, his wall crumbles. Yet they both know it won't last.

Elisa is, as always, brave and vigilant against those who think her weak. And in truth, she was a weak ruler. Although she thinks that she has fulfilled her prophesy as bearer of the Godstone (a blue jewel that acknowledges her prayers and warns her of danger), she finds out that she has yet to enter the gate of her enemy. As she struggles to find and hold power in her city that's breaking into riots, Elisa goes on a quest to find more power through her Godstone in hopes of bringing her city back together. But it comes with a price.

Carson writes yet another beautiful and intricate story that ends in such a cliffhanger that I threw it on the floor (don't worry, there were no books harmed in the making of this review -- I was already reading on the floor.) If you haven't read this series yet, I suggest you get to it! It's worth every tear and laugh.

FTC Advisory: Harper Teen provided me with a copy of The Crown of Embers. No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review.

This was the second book in the Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy. The last book will be titled The Bitter Kingdom and is scheduled for a Fall 2013 release. This was an absolutely wonderful fantasy book and an excellent continuation of this series.

Elisa is struggling with her position as Queen of a country that has been torn by war and is struggling to recover. She follows the power of her Godstone to go in search of more power to help her kingdom; all the while fleeing assassins. Accompanying her is the steadfast Hector along with others.

Elisa learns a lot about herself and what it means to be Queen and grows a lot throughout the story. You see hints of the laziness that Elisa showed in the beginning of the first book in this series. Elisa is kind of enjoying her status as hero of the realm but not really stepping up in her role as Queen. It takes a quest for power initiated by her Godstone to teach Elisa to be the ruler she is meant to be. Elisa is so human and tries so hard. She is smart, but lazy at times. It was wonderful to watch her grow in this book.

Elisa's main love interest in this book is Hector. Hector is an intriguing character and we learn a lot more back story about him in this book. He is brave and steadfast. The romance that develops between him and Elisa is somewhat star-crossed, yet oh so very sweet. Their relationship is based on so much friendship and trust that it was a joy to read about.

The other characters surrounding Elisa are all intriguing, interesting, and have stories of their own woven into the story. They are all very well done.

This is an intricate and well thought out world. I love the hints we get throughout the book of what the world used to be before Elisa's people arrived. There is a story behind that that I am eager to see unraveled.

This book was less about action and adventure and more about intrigue. That is not to say there aren't a number of heart-pounding action scenes...but there are also a lot of scenes where Elisa is trying to navigate politics in order to provide the best situation for her people.

The story is more religious than most fantasies I read. I am not a big fan of religion in fantasy; but for this book it works. Religion is such a basic foundation of Elisa's culture that it is woven seamlessly into the story. I will warn that the story ends at a horrible cliffhanger, which has me dying to know what happens next.

Overall this is a wonderful addition to this trilogy. The book is beautifully written with touches of humor and a super sweet love story entwined with an excellent world and intrigue filled plot. I couldn't put this book down. It is a bit more religious than most fantasies I read, but religion is such a part of the culture that it flows well with the story. This was just a wonderful book; I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens in The Bitter Kingdom. This series is strongly recommended to fans of YA epic fantasy who don't mind religion driven cultures.

First Sentence: My entourage of guards struggles to keep pace as I fly down the corridors of my palace.

A Quick Synopsis: Elisa is a foreigner, a hero, a bearer, and a queen--and she's only seventeen years old. Having returned victorious from a deadly battle with a magical army, her nation should be fully under control. But it isn't. Her enemies are everywhere. They're surrounding her, and some even come within. Her destiny as the Godstone bearer has not been fulfilled. She does not yet realise the full extent of her power. To harness her power within, she must embark on a second brutal journey with her dearest allies and maybe even a few people she can't trust. But not everyone will make it back...

The Review: High fantasy was the love I remember first in reading. Books like Ranger's Apprentice or Eragon were my true favourites when I was in elementary school. Those series haven't completely faded away from my life now, but the urge to read high fantasy is not as strong for me now. Until writers like Kristin Cashore and Rae Carson came along. In case you missed it, Rae Carson completely shattered her debut expectations with The Girl of Fire and Thorns last year. And does she follow it up with a just as good, if not better, sequel? Yes, yes she does.

The thing that I think about first when it comes to high fantasy is how good the world-building is. Carson already gave us a brilliantly developed, Spanish-influenced world in The Girl of Fire and Thorns, and she delves further into it here. We get to see more of Elisa's capital, Brisadulce. And when she and her allies take to the seas, it's one splendid experience on top of another. I thought this when reading Book One, but I'll say it here: Most high fantasy novels are just this solid but typical medieval-England world. Carson really thinks out of the box with a Spanish-influence world. And it's not like she just drops names and expects the whole world to be done. No, the whole atmosphere is really there.

Characters. You didn't think Elisa could change any more from Book One? You were wrong. In this volume we get to see Elisa as a true queen, which sets the stage perfectly for an inner turmoil. She has to do terrible, terrible things as a queen, one that she would never do if she weren't queen. Meanwhile, it just makes her that greater of a character. She is unflinchingly heroic, yet readers are able to sympathise with her. Don't forget the rest of the cast. While some characters were killed off in Book One, I know some readers will be totally excited for the return of Hector, and they won't be disappointed. Fresh, new characters are added as well. It's exciting knowing that Carson isn't afraid to kill them off.

Yes, there is a romance. No, there is not a love triangle. Rae Carson, I really love you right now. You did not fall into the deadly trap of YA authors: the disillusionment that All YA Series Must Contain A Love Triangle In Some Way, Shape, Or Form. You refuse to dip down to their standards. I can't think of a more perfect time for a relationship. This was so well thought-out, and so unique.

Of course, all these things mentioned before mean nothing if you don't have a good story to tell. And boy, what a story the author tells! So many turns and twists and buildups and battles. The Crown of Embers takes place five months after the ending of The Girl of Fire and Thorns, but tensions are as high as ever. Carson takes full advantage of this, spinning a yarn that will captivate readers from the first sentence to the last. Action, adventure, romance, heartbreak...this book has it all. The ending strikes a perfect balance between the book containing a full story within itself and an annoyingly aggravating cliffhanger.

The Crown of Embers, along with Kristen Cashore's Bitterblue, is one of the best YA high fantasy novels of 2012. Though this is only Carson's second novel, she's already waaaaaay up at the top of the book ladder. There's no sign of sophomore slump, or Second Book in a Trilogy Disease here. The Crown of Embers is a dazzling, superb crowning achievement that will leave you begging for the author to write faster.

Memorable Quote: "Do you have nightmares?"
"Yes." His voice is hardly more than a whisper.
"And do you talk about them?"
He turns his head to avoid me. "No."
I study his profile. He usually looks so regal, even with the crisscross of scars on his left cheek. But the light pouring in from my balcony softens his features and makes him seem boyish. I say, "But you'd like me to talk about mine."
"Only if you want to."
"We could trade. A nightmare for a nightmare."

I put off reading The Girl of Fire and Thorns for quite a while, and was schooled on that when I read it and loved it. What actually spurred me was that I borrowed an ARC of The Crown of Embers, so I was lucky to finish the first and immediately begin the second. This sequel absolutely did not disappoint! I just might have loved it more than the first, it's that good.

We saw Elisa grow up so immensely in The Girl of Fire and Thorns that it's hard to believe she has any left to do, but boy does she. Yes, she's a hero to her country and their queen, but that doesn't mean her rule is accepted without questions or with complete trust. She has to fight for everything she wants to accomplish and cannot trust most of those within her court. In order to harness the power of her godstone and better rule her adopted country, Elisa must go on a perilous journey to the ends of the earth.

I just love Elisa. She started off so pitifully in the previous book and she became just the greatest character to root for. You can't help but love her and the fight within her. She has such love for a country that was not her own until recently and she will sacrifice everything and anything for the good of her people, even her own happiness. Like I said, I just love her.

I absolutely could not get over the romance in this one! I loved her relationship with Humberto for it's sweetness and innocence, but that love and loss has shaped Elisa. Humberto was her first love, someone she'll never forget, but it also prepared her for her great love, whose name I'm not mentioning. Their relationship is founded upon trust and respect for the other. The relationship is slow-burning and so, so fulfilling when acted upon. I was melting into a little pool of jelly at parts and crying with frustration at others. I might love this book simply for the romance, but everything else was so well done I couldn't. :)

If you liked The Girl of Fire and Thorns, you will be blown away by The Crown of Embers. I cannot recommend this sequel enough. It's the epitome of young adult fantasy done perfectly. I might just be crying in my bed every night waiting for The Bitter Kingdom...

Source: Library

Warning: SPOILERS for book one

This sequel to The Girl of Fire and Thorns has been highly anticipated by many including myself. However after reading some disappointing second books this year, I was nervous to pick it up despite reassurances from Jen Ryland among others. In the end, I liked this book well enough but immediately after finishing it, I started reading The Friday Society and, well, I liked that one a lot more.

I just had trouble clicking with this book. It's not a bad second book; in fact, it has a lot of positives but it didn't spark my interest. Once I finally had it in my hands, I opened it eagerly but I almost had to force myself to continue to the next chapter.

What I still liked was Elisa, who is now ruling as queen after the death of her husband. She is very timid, as a foreigner not prepared for reigning in her own right and faces many trials, both internally and externally. Her greatest strength, although she doesn't seem to realize it initially, is her heart and compassion. She mostly wants to give people second chances and she wants to trust them even when they are in suspicious circumstances. Even those who hurt her in the first book have a chance at redemption.

Something I had mixed feelings about was the romance. Don't get me wrong, I quite like Elisa's romantic interest (I love how honorable he is and committed to her as queen as well as a person) but I found her dithering over him annoying. She kept saying she couldn't marry him, she couldn't be with him but for those who have read the book, what does she end up doing?

