Queen of Shadows: 4 (Throne of Glass)

This was a superb read, and hands-down the best of the series so far. The plot was incredible; full of suspenseful twists and turns, and an imaginatively created fantasy world that I loved. The pacing was spot on, and even though it's a big book, I never felt that any part dragged. The writing was great, as usual. At this stage, the characters all seem so real to me, so much so that I feel quite intensely about them. There are minor inconsistencies with some of the characters, and there were plenty of times when a few of them really grated on my nerves, but that's a side effect of being so invested in them and their stories. Honestly not a bad thing. Aelin has really come into her own, and she was amazing in this book. Sharp, shrewd, brave, snarky, and cunning are all words that spring to mind. I adored her and Rowan in this book, and they are so perfect together. And Rowan is just perfect book boyfriend material. (Swooning.) I disliked Chaol for most of this book, and I hated the fact that he was pinning so much blame on Aelin when he was the one who sent her away in the first place! He vented a lot of his own self-frustration in her direction which was massively unfair. Thankfully, he took his head out of his ass by the end of the book and redeemed himself. I actually enjoyed Manon's POV this time around, and the witchy sub-plot added depth and an additional layer which was lacking in Heir of Fire. I figured Elide was going to reappear though it's still unclear what value she offers, or what role she will play. Dorian. Poor Dorian. He has really been through the wringer. I hope he has what it takes to see this thing through, and that he's not too damaged. I'm still intrigued to see how him and Aelin as a magical unit fit into the overall picture. Aelin's dark side still wriggles beneath the surface and I'm wondering if she is strong enough to fight it off in future books. There is definitely potential for her to turn to the dark side, and wouldn't that be an interesting turn of events. All in all, this was fantastic. I can't wait to read the next instalment.

Queen of Shadows is as blood thirsty as it's murderous characters. I can't get enough of the world Maas has created. This story is full of truly bad ass women, with chinks in their armour, but an unswerving ability to be kick ass. I wouldn't mess with Manon if my Wyvern depended on it! Told in parts, as with the previous book, Queen of Shadows shows us what each of our team are up to. Manon and the thirteen are up to nastiness of course. Am I the only one absolutely in love with Wyverns by the way? I know they're supposed to be all evil and whatever, but seriously, they are adorable. Fierce. But adorable. Maas does such a good job of demonstrating characters who are strong and do not yield, but who still have flashes of good natured humanity and this makes them perfectly imperfect to read about. The flawed, complex characters (and Wyverns!) are the most fun to read about and I can't wait for Manon to take a larger role in the next book - it feels like her story is just getting started. This story shows Aelin (Or Celaena, depending on your preference I guess) as she sets out into a trap. She must rescue her cousin, despite knowing the King has baited her with him, and she has three days to do so before he is beheaded. Which might not seem as bad as wearing one of those grim, life sucking, soul destroying collars like Prince Dorian has (I mean he has the worst Dad in the world right? Who does that?). But still, missing a head sucks. So Aelin needs help. And unfortunately that means she needs Arobynn Hamel - her former Master and number one guy she wants to rip apart piece by piece. She does have a flair for the dramatics after all. But bargaining with the King of being a massive two faced jerk isn't as simple as you might think. Especially when your initial mission was to murder him, and the King, rescue his son, Oh and save your Kingdom too! Who am kidding? You're four books deep in this story! You know the drill! I found, as with the previous books, that I really enjoyed reading about the secondary characters and the history as much as I liked reading about Aelin interacting with them; especially when they tied in to some of the back stories (and novellas) as some of the new characters in this book do. The world building and characterisation are so rich that I get instantly invested in them - especially the slightly broken, more intricate characters. Chaol was chief example of a slightly broken character who I loved previously, poor guy, but actually in this book he seemed less like Chaol and more like he was the dude wearing the collar and sunk into the background a bit - his character development changed in a dark way and I'm not sure I liked it. Maybe it's to help us adjust to the Rowan situation, which I liked, but his bitterness and inability to see the bigger picture was a bit too much for me sometimes. I'm all for a complex, grieving or challenging character but this didn't work for me after he had been such a logical character previously. Although his bromance with Dorian made up for that! This story so far has only improved for me, becoming more detailed and complex the further Celaena/Aelin goes. Each character has a unique bond with her, and with each other, and this is often lost in YA books - rather, the romance aspect just takes over. I've found this to be a refreshing change to be honest; it's incredibly rare for me to become attached to so many characters and that speaks volumes for the writing. Whilst there are flashes of romance, it never detracted from the story and I much preferred this approach (although I fully expect the next book to be a bit more full on!!). The plot remained action packed and had plenty to keep me intrigued - I'm looking forward to seeing how this is going to come together and to seeing Aelin rip her enemies a new face!

