i’m trying to decide what the difference between a book being predictable and following narrative beats is and why sometimes what’s ultimately the same is good and why it’s bad. anyway, this book is very very predictable and all the characters are annoying good night

EDIT 2/12:
So - Celaena's "secret" was like. glaringly obvious and the whole books hinges on this reveal to be shocking. Like Throne of Glass, nothing happens for the first 3/4s of this book, at which point when Celaena was "revealed" to Chaol I had already guessed her identity. However, there is a confusing section that may or may not be narrated from

Spoiler

Aelin's

perspective, which REALLY CONFUSED ME. It happens after

Spoiler

Nehemia's death and is in...Andovier

(I've been listening to these books on audio which really highlights how fantasy these books are and not in a good way) mirroring Celaena's own escape attempt. At that point, I had already guessed that

Spoiler

Celaena was Aelin

and this section was more confusing than a helpful twist to keep us guessing. I suppose I could be mistaken about this scene (if I am I WELCOME CORRECTION, because even in these books, a mistake like this is A LOT).It was sloppily done, the way Celaena's backstory was handled in tog. Also the fact that she is the most annoying character I've ever encountered in my entire life is not helpful.
I did think Dorian's coming-into-magic story is pretty interesting and, as if I am not half-way done with Heir of Fire, I look forward to more of that (Heir of Fire Anna is NOT happy with dorian currently)
Anyway, I'm a little over halfway done with Heir of Fire which...I am enjoying a lot more.