The part I liked least was how long it took for anything to really happen (I felt). Early on it seemed that Elisa would go on some kind of quest, leaving her palace. I love court intrigue but quests are fun as well so I spent a lot of time waiting for that part. Once it did finally happen, I was very happy and loved the intense magical action during those scenes. Yes, there is a lot of buildup and okay maybe Elisa almost gets assassinated pretty early on but then she has to recover and it just wasn't as page-turning as I would have liked.

Cover: I like that it's darker than the first since the situations are getting darker as well.

Elisa might be considered a heroic queen by her new kingdom, but she's learning that holding on to her power and asserting her authority is going to be as hard as defeating the Inviernos. She can't figure out who is loyal to her and who might be behind the latest attempt on her life; all she knows is that she can trust Hector, and she must find a way to gain control of Joya D'Arena and help her country recover. When it seems like answers might be found across the sea to a site of ancient power, Elisa bravely makes the journey...but even she can't imagine the great rewards and great costs.

The Crown of Embers, the sequel to The Girl of Fire and Thorns, is just as as rich, lovely, and layered as the first book. Carson continues to skillfully build upon and expand Elisa's world, exploring the landscape of her world, delving deeper into the religion and magic, and introducing new tidbits of history about Elisa's people and the Inviernos. In between all of the political intrigue and danger is Elisa's struggle to define what sort of leader she is. She must learn who to trust among those around her, and how to trust in her own knowledge, faith, and intuition. This personal growth is beautiful to read about, and not without its hiccups and bumps in the road. But Elisa's friends and Hector are there to support her, and the developing romance between the queen and her guard is smoldering. Carson deftly writes scenes that are tender and romantic, all the while conveying a sense of urgency that defines the tension of Elisa and Hector's relationship perfectly. She's an incredibly dynamic writer--sensual and intense, playful and intense, all of these scenes flow fluidly together to create a breathtaking sequel that will raise the stakes and have readers desperate for more.

Cover Comments: I love this pretty cover--the gem and the lightning are so powerful.

I kind of knew this book would be a treat to read. But I did not anticipate how much. The first in the trilogy, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, was a surprise treat - "caught me off-guard great" I wrote. This second book was all that... again, which is remarkable.

Elisa is so... un-assuming. Even as queen, the story follows her thought pattern and as she questions herself, I grew more concerned that she might be right. She's trying to be a strong queen, but she doesn't really know how and her attempts feel clumsy, but there's just no right answers. When things start falling apart, it is so real and so... unavoidable.

I could hardly put the book down. Elisa grasps for her kingdom, but it slips from her hands. So slowly, so agonizingly sweetly, she falls in love. Everything that happened in Fire and Thorns just make each moment that much more fleeting, more treasured because of her acceptance of fate. I love her calculating thoughts as she faces her destiny... rises up to the challenge of being queen... accepts her heart. Elisa is so real.

Always there is that distinct UN-greatness, too. Her Godstone is great, but it's lodged in Elisa's belly-button and embarrasses her as much as increases her. She has to be humble and embrace her weaknesses if she has any hope of succeeding and I just love the juxtaposition of it.

Some of the story is told from Hector's point of view, too. His character unfolds slowly revealing his childhood, his hopes for love, his respect for his family, his incredible sense of honor. As he allows himself to love, he is put in a difficult position. He will save Elisa's life at the cost of his own without a moment's hesitation, but his focus on her starts effecting his ability to protect her. He recognizes how love eclipses his senses putting her in more danger.

What are these lovers to do? The choices they make are costly. Lives are at stake and there's always the weighing of that cost. Other, minor characters, are also essential. They do what is best - or what they think is best - and each decision brings consequences and leads to more difficult decisions. *rubs hands gleefully* It's amazingly complex, fast-paced... a perfect book to follow The Girl of Fire and Thorns. There is not so much a cliffhanger ending as much as... all these choices leading to a surprising climax that requires another book to answer.

If I have learned anything from Carson's first two books, it's that anything can happen to anyone at any time. Those "cute" coincidences where things "just work out" that I see in stories? Yeah... not so here. Nope. Here the sand actually rubs raw, the bad guys are skilled assassins that get their targets, blood flows and gets sticky and messy, and it takes time to recover from injuries. (Imagine!)

My Rating: 4.98 - I love the characters, I love the situations, I even love hating the bad guys. I was frustrated right along with Elisa and Hector when they were frustrated. The world-building cracks me up sometimes like the Godstone - there's always an element of casual reality in the midst of epic drama that is so unique. Carson's writing style continues to catch me off guard. I expect to be able to set it aside and am surprised to find my knuckles gripping my Nook fiercely unwilling to stop reading until I gallop to the end.

This book was absolutely fantastic. It was completely different from The Girl of Fire and Thorns, and I think that made it even better. While the series opens with a story of epic adventures and fighting and a girl maturing from someone not qualified at all to be a leader to someone who wins a major battle for her people, this book really delves more into the politics and Elisa's emotions. Now that her husband is dead and she is left to rule her country alone, being a war hero won't keep her happy or loyal or even safe for long.

Being on the political side of things for this book was really interesting, even though I'm not one to go looking for books about politics and such. I think it really helps expand the world. I mean, it's one thing to be able to create a world and describe its physical attributes, but it's a completely different thing to be able to describe its government in a way that makes for an interesting story and keeps the same feel as the previous book. I love Carson's writing style, and she does an excellent job keeping the reader engaged.

I also loved the way that Elisa grows and matures in this book. She learns important lessons, and gives up things that could help her be the most powerful ruler to save friends and rule on her own terms with her own strengths. And then there's the budding romance (that I totally called from the end of Girl of Fire and Thorns). I was very happy with how it was done - not too much, not too pushy, and just enough at the right time. I also love how Carson included same sex relationships like they were nothing out of the ordinary.

In my opinion, the way religion is dealt with is done very well. A monothiestic religion is practiced, but there is magic and fantasy and all sorts of things built in to it. And although they refer to "God," it's very clear that the religion is a fictional one and not meant to offend or make a statement about any existing religions. I personally think that's a fine line to tread, and that Carson does an exceptional job with it.

I would totally recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA Fantasy novels. Especially fans of Kristin Cashore's Graceling series, Kiera Cass' The Selection, and all those types of books. Politics, fantasy, religion, and epic adventures come together for one amazing story. I can't wait to see how Elisa's story will end! 5/5 for sure on this book!

This review is for the whole series, which I thoroughly enjoyed, including the extra novellas.
It was the first book that grabbed my interest from page one for quite some time, and then held it non-stop; I inhaled the whole series in about a week. It was very refreshing to have a heroine whose looks are not the conventional petite-blonde-blue-eyed, but rather a dark-skinned, dark-haired, overweight princess (and the enemy kingdom populated with blue-eyed blondes). More importantly she was relatable and likable, as well as fierce, loyal, intelligent, and decisive. After being married off without any say-so, she slowly strove to find her agency and became a force to be reckoned with no matter the circumstances.

I initially groaned at the romantic triangle set-up in the first book, but was delighted at how unconventionally it ended - and that it wasn't dragged out across all three books. I also found the monotheistic religion in the books a refreshing change as most fantasies these days go for pan- or polytheistic religions. And it was nice to see Elisa wrestle with what her faith and fate meant; being singled out for the honor of being a godstone didn't magically provide her with all the answers or an unwavering unquestioning faith in either god or herself.

In sum this series is a non-stop adventure with well-written, interesting characters that is refreshing in its refusal to follow common fantasy tropes.

Originally posted 10/10/12 at Melissa's Bookshelf.

I was glad that I didn't have to wait too long after reading The Girl of Fire and Thorns before I could read the sequel, The Crown of Embers. Of course, the downside is now I will be waiting nearly a year to read the final book in the trilogy, but this is the price I pay for enjoying series books! And given just how much I loved this second book (even more than the first), the wait is going to be long indeed.

I found it impossible not to get swept away in Elisa's adventure this time around. Rae Carson sets the pace from the beginning and simply doesn't let up. Every time I thought I should put the book down and turn out the light to go to sleep, the chapter would end and I would decide that I just had to know what was going to happen next. Elisa continues to grow as a character .Yes, she has moments of weakness and insecurity early on, but she learns from them and becomes a better leader for them. I enjoyed her much more in this book, particularly because she didn't dwell on her physical imperfections so much this time around. I have really been impressed with Carson's overall character development and interaction in these books.

I will say that as much as I loved this book, I did think the resolution of Elisa's quest was a little contrived and almost too neat and pretty. I admit that I was a bit disappointed, but only mildly in comparison with my genuine love of the overall story, characters, and adventure. (But it was enough to knock a star off of my rating.) I also loved the building romance for Elisa, even though it left you wanting more. I guess I enjoy the suspense of it! This relationship was something I could see signs of in the first book and I am so glad that Carson took it to the next level (well, sort of to the next level?) in the second book. Though, of course, we won't know how it all turns out until the conclusion (darn cliffhangers)!

Be warned, if you decide to read this series, while this book sets the stage for the last book, it is a major cliffhanger and the wait will be frustrating! I have resigned myself to the long wait by looking forward to re-reading the first two books before the third is published. That way, I can enjoy the entire series from start to finish. Bottom line: If you enjoyed The Girl of Fire and Thorns, I would be very surprised if you didn't enjoy The Crown of Embers, as well.

I love it when I read series books back-to-back! I'm actually sort of glad that I waited to read The Girl of Fire and Thorns so that I could read this one right after because I really needed to know what happened in the story!

There's something about these books that I find really difficult to talk about. There's no one thing about the story that's really good or really bad - it's all good! The story, the characters, the pacing, theme, etc.

