Socialite. Were-Dragon. Thief. The only thing worth stealing is the truth.
Synopsis:
This is the Fairyloot edition. It’s sooo pretty and I’m in love with the art print!
Leading your first heist is a major milestone in Sky Hawkin’s family even more so than learning to talk, walk, or do long division. It’s a chance to gain power and acceptance within society. But stealing your first treasure can be complicated – especially when you’re a wyvern, a human capable of transforming into a dragon. Embarking on a life of crime is never easy, and Sky’s mission uncovers deep secrets about the mother who recently went missing, the real reason her boyfriend broke up with her, and a valuable jewel that could restore her family’s wealth and rank in their community. With a handpicked crew by her side, Sky knows that she has everything she needs to complete her first heist – and get back the people she loves in the process. But instead, she ends up discovering a dark truth about were-dragon society – a truth that is more valuable and dangerous than gold or jewels could ever be.
My Thoughts…
Spoilers Ahead!
Fire and Heist was a fun and entertaining read! I hadn’t heard anything about it previously so diving into this read I was slightly apprehensive, especially with the book being so short (290!!) and being under the impression that it was a stand alone. Like a Fantasy stand alone? Pure madness! I was impressed, I’m not going to be too critical with this read because I didn’t find it to be particularly bad and it doesn’t delve into sensitive topics. It was honestly just a quick light read and I really enjoyed it.
Sky is your typical teenage girl really (despite the OBVIOUS differences), I love having a sarcastic, snarky female lead so I was beyond pleased with her delivery. There was probably a few points were she annoyed me like I wasn’t there for her fawning over boyfriend, keep in minding I LOVE a good romance, Ryan (the love interest) gave me a bad vibe at first and even-though there wasn’t any plot twists and he was in general a good guy there was just something off about him. So, I couldn’t fully invest in the romance, which to be honest is pretty devastating.
As for other characters one of my favourites had to be Maximus! He was just fun to read, amusing, entertaining and didn’t take things to seriously, which I feel is pretty much a must. I found myself wanting to read more about the brothers. We don’t learn a great deal about them, I mean granted this book doesn’t even hit 300 pages so there isn’t really time for a lot of character development, background knowledge and worldbuilding so yes, it’s good for what it is but could there have been more? Absolutely! I didn’t get to have particularly strong feelings about any of the characters because there simply wasn’t enough of them.
I quite enjoyed the plot. It was a good idea, something that definitely caught my eye. However, again there just wasn’t enough of it. You just don’t see many short fantasy books and they aren’t usually stand alones either and to be honest there is probably a reason for it. Don’t get me wrong it was an entertaining, fun read but I couldn’t fully immerse myself in the world or dig my teeth in when I blink a couple of times, take two sips of a cup of tea and then BAM it’s over. You know what I mean?
The conclusion was your standard happy ending. Sky got her boy and her family and her family’s rank was restored. Overall, I was satisfied with the ending, no real plot twists but still, nice.
My Rating…
Originally my rating was a 4/5 stars and it still is that on my Goodreads. However, now that I’m actually discussing it it has gone down to a 3. This doesn’t mean “oh my god it was bad” it just means it was good but the more I think on it the more I realise I was expecting it to be better and my expectation is what was reflected in my initial rating. It was a good read though and I did enjoy it but there wasn’t enough and comparing it with other books I have gave 4s to, it just doesn’t make the cut. The ideas and potential of this book was huge but the execution while yes, it was decent and enjoyable, could have been better. I still would recommend for an entertaining, light read but if your looking for a book that is going to take you on a rollercoaster then this is not really the book to go to.
This is a review from my Goodreads so bear with it. Also just putting it out there reviews that are not from Goodreads shall be a lot more organised!
I knew then that I hadn’t stopped believing in God. I’d just stopped believing God cared. There might be a God, Clary, and there might not, but I don’t think it matters. Either way, we’re on our own. – Jace Lightwood
Paperback, Aus Paperback, 415 pages Published 2015 by Walker. The spines of this edition are everything.
