Queen of Shadows
by Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #4
Published on September 1st, 2015
by Bloomsbury Publishing
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Amazon | B&N | BookDepository | Goodreads
Also by this author: Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire
Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past . . .
She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.
Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.
Where to start with this?
First of A LOT of things happen in Queen of Shadows. And I’m happy about that, because it really (and finally) moved the whole story up a notch. And boy, do I love the storyline or what! I don’t get why so many people dislike it or seem to be bothered by the different POVs. And honestly reading so many others saying they weren’t happy about this book, made me apprehensive about reading it myself. Especially since I’ve heard about so-called male harem, Aelin is supposed to be building.
But either I’m blind to it or I just read it wrong, but I barely noticed any romance or feelings or whatever the hell there’s been going around. The only time I noticed Aelin/Celaena being any sorts of “romantic” (and I use that term loosely) was with Rowan. And not be a party pooper but frankly I care very little about the romance in the books. It feels more awkward than anything else, but that could be just me though.
Moving on though. While some might find the different POVs boring, disorienting or unnecessary… I found them wonderful. I loved all the POVs, especially the ones from Manon’s point of view. She’s an amazing character (and more interesting than Aelin by far). I’m sincerely hoping to read more of her in Empire of Storms, because the Ironteeth Witches are so damn fascinating. Especially now with everything that’s happened at the end.
As for the characters, of course they were awesome in their own right. I do have a tiny weak spear for Elide, for some reason. I think she could become even more interesting in Empire of Storms, at least I hope so. There’s also Lysandra and Evangeline. Asterin, Manon’s Second. Chaol on the other hand was a bit of an asshole most of the book and a depressing one at that. I didn’t like it very much, but I let it slide because of the awesomness from most of the other characters. Dorian’s was actually interesting this time around too, especially with that Valg prince inside him. He’s changed so much to how he used to be and I’m curious to see how things will go for him in the future.
Now for my reason for not giving this book a 5-star rating like the others. I felt that at times it did feel a bit boring and my any interest I might have once held in the romance part of the story, has vanished completely, making all romantic scenes dull and a bit unnecessary in my eyes. (Again that could just be me). I’m hoping Empire of Storms might rekindle my love for the romance, but we’ll see.
About Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas is the author of the New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling Throne of Glass series–Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire, and the series’ prequel, The Assassin’s Blade–as well as the New York Times and USA Today bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses. She wrote the first incarnation of the Throne of Glass series when she was just sixteen, and it has now sold in twenty-three languages. Queen of Shadows, the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series, will release worldwide on September 1st, 2015.
A New York native, Sarah currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and dog. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hamilton College in 2008 with a degree in Creative Writing and a minor in Religious Studies.
I use most of my free time doing either of those three things. When I'm not reading, writing or gaming, then I'll go watch movies with my best friend, Bee or I'll treat myself to dinner at a fancy restaurant.
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