Wow: The Crown of Embers

Wow: The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

Release: September 18, 2012

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(Summary from Goodreads)

Elisa is the hero of her country. She led her people to victory against a terrifying enemy, and now she is their queen. But she is only seventeen years old. Her rivals may have simply retreated, choosing stealth over battle. And no one within her court trusts her-except Hector, the commander of the royal guard, and her companions. As the country begins to crumble beneath her and her enemies emerge from the shadows, Elisa will take another journey. With a one-eyed warrior, a loyal friend, an enemy defector, and the man she is falling in love with, Elisa crosses the ocean in search of the perilous, uncharted, and mythical source of the Godstone's power. That is not all she finds. A breathtaking, romantic, and dangerous second volume in the Fire and Thorns trilogy.

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I want this book. So bad. The Girl of Fire and Thorns was amazing and this book has been on my top 10 most anticipated titles of 2012. Seriously, though, the cover is gorgeous and the summary promises to be a fun and epic adventure. I can't wait to explore more of Elisa's word and I can't wait to see her grow even more as a character. 

And if you haven't read The Girl of Fire and Thorns, go and enter my giveaway, NOW! Today is the last day you can enter. And if I get more than 250 entries, the winner will ALSO get Sarah J. Maas' e-novellas. 

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Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. Book bloggers present upcoming books they can’t wait to read and share their enthusiasm about new releases.

Recommendation: The Girl of Fire and Thorns

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Release: September 20, 2012 

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes and Noble 

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Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one. 

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can't see how she ever will. Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

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This book, quite simply, was amazing. I don't know how else to describe it. 

Elisa is the youngest daughter, supposedly destined for something great. She's never believed it, though, constantly drowning her doubts in food and comparing herself to her older sister. Her prettier and well-spoken sister. 

When Elisa is arranged to marry the King Alejandro, I admit, I felt this was going to be a pretty predictable read. But it wasn't. Elisa's journey is full of twists and turns and she meets people along the way that I grew to love: Humberto, Cosme, and others. The last 100 pages, no joke, made me cry and I applaud Carson for taking the road less traveled!! It was an ending I didn't expect and, at first, it didn't settle well with me. I wanted to throw my book because I was upset! 

And then I thought about it, and smiled. 

Carson obviously knew what she was doing, and I trust that Elisa and her relationship between her possible love interest will be more developed in the second book. This first book was merely a view into Elisa's fascinating world and Elisa's growth as a character. She goes from someone who is overweight and full of self-pity, to a Queen people can look up to. It was so very satisfying to see this growth. 

RATING: 5 SLICES