Embers Fire (An Ember Summers Novel Book 1)

Joyce Lamb August 30, However, this is no ordinary war against Seelie or Unseelie.

Ember (Ember #1) by Madison Daniel

The real enemy is the most powerful object in the world. The Stone of Fail. Zoey Daniels is next on its list. And the stone will do whatever it takes to finally get the girl. With a battle on all sides and lives of those they love threatened fae, humans, Druids, pixies, and a certain sprite-monkey will have to come together to save the true King, along with the world, from destruction. Suddenly a battering ram of energy heaved from him, shoving me off my feet and slamming me to the ground with a painful crunch.

I gasped for air, my tongue tasting bitter and stale. This old woman is the most annoying thing ever. She tried to control every part of Elisa's life, she was eager to marry Hector with Alodia! I was so happy about Elisa's decisions regarding this b witch. Alodia didn't actually present in the story, but my dislike doesn't depend on a mere presence of a recipient of hatred. I can hate her from afar. Now I see how Rae Carson loves to develop her stories. A journey is a constant component. Her characters are always on their way They have to go, ride, run, swim and so on, they have to be in motion, they always have a destination.

I'm not a fan of suchlike stories, but I'm curious about the ending and Hector's fate. Nov 25, Kilikina rated it really liked it Shelves: While this sequel wasn't as intense as the first one, I still enjoyed it just as much. Elisa was just as strong of a heroine as she was in the first book.

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I loved the romance between Hector and Elisa. I was actually wary of Hector just because of how much I loved Humberto But Hector isn't one of those male characters that tries to take the other love interest's place. His relationship with Elisa was totally different than Humberto's and that's something Ahhhhhhhaowerfnoafhoawelfkdsljf His relationship with Elisa was totally different than Humberto's and that's something I really ended up liking.

Hector really grew on me and I ended up rooting for his relationship with Elisa just as much as Humberto's. The ending is killer. But I know this will not be the last we see of you Don't mind me while I pull out all my hair in anticipation. Jun 21, Lindsey Rey rated it it was amazing Shelves: So much goodness and brilliance!

Apr 02, Brigid rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: There must be a blue moon or something, right? Rae Carson may be one of the few authors of Young Adult fiction I love most. But, she also does something I feel was quite brave: She never makes you feel uncomfortable with the religious parts of the book. Never once did I think or suspect Carson was trying to force her opinions on me. The relationship development in this book was phenomenal. Elisa becomes so much more independent in this book, even though she feels like everything is falling apart.

She must now rule her kingdom with confidence. The Quorum lords don't trust her. The people are now struggling for their livelihood and rioting. Stakes become even higher when her life is threatened. Elisa becomes frightened for her life. She needs to find out who almost killed her and why. Elisa believes some within her trust circle have been plotting against her. In addition Elisa is losing control of her crown.

Some may not think she has the right to be Queen. Elisa believes that if she finds the knowledge and power of her Godstone, than her ruling will not be questioned or even threatened. She journeys towards something that will help her gain the power of her Godstone. Along the way Elisa gains many things. She realizes more about love, friendship, confidence, and independence than she knew before.

She learns that intelligence and confidence becomes the power to rule her nation. The focus in this book stays on: Elisa gaining the courage and strength to rule her people. Whether that means going in search of something that she believes will get her there or dealing with assassination attempts that would prevent her from her purpose. Elisa's relationships become part of gaining confidence in her abilities. Each major part in the Crown of Embers has purpose and leads to something that will lead to the climax of the novel.

The descriptions in Crown of Embers may not be gorgeous prose per say, but Carson has a talent for setting the mood for the reader. The moments when Elisa and her friends reach their destination make for some of the most beautiful descriptions: Birds flit among branches; dappled light catches on them and shoots away in prismatic facets. Carson shows her characters feelings with exuberance: I smile and wink. She starts to smile back, but then she sees Hector beside me and her smile fades. The curtain swishes back into place.

I never felt left out or confused when reading this book. Shockingly, this has happened to me too many time in the past to count. Elisa Elisa becomes a woman in this book. She matures and grows in her realizations about her strength and her relationships. I love confident heroines, but I prefer to read about how they gain their confidence. We get to see this journey in Elisa.

I loved that scene. One moment I love how kind and strong she is and the next I want to gut her. I think she fucking knows by now what she wants. She pisses me off too much. Oh, you want to know about the mushy part of Crown of Embers? Elisa and Hector…Hector and Elisa. A slow burn romance. The smallest of the intimate moments become the most heart wrenching parts in my opinion. Carson creates these little descriptions between Hector and Elisa: His gaze drops to the ground, and his chest rises and falls with a breath. My fingers find his wrist. Something about his gentle strength brings tears to my eyes.

