Review - Queen of Shadows

Throne of Glass stack + Aelin print designed by JemlinC

Title: Queen of Shadows
Series: Throne of Glass (Goodreads)
Publisher: Bloomsbury 
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Author: Sarah J. Maas   
Age Group: YA
Source: Waterstones (purchased)

Review

So much happened in this book and my love for this series only gets stronger and more intense as the Throne of Glass series progresses! Something that I have noticed so far about all the books is that the beginnings are usually a bit slow to develop and it can take a few chapters before the action begins to take place. This doesn’t spoil the books in any way, at least not for me, but I mention this so that readers are aware and advise them to stick with the books because once the action picks up you do not want to miss it. As the series goes on and I continue to review them I’m finding it harder and harder to keep my reviews as free from spoilers as possible because so much has changed for Celaena since A Throne of Glass so I will advise to read with caution as there will be minor spoilers.

The one constant strength for me throughout all the books, and especially in Queen of Shadows, is Celaena’s personal development. If you are a long time fan or a new fan of the series then you will be aware of the burdens Celaena has had to carry. These burdens have only increased and become heavier since the previous book, Heir of Fire, when Celaena’s true identity was revealed (Aelin of Terrasen). To go from being an assassin to a young queen with a kingdom to save is a heavy burden for anyone, and Celaena does struggle with it, but importantly with the support and love from her close friends they help her too overcome her struggles and burdens.

‘She could forgive the girl who had needed a captain of the guard to offer stability after a year in hell; forgive the girl who had needed a captain to be her champion. But she was her own champion now. And she would not add another name of her beloved dead to her flesh.’

That leads me to the best element of this book and for me that was the multiple relationships that were developed. Though more importantly, it was the individual developments of particular characters too. The strongest and most beautiful individual developments for me were Manon, Lysandra and Rowan. Whilst the relationships that stood out for me were Celaena and Lysandra’s, Celaena and Rowan’s as well as Manon and Elide’s. I desperately want to discuss so many of these characters and their story arcs but then I’d honestly end up writing a uni length essay and nobody really wants that. So I’m going to focus on Manon’s development as well as the relationship between Celaena and Rowan.

I think you would find it very difficult to argue with any hardcore fan of this series that Maas is in no doubt a fantastic writer of strong, fierce, and independent women! Manon is certainly no exception to this strongly worded statement. When we first met Manon in Heir of Fire she was a blindly loyal and unquestioning follower of her Grandmothers. However, following events in the previous book this is no longer the case. From early on in Queen of Shadows Manon is suddenly lost and beginning to doubt her unquestioning loyalty and this is what makes her development in this series so interesting. There is a fantastic couple of scenes which I think really highlight Manon’s beginning developments. If what has started in Queen of Shadows continues to get stronger in the next few books than her individual story arc is for me is one to watch closely. I think something that’s very important about personal development for characters is that it cannot happen without the right people present in their lives to challenge them and for Manon the two most important and willing challengers in Queen of Shadows are Asterin and Elide. In one particular scene Manon states that Elide cannot understand her struggles because she has not lived them. However, Elide very quickly responds that actually she can relate because she too has faced the same struggles and so openly challenges Manon exemplifying for me the strengths of their developing friendship and Manon’s personal journey too:

“Is your broken kingdom worth it?” Elide dared to ask. […] “I do not expect a human to understand what it is like to be an immortal with no homeland. To be cursed with eternal exile.” Cold, distant words. Elide said, “My kingdom was conquered by the King of Adarlan, and everyone I loved was executed. My father’s lands and my title were stolen from me by my uncle, and my best chance of safety now lies in sailing to the other end of the world. I understand what it is like to wish—to hope.” “It is not hope. It is survival.” Elide gently rolled a bandage around the witch’s forearm. “It is hope for your homeland that guides you, that makes you obey.”

Finally Celaena and Rowan’s relationship has already come so far since the previous book, Heir of Fire, and I am totally in love with how much they mean to each other and the support they have and give to one another. What’s fantastic about the multiple perspectives given to us in this book is that we are finally able to see what goes on inside both their minds and honestly reading from Rowan’s perspective had my heart melting. There were so many moments that had me laughing, almost in tears of laughter a lot of times, and others that had me weak at the knees because of their emotional vulnerability. Celaena can absolutely look after herself but that doesn’t mean she’s immune to weak moments, because no one is, and to have Rowan look out for her is absolutely fantastic especially when she willingly asks for his help. Sometimes a persons strength comes from being able to ask for help. Rowan truly cares for Celaena and this example that I’m going to share and leave you with proves that:

‘Rowan had thought he knew fear. He had thought he could face any danger with a clear head and ice in his veins. Until Lorcan appeared from the shadows, so fast that Rowan hadn’t even scented him, and put that knife against Aelin’s throat.’