I really enjoyed Elisa in the first book; we got to watch her change a lot over the course of the plot. But she's not done changing. We see a stronger, more determined Elisa in The Crown of Embers. She knows more of what she wants, and she's willing to make the tough choices to get it. I liked that about her. She didn't shy away from things like having her servants flogged for punishment or putting others in danger for the good of her kingdom.

I also liked seeing more of Hector. He's an interesting character that I enjoyed reading about in the first book and was happy to see got more facetime here. The romance between him and Elisa is sweet, though I kept wanting him to just man up and SAY SOMETHING TO HER. But I understand that he was in a position of inferiority because of her royal status blah blah blah. But sometimes, his duty and honor got in the way and annoyed me.

In terms of plot, I thought the book started off a little slow at the beginning. And while the first one did too, I thought this book had a harder time getting off the ground than #1. That being said, once the story DID take off, it doesn't let up. I loved the bits where they were on the ship and sailing to the secret island. It had kind of a "Pirates of the Caribbean" feel to it, which I loved.

The mythology of the world was also deepened well, I thought. Rae Carson doesn't even disguise her worldbuilding inspiration, with barely rewording Biblical passages and using names like the Apocrypha. That almost made it seem more real, I thought, like this was actually some sort of Catholic kingdom that was looking for the Fountain of Youth (which would make sense, as they're also kind of Spanish).

This is a strong fantasy series that I'm really enjoying. I think fans of the first book will be satisfied with this second installment. And overall, this is just a good series for people wary of fantasy.

Can't wait for the third book to be released!

It was no secret how much I loved The Girl of Fire and Thorns last year. It was one of my favorites. So I've been anticipating The Crown of Embers for quite some time. I'm so happy to say that it did not disappoint.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns really blew me away. It was unlike any fantasy novel I'd ever read. The world is probably one of the most unique and creative I've ever come across. Rae Carson took risks that most authors don't, and they worked. Not to mention that Elisa was just the kind of main character that I love. Her strength and courage in book 1 was incredible to see. Plus, her growth as a character was extraordinary. In The Crown of Embers I felt like she had dimmed a little, because of the even harder situation she was in, but I still loved her so much. She had a lot to overcome in this novel but there's never any doubt that she would overcome. I also love her wit so much. Elisa is a fabulous main character.

Rae Carson might just be the new queen of slow burn romances. Whoa, did I love that romance. I really loved watching it unfold. I would read certain scenes and then realize I had a big goofy grin on my face. I just really, really loved them. I'm pretty much dying for book 3.

The Crown of Embers was really all I could have asked for in a sequel. The ending almost killed me. No lie. I might die from the wait for the next book. I really can't recommend the Fire and Thorns trilogy enough, especially to my fellow fantasy nerds. They are utterly fantastic.

**4.5 Stars**

Oh boy, oh boy. What a great continuation. It is filled with just as much adventure as The Girl of Fire and Thorns was. Elisa goes through even more in this book, and once again becomes stronger for it. She is now tasked with ruling the country of her former husband, the King. The council around her isn't making this task easy and you want her to just kill them all. To quote Sweeney Todd... "They all deserve to die."

Yes! Sorry, I will try not to give anything away, but what Elisa says to Ximena... AWESOME and FINALLY!!!! I know you always saw her as a friend, but come on. How much does she have to keep from you before you snap? I am also happy that the author broached the topic of birth control. Many books leave you wondering why no one gets pregnant when they don't mention BC. I always assumed it was a plant, but Rae Carson actually does a good job of creating it in her book. Oh... don't worry, still teen friendly - nothing graphic, or really anything at all.

Oh Hector and Elisa... you both need to Open. Your. Eyes! It is so obvious that they love each other, yet they keep hiding it. STOP!

I finished the book and immediately reached for the next one. It leaves readers with such a big cliff hanger that I am glad I had the last book ready and waiting for when I finished this one.

The Crown of Embers
The Girl of Fire and Thorns #2
Rae Carson

Elisa is now Queen in title and in deed of Joya d'Arena. But Invierne spies are still a threat as are the Invierne's animagi. But does the greatest threat to Elisa's reign come from within or without?

Elisa's guardian Ximena and members of the Quorum are pressuring her to choice a husband so that her reign might be strengthened. Only Hector, Lord-Commander of the Royal Guard, believes that Elisa has within her the ability to rule on her own strength.

An attack on Elisa soon brings to light just how far members of the Quorum will go to wrest power from her. When an Invierne ambassador is discovered living beneath the city, Elisa's destiny takes an unexpected turn. Can the purpose of her godstone truly be discovering the long lost zafira that the Invierne tap into?

As she works through the deceptions that court requires, can Elisa discover what her heart desires - love that is hers and hers alone. Can someone ever truly love her for herself? Or will the power that she represents be the only attraction that draws men to her side?

At 17 years Elisa has the hopes, dreams, and fears of more than one country riding on her shoulders.

The Crown of Embers is a worthy sequel to The Girl of Fire and Thorns.

I have to admit, the first book I found a little confusing and hard to get into. It was just so...different than anything I was used to. I finally got into it, but it still left me feeling like it was good, but not great. I picked up the second one as a present for Christmas. I was a little worried that I would just be disappointed, but the complete opposite happened. I was completely blown away! This one picks up right where the last one left off and just keeps going from there.

I love how Rae Carson does a great job of wrapping up the story while still setting up the diving board into the next book. She doesn't leave you with a cliffhanger, but still leaves you awaiting the next book.

The growth and character development of Elisa is great. She really seems to come into her own as queen in this book. I also liked the development of the minor characters- many of them grew more endearing. Fans, have no fret there is a nice blossoming romance in this one for Elisa (and doesn't she deserve it after the first book where she was married off to a man who didn't really want her, fell in love with another man only to watch him be murdered, and then had her husband die as well?!). I will definitely be reading the next one in this series!

In the first book, I didn't like Elisa's character until about half-way through. As I began reading this one, I was expecting her to be the no-nonsense, blunt, confident, and strong person she was at the end of that book. Unfortunately, I felt that she backtracked a lot! I realize that she is young, only seventeen, but it just seemed she went back to everyone walking all over her, including those she didn't like, respect, or trust, acting like nothing had happened. This was pretty disappointing to me. I do wish that Hector or her nurse and guardian would have guided and encouraged Elisa more, if that's what she needed. Although, I still would have wanted her to stand more on her own. Once Elisa leaves the capitol, I liked her a lot better. Now if she could just be that person when she is back home as queen!

I still loved Hector! He is his sure, loyal, intelligent, and strong self. He plays such a huge role, not only in the plot, but in Elisa's own character and her coming of age. The plot was really well played. You're never quite sure who is the villain and who to trust.

I felt like the first two-thirds of the book was three stars, but the ending was five stars. I still think it was worth a read and I will be reading the last book, The Bitter Kingdom, which comes out in August to find out the conclusion of Elisa's story.

Content: Some innuendo, brief and non-descriptive sexual content
Source: Library

I devoured this book in a single day because I couldn't make myself slow down. I had high hopes going into it because I really loved The Girl of Fire and Thorns, and I'm happy to say that Crown of Embers surpassed my expectations. This is a fully realized fantasy rife with intrigue, emotion, courage, suspense, and betrayal.

Everyone should read this series.

I love that every character is three-dimensional and nuanced. I love that I can see the story happening against a beautifully described backdrop. And I really love that the character arc for Elisa is once again full of subtle shifts, flaws, and moments of brilliance. Reading this book is like revisiting an old friend and finding her full of fascinating new stories.

The plot is layered and complex enough to keep the reader completely engaged. The relationships are complicated and compelling. And the struggle between faith and discovering your own strength is portrayed with balance.

I could just rave on and on about this book. It's incredible. It deserves a spot on my favorites shelf and will be a book that I will re-read many times. If you haven't tried this series, please do. It's a gem.

The people who think this one was boring or filler are smoking something. This sequel was better than the first book, Girl of Fire and Thorns, and I really liked the first one. The plot moves faster, and I found the events much more satisfying as they unfolded. I was disappointed in the first book that Elisa's husband was such a weak person and didn't love her, and I was further disappointed that her chance at real love was unfulfilled. This book is much more enjoyable because my hopes were met by the end. That doesn't mean it ends with everything well - there is, after all, another book coming - but I was much happier with the direction things were going. When the first book ended, I wasn't really sure where the series could go from there, but now Carson has set things up nicely for the next book. I did not feel like this second book was just a connector to the next one, though. There is important character growth and revelations that make this enjoyable to read, just as I can pick up any Harry Potter book and read it by itself with pleasure. I think in this book, Carson finally decided where she wanted to go with the story, whereas in the first book I didn't think she really had a plan yet. I struggled a bit to get through the first one, and ended up skimming it to see what happened and then going back to read more thoroughly. I didn't feel the need to do that with this one.

For some reason, I don't consider myself a big fantasy fan. It's just not the genre I get the most excited about. And then I read a book like The Crown of Embers and remember that, oh yeah, I really like fantasy. Especially this trilogy. I think I enjoyed The Crown of Embers even more than The Girl of Fire and Thorns, which is rare and awesome in a trilogy.

The best part of The Crown of Embers, in my opinion, is how consistent Elisa's character is. She grows so much throughout both novels, yet her actions are never too surprising or too out of the blue. Elisa's thoughts and actions always feel like they are hers. Elisa is a flawed character for sure, never quite sure of herself enough and sometimes too afraid to act when necessary, yet she is a likeable character. She has a good heart, and does what she can to protect those she cares about.

The romance in The Crown of Embers is subtle, but it is there. Hector is Elisa's second love, and though there was the potential for it to feel false or rushed, it was a natural direction for Elisa. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Elisa and Hector grow. The torturous end had me in near panic because I've grown to love these character so much.