View all 12 comments. Jun 21, Andie rated it it was amazing Shelves: What a fantastic follow up to The Girl of Fire and Thorns! I'm literally about to drive to the bookstore to hopefully find the last book because I simply cannot wait to know what happens next! Feb 22, Maria highinthebooksky rated it it was amazing. It took me on the ride of my life, and filled me with such awesomeness that kept me up reading late into night, craving just one-more-chapter I couldn't get enough of!!!

I loved the world building, the characters, the villains, the magical aspects, frankly, I loved just about every single thing in this novel, no, in this series!!

Exclusive excerpt: ‘Rise From the Embers’ by Stacey Marie Brown

It had layers upon layers of depth and character development, and more plot then I could grasp! Rae Carson is truly a book-god in my world! Elisa is the hero of her country She saved her people from the Invierne and brought her country back from the brink of war. She defeated the Animagi that brought fire and death upon her kingdom. She channeled the Godstone's power and learned to wield it against her foes. She was Joya d'Arena's last hope, and she didn't fail them, and for that, she is their queen Seventeen-year-old queen Elisa is anything but political familiar. She never wanted to be queen, let alone rule a whole country twice the size of her hometown county all by herself.

But she is, and she must rise up from the ashes to piece her country back together bit by bit. But the enemy has sworn vengeance's, sworn that they will come like ghost in a dream. And they will get their revenge, one way or another, they're coming, the clock is ticking With a newly inexperienced queen, a country trying to piece it's self back together, an enemy still striking from the shadows, a rebellion brewing, and civil war threatening to tear their country apart, theirs more then enough chaos and insanity to distract the country from it's enemies and traders threatening to rise up and seek it's vengeance's.

But then the queen starts to fear her enemies are closer then she once thought, and plotting to destroy her and the country she's been fighting for. Her allies are in short supply, and the power she wields is no where near enough to defeat the Animagi that are hell bent on conquering her power and defeating their county. And Elisa is no closer in figuring out her next move.

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But time is running out, and her enemies are lying in wake, waiting for the perfect time to strike But their is someone who also seems to spark hope within, and keeps her sanity from turning no matter the situation. It's the Commander of her royal guard, and keeper of her heart, Hector.

He unknowingly sparks something deep within, that thrives anytime he's near. She has loved and lost once, but their is something about the Commander of her guard that makes her feel she can love again, only if he loved her too, something she's not sure she wants to find out, yet So Elisa and a few of her most trusted allies cook up a ruse and travel to an ancient island that's suppose to be the heart of the Godstone's power.

But she can't have her enemies on all sides knowing where she's going and why. So they must travel through harsh lands and waters to evade her enemies, locate the mythological island, learn how to absorb and harness it's power, get back to her castle and uncover the trader in they're political circle, defeat the Animagi threatening to wreck havoc, and some how keep the man she's falling in love with from leaving her, all while staying alive long enough to achieve it all. Yup, piece a cake, right? Overall, if your looking for a fast-paced read, with secrets and betrayals, war and death, friendship and love, and a queen destined to overcome all, and set her country free of it's foes, built around a magical background that pulses the story to it's fullest, then THE CROWN OF EMBERS is exactly the book you've been looking for!!

I HIGHLY recommend it, and am eagerly anticipating the third and final book in this epically wonderful trilogy, that has sent chills down my spine time and time again!! And will forever go down as one of my favorite series of all time!!! Aug 31, Lucia rated it it was amazing Shelves: The Girl of Fire and Thorn has rich world-building, adventurous atmosphere and remarkable character development.

Author also has great storytelling skills. It is so nice to have in detail planned out plot without any plot holes or disruptions of the flow of the story. To be honest, writing and story wise I have nothing to rebuke author for. Rae Carson made a forever her fan out of me. So what I liked the most about this series? It's second story I have read by this author and let me tell you I have never read about any other couple that is not a couple yet true romance does not blossom until later in the story but could not help myself but ship them like crazy.

Carson gives her readers minimum of romance but still keep them super excited about the relationship that is slowly shaping out through out the whole series. And no one has greater love than he who gives his own life for a friend. A spirited girl whom I grew to love so dearly. A queen with tremendous responsibility whom I admired strongly. A genius strategist and badass sovereign without being a real warrior herself. I wept with her as well shared all her joy. Elisa is one of the best female heroines ever. So many modern authors are afraid to include religion in their stories.

