Part One
Heir of Ash
1
Gods, it was boiling in this useless excuse for a kingdom.
Or maybe it felt that way because Celaena Sardothien had been lounging on the lip of the terra-cotta roof since midmorning, an arm flung over her eyes, slowly baking in the sun like the loaves of flatbread the city’s poorest citizens left on their windowsills because they couldn’t afford brick ovens.
And gods, she was sick of flatbread—teggya, they called it. Sick of the crunchy, oniony taste of it that even mouthfuls of water couldn’t wash away. If she never ate another bite of teggya again, it would be too soon.
Mostly because it was all she’d been able to afford when she landed in Wendlyn two weeks ago and made her way to the capital city, Varese, just as she’d been ordered by his Grand Imperial Majesty and Master of the Earth, the King of Adarlan.
She’d resorted to swiping teggya and wine off vendors’ carts since her money ran out, not long after she’d taken one look at the heavily fortified limestone castle, at the elite guards, at the cobalt banners flapping so proudly in the dry, hot wind and decided not to kill her assigned targets.
So it had been stolen teggya . . . and wine. The sour red wine from the vineyards lining the rolling hills around the walled capital—a taste she’d initially spat out but now very, very much enjoyed. Especially since the day when she decided that she didn’t particularly care about anything at all.
She reached for the terra-cotta tiles sloping behind her, groping for the clay jug of wine she’d hauled onto the roof that morning. Patting, feeling for it, and then—
She swore. Where in hell was the wine?
The world tilted and went blindingly bright as she hoisted herself onto her elbows. Birds circled above, keeping well away from the white-tailed hawk that had been perched atop a nearby chimney all morning, waiting to snatch up its next meal. Below, the market street was a brilliant loom of color and sound, full of braying donkeys, merchants waving their wares, clothes both foreign and familiar, and the clacking of wheels against pale cobblestones. But where in hell was the—
Ah. There. Tucked beneath one of the heavy red tiles to keep cool. Just where she’d stashed it hours before, when she’d climbed onto the roof of the massive indoor market to survey the perimeter of the castle walls two blocks away. Or whatever she’d thought sounded official and useful before she’d realized that she’d rather sprawl in the shadows. Shadows that had long since been burned away by that relentless Wendlyn sun.
Celaena swigged from the jug of wine—or tried to. It was empty, which she supposed was a blessing, because gods her head was spinning. She needed water, and more teggya. And perhaps something for the gloriously painful split lip and scraped cheekbone she’d earned last night in one of the city’s tabernas.
Groaning, Celaena rolled onto her belly and surveyed the street forty feet below. She knew the guards patrolling it by now—had marked their faces and weapons, just as she had with the guards atop the high castle walls. She’d memorized their rotations, and how they opened the three massive gates that led into the castle. It seemed that the Ashryvers and their ancestors took safety very, very seriously.
It had been ten days since she’d arrived in Varese itself, after hauling ass from the coast. Not because she was particularly eager to kill her targets, but because the city was so damn large that it seemed her best chance of dodging the immigration officials, whom she’d given the slip instead of registering with their oh-so-benevolent work program. Hurrying to the capital had also provided welcome activity after weeks at sea, where she hadn’t really felt like doing anything other than lying on the narrow bed in her cramped cabin or sharpening her weapons with a near-religious zeal.
You’re nothing but a coward, Nehemia had said to her.
Every slice of the whetting stone had echoed it. Coward, coward, coward. The word had trailed her each league across the ocean.
She had made a vow—a vow to free Eyllwe. So in between moments of despair and rage and grief, in between thoughts of Chaol and the Wyrdkeys and all she’d left behind and lost, Celaena had decided on one plan to follow when she reached these shores. One plan, however insane and unlikely, to free the enslaved kingdom: find and obliterate the Wyrdkeys the King of Adarlan had used to build his terrible empire. She’d gladly destroy herself to carry it out.
Just her, just him. Just as it should be; no loss of life beyond their own, no soul stained but hers. It would take a monster to destroy a monster.
If she had to be here thanks to Chaol’s misplaced good intentions, then at least she’d receive the answers she needed. There was one person in Erilea who had been present when the Wyrdkeys were wielded by a conquering demon race that had warped them into three tools of such mighty power that they’d been hidden for thousands of years and nearly wiped from memory. Queen Maeve of the Fae. Maeve knew everything—as was expected when you were older than dirt.
So the first step of her stupid, foolish plan had been simple: seek out Maeve, get answers about how to destroy the Wyrdkeys, and then return to Adarlan.