Synopsis (Goodreads)

NO MASTERS.

NO LIMITS.
NO REGRETS.

Celaena Sardothien is cloaked in her assassin's hood once more. She is back in Rifthold, but this time she is no one's slave. She must delve into her most painful memories and fight for her survival, while resisting a smouldering passion that might very well consume her heart. And she will face her former master, the King of Assassins, again - to wreak revenge for a decade of pain...

Key Quotes

‘There were two men in this city responsible for destroying her life and the people she’d loved. She would not leave Rifthold until she’d buried them both.'

‘[she] reminded herself that she’d been trained to kill with her bare hands long before she’d ever learned to melt bones with her fire. She did not need the extra strength, speed, and agility of her Fae form to bring down her enemies.’

‘There were many, many debts to be paid before she left Rifthold and took back her throne. Starting now. Fortunate that she was in a killing sort of mood.’

‘Everything—everything was for Dorian, for his friend. For himself, he had nothing left to lose. He was nothing more than a nameless oath-breaker, a liar, a traitor.’

“I hear hell is particularly nice at this time of year.”

Similar Reads

The Cruel Prince, From Blood and Ash, Serpent & Dove, Shadow and Bone, Six of Crows, The Shadows Between Us, Red Queen 

Afterthoughts

Who's your favourite character or relationship?

Have you read Queen of Shadows, let me know your thoughts!

What books would you recommend for fantasy readers?

I wasn't too keen on the direction of Celaena and Chaol's relationship at the beginning but by the end something seriously changed my mind and Chaol redeemed my appreciation for his character.

Chaol's consistent friendship and loyalty to Dorian has always been a strength of his character. One of the enjoyable aspects of the series is their bromance!

Review - The Wickerlight

The Wickerlight

Title: The Wickerlight

Series: The Wren Hunt (Goodreads)

Publisher: Bloomsbury 

Genre: Fantasy, Mythology/Folklore, Crime fiction, Romance

Author: Mary Watson   

Age Group: YA

Source: Amazon (purchased)

Review 

‘Wickerlight is when time cracks, when magic gets in. It’s a rare star alignment, or maybe a blue or blood moon [...] Sometimes, for a few intense seconds, you know time feels different. Like you’ve stepped into pure magic.

The Wickerlight by Mary Watson is a fantastic book and one that can either be read as a standalone or as a sequel to the first book The Wren Hunt. I personally read it as the sequel having read the first book a few years back and was super excited to return to the world and characters that Watson had created. In The Wickerlight we learn more about David, who in the first book was the major antagonist, but in this sequel he has become the joint narrator and protagonist alongside a new character, Zara. I absolutely loved Watson’s development both of David, from the previous book, and the world’s mythology too. Without giving too much away there are two magical communities, known as the Augurs and Judges, who are equally connected to nature but clash on how it should be treated and used for their magic. Alongside the mythology of the two magic bearing communities is a murder mystery involving the new joint narrator Zara, who’s sister has recently died of unknown causes, and it is for this reason that The Wickerlight could be read as a standalone. Because even though we are given a development of David we are not given a development of the previous protagonist from the first book The Wren Hunt. 

What I loved majorly about this book was the further development of David. It’s been a while since I read The Wren Hunt but from what I remember David was not a very nice guy and the reasons for this were never that clearly stated. However, The Wickerlight certainly develops and explains why David is the young man that he is and gives a satisfying resolution to the readers of both books. Like many protagonists in YA fiction David has not had an easy start to life he has been raised with family pressures and expectations that have lead to becoming a rather cruel and unkind young man, ‘...it’s been drilled in me from birth that strength and ambition are more important than kindness. That feelings are something to be overcome.’ David has been raised as a Judge and the very world itself is unkind and unforgiving. The tone and themes of The Wickerlight are much darker than the first book. There are some short scenes involving torture and although for some these may not be too explicit for others it might well be too much (I would advise some caution for all readers). Though I will not give anything away about the ending we see David begin to question and doubt the ways in which he has been raised and challenges the worlds ideologies that he has been taught are absolute. And by the end I was hugely satisfied with David’s development and in finally being given an insight into understanding this young man, who for me I felt was actually a rather sad and lonely as well as misunderstood young person.

‘Dad’s always been a weird mirror of the future for me. In him, I see the man I’m meant to become. I’ve been taught to idolise his strength, his way with weapons. To be gruff, blunt, abrupt. Relentless. Without mercy or remorse.’