They don't want to offend anyone but they forget how powerful and special story can be with a little bit of religion and faith in it. Religion is part of many cultures all around the world so why should we rob ourselves of it in books? If diversity is the trend in YA literature, than Rae Carson hit the jackpot with strongly religious heroine in this trilogy.

Jun 26, Natalie Never trust a duck rated it it was amazing Shelves: Who knew that underneath his mustache Hector was one big pile of swoon-inducing charm? So when I got this one, I wasn't all anxious to read it. But then I read it. And I didn't put it down. And Elisa is so strong. And Hector is so sweet. There was so much adventure. So much character development. So much complex politics.

So much love from me Who knew that underneath his mustache Hector was one big pile of swoon-inducing charm? So much love from me to this book. I absolutely adored this book. I don't want this series to ever end. I also decree a companion series solely dedicated to Storm. In honor of his dead tresses of course. I loved The Girl of Fire and Thorns.

It was amazing and perfect and captivating and when I was reading, the rest of the world dropped away and I had eyes only for this book. Seriously, I looked up that first night while reading and realized that everyone in my house had already gone to bed, and it was nearing midnigh I love fantasy. Seriously, I looked up that first night while reading and realized that everyone in my house had already gone to bed, and it was nearing midnight. That's how fantastic this book is.

So, The Girl of Fire and Thorns leaves us with quite the predicament. I shall try to remain as spoiler-free as possible for both books, but everyone has their own idea of what constitutes a spoiler, so if you have not read The Girl of Fire and Thorns , I suggest you read it and then come back to this review. Anyway, quite the predicament, indeed. You would expect Elisa to react as if her whole world has been decimated, but this girl picks up the pieces of her fractured life and moves on. No hemming and hawing or " What'll I do now??

She'll have none of that, and neither will her protectors. I never thought of Elisa as immature. Sure, she was jaded and world-weary when she began her journey in The Girl of Fire and Thorns , but she never lacked maturity. Elisa was sensible and capable and really proved herself quite competent as a leader in the first book.

Even so, she has quite the battle ahead of her, and she only grows with each new challenge she faces. I think Elisa is one of my favorite YA heroines because even though she IS young and faces youth-related trials and tribulations, she handles them so gracefully. She constantly makes her guardians and protectors proud and leaves her enemies dismayed. After the devastating losses in The Girl of Fire and Thorns , one has to wonder if Elisa will always be so unlucky in love. And I'll be honest, it was certainly looking that way for awhile.

But lo and behold, her trusted protector steps up to the plate. I actually even thought then that he and Elisa would make a great match, if she hadn't already been married to Alejandro. At the very least, I knew they would be great friends and allies. But, oh, they would make the most honest and fair rulers Joya d'Arena had ever seen By the by, the gall of that Ximena had me ready to ring her neck. I wanted to tell her to quit mothering Elisa so much and just protect her, to let her figure things out on her own and stop meddling.

Oh, that lovers quarrel or spat or whatever you want to call it near the end of the book was priceless. But it really showed how much more Elisa had matured, that she could stand there and take that verbal tounge-lashing and remain calm. Even at 30, I don't know that I would have reacted half as well. And it was a testament to Hector's character, to how much he cares for Elisa, that he even allowed himself to show so much emotion and how hurt he was. I love this fictional pairing ever so much and I can't wait to see what the next installment holds for them, especially after that shocking ending.

It is going to be so very interesting to see how it all plays out for Elisa and Hector. I am totally down for the death and destruction But I still want more swooning, especially after all that talk about lovers and lady's shroud birth control for those of you not in-the-know between Elisa and her hand-maid Mara. Seriously, she created a totally responsible, intelligent teenage protagonist that I adore in every way possible. There is some serious world-building done in The Crown of Embers , even more than we saw in the first novel, and it is tantalizing, you guys.

Their God put these people in this world, but how long ago was that, and what was here before that? Still so many unanswered questions about the godstones and the Invierne and the magic that surrounds them all. It's thrilling, and it makes me want to crawl inside the author's head to see how she ever invented such a brilliant world and story to accompany it. I never want Elisa's story to end. This review can also be found at The Starry-Eyed Revue.

Elisa is one of my favorite heroines ever! Just had to get that out. I did enjoy this book more than the first one, but there's still something that stops me from saying that this is a full 5 star book - more like a 4. I think it has to do with Rae Carson's style of writing - it's quite different from most other authors I read right now.