Oh boy, where do I even start with Queen of Shadows? This book was pretty damn big. I mean, it felt like I was reading it for six years. I genuinely had to check a couple of times to make sure the pages weren't multiplying while I blinked. Don’t get me wrong—there were some fantastic bits, but overall, it kind of felt like a filler book. You know, the kind where nothing monumental happens, but it’s clearly setting up for the big stuff to come. The problem is, with 600+ pages of setup, I was half expecting to find a personal thank-you note from Sarah J. Maas for sticking with it. Rowan really did a 180 from the last book. He went from total prick to perfect book boyfriend material. Well done, Rowan. You’ve earned a gold star and possibly my hand in marriage. Meanwhile, Aedion? Absolute legend. His sarcasm gave me life, and honestly, I’d read a whole book of just his inner monologue. Then there’s Nesryn, who... well, existed. Not much else to report there. Lysandra, on the other hand, was an absolute QUEEN. I mean, yes girl! But can we talk about Arobynn’s end for a second? I was ready for an epic showdown and instead, I blinked, and it was over. Anticlimactic is an understatement. And Chaol. Oh dear, sweet, eternally suffering Chaol. I didn’t mind him in the earlier books, but in Queen of Shadows, he was like that one friend who shows up to the party, stands in the corner sulking, and then ruins everyone’s vibe. I understand he's going through it, but the back-and-forth with Aelin/Celeana just felt off. I don’t get how they went from love to this level of resentment. That said, I’m still diving into the tandem read of Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn. Hopefully, they bring back the BAM I’ve been craving. Wish me luck!

This is not heroic fantasy, this is epic heroic fantasy with one of the strongest and most formidable heroine I've read about. Sarah J Maas is incredibly gifted and impresses me each and every time. With the Throne of Glass series, she has created real artwork worth The Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Ring series. Celaena/Aelin is one hell of queen warrior. She kills with skills but her heart also bleeds every time she loses a friend or innocent people are hurt in the process. Beautiful and terrible Queen of a conquered kingdom, Terrasen, she'll fight with all her might and tricks to free magic, kill the king of Adarlan and help Dorian. In Queen of Shadows, Aelin was an incredible strategist, she planned everything and placed her pawns in a formidable chess game. Working in the shadows of the night, she orchestrated her revenge against Arobynn, her former Master, King of Assassins and everyone who hurt her loved ones. This book is full of spectacular escapes, furious battles against Valg princes, flights in the sewers, in the slums and will take you on an incredible journey. Think to breathe, from time to time, usually when you begin seeing stars dancing before your eyes because that's how breathless that book is. I swear Aelin must be some kind of cat as she always escape death at the last moment. You think "that's it, all hope is lost, this is the end" and ... something happens to save the day, be it an incredible move of Aelin, an unexpected ally or... And you're left panting with trembling hands. Most of the time, I wanted to shake Chaol as he was so different from the first books. His disgust and animosity for Aelin was so unexpected. I was really angry with him. How did he not see Aelin was the savior? I loved the connection Aelin shared with Rowan but they're dancing around each other and it made me think of some TV shows where you're always waiting for something to happen between the male and female protagonists but nothing comes and you get frustrated. It's a clever way to keep the reader on his/her toes as he/she wants these two to realize they're made for each other in more ways than one. Manon of the Blackbeak Clan, Wing Leader witch is a complex character and I loved how Sarah J Maas played with her emotions and conflicts. Manon and her Thirteen side story was truly fascinating to follow. It adds layers to the book, all individual stories running alongside to collide at some point in a clash of swords and knives. When Manon meets Aelin, arrows, punches and sparks fly. Now that Aelin had revenge, she has to prepare for the final battle... in the next book.

Queen of Shadows is a standout entry in the Throne of Glass series and easily one of its strongest instalments. From the first chapters, the story feels larger, darker, and more confident, raising the stakes for both the characters and the world they inhabit. Sarah J. Maas continues to expand Erilea in impressive ways, introducing new locations and perspectives while deepening familiar settings. The sense of scale grows significantly here, and the series begins to feel truly epic rather than simply adventurous. This book places a strong emphasis on character relationships and how past events shape current decisions. Aelin’s arc is particularly compelling as she faces increasing expectations and responsibility. Her determination, confidence, and refusal to be controlled create meaningful tension and drive much of the story forward. The supporting cast is expansive, and Maas largely succeeds in keeping a large group of characters distinct and engaging. Several new additions bring welcome depth, especially through strong female representation and non-romantic bonds that enrich the narrative. While the book isn’t without minor pacing or structural issues, its momentum, emotional payoff, and character development more than compensate. The plot is ambitious and fast-moving, with frequent moments that feel designed to push the series into new territory. Overall, Queen of Shadows is a bold and gripping continuation that solidifies the series’ strength. It balances action, character growth, and world-building in a way that feels rewarding for long-time readers, and it sets the stage beautifully for what follows. A highly recommended read for fantasy fans invested in this series.

I like the way the books were packed. The smell of the books. How fast they arrived.

