Book Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

So three years late is better than never.

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

I have reviewed the second book in this series and the start of Maas' other series. It's been over 3 years since I received an arc of this book, but I never technically abandoned books I received review copies for.

The world building is interesting as we are in a new location and learn more about the fae. Get new characters.

We are introduced to a character that's destined to die. They were apparently introduced in the last book, but not noticeable. They reek of death the moment they introduced and making their interaction meaningless and obvious plot fodder. I stand by that Chaol and Dorian make a more interesting ship than any of the other things they have going on. I just dislike Chaol,, but can't remember why? (re-read the first two books? no). I mean he doesn't do a thing to change my mind so I'm just going to stick with the dislike.

The book changes POV and they were some I just didn't care about (Chaol's,) but had to read for plot reasons. The plot was okay, I really didn't care for the Adarlan side of the story. The climax on the side was somewhat obvious, but does feel like interesting set up for the next books. The rest of the plot was good and still like Celaena for the most part.

Overall, I give this book 4/5. I enjoyed this book better than the last one and probably pick up the next book soon (at least sooner than I did this one).

I got this book for Review off NetGalley and it was published by Bloomsbury on 11 September 2014. They probably rather I mention that the 6th novel is out next month. Also I did end up purchasing a non-signed edition of this book.

Book Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Buy it. Buy it now.

 Feyre is a huntress. She thinks nothing of slaughtering a wolf to capture its prey. But, like all mortals, she fears what lingers mercilessly beyond the forest. And she will learn that taking the life of a magical creature comes at a high price . . .

Imprisoned in an enchanted court in her enemy’s kingdom, Feyre is free to roam but forbidden escape. Her captor’s body bears the scars of fighting, and his face is always masked – but his piercing stare draws her ever closer. As Feyre’s feelings for Tamlin begin to burn through every warning she’s been told about his kind, an ancient, wicked shadow grows. Feyre must find a way to break a spell, or lose her heart forever.

I bet you're wondering if Sarah J. Maas has done it again and created another world with kick-ass main characters. Basically, yes, yes she has.

I want to start talking about the fact it's retelling. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite fairy tales and my favourite Disney film so I've read a lot of versions of it. This one is completely it's own thing, however, reading it I noticed twists on the Disney film (though, one of those twist isn't actually part of the original final cut of the disney film, but first appeared properly in the musical and then was put back into the film in 2002 special which I own and have watched every thing off it several times. I am B&B geek so maybe Sarah J. Maas was not aware of that. I would have to ask her next time I get to meet her). Feyne's family set up is very similar to the tradition tale and I enjoyed the twist on the curse. This is a very good retelling, especially like that fairies are back in these one as that seems to be lost from the retelling I've read/seen and  it is currently my favourite book one (it would take a God to top the Disney one for me and even then they probably wouldn't be able to do it because childhood and great songs, check out the beast's songs from the musical).

On this book standing by itself, it pretty good. The world building is great. There is a interesting and deep history to this world. I really liked that the fairies appear in this world, since a lot of the other B&B story have replaced them with a witch.

The characters are okay, I like them and they feel real. Maas does interesting things with them in character sense. Now, the actual romance is not my favourite part of the book and their conversations together were sometimes, let say repetitive in the sake of not spoiling anything. But the side characters sure do make up for it and I love it. I do just want to say that there times when the "Romances" and other aspects make me uncomforable when I found myself reading this in public. Just beware, its once you get past the 100 page mark, I just know it was some point after that.

Overall, I gave this book five out of five Stars for Annoying Accessories.  I love this world and retelling. This is the start of the series and I will be pre-ordering the sequel which is coming out in May next year, though I do think the retelling (of Beauty & Beast) aspect will end with the first book but maybe I'm wrong.

I also have a video review/spoiler discussion.


I got this off NetGalley early for Review (of course, I pre-order a copy that came three weeks early) and is being published by Bloomsbury on 5th May 2015.

Room 601

Hello People,  I have had a fun exciting week of broken printers and terrible attempts of a Read-a-thon. I'm doing the Bout of Books read-a-thon but I also watched the whole Total Drama Island over two days so you know I'm committed. It not been terrible, but I don't think I've read more than I might in a normal week. I want to finish two books today as I'm going to a event where the author is talking about the series. I highly doubt it will happen.

I have continued walking as a form of exercise. In fact, in spirit of the readathon I attempted to walk whilst read and actually finished reading Shadow and Bones by Leigh Bardugo with this method and did tonight as well. I stayed out for an hour and half, my hands were freezing and my right thumb feels weird and sore from the strain of holding the book in one hand for that long. It's not a perfect method of making walking, sure less boring, getting more reading done as I exercise but my lap time doubles and I'm sure I would read quicker if I was just focusing on the reading. I need a solution to make my hourly walking less boring. I'm thinking of trying audio books, I don't think audio books are me though because my brain wanders when I'm listening to something.