It was the least she could do. For Nehemia—for . . . a lot of other people. There was nothing left in her, not really. Only ash and an abyss and the unbreakable vow she’d carved into her flesh, to the friend who had seen her for what she truly was.
When they had docked at the largest port city in Wendlyn, she couldn’t help but admire the caution the ship took while coming to shore—waiting until a moonless night, then stuffing Celaena and the other refugee women from Adarlan in the galley while navigating the secret channels through the barrier reef. It was understandable: the reef was the main defense keeping Adarlan’s legions from these shores. It was also part of her mission here as the King’s Champion.
That was the other task lingering in the back of her mind: to find a way to keep the king from executing Chaol or Nehemia’s family. He’d promised to do it should she fail in her mission to retrieve Wendlyn’s naval defense plans and assassinate its king and prince at their annual midsummer ball. But she’d shoved all those thoughts aside when they’d docked and the refugee women had been herded ashore for processing by the port’s officials.
Many of the women were scarred inside and out, their eyes gleaming with echoes of whatever horrors had befallen them in Adarlan. So even after she’d vanished from the ship during the chaos of docking, she’d lingered on a nearby rooftop while the women were escorted into a building—to find homes and employment. Yet Wendlyn’s officials could later bring them to a quiet part of the city and do whatever they wanted. Sell them. Hurt them. They were refugees: unwanted and without any rights. Without any voice.
But she hadn’t lingered merely from paranoia. No—Nehemia would have remained to ensure they were safe. Realizing that, Celaena had wound up on the road to the capital as soon as she was certain the women were all right. Learning how to infiltrate the castle was merely something to occupy her time while she decided how to execute the first steps of her plan. While she tried to stop thinking about Nehemia.
It had all been fine—fine and easy. Hiding in the little woods and barns along the way, she passed like a shadow through the countryside.
Wendlyn. A land of myths and monsters—of legends and nightmares made flesh.
The kingdom itself was a spread of warm, rocky sand and thick forest, growing ever greener as hills rolled inland and sharpened into towering peaks. The coast and the land around the capital were dry, as if the sun had baked all but the hardiest vegetation. Vastly different from the soggy, frozen empire she’d left behind.
A land of plenty, of opportunity, where men didn’t just take what they wanted, where no doors were locked and people smiled at you in the streets. But she didn’t particularly care if someone did or didn’t smile at her—no, as the days wore on, she found it suddenly very difficult to bring herself to care about anything at all. Whatever determination, whatever rage, whatever anything she’d felt upon leaving Adarlan had ebbed away, devoured by the nothingness that now gnawed at her.
FAQs
Is Heir of Fire worth reading? ›
Overall, Heir of Fire is a very deep and emotional book – slow to start, perhaps, but every page is worth the read. I absolutely loved the way this ended, and what it hints at for the next book. This is a series that grows better by the book.
How long does Heir of Fire take to read? ›The average reader will spend 9 hours and 52 minutes reading this book at 250 WPM (words per minute).
What book does Celaena become Aelin? ›He figures it out fairly quickly after she is gone…Celaena is the lost princess of Terrasen, Aelin Galathynius. There you go! That's what happened in Crown of Midnight, the second book in the Throne of Glass series.
Should I read Assassin's Blade before or after Heir of Fire? ›I would highly recommend reading the Assassin's Blade before reading the other books; it gives you more background information on the main character, Celaena Sardrothien, and the world in general. In addition, the novellas are really fun to read!
Should I read from blood and ash first or shadow in the ember? ›A Shadow in Ember is the first book the Flesh and Fire series which is also a prequel to the Blood and Ash series. You should have read the first three books in the Blood and Ash series before jumping into this.
Should I read Briar U or the legacy first? ›Do you have to read briar u before reading the legacy book? Elle Kennedy Not at all! While there may be some mention of characters from the Briar U books, the stories in the Legacy are wholly for the Off-Campus couples.
How old is Celaena in Heir of Fire? ›Eighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien, the greatest assassin in Adarlan and the King's Champion has a secret. She is really Aelin Galathynius, heir to the throne of Terrasen and part Fae. When she escaped her family's assassination 10 years earlier, Celaena was taken in and trained by a master assassin.
What chapter do Rowan and Aelin get together? ›Rowan and Aelin reunite in chapter 28. In short, Rowan stowed away on a ship against Aelin's order to get back to her.