If you enjoy a bit of romance and murder mystery then The Wickerlight certainly provides both of these. Unlike The Wren Hunt the main propelling story arc is the new girl's attempts to solve the mystery of her sisters death. And in trying to solve this mystery she is of course drawn into the world of the Augurs and Judges and finds herself falling in love too. Zara herself undergoes her own personal development as the joint protagonist, but unlike David, her development is linked to the processing of her grief and loss of a dead sister. Grief is expressed in many different ways by all sorts of people and Zara is no different. However, Zara is not only grieving she is infuriated by the lack of knowing what really happened and therefore she expresses her grief through frustration during the earlier part of the book. For example, during a scene between herself and her mum she accuses her of abandoning herself and her remaining brother whilst their mum struggles through her own grief saying cruel and unkind words that leave Zara feeling guilty and frustrated, ‘I stand in the drive, filled with this hollow, guilty pain. I am an empty girl, with gaping cavities inside.’ As the book progresses and Zara begins to process and find resolution her grief turns away from frustration towards acceptance and understanding. Importantly, though her grief never disappears it does evolve through stages. In some ways death and grief determine the person that Zara becomes and the actions that she takes. In some ways its unavoidable because what happens to a person will always determine who they will become and what actions they will take in response. Although, grief and trying to resolve her sisters murder is a huge driving force of her part in the story but alongside this is also a developing romance. For me, I did enjoy the romance and especially the way that it allowed the characters to develop as individuals in relation to their own struggles, I could very easily have read this book without the romance in it too though. Where in other way  YA books the intrigue comes from the romance, for me, it came from the murder mystery in The Wickerlight.      

“I’ll be here, among the ghosts of the living, with the dust of the dead.”

Synopsis (From Goodreads) 

It's been two months since Laila was found lifeless on Kilshamble village green, not a mark on her. Rumour says she died of an overdose. Or maybe it was suicide? The autopsy found nothing, but somebody must know what happened.

Now Laila's sister Zara is ready to pick up the trail. But retracing her sister's footsteps takes her to David, a Judge at the dangerous heart of an ancient magical feud. All too unwittingly, she begins to tread the same path that led her sister to the village green .

Mary Watson's sequel to The Wren Hunt is an eerie, magical thriller about a dead girl, her sister and the boy who can unlock the truth of what happened the night she died.

Key Quotes 

‘There are monsters in these woods. Dangerous creatures wait and watch. The villagers warn of fearsome tree people, with bark-covered skin and thick roping muscle. Beautiful and deadly, they lure boys and girls into the deepest parts of the forest. The victims fall in love with these exquisite monsters, and this is what destroys them. Every kiss is a feed, every touch a drain, until they are nothing more than shells. Or dead [...] Here’s the thing about the monsters in my world: they’re normal people living at a knife’s edge, poised between decent and depraved.’

'I’ve spent my whole life wanting nothing more than to be the Shackle. I am a therapist's dream.’

'But words are power, and any judge's worth is determined by how many words they’ve turned to law.’

‘The Badb Catha is a harbinger of death. She is a battle goddess, who would mess with the minds of the enemy on the battlefield, sending awful visions to distract and destroy. So, I’m guessing she’s most pleased by death and destruction.’

'Mom wants to fix things. It’s why she’s a doctor. And she can’t fix this. Worse, she doesn’t even know how it all broke.'

‘I trust charming boys least of all.’

Similar reads

Havenfall, Perfectly Preventable Deaths

Afterthoughts

If you were raised believing that pain and torture were the only way of life and the expression of power than could you be expected to be anything other than unfeeling and uncaring, to be anything other than a horrible immoral person?

How far would you go to find out the answers to a mystery surrounding the death of a loved one?

Grief can have different effects on everyone, and it does not always make people very nice to those still surrounding them. 

Family struggles and expectations, we all have them. Some are more manageable than others, but there are those burdens that are inescapable and destructive.

Have you read The Wickerlight or The Wren Hunt, what did you think? If not will you give it a try?

Review - The Assassin's Blade

The Assassin's Blade

Title: The Assassin's Blade

Series: Throne of Glass (Goodreads)
Publisher: Bloomsbury 
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Author: Sarah J. Maas   
Age Group: YA
Source: Amazon (purchased)

Review 

If you have read the main Throne of Glass books then this novella collection will not only give you more time with Celaena, to further understand her personal development, but to break your hearts. And if you have yet to read the main series, what are you waiting for? In fairness if you haven’t read the main series yet don’t worry. This novella collection will also help you to learn more about Celaena’s personal development but may spoil some key plots in the main series (so do read with caution). There are some different times when you can read this novella. You can either read it before the main series, which is absolutely fine if that’s your preference, but I personally would advise against this because you will not yet have the connection to the characters and the need to find out about who they have become because of past circumstances. The other times you can read this is either after Heir of Fire or Queen of Shadows, but definitely before Empire of Storms. I personally chose to read The Assassin’s Blade after Heir of Fire and am so glad I did, because I was securely invested in Celaena’s life and wanting to understand her development more. The last option is of course to read the novella after you have finished the main series.

There will be spoilers in this review!

