Book Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Heir of Fire
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Date: First published in 2014
ISBN: 9781639730995

Synopsis:
Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak, but now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth. That truth could change her life-and her future-forever. Meanwhile, monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena will need the strength not only to fight the evil that is about to be unleashed but also to harness her inner demons. If she is to win this battle, she must find the courage to face her destiny-and burn brighter than ever before.

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FINALLY, we’ve got some real action in this series and I am SO here for it. In Heir of Fire, Celaena’s journey of self-discovery really unfolds as she confronts brutal and uncomfortable truths about her past and who she is in the present. We know that she’s been through some trauma, but it is not until now that the reader discovers truly what that trauma entails and the devastating effect it’s had on Celaena. Until she confronts the fear and devastation that she’s been running from, she’ll never be able to fully allow herself to trust and embrace her true self.

This story is tragic and triumphant. It follows Celaena’s immensely difficult journey through her pain and suffering, through to her embrace of herself, struggles and all. She can live in duality, both as a trauma survivor, but also as a triumphant queen reinstated. Her experiences make her stronger and help her to reach triumph, though the road to success is full of scars and difficult truths.

This book also introduces new perspectives. We also get to know Chaol and Dorian’s perspectives much more intimately, including their own successes, but also their own struggles and downward spirals as they drift apart and independently begin to explore where they stand in this rising conflict. Additionally, there’s a new character, the witch Manon, whose own story is harrowing and full of darkness, but is also full of secrets. I’ve pinned her as a character who may sway from the side of evil as this story progresses. Though she says she is born without a heart, there’s something moving in her that promises a very interesting and complex storyline to come.

We also get a first real exploration of magic in book 3 and it is LIFE. Maas’ world building is on point as she explodes magic onto the seen and infuses this story with a world so huge, it was unfathomable in the first books in the series. I get the sense that we’re only seeing a small slice of what’s to come and what’s possible in the realms where magic flows unhindered. I’m here for any story arc where a protagonist truly begins to understand their own abilities and moves through the learning phase of coming to understand what they’re truly capable. The joy and determination that comes with honing one’s craft is a delight and Celaena’s journey is no different.

I’ll see you all again here shortly for another review of the next book. I’m just diving in now so I am thrilled to be able to share that with you soon. If you haven’t discovered the Maasverse, this is an excellent place to start. This series is accessible and easy to read, with incredibly compelling characters and a world that is far beyond what it seems. It’s a delight.

Happy reading!