How old should you be to read Throne of Glass? ›Throne of Glass reader reviews. Amazing book. For mature 12-year-olds, good vocabulary and an incredible storyline. Yhe Throne of Glass series is a thrilling, engaging, page-turning and adventurous novel.
Who does Dorian end up with? ›In the original version of Throne of Glass, Dorian ends up with Celaena. Gavin Havilliard is Dorian's hero.
Does Celaena love Dorian or Chaol? ›
Celaena ended her relationship with Dorian when she was named the King's Champion, but Dorian still has romantic feelings for her. When he sees how Celaena looks at Chaol, Dorian becomes jealous. Celaena and Chaol's relationship eventually becomes romantic, and they have sex several times, including in a broom closet.
What did Aelin whisper to Chaol? ›Chapter 56: She whispered a date in his ear, day her parents died. Chaol realises that Celaena is Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, heir to the throne and rightful Queen of Terrasen.
Are the Throne of Glass books spicy? ›Throne of Glass - Sarah J.
Books 5-7, however, turn up the heat into New Adult fantasy with a ranking of 3/5 spice. But as the love scenes aren't too descriptive and can easily be avoided, the series has a spicy score of 1/5 overall.
Like I was cheering for her at her coronation where she wore Mab's old crown and the new Terrasen crown made for her. Literally Aelin is 19 years old and she has lived, fought, and endured way more than any 19 year old should and now she has not one, but two titles! She's more accomplished than I'll ever be!
Can you skip the assassin's blade before Throne of Glass? ›You can skip the prequel (“Assassin's Blade”) and start with “Throne of Glass.”
How old should you be to read an ember in the ashes? ›Content Notes. Recommended for Ages 16 up.
How many books will be in Blood and Ash series? ›The short answer is 4: "From Blood and Ash" "A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire" "The Crown of Gilded Bones"
How is A Shadow in the Ember related to From Blood and Ash? ›A Shadow in the Ember is the first in the Flesh and Fire series, a prequel to the Blood and Ash series and set in the same world.
Does Hannah get pregnant in the legacy? ›Hannah has found out that she's pregnant. She's apprehensive about telling Garrett because she knows he's worried about being a father, fearing that history will repeat itself. Hannah keeps finding excuses to put it off, which I honestly judged her slightly for.
Are Garrett and Hannah in the Briar U series? ›There were also some cameos from some previous Briar University students like Garrett, Hannah, Tucker, and of course Dean and Allie. Happy to see that the couples are all still together and moving forward with the next step of their lives.
Are Off-Campus and Briar U connected? ›
Briar U is the spin-off series to Off-Campus. Both series follow romances between the women of the fictional Ivy League school, Briar University, and the college's hockey players. The Play follows Hunter, who we've seen in both series, and a new female lead, Demi.
Who did Celaena love the most? ›There's not much to say about Celaena since she is mostly searching for herself as a fae and also her control over fire, in this book. She was mentioned that she's still in love with Chaol countless times in this book. So I'll say that she still loves Chaol.
Are Dorian and Manon mates? ›The two meet again in Empire of Storms and continue to tease each other, leading to a romance between the two. After a few weeks of teasing, romance, and kissing, Dorian walks into Manon's room and the two begin a physical relationship.
Does Celaena get pregnant? ›Basically, through the excerpts, it's explained that Rowan got confused. When he saw Aelin throwing up, he thought it was because he got her pregnant. However, when he smelled her later, he could tell that she was not, in fact, pregnant.
Do Rowan and aelin ever sleep together? ›At first, Aelin and Rowan avoid having sex because they are traveling and never alone. The two do kiss passionately, and Rowan presses his erection against Aelin. After the battle at Skull's Bay, they meet on a beach and have sex for the first time.
Did Rowan have a mate before aelin? ›After the battle in Eyllwe, it is revealed that Maeve led Rowan to believe that Lyria was his mate and then had her and their unborn child killed to break him. His real mate is Aelin, and they were married discreetly by the ship's captain under the witness of Aedion and Lysandra.
In what book does aelin fall in love with Rowan? ›Their relationship becomes decidedly romantic in Queen of Shadows when they share a kiss in Aelin's apartment. In Empire of Storms, Rowan and Aelin have sex in various places.
Can a 14 year old read a court of thorns and roses? ›All in all, it probably is not as bad as some video games out there, but yet not appropriate for young teens. Much of the violence is similar to The Hunger Games with the amount of blood and violence. The real reason why it isn't appropriate for teens, though, is the adult content.
