Queen of Shadows
Ratings610
Average rating4.5
This entire book had a hold on me. Heart wrenching, cunning, and so incredibly beautiful.
I think this was definitely the best so far in ToG. Unfortunately I can't give any review without spoiling the others. This one has made the series worth it so far though!
Started off a little sluggish, but in typical SJM fashion it picked up and accelerated into oblivion after the halfway point.
Aelin is noticably less dumb, but still just as arrogant. Her biggest flaw in this book is needing to communicate her intentions and plans to her allies, but I see that happening going forward.
Once again, Manon is my favorite character. I really liked her development especially when dealing with Elide and the Thirteen (especially that conversation with Asterin about the matrons and the branding) and I can't wait to see her experience the world with the information she gained.
The King of Adarlan still fascinates me (revealing that he's been fighting a demon the whole time was an interesting—if expected—twist, and I'm a little disappointed that he's dead) but I am excited to see what all his plans spanning the last four books coalesce into.
I get why people don't like Chaol, but he is 110% the most human character (aka the Boromir of this setting), which is a valuable perspective to have when surrounded by super powered people. Dorian is a gem, and I loved that he was fighting the demon the whole time (and him being so horny for Manon that he broke through) was entertaining.
Nice to see the pieces coming together for the inevitable nightmare. It will be interesting to see how it all ends up.
6/10
Wow, for some reason it always take a couple of books before I realize how much i dislike a series. I was about to dnf this whole thing multiple times. The characters are bland. Every single scene with multiple male characters is just a bunch of growling. The prose is so unnecessarily intense all the time that when we get to an important chapter that changes the whole story it just feels like anybother dialog. Simply because these people talk to each other like they are in the middle of a battle at all times. So its all just bland.
Then it happened. I read a lifechanging Reddit comment. It said “If you go to McDonalds and expect a Michelin course you will always be disappointed”. I have now lowered my expectations dramatically, and I think I'll be able to survive the series. This is truly the McDonalds fries of fantasy. They are horrible, unless you know exactly what you are getting yourself into before diving in, then they are just ok.
Reading some other reviews of this book on here makes me feel like we read entirely different books. It is insane to me that this book is rated higher than The Return of The King. What are these people smoking?
Holy moly!!! This book was so much more action packed. I also feel like this book really added a lot of depth to all the characters. The characters that I didn't particularly liked in Heir of Fire now also took a place in my heart. I love how complex all the characters are and how they didn't just forgive and forget. This made their interactions with each other a lot more exciting to read. I can't wait to read the rest of the series and find out what happens next!!!
In love with this book, this series. Every book gets better and better as the world gets richer and we get introduced to more POVs. I am loving the character arc of The Thirteen.
Wow! What a book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
So far this is my favorite book in the series!
My thoughts on Dorian:I loved his character progression. I was horrified when he was imprisoned but loved seeing him constantly fighting! I would have been devastated if he couldn't be saved.Chaol:For most of the book he irritated me, his attitude was awful! But I think seeing Dorian like he was helped him see things from Aelin's perspective. Love his redemption!Rowan, Aedion, Nesryn, Elide, LysandraNew characters which I love. I'm so happy to see Lysandra and Aelin's friendship.Elide - I'm very interested in where her journey goes.Love Nesryn! Love the brotherhood with Rowan and AedionManon and the blackbeaksI was so excited to see their change, I'm so looking forward to seeing this storylineIn the end I felt a tiny bit sorry for the King. Sad that he ended up imprisoned for 10 years with that awful demon inside :( I think this book was just as much about the character changes/development than it was the storyline
It took until the previous book for this series to become interesting. The story is good but SJM desperately needs an editor to cut the chaff out of here, there are whole chapters that just like don't need to be here.
So much happening in a single book!
Action packed, couldn't put it down. immediately starting the next 2 as tandem read
Queen of Shadows was good but soo long. It took me a while to get through it because my attention wasn't cemented in this book like it was for others in the series. I feel like there was a lot of building then the climax was too fast and underwhelming.
I absolutely hated Chaol in this book. He was so rude and deliberately hurtful toward Celaena. He blamed her for everything and didn't take the time to explain what had happened in Rifthold nor listen to what she had been through while away. Then to throw the Eye of Elena at her... “There hasn't been a we for a while, Celaena—” oof! And then proceed to call her a monster.
Celaena/Aelin has a new love in every book! I wonder how long Rowan will last.
I really loved Aelin standing tall and embracing her power/ royalty. She gave an impressive speech to the people of Rifthold.
SJM has a talent when it comes to the last 100 pages of any book she writes.
One word I would use to describe my reaction to the ending is:
Gobsmacked
It was that good. RTC!
Edit: Arguably one of her best books ever written
Solid four stars. The first half of this dang book was so slow, as a lot of SJM books tend to be for me. It was like nothing happened for 350 pages. I felt pulled away to read other books, which is why it took me 3.5 months to finish it.
But once the halfway point passed, things really picked up and I was hooked yet again.
I was so excited to finally see Aelin and Manon meet! After an entire book and a half of waiting for our two queens to come face to face! And it was an awesome fight too.
Going to tandem read Empire and Tower... wish me luck!
Listened to the audiobook, which is 20 hours and finished in two days because I couldn't stop listening to it. Best book in the series so far!
SOCORRO Y DIOS MÍO DE MI VIDA QUEEEEEE
me he leído un libro de 700 páginas donde pasan un montón de cosas en 2 días, creo que no tengo que añadir NADA MÁS✨
3.5★
to my own surprise, i actually enjoyed this! it was fun, albeit a bit confusing at times. i would've liked if the last 10% of the book didn't drag on like it did but im looking forward to the rest of the series nonetheless
Both gut-wrenching and satisfying. This epic narrative continues Celaena's journey with a blend of intense emotions and exhilarating action. Maas skillfully crafts a tale that is heavy with character development and plot twists, leading readers through a rollercoaster of feelings. The novel's deep exploration of themes like loyalty, betrayal, and redemption adds layers of depth to the story. The action scenes are vivid and well-executed, complementing the intricate plot. Despite its heart-rending moments, the book ends on a note of triumph and hope, leaving readers both emotionally moved and eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this gripping saga.
This was an absolute wild ride. And I am now dreading what comes next.
I wholeheartedly believe that SJM sacrificed her first born child to write this book — I have never experienced that type of atmosphere like I did when I read those last 100 pages. I'm still in shock.
I forgot how excellent this book is. The pining, the plotting, the different POVs, the ending, the friendship, the “I'll bleed whatever color you tell me too” rizz, are you joking? Five stars. Ate this up. Time to do the tandem read and I can't WAIT