Mundie Moms

Monday, December 29, 2014

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas, Book Review



By: Sarah J. Maas
Published by: Bloomsbury
Released on: 9.2.14
Source: arc from BEA / purchased book
Rating: 5 Stars - I would give it 10 if I could
Add it to Goodreads
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love? 

EPIC! This is Sarah J. Maas's best book yet! It's also tied for my number one all time favorite reads of 2014. Oh the feels I have for this book.

This book deserves 10 stars! Sarah's writing is highly addicting, and incredibly enticing. Everything I had hoped would happen in this book, and then some, happened. I have loved this series since Throne of Glass. Each book has gotten better and better, but this book takes the cake. Everything I've loved about this series is present in this book. The characters, the world building, the action, romance, plot twists, and the way each of the relationships is developed are all masterfully done.

Magic, Fae, Shifters, and more.

Heir of Fire introducers readers to a whole new kingdom, with some unforgettable characters. Magic, Fae and more make up this kingdom. Celaena will stop at nothing in her quest for answers and to reclaim a crown that is rightfully hers. Nothing about her quest will be easy. If you thought she had already been through hell and back up to this point, you've not seen anything yet. Celaena has no idea what she's in store for until it's too late. Celaena's journey in learning and claiming her true destiny is one that breaks her, literally. It's during this time that I swear I about emotionally broke for her. It's been awhile since I got teary eyed over a character, but I did with Celaena, thanks to Rowan. Everything that Celaena has been through and dwelt with up to this point in the series does not compare to what Celaena has to learn to over come, accept, and lose in this book. One of those is learning to use and control the magic she's worked so hard to hide. Through all this, she comes out stronger and more determined than ever. I loved how much she grew as a character and how bad a she was.

I claim Rowan as mine!

I have a new favorite character in this series, and it's Rowan. I loved how Rowan's character was introduced into this series, and the way his character developed. All the emotions that Celaena felt towards him I felt. Rowan is a fierce Warrior and tied to Celaena is a surprising way. I'm leaving this review spoiler free, so you'll have to read it to find out why they're tied together. There's so much more to Rowan than his being a brute during his training Celaena. I loved the way Maas wrote and developed Rowan and Celaena's relationship. It was down right maddening, beautiful, heartbreaking, and so well done. They offer each other what no one else has given each other before. Individually they've been through their own personal hell, but together they give each other strength and hope. I liked that it takes awhile for their relationship to build up to that. Their friendship is one of my all time favorites in all of the YA books I've read. As I mentioned, I'm keeping this review spoiler free, which is a little hard when it comes to these two, because there is so much I have to say about them. Oh the feels. These two emotionally broke me, and in a good way.

The world building is as awesome as ever.

Heir of Fire's world building is down right awesome. I loved how Maas expanded the world in this series. She's created such an amazing, vast world that she gave readers a glimpse of in her previous two books. In doing, she has also introduced characters to come well known characters in the Fae world. I loved how they are all introduced. I'll just say things are about to get crazy in this series. Readers begin to see how the kingdoms are tied together, and the games the various rulers are playing to control them. Within this world of power is deceit, deception, secretary, dark magic, magic and at the heart of it is a courageous heroine who's on a mission to re-claim her crown. She will stop at nothing to keep her promise and claim what is rightfully hers.

I seriously need the next three books in this series now. I need to know what happens with all my favorite characters. The plot twists were as brilliant as ever, making it extremely hard to predict what was going to happen next. That ending! I thought I had things figured out, but I now have no idea what's going to happen next, and part of me fears what that means for a couple of the characters. If you've not picked up this series, I HIGHLY recommend it!! It's one of my all time favorites!

The Ice Dragon by George R.R. Martin, Book Review / Middle Grade Monday


Happy Marvelous Middle Grade Monday!

There were so many awesome MG releases this year. Unfortunately I've got a stack of MG books I was hoping to read before the end of 2014, and sadly still waiting to be read. Thankfully I've got a whole new year ahead of me to read them. This weekend I did manage to read a couple MG books, and The Ice Dragon was one of them. I seriously loved this book. Though it's short in length (only 120 pages), it's a beautifully story, and one that even my son, a non fantasy fan, enjoyed. The illustrations alone are worth picking up this book. 


Illustrated by: Luis Royo
Published by: Tor Teen
Re-Released on: 10.21.14
Source: purchased book
Rating: 5 Stars 
Add it to Goodreads
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N

The Ice Dragon is an enchanting tale of courage and sacrifice for young readers and adults by the wildly popular author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Song of Ice and Fire series, George R.R. Martin. Lavish illustrations by acclaimed artist Luis Royo enrich this captivating and heartwarming story of a young girl and her dragon.

In the world of A Song of Ice and Fire the ice dragon was a creature of legend and fear, for no man had ever tamed one. When it flew overhead, it left in its wake desolate cold and frozen land. But Adara was not afraid. For Adara was a winter child, born during the worst freeze that anyone, even the Old Ones, could remember. 

Adara could not remember the first time she had seen the ice dragon. It seemed that it had always been in her life, glimpsed from afar as she played in the frigid snow long after the other children had fled the cold. In her fourth year she touched it, and in her fifth year she rode upon its broad, chilled back for the first time. Then, in her seventh year, on a calm summer day, fiery dragons from the North swooped down upon the peaceful farm that was Adara’s home. And only a winter child—and the ice dragon who loved her—could save her world from utter destruction.

This is an epic children's fantasy. Beautifully written and illustrated, this is George's debut book in children's literature. I'm amazed at all George R. R. Martin gave me in only 120 pages. It only took page one to hook me, and by the end of the first chapter I was in love. This is definitely a book fans of Martin's, children's literature, and fantasy will love. 

The story follows that of a young girl, Adara, who was born in winter. Being a child of winter made her come across as different than children born during the other seasons. Not one to show much emotion or to receive much affection, she finds relief in the winter. The only time she never feels alone. Being born during the cold season gave Adara a special ability to connect with the feared and rare Ice Dragon. She loves spending time with the feared creature. When her family is threatened she and her beloved Ice Dragon will made a courageous, and very surprising sacrifice to save them. 

I loved this story. I love the illustrations that accompany it. They are gorgeous. The cover art on both the inside covers of the book are my favorite. This edition of the book also includes a poster found on the inside of the cover jacket. Check out more of The Ice Dragon illustrations here

Stop by Mundie Kids to what other children's books I'd recommend picking up.

Mundane Monday #230 - Jace & Clary

I can't believe it's the last week of 2014. Where has this year gone?
Enjoy a little Jace & Clary from the end of City of Heavenly Fire *spoilers*.



"Every time," he said quietly,. "Every time I think I'm missing a piece of me, you give it back."

There were no words, so she didn't say any; just turned around in his arms and kissed him on the cheek. He was beautiful under the night sky, the stars shedding their light down over him, gleaming against his hair and eyes and the Herondale ring shining on his finger, a reminder of everything that had been, and everything that would be. 

We are all the pieces of what we remember. We hold in ourselves the hopes and fears of those who love us. As long as there is love and memory, there is no true loss.

"Do you like the name Herondale?" he asked.

"It's your name, so I love it," she said. 

- Jace & Clary, City of Heavenly Fire

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