Is A Court of Thorns and Roses spicy? ›The A Court of Thorns and Roses series is by far one of the spiciest young adult series out there. I definitely went with a more “tame” quote for this one, but don't let it fool you! The series debut starts off strong with the steamy scenes and only increases in heat from there.
Is Throne of Glass better than Acotar? ›Even though ACOTAR's romance is amazing, the plot disappoints. If I had to pick only one, Throne of Glass would be the winner; being the best fantasy YA series of the last decade.
Does Dorian and Manon marry? ›
Their relationship gets much more intimate in Kingdom of Ash, where in Manon asks Dorian if he would want to marry her, giving up her freedom for the sake of the world. Dorian refuses, though their relationship is still very romantic.
Who is Dorian Havilliard wife? ›King Dorian Havilliard I was the ruler of the kingdom of Adarlan. He was the father of Dorian and Hollin Havilliard, and the husband of Georgina Havilliard.
Does basil have a crush on Dorian? ›The main focus of the book is on its male characters: Dorian, Basil and Lord Henry. Basil has quite a detectable crush on Dorian, and while Dorian and Henry do have relationships with women, they treat these women rather poorly in favor of their own friendship.
Who did Chaol marry? ›Yrene Westfall
Yrene is Chaol's wife.
Chaol arrives to go over maps and strategies with Aelin, and he sees Rowan for the first time. He seems slightly jealous.
Did Chaol take Celaena virginity? ›Chaol says that when she does he will go with her. They kiss and return to the castle, where Celaena loses her virginity to Chaol.
What is the mark on Celaena's forehead? ›Celaena's forehead then glows blue, showing a Wyrdmark meaning "nameless" or "anonymous." The Wyrdmark renews her strength and she defeats Cain.
Does Aedion forgive aelin? ›He stays there all night, being useful by keeping watch. The next morning he and Aelin swap apologies and forgive each other.
Is aelin mentioned in Tower of dawn? ›Just a warning for fans of the series: the other characters – Aelin, Dorian, Manon, Rowan,… – are absent from this book.
Is there any romance in Heir of Fire? ›Packed with heart-pounding action, fierce new characters, and swoon-worthy romance, this third book will enthrall readers from start to finish.
Should I read The Heir or happily ever after first? ›
Read Happily Ever After before The Heir. It's a collection of stories that is only featured with characters in The Selection, Guard and One. In a way it completes the trilogy before entering the sequel story.
What reading level is the throne of fire? ›| ASIN | 1423140567 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-13 | 978-0120000388 |
| Reading age | 9 - 12 years, from customers |
| Lexile measure | 710L |
| Grade level | 5 - 9 |
She hasn't revealed her identity to anyone except Chaol, the man she loved and then gave up when he betrayed her. Chaol knows that Celaena will be killed if anyone finds out she is Fae. He asks the evil king of Adarlan to send her to assassinate the royal family of Wendlyn, a nation at war with Adarlan.
When did Rowan know Aelin was his mate? ›After the battle in Eyllwe, it is revealed that Maeve led Rowan to believe that Lyria was his mate and then had her and their unborn child killed to break him. His real mate is Aelin, and they were married discreetly by the ship's captain under the witness of Aedion and Lysandra.
Is Netflix making The Selection? ›Who is developing The Selection? Haifaa Al-Mansour, known for her works Wadjda, The Perfect Candidate, and Mary Shelley, will direct the Netflix movie adaptation of the bestselling book The Selection.
How many books will be in an heir comes to rise series? ›There are 6 books in this series.
Do you have to read the novellas in the selection series? ›You can choose to read the five “big book,” then the novellas, or read the entire series with the novellas in the order of publication.
Should you read the whisper man before the shadows? ›I recommend reading The Whisper Man first, as there are some recurring detective characters. The Shadows is perfect for crime thriller fans, so if that's your preferred genre, add this book to your TBR list!
What should I read after heir of fire? ›Many of our members swear by reading The Assassin's Blade after Heir of Fire, but before Queen of Shadows.
Can a 11 year old read Throne of Glass? ›Throne of Glass is fantastic, and I recommend it to all high fantasy lovers. I think it's better for older teens and adult readers due to the adult content in later books. Plus, there is a war that gets pretty gruesome at points.
Can a 14 year old read Throne of Glass? ›
A 14-year-old can read Throne of Glass. Though it depicts violent scenes, they're not grossly violent. It also contains no sex scenes.
Can a 10 year old read Throne of Glass? ›Throne of Glass reader reviews. Amazing book. For mature 12-year-olds, good vocabulary and an incredible storyline.