The Bitter Kingdom

Goodreads Synopsis:    The champion must not waver.
The champion must not fear.
The gate of darkness closes.

Elisa is a fugitive.

Her enemies have stolen the man she loves, and they await her at the gate of darkness. Her country is on the brink of civil war, with her own soldiers ordered to kill her on sight.

Her Royal Majesty, Queen Lucero-Elisa né Riqueza de Vega, bearer of the Godstone, will lead her three loyal companions deep into the enemy's kingdom, a land of ice and snow and brutal magic, to rescue Hector and win back her throne. Her power grows with every step, and the shocking secrets she will uncover on this, her final journey, could change the course of history.

But that is not all. She has a larger destiny. She must become the champion the world has been waiting for.

Even of those who hate her most.

My Thoughts:

-    This was a perfect ending to a great series.

-    Elisa's journey was incredible. I loved her character growth. I can't say enough about it.

-    I loved all the other characters too. I liked that we got to see Cosme again, and I was excited that we finally got to see Alodia.

-    I liked Elisa and Hector's relationship a lot, but I was a little bugged about Hector's overprotectiveness. Elisa became so powerful in this book, and Hector still thought she needed him to protect her. I understand that he always wanted to be by her side, but she was far from the helpless girl she was in the first book. 

-    I loved seeing the different countries from Carson's world. The world building was great! I felt so immersed.

-    I highly recommend this trilogy to all fantasy and YA lovers!

Most Wanted

Goodreads Synopsis:    Set before the events of Solo: A Star Wars Story! Han and Qi'ra don't have a lot in common other than not having a lot. They're street kids on the industrial planet Corellia, doing whatever it takes to get by, dreaming of something more. They each jump at a chance to prove themselves in the perilous world of Corellia's criminal underbelly, only to discover they are on the same mission for the same unscrupulous boss. When the job goes disastrously wrong, Han and Qi'ra are on the run--from pirates, a droid crime syndicate, the Empire, and their boss--and will have to learn to trust each other if they are going to survive.






My Thoughts:

-    I enjoyed this a lot. I liked getting to know Qi'ra and this new take on Han. I liked getting to know this new Corellia too.

-    I liked learning how Qi'ra and Han met and started working together. They are a good team. I like that Qi'ra has the strategy and Han has the instincts. 

-    The other characters were fun as well.

-    The story was really fun. It was full of intrigue and social climbing. There were so many decisions that Han and Qi'ra had to make. I liked all the chasing and hiding too.

-    I think this was a good Star Wars story. There are certain expectations for the Star Wars universe, and I think this delivered. 

The Crown of Embers

Goodreads Synopsis:    She does not know what awaits her at the enemy's gate.

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 Thoughts:

-    It took me a little while to decide, but yes, I liked this one even more than the first book. 

-    I LOVED Elisa's journey and self discovery in this story. I was frustrated with her at moments, but it was all part of her story arc.

-    I loved her growing relationship with Hector, and the tension is delicious.

-    This is one of those stories that stayed with me for several days. I kept thinking about it and everything that happened. 

-    The ending is gut wrenching is awesome! I can't wait for the third and final book!

Previous Book in the Fire and Thorns Trilogy:

The Girl of Fire and Thorns

Goodreads Synopsis:    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.

My Thoughts:

-    I tried to read this book earlier this year, but I didn't finish. People kept telling me how good the series was, so I gave it another chance, and I'm SO glad I did! It was wonderful!

-    Elisa bugged me at first, but she has such an incredible journey, and her character growth is awesome! I loved it!

-    The culture and settings were so rich and lovely. I loved the world the author created.

-    I usually don't like too much political intrigue in a story, but this was really well done. I liked how it was interwoven with the story. 

-    I usually don't like a lot of religion in a story either, but it was also really well done. I actually really liked how important the religion was to the MC and everyone. It added so much to the story.

-    I'm really glad I gave this another shot, and I'm excited to read the next book.