So it's rare that I pick up sequels. I know, I'm lame like that. But a series has to be really good for me to go back in for a second time. But with this series, I had preordered by copy of THE CROWN OF EMBERS, because I loved the first book so much.
She led her people to victory over a terrifying, sorcerous army. Her place as the country's ruler should be secure. But it isn't.
Her enemies come at her like ghosts in a dream, from foreign realms and even from within her own court. And her destiny as the chosen one has not yet been fulfilled.
To conquer the power she bears, once and for all, Elisa must follow a trail of long-forgotten—and forbidden—clues, from the deep, hidden catacombs of her own city to the treacherous seas. With her go a one-eyed spy, a traitor, and the man whom—despite everything—she is falling in love with.
If she's lucky, she will return from this journey. But there will be a cost.
This sequel does what a lot of sequels can't do: Stand on its own. I never once thought this book was a "bridge" between Book One and Book Three, a trap a lot of second books fall into.
Elisa is just as courageous in THE CROWN OF EMBERS as I was expecting her to be, but she's also troubled and vulnerable in a way I wasn't expecting. I liked it, and I liked who she allowed herself to be her true self with.
The romance in the book was so well-done that I texted my friend when I finished it with: "Have you finished The Crown of Embers yet? I'm DYING to talk to you about it!"
Along with a great plot and a fabulous romance, the writing is just so well-done. I love the style of fantasies, which is more traditional, more lyrical, and simply beautiful.
If you haven't read this series yet, you must! If you have, what did you think of THE CROWN OF EMBERS?
Check out what the other Bookanistas are recommending this week:
Stasia Ward Kehoe is mesmerized by GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFevers
Christine Fonseca adores DEAD SILENCE by Kimberly Derting
Corrine Jackson revels in ALONG FOR THE RIDE by Sara Dessen
Katy Upperman is charmed by QUINTANA OF CHARYN by Melina Marchetta
Kimberly Sabatini is touched by TARNISH by Katherine Longshore
Lenore Appelhans loves THE ORIGINALS by Cat Patrick
3 comments:
I really love this series too. Elisa is such a great character and I love that she still has weight issues because it makes her feel so real. And I loved the romance. It was SO sweet. This is a great second book in a series. Surrender is an amazing second book in a series too.
I was so impressed with these books--fantastic, captivating writing paired with a more unusual plot and incredibly fleshed-out characters! This set really reminds me of Robin McKinley's writing, particularly in the Blue Sword. Fantastic and can't wait for the 3rd.
Awesome!! Like you, I rarely read sequels and series--because there is only so much time, and tons of books out there--but I DID read CROWN OF EMBERS. I enjoyed it almost as much as the first book. What I liked about the first book was that the MC is not your typical slender and beautiful heroine. She did what she did from her own strength and resources. Cool!
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