Parents' Guide to

The Crown of Embers: The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Book 2

By Carrie R. Wheadon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Thrilling, more mature sequel with new love interest.

Book Rae Carson Fantasy 2012
The Crown of Embers: The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Book 2 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 2+

Based on 1 parent review

One who cares
One who cares Adult
June 11, 2022
age 2+

This is not a appropriate book.

Kids have so many things that attack their innocent minds. The first book in this series was good. But this book is not good half way through it becomes vulgar. I dare not finish reading for I myself would never subject myself to such intimate things. Children books should spark imaginativity and growth. But this books exploits them to things they only should know on their wedding night. Sadly I am finding that as a series continues it can start well but then down spire rather quickly into negative themes. I recommend this and I will also do so myself that I will thoroughly investigate each book in a series before even beginning the first book. No it is not as bad as some. But we do not want to compare it to the worse books out there. We want our children's mind to stay pure. I would not recommend this book for children or adults. I would recommend "Anne of Green Gables" and the book "Briar and Rose and Jack." The books I listed are fun and appropriate for all ages.
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What's the Story?

Going from desert warrior princess to queen of a large foreign land has been a tough transition for Elisa. It seems the other lords at court are all against her and begging her to marry well. Another war with the mysterious and magical Inviernos is inevitable, and her country is still in shambles from the last one. And then there are the attempts on her life by an unknown assassin. After a near-death experience where she's saved only by her Godstone -- the jewel in her navel that shows her as chosen by God -- Elisa's after anything that can keep her alive ... and her kingdom from collapsing. Obscure prophesy speaks of the zafira: a source of unlimited power hidden in the south islands meant only for God's chosen. Elisa hopes it's her destiny to find it.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

There's nothing at all sluggish or sequel-y about this spiritually bent fantasy-adventure-romance. THE CROWN OF EMBERS throws readers right into burning chaos in the city streets, power grabs in the palace, assassination attempts, and whisperings of powerful prophecies. Best of all, an irresistible (and of course, forbidden) new love interest for Elisa fits neatly in all the intrigue. And that's all before her epic journey even gets started.

Author Rae Carson does a great job juggling her themes for the most part, and just when you think she's getting too soft with her character's romantic yearnings, she spins a crafty cliffhanger.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the book's cover shows Elisa as more beautiful and lighter skinned than how she's described in the book. Why do you think the publisher made that choice? What message does that choice send?

  • What's admirable about Queen Elisa? Would you rather be a brilliant but more homely queen or a beautiful queen who relied on smarter sovereigns to rule?

  • What do you think about what Elisa decided about the zafira. Would you have done the same?

Book Details

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