Rae Carson is a master world-builder. I never felt so confused that I didn't know what was going on, but I never felt bogged down by descriptions either. I have no idea how she does it, but she is good.

All I can say now is that I absolutely cannot wait until August when the final book in the trilogy, The Bitter Kingdom, comes out. I have a feeling it's going to be the perfect end to Elisa's journey, and I'm very excited to read it.

Elise is a character I enjoyed from the beginning. She started soft, plump and unsure of herself and evolved into something different without even realizing it!

From the beginning she is told that she is destined to do something grand, but she doesn't feel that way. Her greatest battle is with doubt. In both books she faces both physical and intellectual challenges. Someone is constantly trying to kill her; forcing her to run, fight and solve mysteries to stay alive. Oh, and let's not forget the little bit of romance thrown into the mix.

I love her character because she speaks to the potential in all of us. There is greatness in us all if we allow ourselves to grow and can overcome doubt. There are times when she doesn't feel pretty or good enough, but she is. There are times she feels she will lose, but she wins. When she makes mistakes she owns them and vows to do better. She loves mankind and cares about the less fortunate. All that is wrapped up inside of a queen who learns to fight physically and politically!

I can't wait for the next book . . . I just know it will be as great as the 1st two books!

THE CROWN OF EMBERS once again proves to me that I am not a fan of trilogies. I am glad they make money for the author and publisher, but I believe I would prefer to pay more and have a faster ride to the end, without all the flailing and indecisiveness of a middle book.

That said, the word-smithing in THE CROWN OF EMBERS is outstanding. Rae Carson writes beautifully, and my complaints are more with the pacing and plotting than with how she expresses the story. Which is to say that while there were brilliant bits, I found that for much of the story I was bored. And at the end of the story I must admit that I didn't see the point of the journey. There was revelations, but surely there must have been a better way to discover them. 400 Pages just were needed.

I await the finale with anticipation. I just love Ms. Carson's world-building and wordsmithing, but THE CROWN OF EMBERS barely earns it's 4-Star status from me.

This book literally blew my mind. From the beginning to the end of it. I finished it in one sitting. I loved it so much more than The Girl of Fire and Thorns. Elisa changes so much from the first book and it shows how well as an author Rae Carson is. You see her growth, you see her struggles and her weaknesses and you learn to understand them and feel them yourself. This book was action and drama packed. You werent bored even for a second. It was so good that I stayed up to finish it and ended up having a very vivid dream that I was part of the Royal Guard. You meet new characters and are reunited with some of the old. Elisa handles herself quite well and the friends and the enemies that she has to face build her up. I dont want to give anything away but she is not only at war with the Invernios but she is at war with herself. And seeing the choices she made makes you feel like a mother hen wanting to make it all go away just so she could be happy. The last quarter of the book had my heart racing like mad. Literally. I could feel my heart speeding up. And then the end of the book. I cant even right now. I seriously cant. I am in dire need of Bitter Kingdom, please. Now. Someone!

That feeling where you read a book that is sooooo good but the ending is a total CLIFFHANGER and the next book doesn't come out for months. Curse you Rae Carson!

Gah. I just want to read the next one now. I think it helped that there was only one real love interest (Gotta love Hector!)

I did feel like the ending was just a tad rushed - that some characters didn't act in ways that made complete sense because the author needed them to act that way (the Inveirnos, or however you spell that...). It also didn't make sense to me why she kept thinking she wouldn't be able to marry Hector, I mean, there didn't seem to be enough obstacles in that regard. He's rich, powerful, on her side, and sure her council wants her to marry another lord, but she's queen! She should be able to tell them off. Also, I probably wouldn't recommend this book to younger teens, since there's a lot of stuff that they'd need to be mature to handle.

But! I was just so intrigued the entire book. I wanted to know what was going to happen. Can't wait for the final one in a couple of months.

Inside of her navel, Elisa has a living Godstone, much like a wireless compass and danger detector endowed with magical healing properties. Godstones are given to only God's chosen and only two bearers have living Godstones, which are still attached. Elisa is one of them. In "Crown of Embers" as Queen of Joya d'Arena, her station and the war against the Inviernos, much like the Klingon, require her to marry well and suitors attempt to court her in the beginning of the book. Then the Queen along with Lord-Commander Hector, Belén, Mara, and Storm, an Invierno amassador to Joya and also a bearer, go on a dangerous journey to find the zafira, an underground wellspring of magical power. Things go well until Lord Hector, with whom Elisa shares a blossoming romance, is kidnapped by an Invierno assassin named Franco.

This story is 80% action/ adventure. 10% comedy/romance with no sexuality. 10% bloody warfare with medieval weapons. It falls into the fantasy genre with "The Lord of the Rings," but is much like historical fiction set in the medieval age except that it has "Merlin" magic with sorcerers using the blood of willing victims to feed their magic. I would recommend this to an audience of 13+ because of the violence. 5 out of 5 stars.

I enjoyed this book far better than the first book. There was more grit, honesty, and human emotion, even though there were more deaths in the first book. Plus I'm a hopeless romantic and swooned a few times. *sigh* But I did know what was coming, ever since the first meeting in the first book. I just didn't think it would take so long! That was a little aggravating, the back and forth, push and pull. But it was sweet. I'm still disappointed that Elisa is so fit and trim now. Woohoo, you're finally worth something. *eye roll* Should've kept her fat. Quite a few less food mentioning though. What a relief. I'm quite ready to dive into book 3 after that ending!!!!

If you've read the first book of this series, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, you'll absolutely LOVE the second. The plot starts immediately and pulls the reader into the action. Elisa's now Queen of the country she fought for and everything should be better now, right? Wrong. Her people don't trust her and she ends up fighting for her new country once again.
Let me start by saying: Oh. Em. Gee. The main character, Elisa, is once again a strong female lead and will captivate her audience. It is hard not to root for Elisa; she truly loves the people she has been chosen to watch out for. The love interests don't disappoint either. Love is in the air and the reader will enjoy the constant flux in the relationships. Elisa has a bit of a love triangle. The love triangle does not take forever to conclude, the reader will not have to wonder who Elisa chooses. The book has plenty of twists and turns... SOME of them are easy to figure out, but that doesn't matter because the ride to get there is pleasant. Nothing about the book is boring or slow, each page has something to offer.
I recommend reading the first book instead of getting into the second immediately. If the reader takes a look at other reviews, he/she will see that many say this book is better than the first and I have to agree. This makes me wonder what the third book will bring. It's a trilogy, so I'm not happy it's going to end soon. More of Elisa and Hector!

Rae Carson somehow managed to make a kiss in a sewer sexy and hot. How?! How did she do that?

Elisa is still learning to rule. She's a strong woman but unskilled in politics and unsure of her allies. The one person she trusts the most is her personal guard, Hector. Their relationship is complicated though. They have a political relationship, a protector/protected relationship, and a deep friendship that might be more. Elisa must choose a husband for political reasons, but she finds her heart belongs to the commander of her guard.

After an attempt is made on her life, she goes on a quest for the source of her power, hoping to use it as a weapon against her enemies. As she journeys to an exotic new land her friendships are tested and her political prowess is built. Her journey becomes a chess match as she balances her own feelings and needs with those of her country, inadvertently betraying Hector and possibly causing him his life.

Hector and Elisa's relationship really shines in this book. It's built on friendship and mutual experiences and goals. With so much of YA relationships being dysfunctional and one sided, it's always refreshing to read a well written realistic relationship based on mutual love and respect. Carson even manages to build tons of sexual tension and, yes, make a kiss in a sewer hot and steamy. Bravo, Rae Carson.

I love reading about kick-ass female heroines and Elisa is one of my favorites. She has a big heart but uses her head. She asks for advice and help when she needs it and isn't afraid to make a hard choices and sacrifices.

This is an excellent followup to Girl of Fire and Thorns with all of our favorite characters back. There's a maturity to Elisa in this book that wasn't present throughout the first book and Crown of Embers shines because of it. This book doesn't suffer from any of the normal 2nd book in a series issues, though, I do feel the need to warn you that it ends on a cliff hanger.

I adore this series. There's action, magic and a kick-ass female heroine. If you haven't started this series yet, I recommend you do now.

I always take the time to write a review for only two types of books: ones that I totally loved and ones that I loathed. "Crown of Embers" is a book I loved very much. While I liked the first book, I wasn't very eager to pick up the second one in the series, telling myself that I'll get around to it but I decided to read it before I forget what happened in the first book and I'm more than glad that I did, this book took care of the flaws that I found in the first book such as Elisa's insecurities over her weight, her self-doubt, excessive references to religion, the love story that I didn't care for...in this book Elisa is stronger, fiercer, well self-aware, and I loved her new love interest, I understood their attraction to each other and I loved the angst between them. I liked the fact that the seed for this romance was planted in the first book and was saved to be explored in the second book. And the religion wasn't as over-done as it was in the first, I get that the basis of the book is rooted in religion because Elisa was chosen by God for some grand purpose but there was times while I felt it was too much and I'm glad that was down-played in the second book while still being central to the theme of the story.

I constantly move on from one book to another, I always have 3 or more books waiting to be read which I'd start on as soon as I finish my current book...but there are times when I finish I book and love it so much that I can't start another because I'm not ready to leave the world and its characters, this was one of those books. I honestly cannot wait for the third book.

Once in a blue moon you read a book that is so good that, not only do you not want it to end, you don't want to jump into another book right away because you don't want to lose the magic of that particular book. This one did it for me. I have a stack of other books to read but after finishing this one I just had to wait at least a day to start another one. I did not want to leave Elisa's world. The first book, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, was very good. But THIS one is so much better that I just had to take the time to gush over it here on the store. Crown of Embers is written as if the author was inspired. It is filled with action, wit, intriguing characters, and sexual tension so intense you can feel it deep in your gut. I think this may be one of the best YA novels I have ever read. Needless to say, I will be counting the days to book #3.