Not in a bad way, mind, but different enough to make it a bit of a challenge to read. This book was very politically intricate and studies what happens when a y Elisa is one of my favorite heroines ever! Add Elisa's magic and the fact that enemy powers want it for themselves and you've got a very intriguing plot line that forces the young queen to make a series of tough decisions. My favorite part of this book was, however, the romance.

I loved the thought of Elisa and Hector in the first book and to see their relationship develop even more in this novel made me smile like a madman. I do compare them a bit to Chaol and Celaena in Throne of Glass - a royal and a noble-turned-captain-of-the-guard - which might be why I ship them so much. Jun 05, Faye, la Patata rated it it was amazing Shelves: My feels for Hector and Elisa are all over the place.

I think I reread one scene more than ten times while I imagined myself in Elisa's shoes This series just keeps getting better and better!! I love these characters and the story that keeps unfolding. January 15th, 30 29 Mar 09, May 15th, 17 56 May 18, Rae Carson was born in in California and now lives in Arizona. She developed an enthusiasm for storytelling in her earliest childhood. She studied social sciences and worked in various industries after graduating from university before she realized her dream and became a writer. The Girl of Fire and Thorns is her debut novel.

In her own words, she "write[s] books about teens who must do brave Rae Carson was born in in California and now lives in Arizona. In her own words, she "write[s] books about teens who must do brave things. Other books in the series. Fire and Thorns 3 books. Books by Rae Carson. Trivia About The Crown of Embe Quotes from The Crown of Embers.

Or would this be a tropical storm? It should disperse before it reaches land. He was no meteorologist after all. It doesn't thunder in winter, I think. They watched the sky continue to turn dark and moody, the remaining white puffballs rapidly transforming into angry cumulonimbus clouds. Ace felt remorseful that he had literally ruined the sunny day, but even as he worried about the humans that might be caught up in the storm, the Summer Spirit could not deny the stirring in his core at the sight of nature's power.

The way the clouds shifted and churned, the heaviness and tension in the air, the pure force the forming storm exuded… It was almost beautiful. Ace sighed, trying to reign in the stress and worries that plagued him. But at the same time, I don't want to make things harder on them by showing up, only to have to leave again whenever North finally opens a portal to your world. I… I feel like I'm being pulled in two directions, and I don't know which way to go…". The Guardian studied him with sad blue eyes, breathing out slowly and causing little snowflakes to dance around him. I didn't have anyone to hold me to my mortal life.

The Winter Spirit laid down on his ice island again, looking up at the gloomy sky. Luffy is your little brother, and it's your choice whether you want to see him again or not. I won't persuade or dissuade you. A part of Ace wanted Jack to care more about his little brother, but he brutally squashed such thoughts before he could voice them. Luffy had stopped believing in Jack after Sabo had died, and the fire-user knew that the loss of two believers in one day still hurt the Guardian. Ace had a feeling that Jack was avoiding Luffy in order to keep his own hope that the pirate might actually see him again one day carefully under lock and key where it could not be smothered by rejection.

The Winter Spirit was normally the type to face such things head on and stubbornly attempt to get the result he desired, but when it came to the possibility of people he once cared for walking through him, the Spirit could not handle it. He would rather never find out if Luffy could see him again than have the boy— now young man— walk through him like he was a ghost. Ace knew this was Jack's reasons because, in a way, they were his own reasons now as well. The thought of meeting his brother again, only to be unable to interact with him….

He also reinforced his little ice island, raising an eyebrow as a chunk fell into the sea. The fire-user could not stop the pang of worry that gnawed at his gut when he thought about his inevitable job in a completely different world. It was true that right now he and Jack were doing little more than flying around the world and making sure Ace had enough control to not cause a natural disaster— or the end of the world— but the knowledge that he was going to have to leave this world and all he knew on it unsettled Ace.

I'm going to be leaving Luffy behind. We're already separated by whatever keeps humans from immediately seeing most Spirits and my… issues, but at least in this world I'll hear if he's in trouble and needs help. Once North figures out a way to get us back to Jack's world, will I even be able to come back here? What if I come back after losing track of time, and Luffy's an old man?

What if he's dead?

• Letters at Midnight;
• The Laws of Return.
• See a Problem?;
• !
• Restoring Beauty: The Good, the True, and the Beautiful in the Writings of C.S. Lewis.
• The Crown of Embers;

Ace floated over to Jack's ice island, landing lightly near the edge. He tried to breathe evenly, but his breaths came out as ragged gasps. It's not just Luffy. I'm going to outlive everyone I know except Jack. Except maybe Marco, but I don't even know if he's actually immortal or if that's a myth. It was fine to think my brothers would die one day when I knew I'd join them but now… I can't think about this. If I do, I'll make myself sick. Can Spirits even get sick? The crack of thunder startled him out of his near-panic and he looked up to see lightning strike the water, arcing dangerously through the liquid.