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord

This story not only begins the protagonists story that we will later see developed throughout this novella itself but importantly continued into and throughout the main Throne of Glass series. This short story was fantastic because it began to show us the major relationship between Celaena and Sam. If you are a fan of hate to love romances than you will absolutely love Celaena and Sam’s relationship.

‘If Sam took one step toward her, drew his sword a fraction of an inch, that concealed dagger in her robe would find itself a new home in his neck.’

Some might say that is it really possible for an assassin to have a moral conscience. Well, if you read this short story than yes, it is. Celaena has been raised an assassin but remains opposed to the injustices of slavery. The main driving plot is how Celaena and Sam are desperate to free the slaves that Arobynn has sent them to collect from the pirate lord. Alongside their joint mission to save the slaves Celaena and Sam begin to develop a friendship and respect for one another not just as assassins but importantly as people.

‘Being hired to kill corrupt government officials was one thing, but taking prisoners of war, brutalizing them until they stopped fighting back, and sentencing them to a lifetime of slavery …’

 The Assassin and the Healer

This was the shortest story in the collection and for me was perhaps the one I was least keen on. We are introduced to Yrene a practising and hopeful healer and importantly another victim of the Adarlan King’s cruelty and corruption. Though we only spend a short while with Yrene she is a an interesting and compelling new character that maybe hopefully we will see again in the main series. There is a major but subtle spoiler that is key to Yrene and this is why I hope we get to see her developed and brought into the main series.

‘But she’d wanted to be a healer—like her mother and grandmother. She’d started shadowing her mother as soon as she could talk, learning slowly, as all the traditional healers did.’

As for Celaena she has been sent away as punishment by Arobynn, the master assassin and owner of Celaena and Sam (he has insured that they are indebted to him with unpayable prices). We see her healing from a brutal beating, ‘She avoided looking in the sliver of mirror above her dresser, knowing what she’d see: mottled purple and blue and yellow along her cheekbones, a vicious black eye, and a still healing split lip. It was all a reminder of what Arobynn had done the day she returned from Skull’s Bay—proof of how she’d betrayed him by saving two hundred slaves from a terrible fate’. But she meets Yrene and so this leads to an interesting interaction between the two young woman.

The interaction shows how there have been many injustices and victims that have suffered the Adarlan King’s cruelty, that as a result people have become displaced and forced into lives they would not have wanted or wished for:

‘There were so many of them now—the children who had lost everything to Adarlan. Children who had now grown into assassins and barmaids, without a true place to call home, their native kingdoms left in ruin and ash.’

But both Yrene and Celaena as strong young woman show that there is hope that the King has yet to break every single individual.

 The Assassin and the Desert

This story was my second least favourite of the novella but that did not stop me from enjoying it. I just felt it moved too slowly towards the main action. However, this story was important in terms of offering Celaena an alternative look at a different assassin’s community as well as the chance for female friendship and most importantly gave her the much needed distance and time away from the oppressive, grooming, and cruel assassin master Arobynn. It also allowed Celaena a chance to begin to process and think through her evolving feelings for Sam.

One of the key differences between where Celaena has been raised and taught by Arobynn and the assassin’s guild is the encouragement of sharing and respecting other assassins and what they have to offer one another. That assassins do not have to be at each other’s throats and see one another as an enemy or competitor but as someone who can share their knowledge and skills to better educate each other, this for me was one of the key redeeming plots of this short story.

‘…it seemed that there was a good deal less … viciousness here. Arobynn encouraged cutthroat behavior. Even when they were children, he’d set her and Sam against each other, use their victories and failures against them. He’d made her see everyone but Arobynn and Ben as a potential enemy. As allies, yes, but also as foes to be closely watched. Weakness was never to be shown at any cost. Brutality was rewarded. And education and culture were equally important—words could be just as deadly as steel. But the Silent Assassins … Though they, too, might be killers, they looked to one another for learning. Embraced collective wisdom.’

 The Assassin and the Underworld

Celaena has finally returned home to Rifthold and the controlling hands of Arobynn. We see that Celaena has begun to challenge what she wants for herself and the recent injustices and punishment she has faced from Arobynn. We see her struggle through her thoughts and relationship to Arobynn. For me, reading this I could see that Arobynn has groomed her, and it is very tricky to not only escape the clutches of a controlling and charismatic man like Arobynn but find a justifiable and necessary reason to confront and accept for yourself that you have been victimised and need to break free from their physical self as well as their mental influences.

“Every day,” he went on. “Every day since you left, I’ve gone to the temple of Kiva to pray for forgiveness.” She might have snorted at the idea of the King of the Assassins kneeling before a statue of the God of Atonement, but his words were so raw. Was it possible that he actually regretted what he had done?’

