Title: Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Published: September 2, 2014

Average Goodreads rating: 4.52

My rating: 3

Format read: Audio

Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak―but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth . . . a truth about her heritage that could change her life―and her future―forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?

The bestselling series that has captured readers all over the world reaches new heights in this sequel to the New York Timesbest-selling Crown of Midnight. Packed with heart-pounding action, fierce new characters, and swoon-worthy romance, this third book will enthrall readers from start to finish.

I wish you to become who you ­were born to be. To become queen.

When I finished reading Crown of Midnight I swore I wasn’t going to continue on with the series. Nope! I put my foot down and told myself, “The first two books have been disappointing, you aren’t going to keep doing this to yourself.” Then I stepped on my own foot and downloaded this one on Audible. Sigh. I am disappointed in me too, past Amanda. Why? Because this one was even more disappointing than the first two.

What I Liked

• Come on, even though I wasn’t excited to start on this book I still NEEDED TO KNOW WHAT CELAENA WAS DOING. Boy I hate myself sometimes but that girl has her claws in me. Celaena’s character growth in this book was amazingly well done. She begins as a homeless vagrant drunk on a roof, lazing in the sunshine. By the end she is ready to rattle the stars.
• The support characters in this book were marvelously done. Maas breathed life into even the smallest role and gave each of them a soul of their own. That is something I can never fault Maas for. The way she writes and develops every single character is far superior to most of the other books I’ve read. Everyone, down to the last kitchen boy, was interesting and clear in my head.
• Hello Abraxos! If you don’t know who Abraxos is I will forgive you but I rooted for that darn creature so hard it was ridiculous. To heck with the witches in that story line, I am there for Abraxos. You know who he reminded me of? Toothless from How to Train you Dragon with a brutal bent. Love him.

What I Didn’t Like

• If this story had been any slower I would have fallen asleep. Actually, I did. I fell asleep listening to this book at one point because absolutely nothing was happening. The editors could easily have cut out about a third of this book and made it better. As it was it was a never ending drone.
• Everything having to do with Chaol and Dorian. Dorian was a little love sick puppy dog and Chaol just your run of the mill YA good boy. They both had me rolling my eyes in irritation and disgust. How many times can Chaol possibly “make the right decision” or “leave Dorian out of it for his own sake.” STFU Chaol. I feel like what happened with Dorian in this book will make him a better character further down the line but getting through his story in this one was like ripping my own nails out.
• Let us take a moment to talk about Rowan. Yes, I am aware that most of the readers of this series are Team Rowan. However, what Rowan is, is a piece of crap. He purposefully abuses Celaena mentally, physically, and emotionally to get what he wants out of her. I don’t care what his reasons are or how he justifies it to himself. Does he develop into this lovely reformed soul at the end? Maybe but he still comes off as a control freak that wants to guide our dear Celaena and questions all of her decisions. Fuck off, Rowan.

Overall

For the vast majority of this story it is very interesting watching Celaena develop as a character. Her changes are astounding but presented in a way that makes sense and is easy to follow and believe. Outside of that, the plot is excruciatingly slow moving and I could not have cared less about two major sub plots. Frankly, I was bored. However, and this is a big however, it was very well written boredom. The story flowed and wasn’t choppy, had fascinating characters across the board, and moved the plot a great deal from beginning to end. Be that as it may, it was still boring.

Literary Weaponry reviews of Sarah J Maas books

A Court of Thorns and Roses
A Court of Mist and Fury
A Court of Wings and Ruin
Throne of Glass
Crown of Midnight