I know, I know! This review is LONG due! But, like I said guys! I’ve been extremely busy. So, I finished Queen of Shadows and I know I’ve been taking my sweet time, I also haven’t been as active! I’m so sorry, guys! I just need another week before my hectic schedule sets!
Anyway: let’s begin.
To be honest, I have no idea where to start. Just reviewing this series is so hard because it’s so good! And I find the aspects really hard to talk about! So, I’ll just try my best!
Hmm, so, the beginning of Queen of Shadows was quite unexpected. I felt as if all the character relationships were quite rocky and everything seemed to be on blurry ground. It was hard to decide whether some people were friends or enemies, if they liked each other or were forced to work with one another. Especially with Chaol acting like an a-hole. Can we rant about this somewhere?! It’s driving me insane!
Anyway, I feel like the book was more of a build-up until 40% where someone special shows up! That’s where the characters start planning! Also, I started LOVING the character dynamics. Like, the bromance between Rowan-Aeidon was the effing best! And can we talk about Manon Blackbeak?! I LOVE that girl! And if we were waiting for two strong females to meet up with one another, then Aelin and Manon was probably the best moment I’ve been waiting for!
Another thing, the fantasy aspect of the world probably showed up the most in this book, because we’ll see things on how Aelin and Company would go searching and meet up with the tales and stuff and discover secrets.
Oh yes. Arobynn Hamel, go eff yourself. Please. Thank you. Very, very much. I salute you, Lyssandra! Hell yes girl!
Now; spoilers! :D
Okay, so I believe Sarah J. Maas has done what most authors shy away from. But this was done really well. Basically, Sarah J. Maas manages to make Chaol’s loyalty—one of his strongest traits—become a flaw. Yes, this is up to the point to where Chaol cannot even tell the difference between character and what he sees anymore. He’s literally rude to everyone and everything, even Nesryn Faliq, who, may I add, is one of my fave new additions! Thankfully, in the end, Chaol manages to redeem himself!
Can we talk about Dorian?! Yes, I don’t love the guy, but after Queen of Shadows the amount of suffering and loss this guy has to go through is ridiculous. Literally, just think of the worst situations that can happen in the Throne of Glass world, and it could happen to Dorian.
First, he gets rejected by the assassin girl he fell in love with, then he finds out he has ice powers and is controlled by his father, then he finds out his friend is hiding secrets from him and the girl who he actually fell in love with after a while gets killed in front of him so that he can suffer, and then (to top this all with a cherry on top) he gets possessed and controlled by a demon Valg prince who is ruthless and makes Doran suffer, also resulting that Dorian has to kill his father by the end and then suffer.
Like, at this point, I’m wondering if Aelin/Celaena has a suckier life, or Dorian. Sometimes, it gets hard.
Also, Arobynn Hamel, I hope you suffered long and well! This book has given me a new respect for Lyssandra, and I love her. Also, I ship this girl with Aeidon. Her belief that she will live again and find love again so so strong! I’m not lying, this courtesan has more self-respect and is more independent than some of other BS girls I’ve read about in other girls claiming how “different” they are! So, reading about Lyssandra was so refreshing.
Also, I loved how she killed Arobynn, making him suffer and choke on his own blood.
I LOVE Rowan. I LOVE Aelin. I just don’t know if I love them together. I know, I know! But, I can’t decide! I mean, obviously they’re amazing. Maybe I need to see more chemistry in between them? It’s weird, because in Crown of Midnight, I was rooting Celaena-Chaol so hard! But why am I hesitating with Aelin/Celaena-Rowan?! Not sure.
Also, I have some new ships:
Chaol-Nesryn
Dorian-Manon (I WILL ALSO GO DOWN WITH THIS SHIP)
Aeidon-Lyssandra (I WILL ALSO . . . GO DOWN WITH THIS SHIP)
All my ships go down, anyway. Why do I even try? Do you guys know how AMAZING Rowan-Manon would’ve been?!
Also, the plot twists. There was a plot twist for the plot twist! :D I like that!
Anyway, this is my LONG review. As you obviously know, FIVE stars! ALL THE STARS! I don’t know why I read Queen of Shadows because now I have to sit on my butt for another year! But, oh well! :D I just can’t! :D
Thanks for reading my review guys, and hope you have a great day! Until the next one! :D