As for Celaena and Sam it is the first time they have seen each other since she was sent away. And this evolving relationship does not come easily to Celaena, yes she has a newfound respect and appreciation for him, but that does not undo the long-term teachings to see him as her competitor and challenger to her position as Arobynn’s protégée and Adarlan’s greatest assassin.

‘Sam could have hurt or betrayed her a dozen times over, but he’d never jumped at the opportunity. A half smile tugged at a corner of her lips. She’d missed him. Seeing the expression on her face, he gave her a bewildered sort of grin. She swallowed, feeling the words bubbling up through her—I missed you—but the door to the drawing room opened. ’

In this short story we finally see Sam confess to his long hidden feelings for Celaena and it is the most beautiful and joyous moment not only for the readers but these characters too. Sam finally confesses to Celaena that he loves her and has for a long time, that following the beating and punishment for freeing the slaves he could no longer hide his feelings and that Arobynn having always known this manipulated him using his feelings against him:

“But my punishment was having to watch him beat you that night.”

“I’ve already told you everything—I’ve already told you that if I stay here, if I have to live with Arobynn, I’ll snap his damned neck.” “But why? Why can’t you let it go?” He grabbed her shoulders and shook her. “Because I love you!” Her mouth fell open. “I love you,” he repeated, shaking her again. “I have for years. And he hurt you and made me watch because he’s always known how I felt, too. But if I asked you to pick, you’d choose Arobynn, and I. Can’t. Take. It.”

 The Assassin and the Empire

This final short story is by far the most heart-breaking and grievous. If you have read the main Throne of Glass series then you will know what tragic event occurs. But if you haven’t I will not share this event. All I will say is that it explains why Celaena starts off as a slave of Endovier in the main first book, and one of the reasons why I did not read The Assassin’s Blade first but rather after Heir of Fire.

Celaena and Sam have both payed off their debts to Arobynn and moved into an apartment owned by Celaena. However, having read through the series of short stories it is undeniable that it is impossible to truly escape the clutches and influences of someone like Arobynn, because he does not leave them alone. Arobynn has seen them both as his own property, he believes that he owns them and they are his to do with as a he pleases, so even though they have moved into their own apartment and exploring their evolving love, feelings and relationship with one another Arobynn will not let go of his control over their lives.

“I don’t like sharing my belongings.” – Arobynn

I absolutely loved seeing Celaena and Sam together and they are an absolutely adorable couple and it’s for this very reason that the tragedy that occurs is so heart-breaking. They are finally just enjoying being together and enjoying a bit of fun with one another not only because it’s a new relationship but because they are also young and exploring the boundaries of their own sexualities and the boundaries of their relationship.

'Sam kissed her ear, his teeth grazing her earlobe, and her heart stumbled a beat. “Don’t use kissing to swindle me into accepting your apology,” she got out, even as she tilted her head to the side to allow him better access. He chuckled, his breath caressing her neck. “It was worth a shot.”

This short story concludes by tying into the first book in the main series. Having read this novella I finally understood the reason as to why Celaena had become a slave and was glad to have found out after reading Throne of Glass rather than before it. For me, personally, though Celaena has become a shadow of her former self, more broken by the events and cruelties from the people in her life, I do believe we see a glimpse of some remaining strength. Celaena has yet to be truly broken and can be brought back from the edge and helped into recovery:

‘A breeze filled the wagon [...]She must stand up... She must stand, or be broken before she even entered Endovier.’

‘She would go into Endovier. Go into Hell. And she would not crumble. [...] She would survive this.’

“My name is Celaena Sardothien,” she whispered, “and I will not be afraid.” The wagon cleared the wall and stopped. Celaena raised her head. [...] I will not be afraid. Celaena Sardothien lifted her chin and walked into the Salt Mines of Endovier.’

Synopsis (From Goodreads) 

Celaena Sardothien owes her reputation to Arobynn Hamel. He gave her a home at the Assassins' Guild and taught her the skills she needed to survive.

Arobynn's enemies stretch far and wide - from Adarlan's rooftops and its filthy dens, to remote islands and hostile deserts. Celaena is duty-bound to hunt them down. But behind her assignments lies a dark truth that will seal her fate - and cut her heart in two forever...

Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine and find out how the legend begins in the five page-turning prequel novellas to the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series.

Key Quotes 

‘He loved her like family, yet he put her in the most dangerous positions. He nurtured and educated her, yet he’d obliterated her innocence the first time he’d made her end a life. He’d given her everything, but he’d also taken everything away. She could no sooner sort out her feelings toward the King of the Assassins than she could count the stars in the sky.’

'the billowing black cape, the exquisite clothing, and the mask transformed her into a whisper of darkness.'

"...If I’m going to kill you, Celaena, it’ll be when I can actually get away with it.” She scowled. “I appreciate that.”

