Heir of Fire - Sarah J Maas

As usual, SJM has left me in a puddle of emotion, drowning in my own tears as only she can. But the journey to said tears was not as fraught with peril as I would have expected.
I'm slowing making my way through the ToG series (thanks to waiting 3 months + for each book from my library via Libby) and HoF was my latest binge. After leaving me with a cracked and dented heart at the end of CoM, I expected the same fast paced, emotional torture as with the previous books. Alas, this one was a little slower. 
I expected that Celaena would have to take some time to piece herself back together after the events of CoM. It's expected, and almost a requirement in fantasy series' that the MC questions their actions, past and future. And while this arc was satisfying, expertly executed, I couldn't help but feel it was a little anticlimactic in comparison to the previous books. Nothing really happened until the last quarter, when EVERYTHING seemed to happen all at once. At least with regard to Calaena/Aelin. The introduction of a new love interest in Rowan was fun, especially because he is a much more fitting match to her with their ferocity, skewed moral compass and snark. I like Chaol (yes, I still like him!) but I can see how they aren't the perfect match. 
Now, Chaol and Dorian...first of all, I am distraught at Chaol's choice in those final chapters. While I understand the necessity to keep the story moving in a certain direction, it seems completely out of character for him to leave as he did. Especially after spending the entirety of the book with Dorian's well being at the heart of his every choice and action. And I cannot even talk about Dorian's fate...again, plot device, but the pterodactyl screech I emitted at that conclusion was unmatched.
I'm still a couple months away from securing the next book in the series from my library, so will be moving on to CC3, but can't wait to continue to fall into the mastery that is an SJM fantasy universe. 

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