She does not know what awaits her at the enemy's gate.
Elisa is a hero.
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 trial 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.
Book Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Fangirling Scale: Reaching for the Stars!
Newly- Queened Elisa struggles with the power invested upon her. Thinking that power, both magical and royal, is something that she cannot obtain; Elisa and her companions embark on a journey where she discovers the extent of her power and herself. Godstones, love, adventure, Hector, self discovery, and Rae Carson is what perfects the holy number of five (stars!) in this book.
I have to give five stars to The Crown of Embers because the plot, swoon-worthy romance, and pursuit of self-understanding/discovery is just so well written. Development of the characters especially Elisa plays a big factor in this book. Reading her from her start as an insecure girl who didn't imagine to be an unloved future queen was greatly expressed in this book. Elisa evolves into a mature queen for her young age. Her personal growth and struggles was displayed as heart-breaking and empathetic for me because I felt that her voice was authentic. Elisa explains her feelings thoroughly which I enjoyed because I felt that her minor insecurities added on to how I can connect to Elisa more. Elisa is one of the few characters I read in the YA genre where I can personally connect and relate to. So, major thanks to Ms. Carson for creating Elisa!
The next thing I keep fangirling over in this book is Elisa and Hector's relationship. Their relationship moved slowly like how a real romance builds like in a slow burn. Starting as friends in the first book, I like how their feelings for each other was not insta-love or they were not destined for each by some prophecy. (I like these romances too! Oh, never mind, I'm so lovesick when it comes to romance...) (Psst.. In the first book, this may be shocking but, I wasn't swooning for Hector because his mustache always threw me off for some reason.) In The Crown of Embers, their relationship develops into a romance that satisfies my shipper heart and Elisa's doubtful try at love. Although Hector does have his honor to always worry about, I appreciate that Ms. Carson still inputted some scenes with them together. Their comfortability with each other is very genuine as well from their days as friends, leaving me to swoon for them every time. Helisa (My ship name for them), keep going strong, and I will go down with this ship!
While trying to not to have a long review just talking about my swoon for their romance in this book, I will also say that the plot and pace does not drag since new events always act as obstacles for the characters. But, the whole entirety of the book serves as a journey for Elisa because she is trying to understand herself and the power she yields for that every time she uses it, everyone or thing puts it down. Also, while literally laughing at the end and the irony of it, I am SO going to borrow the last book in the Fire and Thorns Trilogy. If you haven't started reading this fantasy series, you are missing out because Ms. Carson's talent outshines all fantasy writers by a long shot.
Always looking for the star,