‘One of the courtesans on the swings flew by so low that their fingers brushed. The touch sent sparks shooting through her. This was more than a party: it was a performance, an orgy, and a call to worship at the altar of excess. Celaena was a willing sacrifice.'

“My name is Wind,” she whispered. “And Rain. And Bone and Dust. My name is a snippet of a half-remembered song.” [...] “I have no name,” she purred. “I am whoever the keepers of my fate tell me to be.”

Similar reads

The Cruel Prince, Shadow and Bone, Serpent & Dove

Afterthoughts

I hope to see some of the characters introduced brought into the main Throne of Glass series. This includes Lysandra, Arobynn, Yrene and Ansel.


Have you read The Assassin's Blade, what did you think?


Have you read the main Throne of Glass series, how did you feel when reading this novella as an extension to the series?

Review - Heir of Fire

Heir of Fire

Title: Heir of Fire
Series: Throne of Glass (Goodreads)
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Author: Sarah J. Maas   
Age Group: YA
Source: Amazon (purchased)

Review

I am only three books into this series and I am already obsessed and in awe of Maas’ skills as a writer and the complex but intriguing characters she has created. This is definitely for me one of the hardest series to review without giving spoilers because there is so much in this ya fantasy that happens that depends on spoilers. However, I am definitely going to try and continue to review this series as best I can by avoiding spoilers whilst still sharing the excitement of this book and overall series as I continue to read it.

I would like to start with what I thought was perhaps the weakest part of Heir of Fire and for me that was the lack of development for Chaol and Dorian. Although I could see instances were there was the possibility and chance for development it just wasn’t reached and for me this was a real shame. Out of the two of these characters I definitely think that Dorian had the least personal development and his story arc felt like an unnecessary filler rather than something that was actually powerful enough to push him to challenge and develop as a character in the world that he is an individual of. Considering the fact that the previous book, Crown of Midnight, opened up a huge opportunity for Dorian to develop unfortunately this book did not take that chance up and instead found Dorian mostly unneeded in this book (that is until the cliff-hanger we are left with, another chance for development that I hope will be better because I do really love Dorian and what he brings to the series). Though, I will say that as earlier stated there were instances of development between Chaol and Dorian which were strong and hopefully allows development in the next books of this series. One of the instances is when Dorian challenges Chaol’s worldly prejudices, and I think was a great example not only of their potential for character development but Maas’s abilities as a writer too to make her readers think (yes, even in a ya fantasy):

“… And of course you wish she wasn’t who she is. Because you’re not really scared of those things, are you? No—it’s what they represent. The change. But let me tell you…things have already changed. And changed because of you…” […] “As for Celaena,” he said again, “you do not have the right to wish she were not what she is. The only thing you have a right to do is decide whether you are her enemy or her friend.” […] So he stared down his friend, even though he knew Chaol was hurting and adrift, and said, “I’ve already made my decision about her. And when the time comes, regardless of whether you are here or in Anielle, I hope your choice is the same as mine.”

In the previous book, Crown of Midnight, there was a huge cliff-hanger that left an open opportunity for the development of magic that has been slowly introduced and developed since the first book. You will not be disappointed by Heir of Fire and its continued ability to develop the magic system, which one would expect in a fantasy ya. Though I will not personally give away all that happens I will admit one key plot-line that has been hinted at since Throne of Glass and that is that we finally meet real life Fae (though not from Adarlan). Heir of Fire for me undoubtedly saw an incredible and strong character development for Celaena. From the previous book she is still processing and struggling with some difficult events, that I will not discuss because no one likes a spoiler, but this has left her struggling by herself with no one to talk to or more importantly because she is unwilling to forgive and seek help from others. However, through an unlikely relationship that develops throughout Heir of Fire Celaena does slowly begin to talk to another individual and begin to process her struggles and emotions. But this is not a quick process and one that leads to a hugely compelling relationship development between herself and the one she receives help from as well as I’ve already stated a chance for her to heal as an individual too.

“There is this … rage,” she said hoarsely. “This despair and hatred and rage that lives and breathes inside me. There is no sanity to it, no gentleness. It is a monster dwelling under my skin. For the past ten years, I have worked every day, every hour, to keep that monster locked up. And the moment I talk about those two days, and what happened before and after, that monster is going to break loose, and there will be no accounting for what I do. […] “For whatever it’s worth, I don’t think you would destroy the world from spite.” His voice turned hard. “But I also think you like to suffer. You collect scars because you want proof that you are paying for whatever sins you’ve committed. And I know this because I’ve been doing the same damn thing for two hundred years.”

