The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson - Starting 5 Feb 2018

[Natalie]

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.

[Natalie]

Ch2: (view spoiler)[Did NOT take long for there to be some kind of crisis or attempted subverting of power from the monarch. I’m glad that Elisa was able to mitigate the disaster and prevent a riot.

Wonder what Conde Eduardo’s purpose was though... is he attempting a power grab or is he working for someone else? (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Ch6 (view spoiler)[There’s a secret underground village that happens to lie on a route with a secret tunnel to the catacombs of the palace, and the leader is an old ‘not-so-friendly-acquaintance’ of Elisa’s? Yeah. That’s not at all suspicious. (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Ch10 (view spoiler)[Okay, so if the Inviernes were attempting to poison Elisa and her guests, was the purpose to kill or incapacitate everyone EXCEPT Elisa so that they could abduct her?

And why was the kitchen boy dead? Did he commit suicide or was he killed to leave no traces to the plan? Was he blackmailed into participate in the poisoning, or was he an Inviernes spy - one who ‘died for glory’? (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Ch 1 (view spoiler)[ wow what a strong and cool opening. I love how much Elisa has grown as a character (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Ch14 (view spoiler)[Well I was genuinely concerned that the author would kill off Hector then - considering the way Humberto was killed in the first book. I’m glad that was not the case this time ;D (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Ch20 (view spoiler)[Elisa and Hector have kissed! Whoot! I wasn’t expecting that until either the end of this book, or in the last book of the trilogy ;D

Also - this ship they’re trying to get to... does it belong to one of Hector’s brothers? (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Finished! (view spoiler)[And son of a bitch, they took Hector.

I really love how after being presented with essentially all the power in the world, Elisa turned it down because she realised that she didn’t NEED that power to be a good queen - that she only needed to believe in herself and in her abilities c: (hide spoiler)]

Keen to read the final book soon ;D

[[deleted user]]

Ch 8 (view spoiler)[ Invierno spies in her city?!! How exciting. And also these suitors. Very very interesting. Hmmmm (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Ch 18 (view spoiler)[ AN INVIERNO ASSASSIN IN THE GENERALS EMPLOY AASAAAAH. I feel so bad for Elisa's decoy. I think they're going to Target her (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Finished (view spoiler)[ WOW Elisa made such a hard decision turning down all that power. I'm not sure I would have been able to do the same thing. I am so interested to see where this goes. Especially since she thinks she could finally be with Hector (hide spoiler)]