Después de los eventos ocurridos en Heir of Fire, Aelin Galathynius está de vuelta en Adarlan. Pero ella tendrá que hacer más cosas de las que se esperaba en su regreso. DORIAN. DORIAN. DORIAN. Ese primer capítulo destrozó mi alma por completo. Luego, en su encuentro con Aelin y Aedion me dio tanta pena que no quisiese que Aelin supiese que él seguía de alguna forma dentro de su cuerpo sólo para que ella le matase y acabase con su dolor. Y cuando se acercaba a Manon para irritarla y que le matase ella sólo podía pensar “Dorian, aléjate de ese bicho YA”. De verdad espero que a la autora no se le ocurra juntarlos en los próximos libros porque Dorian es demasiado bueno para Manon. Y me da muchísima pena que lo hayan dejado solo en su castillo. Sé que mucha gente dice que el personaje de Aelin ha actuado de forma muy diferente en comparación con libros anteriores pero yo no lo veo del todo así. Ella ha cambiado, sí, pero con la gente que aprecia siempre ha sido igual. No olvidemos que es un personaje que no suele mostrar sus sentimientos pero sí su rabia. Me dio muchísimo miedo cuando Arobynn le puso el anillo, de verdad que me moría. Pero al final ella lo tenía todo bajo control. Aelin se pasa todo el tiempo haciendo cosas en secreto que ni el lector sabe y eso hace que haya tantos giros en este libro que el lector nunca se espera. También me pareció muy inteligente como usó el anillo que le tuvo que dar a Maeve en el libro anterior. No me gusta la relación que mantienen Rowan y Aelin en este libro. De repente tienen sentimientos el uno por el otro y no los veo como pareja. Además Rowan debería de pensar un poquito más con su cerebro. De verdad que quedaban mejor como amigos. Como he dicho otras veces, Chaol no me desagradó en Trono de Cristal pero le odié por completo en Corona de Medianoche y Heir of Fire. Para mí, a pesar de lo que opina mucha gente, este libro ha sido la redención de su personaje. Siempre estaba preocupado por salvar a su mejor amigo, aunque esto le lleva a hacer una locura en un determinado momento. También debo decir que le shippeo con Nesryn, un nuevo personaje del que me gustaría saber más ya que creo que no la llegamos a conocer a fondo en esta entrega. El rescate de Aedion fue una escena chulísima y llena de acción y tensión. Como ya dije en la reseña de Heir of Fire, Aedion es un personaje que me encanta, y lo sigue haciendo. Me encantó el momento de primos que tienen en casa de Aelin cuando se cuentan todas las cosas por las que han pasado desde que se separaron. También me daba muchísima pena que Aelin y Rowan nunca le tuviesen al tanto de la mayoría de las cosas. En este libro también descubrimos quién es su padre. Lysandra ha sido el personaje nuevo que más me ha gustado. De verdad que la adoro. Es una mujer fuerte y valiente a pesar de que no le gusta demasiado su vida. Su relación con Aelin me ha parecido absolutamente genial, dejan atrás el pasado que tenían juntas y se hacen mejores amigas. Me encantaron los regalos que Aelin le hizo. Y puede que espere que ella y Aedion tengan algo en los próximos libros. La trama de las brujas ha sido muy muy interesante. Ha sido curioso saber cómo se crearon las brujas y cómo tienen descendientes. Como me pasó también en Heir of Fire, los capítulos de Manon al principio me parecían aburridos pero después fui ganando interés en ellos. Elide me ha parecido un personaje que no estaba mal pero tampoco me ha parecido gran cosa. Eso sí, Kaltain ha estado demasiado increíble. Su personaje ha evolucionado muchísimo y realmente espero que siga viva después de lo que hizo. Me encanta como en ningún momento Aelin y Dorian se hacen daño porque esto mantiene mi teoría de que son almas gemelas. Además, ESE momento en el que se despiden y Aelin piensa que nunca imaginó que despedirse fuese tan doloroso, yo no podía con mi corazón. Por no decir que la descripción del amor que quiere Lysandra es la descripción que la autora vuelve a usar en la escena en la que Aelin y Dorian unen sus poderes y los llama dioses, DIOSES. Si oís a alguien gritar soy yo. Ya no voy a decir más, sólo que, por si nadie se había dado cuenta todavía, Trono de Cristal es mi saga favorita. Con Queen of Shadows Sarah J. Maas prepara lo que va a ser un final épico que yo no puedo esperar a leer.

Mi libro favorito de todo trono de cristal con personajes entrañables y giros emocionantes, la saga en si es hermosa, amo este libro con toda mi alma. Este libro es llamativo, hermoso y atrapa te En cuanto al producto en sí, me llegó rápido pero un poco dañado de las orillas de la sobre cubierta, nada grave, solo se maltrataron un poco (me imagino que por la manipulación del producto).