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.

My Review

Author; Rae Carson

Pages: 410

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Publication Date: September 18 2012

Source: Library

Sequel to: The Girl of Fire and Thorns

This is becoming a recurring theme. Once again, I enjoyed the sequel of a book to a debut that didn't interest me. The Crown of Embers was a massive turnaround from The Girl of Fire and Thorns. The story was something I love to read about: women in charge.

Elisa is the queen, and she is responsible for keeping her kingdom safe from Inviernos. This requires remarkable sacrifice, and Elisa is trying to be the best ruler she can be. I liked that the struggles of ruling were so well explored. It reminded me of Daenarys' storyline in Game of Thrones. Elisa wants to be a great ruler. She's trying to figure out how. It involves lots of sacrifice and posturing. Every move she makes has to be very strategic. She has to lie a lot, and try to outwit her enemies. The moral ambiguity of being queen, even with as strong a claim and character as Elisa's, is very real. Elisa has to decide punishments, and truly use her power well. This storyline was enough to entertain me for the entire novel, and I loved it. I've never hidden my interest in the concept of having power, ruling, and absolute power corrupts absolutely or whatever. So many YA books are about rebellions, and I've always thought that tearing the system down is only half the struggle. Something has to replace it, and this requires building a better world. Elisa is actively trying to accomplish this. 

But, this fantastic storyline was rivalled by another; my intense, undying love for Hector. Considering I remember so little of the first book, I fell hard for Hector in this one. Hector is brilliant. Smart, understanding, noble, loyal. But my favourite thing about him is his relationship with Elisa. Elisa is the Queen. She is his sovereign. He is her most important guard. He is in charge of keeping Elisa safe because Elisa is his sovereign, but also because he likes her. They have something blooming, and this relationship was an incredible highlight of The Crown of Embers. Frankly, it was romance done right. The romance was mature and very considerate. Elisa and Hector's relationship is beyond infatuation. It's about two people that want a real relationship with each other, and have to acknowledge the real obstacles in their way. I loved this. It's rare that a romance can capture my attention, but this one was wonderful because the chemistry was authentic. 

There's also a larger plot in The Crown of Embers that centres around some sort of quest for power, and this is probably the weakest point of this book because it's a rather forgettable storyline. It doesn't stand out to me. It doesn't need to, because it has these awesome substorylines that make reading every chapter a delight. However, the plot looks like it will pick up because things get very twisty by the end of The Crown of Embers. Let's just say this one leaves you breathless for more. 

One last comment on The Crown of Embers is to praise the writing. The writing never got in the way of the story, which I figure is the baseline for decent writing, but then Rae Carson took another step forward because there were some fantastic passages. I realized this acutely once I read a particular line that touched me because it was based so strongly on real emotion. When I talk about how much I enjoy reading every chapter, or I talk about how great I thought Elisa was, (and even all the other characters that are not Hector and Elisa, like Mara!), this is all possible due to writing that enables the reader to form a connection to the story. It's subtly important. 

Overall, I am glad I gave this series another shot because I am now a big fan. And I can't wait to read The Bitter Kingdom! 

-P.E.

Author: S.J. Kincaid
Date of Publication: July 2 2013
Pages:390
Source: Library
Series: Insignia #2

The impossible was just the beginning. Now in their second year as superhuman government weapons-in-training at the Pentagonal Spire, Tom Raines and his friends are mid-level cadets in the elite combat corps known as the Intrasolar Forces. But as training intensifies and a moment arrives that could make or break his entire career, Tom’s loyalties are again put to the test.

Encouraged to betray his ideals and friendships for the sake of his country, Tom is convinced there must be another way. And the more aware he becomes of the corruption surrounding him, the more determined he becomes to fight it, even if he sabotages his own future in the process.

Drawn into a power struggle more dramatic than he has ever faced before, Tom stays a hyperintelligent step ahead of everyone, like the exceptional gamer he is—or so he believes. But when he learns that he and his friends have unwittingly made the most grievous error imaginable, Tom must find a way to outwit an enemy so nefarious that victory seems hopeless. Will his idealism and bravado cost him everything—and everyone that matters to him?