A moment later it began to pour, with the droplets turning to snow around Jack. Ace was already soaked from his dip in the ocean but knew he could just vaporize the water with his powers to dry off once they reached shelter. He could technically do that now, but the sudden burst of heat would only increase the instability in the air.

The two Spirits began flying through the rain, yelping and laughing as the storm raged around them. Lightning struck the water menacingly, making cracking and booming noises loud enough to make grown men quail, but they were unafraid. Jack and Ace were Mother Nature's children, and even in a different world they had little to fear from the elements under her control. Or maybe they were just reckless.

But even as he flew, Ace's thoughts refused to turn away from his brother and the choices he would soon have to face. To see his brother or not. To keep out of the pirate's affairs or protect him as he always had. To let Luffy keep thinking Ace was dead and gone, or to reveal himself in his new, Immortal form, only to have to leave again eventually. Teach, also known as Blackbeard, smiled triumphantly as he watched the villagers flee before him.

His satisfaction was even sweeter because it was not just any island that he was attacking, but one of the many under Whitebeard's protection. It felt wonderful to pillage those that looked to that old fool to defend them if need arose. Although the Whitebeard Pirates were still strong, the balance of power had changed after Marineford.

New people had been drawn to lives of piracy, seeking glory or treasures or power, inspired to follow their dreams by what had transpired in the Marine stronghold. But not all of the newcomers were kind or genuine people. Many new and ferocious pirate crews had formed, attacking all in their path and claiming territories that none had dared to invade just a few years earlier. Not only that, but the other Yonko— specifically Big Mom and Kaido— had taken the Whitebeard Pirate's weakening as a sign to expand their own territories.

Even with their strength and numbers, the Whitebeard Pirates were facing opposition from too many sides at once in order to combat them all as quickly as they once did. Blackbeard briefly wondered if it was because they were still grieving, and sneered visibly at the thought. Those that were hindered by the loss of one person did not deserve to wield such power and influence over the world. It was long past time that Whitebeard and his 'children' step aside and let the newer generations make their marks upon the world. Smiling, the pirate used one of his favorite attacks, sucking up a few escaping villagers and taking down a few buildings along with them.

The civilians screamed as they were dragged into the darkness, helpless to avoid their deaths. From nearby Teach's crew laughed and cheered, marveling at their Captain's power. Basking in the praise, Blackbeard almost did not see the change in his darkness, as if another, darker shadow was forming within it. As it were, he easily noticed the glowing yellow eyes that appeared out of nowhere and stared at him from the blackness.

The Blackbeard Pirates could only stare in shock as the wraith-like figure became a definitive man, peeling away from Teach's darkness like a shadow splitting in two. He was tall, clothed in black, with skin as grey as ashes and hair as dark as night. The only colors on him were his yellow eyes and white teeth, which flashed when he gave an unreadable smile. Blackbeard thought he saw a speck of greenish-blue flit out of the shadows as well, but before he could think more about it, the man spoke.

You made me curious enough to come and investigate. The tone in which he spoke was both condescending and sincere, sending a bolt of anger through Blackbeard's veins. Shock crossed the man's face before a slow, cruel smile formed on grey lips, and yellow eyes gleamed as they studied the pirate. He saw them all looking at him at last. The little human thinks that he controls Darkness. Fear— This man was not human — and anger— How dare he talk down to him! Eventually the rage won out and he glowered at the grey man, puffing out his chest.

The shadow man looked unimpressed. Although…" His expression shifted from boredom into something close to rage. Annoyed— and ignoring the uncomfortable twist of uneasiness in his chest— Blackbeard swept his hand sideways, letting his darkness fly at the man. The newcomer merely laughed as the blackness flew at him, reaching up a pale grey hand and twirling it lazily. Blackbeard screamed, barely able to keep his footing as agony ripped through his torso. Like a limb being torn off, Teach felt the darkness break from his control, drifting slowly to the grey man and looping around him like a loyal pet greeting its owner.

The man reached up, stroking the Darkness gently. I think you need some lessons from an expert. The Darkness shot outward, expanding up into the sky like a monster opening its maw. Blackbeard flinched but the Darkness did not touch him. He could only watch in horror as the Darkness swarmed over his crew like a swarm of piranhas, all of them vanishing within it before they could even scream.