~There will be a non-spoiler section and a spoiler section further on, there will be a warning before the spoilers don’t worry~
I know, I know i’m incrediby late to the party but to be honest i’m not always for the hype. Diving into this book i’d heard alot of amazing things about this series as a whole but there was a variation with the first book. Obviously there had been alot of great things said about this one but also the warning that it is abit slow, getting better further on in the series. I have to say overall I enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to continue with this series but i’m just not inlove with it… YET. So I like it but I don’t love it. It was just abit too predictable at times for me and there were quite a few situations were Clary annoyed the hell out of me, she was just a very damsel in distress kind of character, I’m hoping that changes throughout. So far I’m liking the plot and interested to see where things go. Hopefully I will be jumping on the Cassandra Clare bandwaggon because I have heard SO MANY incredible things about her. Would I recommend this? I think I would, I can’t say for definite but it’s a nice introduction into a series. 3/5 stars, on the way but not completely hooked yet.
~spoilers ahead~
For me there were quite a few chuckle worthy moments, which I LOVE in a book, like if you can make me laugh we’re on to something! One of my favourite scenes didn’t play a role in the plot or anything but it was just a YES QUEEN type of moment. Drum roll please… Clary smacking Jace!! You know for that other ten percent, it was just so amusing to me, it reminded me off something I would do and we all love a relatable moment. All in all though Clary was pretty annoying at times. I thought there was going to be a part where she REALLY took control and grew abit as a person like don’t get me wrong she does stick up for herself but she near enough always needs saving. I’m really hoping for a bad ass moment soon. Jace was a very enjoyable character, I mean who doesn’t love an asshole thats really a nice guy deep down? It was pretty easy to like Jace. So the villain of the story… Valentine, I don’t really know what to make of him just yet other than being a very peculiar guy. He is also Clary’s mum’s husband. What I didn’t get is how Clary didn’t connect the dots that he was her father like she didn’t even wonder?? Slightly strange but hey ho. Alec really grew on me, I can’t wait to see where his character goes!! SOOO SHIPPING HIM AND MAGNUS. I was left wanting to know more about Isabelle, I feel like there is alot more to her but so far I’m loving her and her chioce of weapon… YES GURL. Also quick mention for Simon, he had me laughing a few times. When he was mortified at what Clary was wearing was one of my favourites!! I loved his witty, sarcatic remarks throught aswell, definitely a highlight. Moving onto to a lurrrve scene we see Jace and Clary kiss it out because who didn’t see that coming? I’m liking them together at the moment though (we do however find some disturbing information out but we will get to that in a minute). Oh how I HATED when Jace was a complete ass to Clary like he was just nasty in an obvious awkward situation and oh poor Simon. This was another thing that annoyed me about Clary like HOW DID SHE NOT REALISE SIMON FANCIED THE PANTS OFF HER like come on girl whats going on?? ‘”you really want to know what else it was my mom said about you?”… “She said you’d break my heart”‘ Literally the moment I realised Simon was too precious and needs to be protected at all costs!! One thing I didnt’t expect was Hodge’s betrayal, I thought one was coming but I was thinking Luke rather than Hodge so this was a surprise and when that bloody bird attacked Clary I was like SHIT. Ans then we had the big reveal at the end that Jace is actually Clary’s brother like WTF!! I realised abit erlier on that this was going to happen. When Luke was telling his story and he mentioned white-blonde hair I was thinking wait a minute… WTF. I have a feeling it’s not going to be true though because there was a few things implying it was a lie but I just don’t see this storyline continuing like that’s abit messed up but i’m intrigued to see how it’s going to play out. I really don’t want to be shipping a brother and sister like nooooo thanks. So yeah a decent book, not fantastic but major potential with this series. Excited to see what comes next, hoping that I fall inlove! What are your thoughts on this book and the series as a whole?
This review is actually on Goodreads but you can no longer link Goodreads and WordPress *cue tears* so I will slowly post those reviews on here. If they are from Goodreads I will say so right about here. Enjoy.
Death had been her curse and her gift and her friend for these long, long years. She was happy to greet it again under the golden morning sun.