I listened to this sequel while quilting. It wasn't as good as the first one, and slightly repetitious and resembling too much of the first as well, but it was not horrible.

Elisa's kingdom is in danger and pressure is on for her to marry for an alliance of kingdoms. Her guard Hector protects her well but her God Stone may be used more regularly to help protect her if she figures out how to unleash its powers better.

To be honest, I enjoyed The Girl of Fire & Thorns, but it didn't grip me... but I liked it well enough to read this sequel. Anyway, I loved this one -- flew through it! Sure, we don't have as much growth in Elisa's character as we did in the first installation, but she still has to learn (after many errors) that she is capable. I thought the romantic tension between Hector & Elisa was well-done. Predictable? Maybe. But this didn't feel like a "second-installation/filler book." I thought it was a story that needed to be told: what happens to the young, foreign queen when the king dies and she's left to take over the kingdom? What of this strange power she's harnessing? The great enemy they face? A great 2nd book in the trilogy. I can't wait for Book 3!

Elisa, Queen Regnant of Joya d'Arena, has defeated the invading armies of Invierne. However, she finds ruling her new nation difficult. An outsider from another land, her commands are not respected and she faces challenges from both the nobility and the masses, whose taxes must pay for the rebuilding of the country. Elisa must also face down a renewed threat from Invierne. Defeated on the battlefield, they now play a game of misinformation and intrigue, with assassins stalking the rooftops of Elisa's capital. In the midst of this Elisa discovers a vital clue to the origins of the magic of her Godstone, but dare she leave the capital in the hands of her rivals to pursue this quest?

The Crown of Embers is the sequel to Fire and Thorns and is the middle volume of a trilogy. Like its predecessor, the book is an easy, light read but is unfortunately rather less successful. Whilst the first book featured a solid, eventful plot which unfolded with focused conciseness (a relief from the too-many flabby epic fantasies around), this second book is comparatively uneventful and repetitive. There are several assassination attempts, which are foiled. Elisa angsts over how to rule her kingdom more effectively, to no conclusion. She angsts who whom she should marry for the good of the kingdom, to no conclusion. She moons over a potential love interest, even in the middle of a dire assassination attempt. Rinse and repeat.

These problems are confounded by regressive characterisation of the lead: Elisa evolved, in a standard but nevertheless reasonably-well-handled way, from coddled princess to warrior leader in the first book. In this second volume she seems to lose all of the confidence and skills gained in the first book and becomes a lame duck ruler, unable to assert her authority. This would be more convincing had we not seen Elisa already weld a band of desert villagers into a fearsome guerrilla army. No real explanation is given for Elisa's fall from competence in this volume save it was necessary for plot purposes. Some of the secondary cast get some decent character development (such as Tristan, one of Elisa's potential suitors), but overall the characters are less interesting than in the first book.

Where the novel does spring to live is in its depiction of the unusual magic system and the revelation that a lot of what is assumed about the world's backstory may be untrue. But these moments where character (and reader) assumptions are overturned are fleetingly brief. Otherwise for the bulk of the novel we are subjected to pretty standard YA fantasy fare, with the added irritation of an undercooked love story that utterly fails to convince.

The Crown of Embers (**) is a serious letdown after the first novel in the sequence. There are flashes of inspiration and interest, but overall this is a book that is content to rest on its laurels rather than build on the successes of its predecessor. It is available now in the UK and USA.

Grade: 93%
Rating: ★★★★★

I KNEW IT! I was so excited to see that Elisa fell for Hector. OOOH I won't go into many details here since it will require a spoiler, BUT I will say that God I loved this installment! I was disappointed only about ONE thing and I will bring that up in the tone and plot sections behind the spoiler. This book is definitely better than the first only showing that the author truly grew from the first book. Go Rae Carson!!

Rae Carson, you kill me. In the best way possible. You succeed in making this reader a emotional wreck. You'll probably be able to see just how bad I am by this review. I will also warn you it will probably be filled with spoilers, which I will hide but there's just so much that happens that I can't NOT talk about but it's totally a spoiler for those who haven't read the first book or gotten around to Crown of Embers.

Elisa, I fell in love with her in the first book. She grew up so much during that book, and not just physically but you would never ever think you were reading about a seventeen year old queen. She didn't grow up as much during Crown of Embers but it's more like she grew in to what she made herself out to be. She is a very brave woman, for everything that happens to her. She has many attempts on her life in the first half of this book, one in which she was lucky to survive through.

I wished for more Hector because I liked him from his first scene in The Girl of Fire and Thorns. I got my wish, there is plenty of Hector and I am not complaining one bit!

Now, in regards to Storm, can I just say how much I absolutely enjoyed this character! His constant "You never asked" had me laughing time and time again. Obviously, he's not very trust worthy with him being an invierno and everything but I trust him and I am excited to see more of him in The Bitter Kingdom. Oh, this book is going to be absolutely sweet and I know I'll be even more emotional than what I am right now.

There was so much action in this book, it's like every chapter you were getting something new to digest. I may be slightly over-exaggerating. Only slightly though. There really is a lot of action. Lots and lots of it. Plus, lots of who to trust who not to trust, lots of good drama, the best kind of drama, actually. Lots of potential tears to shed, even early on. You relive moments that occurred in the first book over and over again. It's like a knife to your heart and someone keeps twisting it over and over again making you writhe in pain. Plus, there are many times where you want to give Elisa a swift kick in her ass. Or a good slap upside the head, either would really work.

I can't even put in to words how happy this book has made me. How happy, indeed. If you are a fan of The Girl of Fire and Thorns you NEED to read this book, seriously. I'm not sure why you haven't already. If you haven't read The Girl of Fire and Thorns, then I shake my head at you. Get to it, I'm serious...

I am eagerly anticipating The Bitter Kingdom's release in the fall of 2013. Oh, how 2013 seems too far away...

Review: Do you like deserts? I don't--they're everything hot, dry, and stickily wrong with the world. And they breed little nasties like scorpions (a total ewww factor!). Yet, Rae Carson's Fire and Thorn books make the desert strangely and fascinatingly appealing. THE MIND BOGGLES. This series of books incorporates evocative fantasy, compelling intrigue, and character growth that is wholly phenomenal in portraying common internal struggles with identity and self-confidence. The Fire and Thorn books demonstrate the power of faith in a wholly non-preachy, non-zealously religious manner and the good ol' fashion theme of what it means and takes to become a hero. Elisa may just be my personal hero for all time.

Prophecy is a tricky thing, I have learned, full of edges and secret meanings and mischief. Prophecy can feel like the betrayal of a dear friend, the disappointment of a lifetime, the hope of a nation. (198)

Last year, war brewed and overflowed, drenching all the land with death, violence, and despair, and was ended at the hands of a once lost, hopeless girl whom the desert brutally fashioned into a proud, confident, shrewd warrior queen. But, the effects of war haven't diminished, and Elisa must suffer the games played by the plotting noblemen at court while surviving the decisions she makes to reinforce her power. In Girl of Fire and Thorns, her transformation from shy, malleable, studious princess into a woman slowly realizing her own strength is one of the most fist-pump-worthy moments I've read. Carson takes it a step further in Crown of Embers by Rae Carson--Elisa has grown even more, though she is split between that of a clever woman and a timid ruler, fiercely trying to rectify the latter in order to ultimately be recognized as an improvement from the ruler before her. Being surrounded by the palace and overruled by the generals and counts with favor in her meetings, her confidence is shaken. She doesn't slip into the role of an obedient, submissive queen--she has been reformed with steel, pride, and dignity, but she no longer believes her own power to be enough, a lacking in herself she believes can only be fixed by some outside force to back her. Crown of Embers by Rae Carson is, essentially, her discovery of the confidence to be a true queen and shouldering all that the effort entails.

"This could be it, Elisa," Ximena says, and her black eyes spark with something fierce. "What you need to rule. To finally grasp the destiny I know God has prepared for you." (198)

That is the thread woven beneath it all, but as she quests to realize this--literally and metaphorically--there's so much else happening. Traitors are forged into newly forgiven allies, old withstanding, comforting presences are removed for proper growth, and love is realized anew in a friend, confidant, and loyal guardian who is every bit what I hoped he would be for Elisa. And evil dark-magic-bearing sorcerers plus cunning ploys for revenge spin together to tie in the rest of the plot, filtering a sense of urgency that surpasses the dire circumstances of the previous book.

While Elisa's growth never fails to stun me blind and conjure admiration in my heart, I'm trembling with unhindered excitement for the rematch sure to go down between the two enemy nations whose feud runs too deep to be permanently squashed because of the events of the first book. I'll be thrilled to witness Elisa's next move, for the character left on the final page is no longer just a girl struggling to balance the crown teetering on her head but a woman ready and willing to wage destruction on her oppositions with ferocity and aggressive determination all wrapped underneath an outwardly formidable construction. Elisa won't be messing around in the next book, and the next steps she takes are sure to be friggin' glorious.

Most Likely to Be Enjoyed By: As a huge fan of The Girl of Fire and Thorns, I can safely write to fans of this series that it is absolutely impossible to be disappointed in Crown of Embers by Rae Carson. If you fell in love with Elisa's profound character growth, the vividly presented fantasy world, and Carson's amazing plot structuring abilities, then you will love Crown of Embers by Rae Carson with an intensity that provokes an anticipation for the third book that completely exceeds what you felt in wait for this second book. Lovers of traditional high fantasy, which is essentially a story of epic scope riddled with your age-old themes of self-growth and good vs. evil as well as some fantastical elements, you will revel in Carson's innovative world, manipulation of themes that give a layered texture to a well-structured plot, and Elisa's becoming of a hero.