Heir of Fire also saw an introduction of some fantastic new characters that will become and have already shown their huge importance to the development and continuation of this series. The new characters include Manon, Rowan and Aedion. I hugely admire and respect Maas’s ability as a writer to create a host of distinct characters that she is able to maintain and give each their own personalities and voices to that do not read the same (this is a huge feat for any author and Maas is absolutely incredible for managing this so successfully). At the end I found that I’m in absolute adoration of Manon and Rowan in particular and cannot wait to see more of them in the rest of the series I leave you with the following quote about Manon:

‘She counted to ten, because she wanted to hunt, and had been that way since she tore through her mother’s womb and came roaring and bloody into this world.’

Synopsis (From Goodreads)

Consumed by guilt and rage, Celaena can't bring herself to spill blood for the King of Adarlan. She must fight back...

The Immortal Queen will help her destroy the king - for a price. But as Celaena battles with her darkest memories and her heart breaks for a love that could never last, can she fulfil the bargain and head the almighty court of Terrasen? And who will stand with her?

Key Quotes 

'Chaol closed his eyes for a moment. “A part of me will always love her. But I had to get her out of this castle. Because it was too dangerous, and she was … what she was becoming…” “She was not becoming anything different from what she always was and always had the capacity to be. You just finally saw everything. And once you saw that other part of her …,” Dorian said quietly. It had taken him until now, until Sorscha, to understand what that meant. “You cannot pick and choose what parts of her to love.” He pitied Chaol, he realized. His heart hurt for his friend, for all that Chaol had surely been realizing these past few months. “Just as you cannot pick which parts of me you accept.”

‘She had made a vow—a vow to free Eyllwe. […] Celaena had decided on one plan to follow when she reached these shores. One plan, however insane and unlikely, to free the enslaved kingdom: find and obliterate the Wyrdkeys the King of Adarlan had used to build his terrible empire. She’d gladly destroy herself to carry it out. Just her, just him. Just as it should be; no loss of life beyond their own, no soul stained but hers. It would take a monster to destroy a monster.’

‘She’d deserved that particular blow in the brawl she’d provoked in last night’s taberna—she’d kicked a man’s balls into his throat, and when he’d caught his breath, he’d been enraged, to say the least.’

“Does your lover know what you are?” A cold question. […] She heard, more than felt, something die from her voice as she said, “We’re not—together. Not anymore. I let him go before I came here.” He looked over his shoulder. “Why?” Flat, bored. But still, slightly curious. What did she care if he knew? She’d curled her hand into a fist in her lap, her knuckles white. […] “Because he’s safer if he’s as repulsed by me as you are.” “At least you’ve already learned one lesson.” When she cocked her head, he said, “The people you love are just weapons that will be used against you.”

“Why don’t I give you the lashing you deserve?” He looked so dead set on it that she blinked. “If you ever take a whip to me, I will skin you alive.” He let go of her and stalked around the clearing, a predator assessing its prey.’ 

Similar reads

The Cruel Prince, The Shadows Between Us, Red Queen, Serpent & Dove, Six of Crows, Shadow and Bone

Afterthoughts

Who would you cast for a Throne of Glass adaptation?

What are your thoughts on this series?

Did you enjoy Heir of Fire?

Which new characters did you love from Heir of Fire?

Review - Crown of Midnight

Crown of Midnight

Title: Crown of Midnight

Series: Throne of Glass (Goodreads)

Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Age Group: YA
Source: Amazon UK (Purchased)

Review

The Throne of Glass series continued to impress me and in Crown of Midnight themes and issues that were introduced at the beginning of the series were developed even further in this book. Unlike the first book the pacing of Crown of Midnight felt slightly slower in the first half before a tragedy strikes and the pace increased to the same as Maas’s first book in the series. Maas continues to develop complex characters and the fictional world of Adarlan, we especially see the increased elements of fantasy that will unfold in later books of the series.

What I loved about Crown of Midnight was the developed relationship between Chaol and Celaena. They continued to have interactions which were built on taunting and challenging one another in a way that it didn’t feel cruel but rather fun and flirtatious. In Crown of Midnight the first half of the story is focused on Celaena working as the King’s Champion and as part of this we meet an old acquaintance of hers that she’s been tasked to find and kill on orders of the King. Celaena manages to hunt down the acquaintance, and their interactions are very exciting and flirtatious, but Celaena doesn’t find him without the help of Chaol which leads to this rather hilarious interaction:

‘she gave him a feline grin. “You aren’t afraid of a bunch of stuffy old ladies and giggling young women, are you?” He glared at her, and she patted his arm. […] “The next time we train,” he said as they eased through the throng of beautifully dressed women, “remind me to wallop you”. An elderly women turned to glare at him, and Celaena gave her an apologetic and exasperated look, as if to say, Men!...“This is the part where you shut your mouth and pretend to be a woolly-headed bit of decoration.” His returning pinch told her that he was really going to make her sweat the next time they were in the training room. She grinned.’

