OH. BY. THE. CAULDRON. SJM please forgive me for ever doubting you. People of Instagram I'm so sorry. I now completely understand why this series is so well-loved and hype. What I needed was for Rowan Whitethorn to appear hahaha.
“My name is Celaena Sardothien," she whispered, "and I will not be afraid.”
–Roald Dahl
What Is It About?
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?
My Opinion
10/5⭐
Ok. If you haven't read this one, please skip the review as it contains spoilers.
ToG grew on me from one day to another. Really bad. I fell for it head over heels.
The book is narrated in three POVs. We have Celaena and her journey to Wendlyn to find answers for the Wyrdkeys. Dorian finds out he has raw magic and tries to tame it. And finally, Chaol, who is just a mess of feelings and self-loathe; who tries to work with the rebels. We are introduced to new and new characters. Like Aedion, who I was very suspicious about him since page one. Sorscha, a healer that works in the Glass Castle. She has an intense thing with Dorian. And FINALLY! We get to meet Rowan. The love of my life. And last but not least, our fearless and badass Ironteeth Witch: Manon Blackbeak. Who's now become my role model, alongside Aelin (by now, we know she is the lost heir of Terrasen).
If you thought this book it's fluffy and somehow boring, how terribly wrong you are. My heart was thrown, trampled, and broken over and, over again by how Celaena has had to defend herself, grow up, and mature in just a couple of weeks. She touched rock bottom after Nehemiah died. But that only made her more human and more relatable. Celaena is just so inspiring, as she has taught me that being strong doesn't mean you can't fail and fall, but you have to make sure like hell to get up and move on. She is so resilient, and at the same time, so full of pain and flaws. Nonetheless, she is a fighter and a wildfire of her own.
Thankfully, Rowan appeared with his brooding mood to take Celaena to Maeve (Queen of the Fae in Doranelle). Through Heir of Fire, we don't have a romantic and epic relationship between Aelin and Rowan. Instead, we have a slow-burn friendship. Which I freaking adored. It was so utterly emotional how Rowan actually cared for the wellbeing of Aelin, even though he hated her. He helped her to get out of her abyss. How they started to understand each other without judgment.
I have to be honest. I really loved the way Aelin and Rowan's relationship developed. It was so slow burn and full of snarky comments between them. They are the epitome of enemies to friends to partners "in crime". They don't actually have a romantic thing throughout the book. But after finding *SPOILER*, they are Carranam, they start to care for each other. In a way that was more intimate than being mates (in a way). Having a Carranam means you have to completely trust your partner, with your magic and your life. I freaking love the bond Aelin and Rowan had. How Rowan couldn't stand to leave Aelin alone in her room. The best way for the one-bed trope to appear.
The way Rowan got Aelin out of her rock bottom meant everything for me. He cares for her not because they got stuck together or because they are Carranam. He cares for her because he actually enjoys her company and sees her as an equal.
One thing I absolutely loved about HoF was the world-building. I started to understand so much more about the magic system and the universe of ToG. Which was one of the main reasons I didn't like the previous books. The way Wendlyn and Doranelle were described, I couldn't stop imagining it and daydreaming about it. Which is something I haven't done in a VERY long time with a book. The turning point for me between "I like a book and I have become a fan through and through" is when I start thinking nonstop about it. When I start daydreaming and wanting to talk endlessly about it. That's how bad I fell for this book.
I was pleasantly surprised by Manon's storyline. I can't describe how much I enjoyed her chapters. She is a witch, but not the kind we are used to. The witches in ToG don't have much magic in them. They are fierce, ruthless, and heartless. And we got to meet wyverns!! I freaking love them. I think they have become my favorite magical creatures. Manon's story is so different from the rest of the characters. It was more obscure and, it felt like I was reading a completely different book. Since page one, I knew she was a badass and would become my favorite morally grey.
The entire book is focused on how each character chases away their inner demons. Some are better than others. Aelin is in Mistaward (a fortress where most demi-fae live outside of Doranelle). She is there to meet Queen Maeve and have answers about the Wyrdkeys. But to obtain them, she has to prove she is ready. Sooooooo… she has to work daily with Rowan to harness her power. To our benefit, they hate and like to make each other suffer. Because we are huge simps of enemies-to-lovers haha.
The world SJM created is so complex. And now I get why she had to fill us with so much information to understand the magic system and universe Aelin has. Probably I would have preferred to unify the first two books. As many things seemed unnecessary and irrelevant to me. But that's just my humble opinion.
At the end of the book, things start to get a bit more complicated. Poor Chaol, Dorian, and Sorcha are caught by the King. Dorian pleads for their lives, but the King kills Sorcha. Which makes Dorian unleash his raw magic, buying time for Chaol to escape. Sadly, Dorian is not as lucky. Dorian is captured and, a Wyrdstone is put on his neck, making him a slave under his father's control.
Celaena decides to go back to Adarlan, but without Rowan. Who is not too happy about it. But one thing is for sure: she will not be caged again. And she will come back as Aelin. Lost heiress of Terrasen.
The way SJM writes and how she describes to a T what the characters are feeling makes them so reliable, honest, and brutally real. Heir of Fire is my favorite book of the whole series. This was the game-changer and the turning point. This book helped me understand several things about my life. Which made me understand that it is ok to mourn the person I was to become my better self.
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