Content Warning: There is some detailed violence, in which the main character witnesses several vicious variations of death that can be explored thoroughly enough to warn away a middle grade audience. Implications of having and preludes to sex are included, however they are written with weight and romance rather than handled tastelessly and/or superficially.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns was one of my all time favorites last year and I was more then excited to get the opportunity to review The Crown of Embers. Sometimes going into a second book can leave you a bit disappointed though, especially when the first was so epic. Fortunately The Crown of Embers did not disappoint!

This book was hard for me to put down, and for a fantasy that really means something. Sometimes they are such heavy reading because of the crazy court intrigue and the in depth world, etc. But The Crown of Embers had everything I want in a fantasy without becoming a heavy read.

First of all, I didn't think Elisa could grow anymore as a character, but somehow she did! She starts out with a strong voice in this one and definitely didn't seem like a 17 year old to me. But she still manages to find growth in the book. She's a very strong character (incredibly strong!) but still has some weaknesses. She's unsure of things, but she really starts on a new journey in this book.

There is plenty of court intrigue in the book, but it wasn't ever annoying to me. Oh yes, there are infuriating characters, but that was good, they needed to be there to get us good and riled up. There's also lots of life and death hanging in the balance. Rae Carson isn't afraid to let bad things happen in her books, but I think that's important in fantasy, that's what gets us so emotionally involved in it. And it was this intense feeling that never went away through the entire book.

The romance in this book was exactly perfect. It wasn't instant love in any way. It was a slow burn romance that has you just aching for them to speak their mind and find their way to each other. As Lori at Pure Imagination said in her review, it leaves you with a goofy grin on your face.

And the end of the book will have you crying for more. Sometimes cliffhangers make me angry and frustrated. Other times I'm DYING for more but yet I know that it's the perfect end even though I may not survive until the next book, and this was that. It was the perfect ending even if I may pull all my hair out before the next one comes out.

Epically AMAZING. These books are MUST READS.

I adored The Girl of Fire and Thorns, so I was really hoping that Crown of Embers would live up to the first. It's every bit as good as I'd hoped! Also, just so ya'll know, there are some mild spoilers in my review, but nothing big.

Elisa is an amazing heroine. She's faced with incredibly hard decisions as queen and constantly struggles to do what's right for her country. She is definitely a wonderful role model - her character is unforgettable. You can't help rooting for her. And OH, I love Hector. I thought I loved Humberto in the first book, but Hector is ten times better. He respects Elisa and her position as queen, he goes out of his way to help her, he'd die for her...basically, he's completely perfect.

I loved the romance so much. It was beautifully done. It takes a while for Elisa and Hector to finally admit their love for each other, but I liked that it wasn't love at first sight. And it's heartbreaking at the same time because Elisa is queen and everyone expects her to marry a prince or king. I felt so bad for her and Hector, and I was involved in the love story in a way that I rarely feel. Amazing!

The plot was great! This book isn't as action-packed as the first one (at least, as far as I can remember; I read GOFAT last April. Gotta love that acronym. ;) Just saying), but there's lots of political conflict and it's all really intense. There's so much at stake and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!

And, oh yeah, it ends with a cliffhanger and I was practically sobbing because of what happens to a certain character who, as I mentioned above, is really sweet and totally swoon-worthy... *sigh* Why, Rae Carson? Why couldn't we have a happy ending? There had better be a happy ending in the final book, The Bitter Kingdom. Which sadly doesn't come out until fall 2013. -_-

So, if you enjoyed The Girl of Fire and Thorns, then this sequel is so worth reading! I promise that once you start, you will not be able to put it down!

This was such a fantastic book. I admit, I enjoyed the first book, but with some reservations. I have to say- the reservations that I had about the first book were completely gone in Crown of Embers. Rae Carson writes with confidence and the ease of someone who has 30 books under their belt.

This second book takes up a few months after the first ends. Elisa is the queen of her country. But although she was a hero in her own country, there are many who want to see her gone- even in her own castle. She has very few people she can trust. I absolutely love that a majority of this story is about Hector and Elisa. It was so fantastic to see such a slow developing love story. Rae Carson wrote the kind of love story that makes you want to read faster in anticipation of what is coming. She takes her time with the characters, not rushing into something, but developing a slow simmering passion between the two main characters. I loved it! I wondered at the end of the first book if Hector would become a love interest for Elisa and I am so glad that is the route the author went. I found myself waiting excitedly for every time these two characters had scenes together- they oozed passion and longing... and restraint.

So much happens in this book. The first half of the book takes place in the palace and in Elisa's kingdom, and the second half is much more of the traveling adventure in the first book. I don't want to give away any details but I will say- this book was action packed! The last chapter will absolutely make readers shake their book and howl in anguish (I personally threw my copy ha ha!) This is absolutely a trilogy and there is a massive cliffhanger at the end of the book- full of drama and everything that Rae Carson is so good at writing! If you haven't read this series yet- get on it! This is one of the best fantasy series that I have read- it absolutely is up there with Poison Study, Shadow and Bone, and all my other favorite fantasy series.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson
Book Two of the Fire and Thorns series
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: September 18, 2012
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

In the sequel to the acclaimed The Girl of Fire and Thorns, a seventeen-year-old princess turned war queen faces sorcery, adventure, untold power, and romance as she fulfills her epic destiny.

Elisa is the hero of her country. She led her people to victory against a terrifying enemy, and now she is their queen. But she is only seventeen years old. Her rivals may have simply retreated, choosing stealth over battle. And no one within her court trusts her-except Hector, the commander of the royal guard, and her companions. As the country begins to crumble beneath her and her enemies emerge from the shadows, Elisa will take another journey. With a one-eyed warrior, a loyal friend, an enemy defector, and the man she is falling in love with, Elisa crosses the ocean in search of the perilous, uncharted, and mythical source of the Godstone's power. That is not all she finds. A breathtaking, romantic, and dangerous second volume in the Fire and Thorns trilogy.

What I Liked:

I am ACTUALLY kicking myself for not reading it sooner. I got an ARC last summer, thanks to Epic Reads, and I never took the opportunity to read this one. To be honest, I am definitely scared of sequels - more scared of sequels than I am scared of conclusion books. And the other deterrent? I read The Girl of Fire and Thorns years ago. I literally remember NOTHING from book one, except the deaths of Humberto and Elisa's husband. When I cracked book two, a few things started to come back... but I especially didn't remember Hector being so, um, prominent in book one.

Anyway. I really liked this book! I believe that when I read book one, I liked it, but I couldn't really see how the series would work out, and how the romance would work out. But this book is an EXCELLENT sequel, and in my opinion, takes the series in a much different path than I expected. In a good way!

To sum it all up in a really concise way, Elisa needs to find the all-encompassing source of power that will fuel her Godstone, making her and the Godstone crazy awesome and possibly invincible (or something). She and her suitor Tristan, and her not-so-much-appreciated "friend" Belen, and Hector, and other friends of Elisa help her travel to find this mythical source of power. But I'm getting ahead of myself. That's the second half of the book.

The first half of the book deals with Elisa and her new role as queen. Her husband is dead, and she is left with a riotous kingdom, a little crown prince, and a mess, really just one big mess. There is an assassination attempt on her life, which slows her, and there are times when she needs to show her power and stand as queen. Those scenes are heartbreaking - especially the poison/kitchen scene.

I think that Carson does a great job of showing growth in Elisa. I remember what Elisa was like in book one (and I didn't really like her, which is one of the reasons why I didn't care to remember the book), but I think from book one to book two, Elisa has developed substantially. I love the new Elisa - she is decisive even when she is unsure, she is willing and determined even when she has opposition.

The plot of this book is, as I said before, divided into two sections: the kingdom, and the journey to the zafira (the source of power). There are new characters in this book - plenty - such as Mara (I don't remember her being in book one. She wasn't - right? I know she has her own novella), Storm (loveeee him), and Tristan (he's cool). And the Quorum members. I don't like the Quorum. But neither does Elisa.

The romance. Okay, to be completely honest, I found the "romance" in book one, with Alejandro, and Humberto, really, really unsatisfying and unbelievable and trivial. I expected better of Elisa, and of Carson, and that was one of the reasons why I was disappointed and nonchalant about book one - because the romance was blah. And both of those men die at the end of book one.

So, the romance in this book? I didn't see it coming. If I hadn't read the end of this book (oops...) before reading the whole book, I would have been completely thrown. Heck, I WAS completely thrown, when I peeked at the ending! But I loved the romance! Hector is... dreamy. And seriously the BEST male protagonist and love interest that I have encountered in a really long time. He is seriously a good guy. Like, a good guy, with very little issues and crappy pasts and problems and everything. He's honorable and selfless and he genuinely cares about Elisa. And she cares about him!

The ending: I WILL NOT SPOIL IT, but, WHY DO AUTHORS ALWAYS DO THIS IN THE SEQUEL!? In trilogies, I've noticed that authors will have a great first book, and then a crazy, series-changing sequel with an insane, heartbreaking ending, and then a crazy conclusion that is full of bloodshed or the equivalent of a ton of wars and violence overcome.

WELL. I'm so glad that I didn't have to wait to read The Bitter Kingdom. I've had that one since early winter 2013 - I just needed to read this one to read book three. And I already have (tomorrow's review), so be ready for that!

What I Did Not Like:

There isn't much that I didn't like about this book. I wanted a tad bit more from the romance, but what Elisa decides in the end (the very end) is good enough for me. AND, I already read book three, so I can't complain. UGH, focusing on book two here. It's hard because I read this book a few weeks ago, and I'm typing my review way after reading the book.

