It is rare for a second book to actually be better than the first. Usually, you get that "middle book syndrome" where everyone is just walking around waiting for the finale to happen. But honestly? The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson is one of those weird exceptions where the stakes feel more personal than the "save the world" trope of the debut.
If you’ve been hanging around the YA fantasy world for a while, you know The Girl of Fire and Thorns. It was a big deal when it dropped. But the sequel is where Elisa—our protagonist—actually has to figure out how to rule a country that basically hates her. It’s messy. It’s violent. And it’s surprisingly grounded for a book about a girl with a magical glowing stone in her belly button.
What makes Elisa different from other YA leads?
Most fantasy heroines start off as "the chosen one" and immediately become masters of the sword. Elisa doesn't. In The Crown of Embers, she is still struggling with her self-worth, even though she’s technically the Queen Regnant of Joya d'Arena. People think she's a fluke. They think she's a puppet.
She isn't just fighting monsters; she’s fighting a cabinet of old men who think she’s incompetent. It’s a political thriller disguised as a desert fantasy. Carson spends a lot of time on the logistics of ruling—how do you feed a starving population when your treasury is empty? How do you keep the peace when a secret society called the Inquisitors is trying to assassinate you in your own hallways?
The book kicks off with a literal bang. There’s an assassination attempt that sets the tone for the rest of the story. It isn't safe. The palace, which should be her sanctuary, becomes a cage. You really feel that claustrophobia.
The romance isn't what you think
Okay, we have to talk about Hector. If you’re reading this, you probably already know he’s the Captain of the Royal Guard. In a lot of books, the romance takes over the plot. Here, it’s agonizingly slow. It’s a slow burn that actually makes sense because Elisa is a widow and a queen. She can’t just go around kissing her guards.
The tension in The Crown of Embers comes from what isn't said. Hector is fiercely loyal, but he’s also a subject. Carson handles the power dynamic with a lot of grace. It’s not about "shipping" for the sake of it; it’s about two people who are lonely in very specific, high-stakes ways finding each other.
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The magic of the Zafira
The Godstone. That little blue gem in Elisa’s navel. In the first book, it was a symbol of her being "chosen." In this one, it’s a burden. She has to figure out what it actually does besides hum when danger is near.
She goes on a journey to find the Zafira—the source of the power. This is where the world-building expands. We leave the palace and head into the wild, more dangerous parts of the world. Carson’s descriptions of the desert are vivid. You can almost feel the grit in your teeth.
- The Invincible Order: These are the fanatics who think they know more about Elisa's destiny than she does.
- The Mantequero: Terrifying creatures that feed on human fat. Yeah, it’s gross. It adds a bit of a horror element to the high fantasy setting.
- The political factions: It’s not just "good guys vs. bad guys." It’s "my allies might betray me if it saves their province."
Why the ending of The Crown of Embers is so controversial
I won’t spoil the absolute final page, but man, it’s a cliffhanger. It changes the entire trajectory of the series. Some people hated it because it felt like a reset, but looking back, it was the only way to force Elisa to grow.
She loses things. Important things.
A lot of YA fantasy protects its characters. Carson doesn't. She’s willing to let Elisa fail, and she’s willing to let characters we love suffer the consequences of those failures. That’s why it feels "human-quality" in its writing—it doesn't follow the "hero always wins" template.
The real-world impact of Carson's writing
Rae Carson was one of the first big authors in the 2010s to write a fat protagonist who didn't magically become thin the moment she got powers. While Elisa loses weight during the grueling treks in the first book, her relationship with her body remains a central theme in The Crown of Embers.
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She still deals with the internal voice that tells her she isn't enough. It’s a very relatable portrayal of anxiety and body image, set against a backdrop of ancient prophecy. Many readers—myself included—found this way more compelling than the typical "warrior princess" archetype.
Expert Take: The "Middle Book" Success
If you look at the reviews on Goodreads or StoryGraph, this book often scores higher than the first. Why?
- Complexity: The villains aren't just mustache-twirling bad guys. They have motivations that make sense, even if they're cruel.
- Growth: Elisa stops reacting and starts acting. She takes agency.
- Pacing: It’s a chase. Once the journey starts, it doesn't stop.
How to approach this series today
If you’re just getting into it, don't stop after the first book. The real meat of the story is here. It’s a masterclass in how to expand a world without losing the heart of the characters.
Practical Steps for Fantasy Readers:
If you’re looking to dive into the world of Elisa and the Godstones, start by grabbing the original trilogy (The Girl of Fire and Thorns, The Crown of Embers, and The Bitter Kingdom).
Wait, there's more. Years later, Carson released a fourth book called The Empire of Dreams. It follows a different character but lives in the same world.
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Don't skip the novellas either. The Shadow Cats and The Shattered Mountain provide a ton of context for the magic system that you won't get in the main books. They explain the history of the Zafira in a way that makes the events of the second book hit much harder.
Check your local library or used bookstore. These books were everywhere about ten years ago, so they’re easy to find for cheap.
The story is a reminder that being "chosen" isn't a gift—it's a job. And in The Crown of Embers, that job gets a whole lot harder. It’s a book about the cost of leadership and the price of love, and it remains one of the strongest entries in the genre.
Actionable Insights for Your Reading List:
- Read in order: Seriously. The character development is too incremental to jump in mid-way.
- Focus on the politics: If you're bored by the "magic," pay attention to how Elisa handles the Count of Ximena. It's a lesson in soft power.
- Prepare for the tone shift: This book is darker than the first. Be ready for higher stakes and more visceral stakes.
Carson’s work stands the test of time because it treats its audience—and its characters—with respect. It doesn't offer easy answers. It just offers a girl, a stone, and a very long road ahead.