~ This review will have a non spoiler section and a spoiler section further on. There will be a warning before the spoiler section don’t worry ~
THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING!! All I can say is if you haven’t picked this series up yet WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, read it, read it now. Thankyou Sarah J Maas for allowing me to experience this crazy adventure, it has been my favourite yet. You know when you find a book that just completes you? That just breaks and remakes you? That you feel yourself relating to on a whole new level? All my crazed book readers will know the feeling and have a book or book series that brings these feelings out. For me it was this book series, so you can imagine how apprehensive I was to reach the end of the adventure but my God did SJM do it justice. Such an incredibly bittersweet moment! It was an emotional rollercoaster, alot of twists and turns and NEVER a boring moment. Theres not alot to say without spoiling it except for READ THE GOD DAMN BOOK. Much love.
~SPOILERS AHEAD~
Well this my friend is going to be along one… I am feeling organised though because I tabbed this book, colour coordinated and eveything *cue the applause* so i’m going to set this out in paragraphs and talk about my OMG moments, momements that gave me all the feels, moments I loved and funny moment (not many, not enough!).
So, up first are my OMG moments and my GAWWWDDD grab your popcorn because theres a fuck ton. First, did I miss something? Has Maeve mentioned Aelin swearing the blood oath before because I swear I saw that page and was GAPING at the book like WTF. AND THEN I found out our girl Yrene is PREGNANT, think I was having heart palpataions, only 74 pages in, the thought of that baby not making it the whole way through the book was definitely playing on my mind. OMG when Nox bloody showed his face I screamed with joy I was hoping to see him turn up!! However where the fook was he at the end like seriously he just disappeared and I was not happy about that at all. Manon meeting her great-grandmother was cool, slightly unexpected so it made it’s way to my OMG list. Aedion’s armies had me just shitting myself the whole way through to be honest the tension was tangible “Still Morath did not stop coming” like NO GO AWAY. Fenrys NOT dying OMG the relief, it’s crazy to think how Fenrys turned from a character we didn’t really now to an essential part of the team… crazy but thank the Gods he didn’t die! Then we had Lorcan joining the team, which was something I never realised I wanted but trust me I needed, I found it quite amusing aswell. Back to the armies “there was only ash and dented metal” FOUR THOUSAND SOLDIERS GONE. I remember looking at that part and just saying “Oh piss off”. When Aelin walked into that tent with Chaol and the rest of them I was JUMPING up and down like YES YES YESSSSS!! When the matrons found Manon OMG I was thinking surely they are not gonna kill her off now there is way too much still come but obviously deep down I knew Manon was going to kick some ass. I was waiting and waiting and waiting for a rescue to happen so when Rolfe turned up to save the day it was an OMG moment because I didn’t realise it would be him but thank God somene showed up I was genuinely losing faith for them. When Maeve turned up at Morath I was like OH JesUs ChRIst wheN CaN wE gEt A BrEaK!! ANDDDD then when she caught Dorian I was near overcome with panic BUT I needed to be reminded Dorian is so not the young prince we once knew I was so proud of my little baby playing that hoe. Absolutley crapped my pants when Iskra got a hold of Abraxos I though he was a gonner. WHEN THEY VOTED TO LET AELIN SEAL THE GATE AT DAWN AND NOT WAIT I WAS BEOYOND PISSED LIKE ARE YOU STUPID?? Quick side note Hasar annoyed the living daylights out of me in this book and oh I adored Borte and her interactions with Aelin, what a queen. Finally Aelin also not having her god like power I didn’t know whether it bothered me or not to be honest like she’s still a bad bitch but it did shock me right in my bonesssss.