Anyway. The ending is also extremely heartbreaking and unexpected and it totally crept up on me! Remember how I said I peeked at the end? Well, after reading the ENTIRE ending, I was like, what?! Stupid Ximena. I never really liked her. But she's a good person. Sort of.

I just did LOVE this book, like I LOVED book three. Funny, because they both got the same rating though.

Would I Recommend It:

YES! This book does not fall victim to the sequel slump or sophomore slump or whatever it's called. I had no reason to be afraid of reading this sequel. *kicks self*

Rating:

4 stars. If you haven't started this series, you should! And if you're like me, and couldn't remember book one, don't worry! You'll be fine! And if you didn't like book one... keep reading. I promise it gets better. And BETTER ;)

I loved The Crown of Embers so much that it is more than easy to give it a solid 5 out of 5 stars. There was literally only one thing about this novel that I didn't like, and that was the fact that there was the cliched "forbidden" love storyline. But honestly, doesn't that happen a lot? So that was actually pretty easy to overlook.

Carson is a brilliant storyteller who can bring a world like this to life with just a few words. I loved the story of Elisa and her struggle to hold her kingdom together after the devastating war. The descriptions were beautiful and breathtaking, and the characters were beyond just realistic. To me, they were living, breathing people whose lives I became invested in. Carson is a master at bringing these characters into your heart and making you care about them.

There were wonderful twists and turns in the story, including lots of mystery and intrigue. The love story that developed was beautiful and very organic. It was right and not forced like many love stories I've read in the past. This truly is a brilliant novel that I would recommend to anyone in love with fantasy.

With a beautifully tragic love story and lots of action and intrigue, The Crown of Embers is a wonderful story about realizing that who you are is just enough.

On the back flap of the book is a Locus Magazine quote comparing Rae Carson to Kristin Cashore and Megan Whalen Turner...and I agree.

Carson has the magic touch of an author who makes you care irrevocably and completely for the main characters in the same way as those other two authors.

This second book in Elisa's story of a journey from mostly-discounted and anxious Princess of Orovalle to becoming a true queen for Joya D'Arena continues making you fall in love with Elisa and her ladies and protectors (and even the irritatingly snide enemy, Storm!)

Carson does a fabulous job of showing characters undergoing changes, and nowhere else is this more evident than in the character of Elisa, who wants so badly to be the strong queen her country needs, but keeps barely reacting in time to assassination attempts and political intrigues undermining her power.

And then there's the issue of who she will marry, and enemy Invierne animagi who keep setting themselves on fire in inconveniently public places.

As usual, the pseudo-Spanish/Morocco culture is great (why did I never think of honey-coconut scones?) and Carson throws us a few surprises about Brisadulce itself and the true history of the enmity between Invierne and the people of Brisadulce.

And that brings us to my one quibble with the book. A major part of the book is spent looking for this magical Zafira; and we find clues from both Brisadulce and Invierne sources. This zafira is built up (granted in Elisa's mind)as the answer to most of her issues. She rallies her whole team in order to find it, travels a long distance, is tested, and then when she's on the cusp...she chooses to do something that (without getting too spoilery here) seems to go against everything she's thought thus far.

Ordinarily I am a big fan of characters who when faced with a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" kind of choice make their own, clever, third choice. But in this case, it just made Elisa seem unbelievably heroic as well as made me frustrated with the big build up.

Other than the ending, however, this book gets top marks in making me care about Elisa's people, rehabilitating enemies, developing a believable, sweet romance, throwing plot surprises, and developing an over-arching mythology.

This Book's Snack Rating: Parmesan-Garlic Kettle Chips for the addictive flavor of a girl becoming a queen on top of the solid crunch of a well-developed mythos

http://larmstrong73.blogspot.com/

In some ways, the story got better and in some ways it got worse.

This is not a standalone novel; you'll want to read the previous book first. *Light SPOILERS ahead*

I understood that Elisa was trying to be diplomatic and civil, but she could do that while still being a strong leader. I mean, if she was critical of alejandro for being weak, I found it unbelievable that she would be so lily-livered about everything. For goodness sake, I expected her to rearrange the condes' priorities when they kept trying to mollycoddle her and kept being condescending, but Elisa disappointed.
It was better in that the food obsession finally stopped and the storyline was more interesting.
But what really kept me from engaging with the story was the religious aspect. It seemed like ms. Carson took everything from christianity and then twisted it. This is not a new concept, but the fact that she still called him God instead of a made up name for a fictional religion in a fantasy story troubled me. I mean, how many young adults have read the Bible to be able to pick out which parts are true and which parts are fiction? More likely, they'll recognize something they've heard before, pertaining to christianity, and therefore think the whole thing is scripture. But it's not. As I said, it's twisted and misapplied and the lessons and disconnect the heroine experiences as a result could confuse and mislead a young reader's faith. That left a really bad taste in my mouth. I will be careful who I recommend this to, if anyone.

This book has me so hyped up and excited that I actually had to make myself a cup of peppermint tea to calm myself enough to right this.

I have so. many. feelings. This was one of those books where I sat there the entire time internally yelling at myself "WHY DID YOU WAIT SO LONG TO READ THIS?" Of course the reason why was that I wasn't particularly enamored by its predecessor and wasn't expecting the sequel to be much better and so I just set aside and now I hate myself for it. I have never been happier to be so so wrong about something, and my love for this really makes me want to go back and read The Girl of Fire and Thorns again because I'm thinking I must have just been having a bad week or something when I read it.

Anyway. ALL OF THE FEELS. Most of them are centered around Elisa and Hector and their epic love of course. If these two don't get a happy ending, especially after the ending of this book, I am going to be an ugly person to be around for a while. Watching them slowly acknowledge their love for each other, both to themselves and to each other, had me so moony eyed. It was beautiful. And I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried. Multiple times. Especially when Elisa was thinking about marrying him off. I just kept screaming NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO and then ugly crying. On the bus. Because I'm cool like that. I won't even get into the ending because I have more feelings than I can contain until the final book comes out this summer.

Another favorite of this book was Elisa. I had a hard time with her and her lack of self-esteem in the first book, so it was refreshing to watch her come into her badass, deity chosen, royal self in this book. Of course she had her moments of frustrating naivety, especially when it came to how obviously Eduardo and the General were playing her, but watching her branch out on her own, especially in the last third of the book was some seriously fantastic character growth. The last few pages were definitely my favorite, especially when she dismissed a certain least favorite character of mine. Seriously though. I have to concede defeat and say that Elisa is a new favorite heroine of mine. She absolutely won me over in this book. It would have been easy for her to just succumb to all the pressure and get led around like a little puppy by the Quorum, or even to say screw it all and run off with Hector, but she refuses to take the easy route. She stands her ground, and fights against her feelings for Hector because she knows she has to do what's best for her kingdom and not herself and I had to admire it, even while the shipper in me was screaming in agony every time she talked about making him marry someone else or refused to let him believe she returned his feelings.

Other character highlights included Mara being adorable and Belen redeeming himself in the best way, and I also really liked the Storm. And of course the little prince was adorable as always. I can't even get into Tristan. I was leery of him at first, of course, but I love him so so much and I will be so upset if he doesn't survive the next installment.

The writing was fantastic. It was good in the first book, but it just took on a life of its own with this installment. The pacing was perfect. The action never stopped and it fit perfectly with the turbulence of Elisa's reign and her struggles to come into herself as ruler. SO MUCH HAPPENS. The action, political intrigue, danger and magic are non-stop and so intense. I was so immersed in the book that I almost missed my bus stop, and continued reading on the twenty minute walk home from the bus stop, which is basically like risking death for me because I'm likely to walk into oncoming traffic on a good day with no distractions, let alone when I've got my nose glued to a book.

Everyone just needs to read this series now so I have more people to flail with. And also if anyone has the power to just have us skip over the next few months until August, that would be great too.

When I turned the very last page, I closed the book, got out of my bed, stood up, cast my gaze to the heavens, AKA my bedroom ceiling, and said, "Thank you."

In Girl of Fire and Thorns (or as it's so appropriately abbreviated, GOFAT), there were a few issues I really couldn't ignore, which affected the rating to a 3 star rating. I didn't WANT to give it only 3 stars, since I felt that it was much more than a 3, but like I've said; there were issues I really couldn't turn a blind eye on. But I am so happy that somehow Mrs. Carson has somehow heard my priers that Crown of Embers would be much better, for it was magnificent.

I'm not exactly interested in politics - even though I'm VERY good at debating and getting my point across on things - so you can imagine my surprise that instead of the amazing adventure story we got in GOFAT, we get from Crown of Embers is a full frontal political intrigue. And let me tell you; there are SOME surprises. So surprising I didn't really know what to do with myself when they were revelled.

Elisa's growth from Princess to Warrior Queen was amazing to read in GOFAT, and continued to grow even further in Crown of Embers. She is certainly not the simple minded and naïve from the first book. Oh no. She has very much used her noggin and was shockingly sassy. I swear, some of the things she said! I was peeing myself from laughter!

Example:
"If I were an enemy, and I started bearing down on you like this"- he [Hector] draws his sword, stretches the tip towards me, takes a single step in my direction- "what would you do?" Possibilities race through my head. Should I look for a weapon? Dodge and come up behind his guard? Trip him? Insult his mother?"
Now, I'm sorry, but I just envisioned Elisa turning around to Hector, hands on hips, swaying her head and say, "Yo mama so fat..."

Even though we only enjoy the epic adventure for really the last section of the book, we are still rewarded with something even better. Romance. Not like in Girl of Fire and Thorns, were you deal with first-love. (I miss you, Humberto!) This is proper love. Real, slow moving, love man. And it was glorious.

