Written by Brooklyn Saliba
Ember Queen was honestly such a perfect finale to the Ash Princess series and I feel like we’ve truly seen Theodosia truly grow, from the girl who lost her Mother and the Crown, to the girl who would fight to not only reclaim her lands but fight to keep those that are most dear to her safe. As soon as I started reading Ember Queen, I found myself vividly recalling everything that shockingly went down in Lady Smoke and I instantly felt like this was building up to an epic finale!
Ember Queen was honestly so fast-paced, which leaves you constantly on the edge of your seat! It felt completely bittersweet knowing that this was the final book to feature Theo and her ragtag band of Misfits warriors that supported her every move! Honestly, I have just grown to love Theo, Art, Blaise, Heron, and Soren, all of whom have been through so much, but all have a shared goal. I loved the friendship that bloomed between Theo and Art, they just had some beautifully tender moments throughout this book, Art, who is definitely more pro-fighting, which leads me to say, Dragonsbane, Theo’s aunt, is equally fierce and terrifying but ultimately loyal. Theo and Dragonsbane’s relationship was just one of the many I enjoyed seeing come to fruition throughout this series and in turn that brings me back to Art and Theo’s strong bond! I truly couldn’t get enough of it! The two of them go through quite a lot in this book, there were moments when I was so truly terrified for Art, I just needed her to be okay. Seeing such a strong figure in a state of uncertainty was giving me all of the feels. I loved her quips throughout the book, freely admitting that she’s not one to show emotion, she’s not sure that she’s ever felt that way about anyone, but was always unfailingly loyal to Theo. You can definitely say Art has been one of my favourite characters throughout this journey, as well as Theo of course.
Theo was honestly amazing at every point throughout this book! Ember Queen was just such a fitting finale and to see Theo flourish into the Queen that we all knew she is was so emotional. In turn, I couldn’t help but admire her attitude towards the former sister of her heart, Cress, who’s been driven mad from poison ingested by a certain someone’s own hand, which in turn makes for some pretty wickedly dark yet intriguing shared dreams.
These moments of darkness and uncertainty were so intense and honestly had me on the edge of my seat! I had never read, to my knowledge, about two characters that could share dreams and sense one another. Given the utter depth between Cress and Theo, with Cress being driven to the dark depths of madness, which in turn is heightening her longing for revenge towards anyone who might want to overthrow her, she honestly thinks up some nastily cruel actions in this book! Even though I knew she’d turned dark, I didn’t think she’d go as extreme as she did. Her character was definitely haunting throughout this book, but at times I definitely couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, I mean she’s definitely lonely in her madness, even though she’s giving her ladies the same substance that she’s been subjected to, turning them into similar type wraith beings. However, I think what impressed and moved me the most was Theo’s reaction to everything. Although she knows, as Art reminds her, that Cress is no longer the sister of her heart, that she is indeed the enemy, Theo cannot shake the close bond that they once shared. Their dreams definitely were foreshadowing towards a huge face to face showdown between Crescentia and Theodosia, trust me this did not disappoint whatsoever. It was equally bittersweet, satisfying, and emotional to the highest degree!
Ember Queen definitely has become my favourite book of the Ash Princess series, I could not have hoped for a more emotional and wonderful, chilling, brilliant, wicked ending! Every moment saw twists and turns aplenty, honestly, Laura Sebastian has woven a finale of perfectly epic proportions. I held on to this book and these characters for as long as I could, but the constant wonderful pacing strung with emotions and brilliance just had me addicted at every turn. Theo definitely inspires me to be stronger, she’s an amazing main character! I’ll miss the world of Ash Princess but I cannot wait to see what Laura Sebastian writes next! If you’ve been thinking about picking up these books, do it!
Ember Queen is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers as of February 20th 2020. I received a copy of Ember Queen from Pan Macmillan Australia in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.
Will you be picking up Ember Queen? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
The Ash Princess is dead. Long live the Queen.
Princess Theodosia was a prisoner in her own country for a decade, made to wear a crown of ash. But there was fire in her blood and she escaped, gathering a misfit army of rebels behind her.
Now they have a new and terrifying enemy – the Kaiserin. Possessed of magic no one understands, she is determined to burn down anything and anyone in her way. As the Kaiserin’s power grows stronger and her beloved Prinz Søren is taken hostage, Theo is forced to make a terrible choice – will she overcome her heart to liberate her enslaved people and finally reclaim her rightful place as Queen?
Ember Queen is the explosive final part of Laura Sebastian’s New York Times bestselling Ash Princess trilogy.