Next up we have moments that gave me all the feels so grab your tissues because it’s about to get real emotinal up in here. Aelin and Fenrys’ blinking system was utterly hearbreaking, thinking about what they have been through together honestly devastates me. Jesus Christ when Lorcan said he crawled after Aelin I was so sad but so happy at the same damn time! Bloody hell when Rowan saw his children my small little heart was in bits. I was sobbing when we thought Fenrys was going to die ANDDD Aelin’s panic attack screaming to take it off had be all over the place oh that was a horrible scene to read. ‘Her former master gace her a half smile. “Even Sam held out better than this”‘. NONONONO EVERYTIME I even get a whiff of Sam Cortland the tears start flowing. I miss him. When Manon was going to let Asterin give it to her granmother I cried then, Asterin and her story has always got to me I have loved her since I met her she is(was) such an amazing character! I’ve never been a huge Manorian shipper but when she woke up alone I felt for the poor girl, I mean we all knew he would come back but she must have felt slightly used and abused. “I wanted it to be you in the end” Nothing to say except RIGHT IN THE FEELS. This was the SADDEST part for me I was sobbing my absolute heart out, I just knew they were going to end up sacrificing themselves but I seriously couldn’t take it. I was rooting for Asterin’s happy ending ALIVE. It actually makes me feel sick thinking about it like piss off I can’t even come to grips with it, I AM NOT OKAY. “My name is Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, and I will not be afraid” EVERY DAMN TIME. Crying when Dorian came out of the gateway thing and it was just Aelin and Dorians dad, Dorian XD I should have known she was going to try and pull something, I actually thought she was going to die and I wasn’t ready for it. OMG Gavriel. It was the thought that Gavriel and Aedion had like no time together that really tore me apart and it had to be the nicest fae bastard that got killed didn’t it. Gavriel deserved better. Finally, when the original trio, Aelin, Dorian and Chaol said their goodbyes oh it hurt me right in my soul because thats when it really hit me that it was the end. I canfeel the tears coming back.
Chuckle worthy moments there was only a few but they are just as precious. Despite being broken down the fact that Aelin gave the filthiest gesture she’s ever made bear in mind this is AELIN we are talking about deserved a giggle from me. Honestly the baddest bitch in the game. When Cairn pissed his pants ahahahahahaha what a guy Rowan is SKIN THAT MOTHERFUCKER. And the obvious choice: Dorian as a woman AHAHAHAHAHA NO FOOKIN WAY he wanted to play with his boobies and hisbits oh just when thought I couldn’t fall anymore in love with him. LORD LORCAN LOCHAN.
Now onto some scenes that I loved or really enjoyed. When Essar noted Elide wearing Lorcan and Rowan’sclothes oh that scene was SOOOO precious, I probably looked like a crazy woman with the grin onmy face reading that. When Lorcan saw Aelin and A SOB ESCAPED it was just so unexpectedly cute!!! Aelin and Rowan and the wedding rings, that was just beautiful “To whatever end”. “But I will fly against you, if need be, to ensure that there is a future for those who cannot fight for it themselves” ABSOLUTE QUEEN MANON YOU BIG SOFTIE. Aelin and Yrene’s reunion!!! How amazing are these two and the whole giving the note back it was such a magical moment. AELIN AND THAT HUGE FIRE WALL. I have never been so imersed in a book but I felt that fire singeing my eyelashes off oh it was epic. Lorcan and Elide’s declaration of love LORDDDDD I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. “All of them came here because of Aelin. Not you.” YES LYSANDRA GO OFFFFFFshe is an absolute gem, it’s amusing to think of how much I hated her in Assassins Blade. Dorian blowing up Morath you go babe, he’s came such a long way my boy forever and always. Dorian and Chaol’s reunion awwwww one of the ultimate bromances what a cute couple. RIGHT THIS IS SO IMPORTANT THERE WAS 100% AN ACOTAR REFERENCE, I REFUSE TO BELIVE OTHERWISE AND I AM SO HERE FOR IT. Rowan wondering whether Sam Cortlan smiled down on Aelin was everything, it had me in the feels but I loved it too much so it had to be put right here. “win me back my kingdom Evangeline” SHE ONLY WENT AND FUCKIN DID IT oh what an amazing character!!
I own the UK paper back edition. The whole series is soooooo pretty. Only problem is because of the stiffness the spines look messed up. You can see it in this picture on the Tower Of Dawn book.
“A new world. A better world” It couldn’t have ended any better. What a stunning end to a stunning series. Thankyou SJM for creating this path back to the light, I have enjoyed every step. Aelin promised to rattle the stars and she did just that. It has been a pleasure…
Read In The Clouds 