Do you know what? In the first book, I had a feeling they would get together. As soon as I read the sentence "the man she is falling in love with" I was over the moon, because I knew exactly who it was. Trust me, when you finally realize who it is, you will be crawling on your belly, on the floor, crying, mumbling on about how there meant of each other and if they don't kiss you will die.

Another moment when you will surely die is when you turn that last page. There is, in my opinion, a heart-wrenching cliff-hanger. Oh, God, it will break your hearts, people. If I didn't know what to do with myself for the court shockers, I truly had no idea when I fell off the Cliff.

Now, after this terrific sequel, I cannot wait for the Bitter Kingdom. I can only imagine what will happen next.

My Thoughts: Another intense novel by Carson. If you remember, I really enjoyed The Girl of Fire and Thorns even though I usually do not like historical.

The Crown Of Embers is another adventure in Queen Elisa's journey. She's more confident than ever and is finally starting to believe in herself. She's just learning the risks of being Queen and that everything has its power and price.

Someone is out to kill Elisa and she's not sure why or who. She can barely walk alone or eat with being a little bit nervous about it. Elisa goes on an mission to find the Perilous, its the source of the Godstone's power. She needs it to really be able to rule and straighten the kingdom.

Hector is still in the story which I loved and its more intense than ever between he and Elisa. There is a new character I really enjoyed. Storm. He's mysterious and I loved getting to know him better. He made me laugh so many times.

Man, oh man, The Crown Of Embers was very excited and kept me interested. I stayed awake a few late nights to read this one when I knew I should be sleeping.

Overall: Cliffhanger! Man, I want the next novel now!!! So intense I wanted to bang my head against the wall! Gosh oh gosh. The Crown Of Embers was freaking fantastic. If you enjoyed the first novel, be sure to pick this one up as well.

Cover: Like it. These are definitely worth picking up in the bookstore just by the cover alone.

What I'd Give It: 4/5 Cupcakes
__________
Taken From Princess Bookie

As so many second books in series are this is a bridge from 1st to 3rd. In addition it seems the author has responded to critics...much of what was wrong with the first has been over corrected. Gone is the girl insecure with her body only to be replaced with a girl insecure in herself....a better message? And don't get me started on the whole we can talk about "God" as long as we mention birth control....no discussion of morality or even safety....we just don't want to get pregnant. The love story? Um...young, thin...I guess it is like our now heroine

I typically enjoy the first books in series more than their subsequent books. However, Rae Carson does not disappoint in the second book. I LOVED this book. Just ask my husband; it was one of those "ignore all other activities until I finish" books. Elisa continues to be strong female heroine, but she also continues to be less than perfect and the book definitely shows her learning experience again. The love story in this book is more pronounced than in the first book. And it gets a little intimate, but nothing more than what is in the Twilight or other young adult series. There were plenty of unexpected twists too. I CAN NOT WAIT until the next book. Seriously, I would try out this series.

Just as compelling as the first book, Elisa's adventures continue in Crown of Embers, where she is ensconced by decree as a young and inexperienced queen. She is forced to play political games out of necessity. Should she appear weak, several members of her Quorum would gladly make her decisions for her if not replace her altogether. So, Elisa makes decisions that solidify her rank at the expense of her own inner sense of morality and sense of self, such as sending a message through the public flogging of innocent staff members after a failed assassination attempt. Her dilemma is not just about deciding who she will sacrifice for the sake of her kingdom, but she must also sacrifice her personal life for a politically advantageous marriage. However, Elisa is still the smart, courageous, and compassionate girl that she was in Girl of Fire and Thorns. And she is still surrounded by good people who remind her that her she has a choice between playing the age-old game she has inherited, or getting her own game on.

The book is so well crafted that it could easily stand alone. In the Second book of the Fire and Thorns trilogy, Elisa must face a far more formidable foe than an advancing army. She must face her own desires. The most recent offering from Rae Carson doesn't disappoint. While evading trained assassins and seeking the source of power for her Godstone, Elisa battles her growing love for Hector, the commander of her guard. Carson does a fantastic job bringing their love to life without either trivializing or inflating these powerful teen emotions.

This is truly a book that parents and teens can read together and talk about for a long time.

Mini review:
What a great read! I loved everything about this book. Carson's books are longer than most other YA novels, but I love that about them. There is so much depth to the story, and the longer length allows for a lot of character growth. The love story was so sweet---can't wait for the next book in the series!

Lately books have disappoint me, but this book renew my faith in them. It's exciting, full of surprises and with wonderful romance and friendship. It's refreshing to be able to give a book five stars without a doubt. I highly recommend it. You need to read Girl of Fire and Thorns first though. To me, this one is even better than the first one. I can't wait for the next one.

this one and intend to immediately start on what I believe to be the last one - I am sad. Perhaps she can write about her sister or conjure up some more ideas. I will say that the first book "Girl of Fire and Thorns" did start out slow and I didn't particularly care for it but it turned out JUST GREAT.....

It's astonishing that this series could get better. The imagination of the author is staggering. The imagery, the writing style, the challenges, the trauma, the anguish, the excitement, the emotion, the adventure, the characters....this story is amazing!

Let me start by saying I LOVED Girl of Fire and Thorns. I loved this about 110% more. Elisa is just as admirable as ever. She learns, she grows and bravely does what she needs to for the good of her people. It had lots of action and in my opinion was even more fast paced than the first. I was never waiting for it to get started. And the romance between Elisa and Hector, which is hinted at in the first book, is fully explored and leaves my hungry for the next book. Do yourself a favor and read this imediately!

The Inadvertent Thief (The Thief)

I enjoyed this entire series. It's sword and sorcery, but the author brings elements to the story that aren't tired and overused. It's been a year or two since I read these books, but I still remember quite a bit about them.

I like. Reading books that have a female protagonist… I did not expect to like this series and I found that I really did because of all the challenges and growth that heroine experiences. It also takes place in an environment I am unfamiliar with and like learning about

It drove me nuts wondering where the story could go once Elisa reached her goal destination. An incredible journey the whole way through. An even better ending. So thrilled that I already have the next book to plunge into.

This was a good second installment of a good series. The characters were engaging, the growth of the protagonist was believable and it was fun to experience the story through another character's perspective as well.

The Girl and Fire and Thorns was one of my FAVE reads last year, so I didn't hesitate to stand in line--a down-the-aisle, hang-a-left, head to-the-end-of-the-building line mind you--for The Crown of Embers arc. Believe me, I am not often given to bouts of patience. I HAD to have this book!

And does it deliver! More Elisa, Hector and gang. More life-and-death stakes, more lies and treachery, MORE romance--and more of a smart, kick-butt heroine I love hanging out with. No rehashing here, a completely fresh story with new conflict and action. Absolutely going on my Favorites List! Love, love , LOVE!

arc provided by publisher

Another great book in this series!!! I love the characters, I love the story, I love the action, and I love the romance! I can't wait to read the final book in the series to see how it all ends, but also to enjoy the adventures that I know lie ahead!!

This first book was great and the second was even better. I loved these characters! Some of them I wanted to punch in the face, but I think that's what the writer wanted you to feel. Man, I can wait for the ending. Yes, it does end a cliffhanger, but it doesn't make you mad, it just makes you want to go out and buy the last book.

A sequel to an amazing first novel, Crown of Embers continues to evolve with a richness and depth that is truly transporting. Every reader cannot help but to fall in love with Elisa with her all strengths and wonderful insecurities, the character becomes so real and tangible. We feel hollow when she loses, incensed when she is wronged and swell as she finds love again. Carson is a very gifted author. I have and will continue to devour everything she writes with insatiable greed and await the third installment of this series very, very impatiently.

I really enjoyed how the author created such a unique setting that was unexpected. Great teen fantasy with lots of action and twists and turns. Romance too! I am looking forward to how this trilogy ends in the next book.

This book was amazing! Even better than the first book and I loved that book as well. I literally forced myself to slow down while reading this book, because I knew I would be depressed when it was over. Sure enough, it is over and I am at a loss. How am I going to wait a year for the final book in this trilogy. I love Hector!!!!!! I love Elisa!!!!

Although I am not a huge fan of religious books. This ons just has a little something to it that made it impossible not to fall in love with the characters. I cannot wait for the next installment.

If you love Maria v snyder then you should definitely give this series ago.

My Thoughts: Another intense novel by Carson. If you remember, I really enjoyed The Girl of Fire and Thorns even though I usually do not like historical.

The Crown Of Embers is another adventure in Queen Elisa's journey. She's more confident than ever and is finally starting to believe in herself. She's just learning the risks of being Queen and that everything has its power and price.

Someone is out to kill Elisa and she's not sure why or who. She can barely walk alone or eat with being a little bit nervous about it. Elisa goes on an mission to find the Perilous, its the source of the Godstone's power. She needs it to really be able to rule and straighten the kingdom.

Hector is still in the story which I loved and its more intense than ever between he and Elisa. There is a new character I really enjoyed. Storm. He's mysterious and I loved getting to know him better. He made me laugh so many times.

Man, oh man, The Crown Of Embers was very excited and kept me interested. I stayed awake a few late nights to read this one when I knew I should be sleeping.

Overall: Cliffhanger! Man, I want the next novel now!!! So intense I wanted to bang my head against the wall! Gosh oh gosh. The Crown Of Embers was freaking fantastic. If you enjoyed the first novel, be sure to pick this one up as well.

Cover: Like it. These are definitely worth picking up in the bookstore just by the cover alone.

What I'd Give It: 4/5 Cupcakes
__________
Taken From Princess Bookie

Although I am not a huge fan of religious books. This ons just has a little something to it that made it impossible not to fall in love with the characters. I cannot wait for the next installment.

If you love Maria v snyder then you should definitely give this series ago.