Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4)

By Sarah J. Maas

 

Synopsis:

The queen has returned.

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 has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. 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.

The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series continues Celaena’s epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

Publication date: September 1st 2015

Source: Goodreads

My rating: 5 / 5 !!!

My Thoughts:

What a fantabulous read! Based on the three previous books in the Throne of Glass series, I knew Maas would not disappoint but there's always that niggling doubt. Needless to say, that doubt has been squashed, squished and blown far, far away!

Aelin is magnificent in this read. I could clearly see her transition from all her previous personas to Queen. That fear she had of running from her past, her ancestry, is no longer there. Aelin is full on, fire-breathing-bitch-queen mode.

"This city still needs protecting," Chaol snapped.
Aelin shrugged, heading for the roof door. "Or maybe this city should burn," she murmured. A chill went down Aedion's spine, even though he knew she'd said it to piss off the captain. "Maybe the world should burn," she added, and stalked off the roof.

As you can guess, there is a LOT of action, but the romance and wit is all there too. I feel rather fickle in admitting that Chaol has been replaced by Rowas as Aelin's ultimate partner! Chaol was perfect for her at the time, but he only saw what he wanted to see, which was a damn shame. Reading how Aelin had fallen out of love with Chaol gave me definite feels....

There were perhaps only three feet between them now--three feet and months and months of missing and hating him. Months of crawling out of that abyss he'd shoved her into. But now that she was here... Everything was an effort not to say she was sorry. Sorry not for what she'd done to his face, but for the fact that her heart was healed- still fractured in spots, but healed- and he... he was not in it. Not as he'd once been.

In comes Rowan and, like Aelin says, they helped each other out of the darkness and despair. They argue and swear and fight so much but it's clear that they both have that fae wildness. They're not a cutesy, sweet couple, but they're awesome and fiery together, which is just what this story needs.

"Why are you crying?" he asked, trying to push her back far enough to read her face again.
But she held on to him, so fiercely she could feel the weapons beneath his clothes. It would still be fine, even if it went to hell, so long as he was here with her. "I'm crying," she sniffled, "because you smell so rutting bad my eyes are watering."

At the end of the last book, we see that Dorian's body is now inhabited by a Valg Prince. Although Dorian is still there, slowly he is succumbing to the evilness of the Valg and forgetting who he is. It was heartbreaking see him semi-disappear and scary to think that Dorian could be gone forever. 

Aedion is awesomeness defined. He and Lysandra bring the humour to the story and I daresay that there may be a potential romance between them going forwards?

"This one," she said, pointing to a jagged scar by her elbow. Aedion came around the couch to sit beside her. He took up nearly half of the damn thing. "The Pirate Lord of Skull's Bay gave that to me after I trashed his entire city, freed his slaves, and looked damn good while doing it."
Aedion took the bottle of wine and drank from it. "Has anyone ever taught you humility?"
"You didn't learn it, so why should I?"

It's hard to discuss this book without revealing major spoilers so I shall stop for now. Unlike the previous books, this had a more fulfilling ending and I think the wait for Empire of Storms is release later this year won't be as bad as I had expected. Meanwhile, I shall begin reading Maas's other books, starting with A Court of Thorns and Roses! 

Favourite Quotes (beware of spoiler-ish ones!):

"I miss you," she said. "Every day, I miss you. And I wonder what you would have made of all this. Made of me. I think- I think you would have been a wonderful king. I think they would have liked you more than me, actually." Her throat tightened. "I never told you-how I felt. But I loved you, and I think a part of me might always love you. Maybe you were my mate, and I never knew it. Maybe I'll spend the rest of my life wandering about that. Maybe I'll see you again in the Afterworld, and then I'll know for sure. But until then... until then I'll miss you, and I'll wish you were here."

"Apparently," he said, walking toward her and offering an arm, "we both clean up well."
She gave him a sly grin as she took his elbow, the scent of almonds wrapping around her again. "Don't forget your cloak. You'd feel rather guilty when all those poor mortal women combust at the sight of you."
"I'd say likewise, but I think you'd enjoy seeing men bursting into flames as you strutted by."
She winked at him, and his chuckle echoed through her bones and blood.

"I missed you," he said quietly, his gaze darting between her mouth and eyes. "When I was in Wendlyn. I lied when I said I didn't. From the moment you left, I missed you so much I went out of my mind. I was glad for the excuse to track Lorcan here, just to see you again. And tonight, when he had that knife at your throat..." The warmth of his callused finger bloomed through her as he traced a path over the cut on her neck. "I kept thinking about how you might never know that I missed you with only an ocean between us. But if it was death separating us... I would find you. I don't care how many rules it would break. Even if I had to get all three keys myself and open a gate. I would find you again. Always."

She said softly, "You make me want to live, Rowan. Not survive; not exist. Live."

Throne of Glass (Book One)

By Sarah J. Maas

 

Synopsis:

In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king's champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien.

The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass--and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.