I went to the Edinburgh Festive again last week (and going for the last time this year tomorrow :() I saw Sarah J. Mass and had another event with Lauren Oliver, Tanya Byrne and Erin Lange. The Sarah J. Mass one was meant to be her and another author but he wasn't there due to "Personal Issues". I didn't care about him, but I'm such a nosy person I wonder what happen. This is why tabloids exist. I don't think a sole writer/author base one will ever exist thankfully. That would be really depressing. They are really depressing.

Back to the point, it was petty cool entertaining hearing Sarah J. Mass talk and basically tell half the audience to get out through the process. Maybe more than that. But at one point I should have gotten out because I never watched sailor moon or something. Also Disney being secretly creepy and Buffy. There had early copies of Heir of Fire on sale but they sold out before I found out. It's a bummer because I was there last week. Oh, well that what I get for not reading the review copy before I saw her.

She got the stupid question of ideal casting. From this book festival it just proves to me how many dumb questions authors get. Especially, since she been asked that tons of times and if a film is made she have none or little say over who gets cast. Also books are not there to made into films. There is a rant to this but we shall leave it to another time.

 It was as busy as expected for Sarah J. Mass signing, in fact I left the festival between events and when I came back she was still signing after 2 hours or something.

The Trio of Authors was interesting. Lauren Oliver dominated a lot, Erin Lange was quiet and Tanya Byrne made up the rest of the silence. Interesting things were discussed like the need for diversity in books and how Lauren Oliver's book are all about fear (the point was writers do tend to write about the same thing, they've wrote about before).

I had a great time at the festival once again. Lauren Oliver asked me if was my first time at the festival and I awkwardly said no but it was my first year. I also got told by Sarah J. Mass that she liked my hair so another thing to add to "Author's think I'm cool" list. More confusion over my name.

Outside the festival was eventfully. I brought trolley bag with me and the wheel fell apart as soon as we got off the bus so it was a good thing we had hotel room which was spookily the same number as last week's hotel room 601. There was this weird bit of fabric on the bottom bed that I just feel doesn't belong there. But was lovely colour to wear. Also lots of Americans where we were staying, would stay there again to stalk them (I am completely kidding).

 My mum and my sister had came with me this time so we went out to TGIF, which is by the way is more expensive in Edinburgh than say Glasgow. I got ribs but you really go there for the starters. If anything get starters and dessert. Also cocktails are good I'm told.


We also went shopping, found earphones and argued over the best place to get the bus.

I'm off to walk and try to finish the Gisha trilogy.

Book Review: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

It's not a book about an Assassin unless someone dies horribly. 

CROWNED BY EVIL.
BOUND BY DUTY.
DIVIDED BY LOVE.

THE ASSASSIN IS BACK – AND SHE’S BURNING WITH RAGE IN THE BLAZING-HOT SEQUEL TO THRONE OF GLASS

Celaena Sardothien, royal assassin, is the King of Adarlan's deadliest weapon. She must win her freedom through his enemies’ blood – but she cannot bear to kill for the crown. And every death Celaena fakes, every lie she tells, puts those she loves at risk.

Torn between her two protectors – a captain and a prince – and battling a dark force far greater than the king, Celaena must decide what she will fight for: her liberty, her heart, or the fate of a kingdom . . .

So this the second full length novel in the Throne of Glass series, once again writing this presumably you've read the first book (also read the novellas, they're good). I'm going to be honest that I found this review hard to write as I just didn't like it as much as the other book.
Basically, everything just proceeds from the last novel. There is some major new developments but like, yeah so what.

Like there's a weird triangle thing going on, I just really hate triangle romance thing. Its been old since Twilight and it such a lazy way of adding drama. Frankly, I find it more interesting to pair up the male corners of this triangle. Now that some drama, just think of the scandal. Also it all doesn't matter in the end really and I just want to slap a bitch.

The secrets got so annoying, like does anyone actually trust each other. I mean some of them have know each all their lives or risk their very lives for each other but no one tells anyone anything until it too damn late. By the end everything a big mess. Sort of mess which should have you begging for the next book but I could wait a year or two. Yes, I want to know what going on. However, I just don't care anymore.

There a few revelations in this book, one was sort of hinted at in the first book and the other was like "er...dur, that was obvious from book one and it means literally nothing." Also I guess some you might of not seen coming but makes sense. However, I really just didn't give a fuck.

A petpeeve (mainly from the first book but first chance to express it), is it has this whole medieval sort of thing going on and then the characters use the word "pants" to describe trouser and it really takes me out of the moment. Like that word is definitely not around till the 18th century sort of era and this series setting so isn't that. I guess if I wasn't British it wouldn't be so jarring.

Overall, I think this novel is weaker than the first in the series. To be honest, I might not have been in the best mood for this book when I read it, however it definitely suffers from Middle book syndrome. I gave it 4/5 stars for boring revelations. Will continue, though not in a hurry.