Review:

Vortex was absolutely thrilling. I wasn't sure what to expect because I really enjoyed Insignia and Vortex was exactly what I hoped for: the continuation of what is probably one of my new favourite series.

There's a lot to like in Vortex, but I have to begin with what I enjoyed first: the writing. The story is serious and real but it's also filled with so many moments of pure hilarity. At least five times I stopped reading because I was laughing too hard. Legitimately laughing. I never knew it was even possible to find a book that funny because I tend not to, but something about Vortex appealed to me perfectly.

Vortex is just so likable! The plot is engaging, the writing is amusing, and the characters are adorable. I love Tom. I know he is immature but he honestly felt like a real character to me. I enjoyed reading about his reactions and watching him grow. I also feel like I can relate to Tom. Not just in the sense that I understand him, but that I truly want him to succeed because I understand what motivates him. He's an idealist and sees no reason why he should back down from anyone. He has these really strong convictions of right and wrong and sometimes he breaks the lines when he has to.

The other characters are also pretty amazing. This is very firmly Tom's story but that doesn't mean I can't burst out laughing at Vik's shenanigans or Wyatt's naivety. There is something different about every character and I was pleased to see that everyone grew a little in Vortex. Even the villains were explained a little.

The plot and premise however are Vortex's bread and butter. I love it. The story is just so exciting. Tom's experiences within the Pentagon and dealing with this awful world where the corporations run everything and victory seems almost impossible. The villains were truly disgusting and demoralizing, and the moments that proved there was hope were enlightening.

The plot is twisty and so complete. I love that Kincaid's books always make me feel satisfied by the end. They are page turners when I have them, and they're worth it. Sometimes you feel empty after you finish a book just because it was so good and it ended too early for you, but with Vortex I feel exhilarated. Like, bring it on world!

I can't recommend this series enough. It's totally one of underrated, quietly awesome gems of YA.

-P.E.

Author: Holly Black
Date of Publication: September 3 2013
Pages: 419
Source: Won in a giveaway! :)

Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

Review:

Head colds suck. You don't have a sore throat. Instead, you feel completely dizzy and out there with a headache that never seems to completely leave. In this slightly feverish condition, I started to read The Coldest Girl in Coldtown.

I wasn't surprised to enjoy it. A lot.

The writing is wonderful. Every chapter has an aim and seems to belong on its own. There are some creepy quotes about death before every chapter that are written in cursive that take a few extra seconds to decipher but that are wonderful in the way they accompanied the text. Everything was conveyed very well, very concisely, and every chapter felt deliberate. The story felt as if Holly Black knew what would happen at all times. Some stories feel confusing and our a little bit all over the place, but The Coldest Girl in Coldtown felt like it had a purpose.

The mix of flashbacks at the beginning to give Tana depth and introduce the world, as well as the sometimes different POVs meant that this book felt clean when reading, not fluffy, because it was shaped. There was also a lot of depth to the world, the story, and the characters.

As much as this is the story of Tana, there is something more profound. Some lines speak directly to the reader and they make me want to go back and reread the story.

Enough about writing- let's get to the story. The way everything was set up is probably its biggest strength. The vampire mythology has been molded into something completely new and dark.  The idea of Coldtowns, places where vampires roam freely and where humans that desire immortality enter, even knowing that they'll never be allowed to leave. The society is so messed up what with the vampire obsession that it seems to make sense.

The characters were also pretty fantastic. Tana's perspective is engaging and although I was curious about her hero complex, I couldn't help but root for her. Tana is a pretty likable character and I also admired her strength. It's not the type of strength that shouts and is obvious. She's strong because she's experienced horrible things and has found ways to keep going; ways to stay okay.

I don't want to say too much more because honestly. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is really great in every way. The plot, characters, writing, mythology, premise... Everything was just well done and shows how talented Holly Black is. I'm so sad that this is a standalone. It was wonderful, and I wouldn't mind more.

4.5 stars.

-P.E.