Publication date: August 7th 2012

Source: Goodreads

My rating: 4.5 / 5

My Thoughts:

Many of my fellow bookstagrammers have recommended this series but I tried not to get sucked into the hype, always believing that sometimes books are overhyped for no reason. At the same time, I had my doubts. Surely there must be something awesome about this if practically every YA reader adores the series and the author is a New York Times bestselling author? So, I gave it a go and whoa, it was AMAZING. WHY have I not read this series before??!!! Perhaps it's a good thing because I abhor waiting for subsequent books in a series to be released so at least now I have four books to catch up on.

Firstly, let's discuss the main protagonist Celaena Sardothien. She is The most badass girl ever. Known to be the ultimate assassin, she has her ruthless outer layer, with her witty / arrogant remarks to defend the rather sensitive person she hides within. I loved her character especially because she ends up saving others rather than being the damsel in distress. Celaena's courage amazed me, even after everything she's been through, from her parent's murder to the year as a slave in the worst slave camp ever- I was shocked at how bravely she accepts each new problem.

"You deserve to be laughed at for such foolish thoughts! I spoke from my soul; you speak only from selfishness."
"You're remarkably judgmental."
"What's the point in having a mind if you don't use it to make judgments?"
"What's the point in having a heart if you don't use it to spare others from the harsh judgments of your mind?"
"Oh, well said, Your Highness!"

Onto Chaol, *sigh.* He tries so hard to be the detached and uncaring Captain but even he falls under the assassin's spell. They argue and banter so much to begin with, but it's clear that there's something there; even the Prince realises it before the do. He and Celaena make the perfect dream couple and I completely ship this pair. At first, I thought the Prince might be better suited for her, given his more easygoing temperament but Celaena and Chaol's chemistry was far more interesting. It's clear that any type of relationship will be difficult for an assassin like Celaena to maintain, especially one with the Captain of the Guard but there's always hope!

"Enjoyed that, did you?" Chaol growled.
"Immensely." Celaena patted Chaol's arm as she took it in her own. "Now you must pretend that you like me, or else everything will be ruined."
"You and the Crown Prince share the same sense of humor, it seems."
"Perhaps he and I will become dear friends, and you will be left to rot."

The Prince was a tad bit irritating in that he appeared to like her a lot but at the same time he's so used to getting what he wants all the time that he acts out when Celaena doesn't react the way he would like. He was a leeeetle bit over confident for my tastes but she soon put him in his place!

"Want to play?"
"I already old you that I don't feel well."
"You look fine to me." He skilfully shuffled the deck. "Just one game."
"Don't you pay people to entertain you?"
He glowered, breaking the deck. "You should be honored by my company."
"I'd be honored if you would leave."

I've shared some of my favourite quotes in this review. If you haven't read this series yet, I hope my review encourages you to do so! :)

Review of Beyond Reach

Beyond Reach
(True Calling #2)
By Siobhan Davis

 

Synopsis:

Back on Earth, Ariana is caught in a dangerous crossfire between clandestine rebel organization Clementia and the power-hungry government. Refusing to divulge the location of the secret information entrusted to her by her late father, she desperately tries to bargain for her Mom, Lily and Cal's rescue. She's fighting a losing battle, and the clock is ticking.

Presented with evidence of her fiance Cal's apparent betrayal, she loyally defends him despite her concerns. With her emotions in turmoil, matters become even more complicated as she grows closer to her ex-boyfriend Zane.

When the stakes are raised, a succession of shocking revelations rocks her world, setting her on a path that will not only change her destiny but the fate of humanity. 

Confronted by a memory so abhorrent comes a truth she would do anything to forget.

But some things just can't be undone.

Source: Goodreads

My rating: 2.6 / 5

My Thoughts:

**I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

As it has been a while since I read the first book in the true calling series, I couldn't immediately remember what previously too place.  However, book two was easy enough to follow and piece the story together. 

This was a tolerable read, but nothing to write home about. The love triangle was annoying and frustrating most of the time. Clearly Ari has feelings for Zane and Cal,  but due to her amnesia can't remember Zane, and due to the separation,  can't be with Cal. It leaves her in a difficult situation and I should sympathise but her character irritated me. Shes so petty and illogical,  her heart rules her to such an extent that at times I wondered if she had a brain at all!

Then Cal returns but now he's lost his memory so he can't remember anything, including being engaged to Ari. I guess it's a taste of her own medicine but luckily for Ari, Cal is more receptive with her than she was with Zane. 

I pitied Zane in the last book but his determination and unyielding love for Ari was unrealistic.  There is absolutely no way a guy can continue to be so enthralled with someone and remain calm in the situations Zane has gone through,  it was too unbelievable. I felt like shouting at him because if he really was that loyal there is no way she deserved him. The love triangle reminded me of Bella in Twilight and the way she led Jacob on knowing his devotion to her. 

Overall, I did not enjoy the second book in the True Calling series as much as the first, this wasn't a book for me. The characters were annoying, the romance was cheesy and stifling and the story didn't have me convinced. The cliffhanger at the end was a good twist but it wasn't enough to warrant a continuation of this series.

Zed (:

Likeable Quote:

"Empirical evidence shows that sixty-eight percent of girls marry a guy who displays similar personality traits to her father..." His voice trails off as I shake my head. "What?" he asks, his palms open and raised."You really need to get out more. Where'd you glean that interesting nugget? The desperate men's journal perhaps?"