This scene is just one of the rather fun and flirtatious moments that occurs between Chaol and Celaena and if you read this book I promise you won’t be disappointed with how their relationship develops.

Celaena herself is developed further as an individual and where readers may have been disappointed by her in Throne of Glass for a lack of her assassin abilities then Crown of Midnight will not disappoint.

‘Celaena reached a gloved hand into the sack and tossed the severed head toward him. No one spoke as it bounced, a vulgar thudding of stiff and rotting flesh on marble.’

We finally see Celaena in her element and her capabilities as an assassin in this book and she is fierce. Celaena can be ruthless, bloodthirsty and heartless. There is a tragedy that occurs in the book that unleashes Celaena’s blood-thirst and ruthlessness and allows us as readers to see how not only that she can fight to kill but she chooses now to use her skills in order to protect the ones she has come to love and see as irreplaceable friends. For me, Celaena is not just a ruthless assassin with no morality but one with a fierce and loyal heart who fights for those she loves above all else.

Synopsis (From Goodreads)

Crowned by Evil.

Bound by Duty.
Divided by Love.

Celaena Sardothien, royal assassin, is the King of Adarlan's deadliest weapon. She must win her freedom through his enemies' blood - but she cannot bear to kill for the crown. And every death Celaena fakes, every lie she tells, put those she loves at risk.

Torn between her two protectors - a captain and a prince - and battling a dark force far greater than the king, Celaena must decide what she will fight for: her liberty, her heart or the fate of a kingdom... 

Key Quotes 

‘Chaol, mercifully, kept quiet, observing the crowd around them, as if these fancy women might attack them at any moment’ 

"You are in a position of power - and knowledge - and yet you just obey. You obey and you do not question, and you work only toward one goal: your freedom." 

'Concealed beneath a black mask and hood, she willed herself to melt into the shadows, to become nothing more than a slip of darkness.' 

"When you go away," he said... " I have no idea what's happening to you. I don't know if you're hurt or rotting in a gutter somewhere..." He brought his face close to hers, his voice hoarse.

'She wouldn't mind working with him - but not in the way Roland meant. Her way would include a dagger, a shovel, and an unmarked grave.'

Similar reads

The Cruel Prince, Shadow and Bone, Six of Crows, Red Queen

Afterthoughts

I love that Celaena is not just defined by her abilities as an assassin but has multiple sides to her personality such as her appreciation for the arts and culture.

The elements of fantasy that will become a major focus in this book are slowly but excitingly introduced and I love the introduction of Mort for this very reason. Also Mort is just as sassy as Celaena and these two clash because of their similar personalities.

Dorian is developed as an individual and we begin to see his own story-line develop that is unrelated to his previously romantic relationship to Celaena in Throne of Glass.

If you've read the book, how did you feel about that devastating tragedy? (no spoilers, please for those that haven't yet read it. Thank you.) Did you feel it was necessary to allow Celaena to develop as an individual, or did it feel unnecessary?

Review - Throne of Glass

Throne of Glass

Title: Throne of Glass

Series: Throne of Glass (Goodreads)

Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Age Group: YA

Source: Amazon UK (Purchased)

Review 

I absolutely loved Throne of Glass this book is a powerhouse filled with action, romance and spirit. I had to rush out and buy the next books, then consume them straight away after the delivery man posted them. The first book and series I read by Sarah J. Maas was A Court of Thorns and Roses which I also loved and lead me to read Throne of Glass because her books possess such strong characters, beautiful descriptions, and delicately constructed world building. Maas is definitely one of my now favourite authors and I will continue to read and follow all her future works because I believe as a writer she will only gain more experience and progress into an even stronger one. Also the worlds and characters that she creates are so intricate and complex, her characters in particular do have their flaws but I see this as a positive because people or mythical creatures aren’t one-dimensional beings. Her characters are constantly changing and reacting to situations in their lives that make them question their own morals as we do in real life because none of us continue to be the same person over our long lives and are flawed as we are challenged by difficult decisions.

Throne of Glass offers readers a strong female protagonist in Celaena Sardothien and Maas is not afraid to discuss female concerns and issues. I have read from other reviews that some people felt disappointed by Celaena because she wasn’t represented as a strong female assassin I however would like to argue why I personally do not agree with this interpretation. Crucially, Celaena has been forced into slavery for the past year and has become malnourished and tortured by the slave guards. Therefore, at the beginning of the novel Celaena is physically incapable of achieving her full potential but as the book progresses we see her regain her strength and potential as a kickass assassin. Another criticism related to the following issue is Celaena’s love of dresses and flirting with boys that others didn’t feel fit in with the idea of a powerful assassin. Personally, I saw that Maas wanted to humanise Celaena and remind readers that there are multiple sides to a person's identity. For me, I saw in a Celaena a young woman that has lived through traumatic events and lost her childhood innocence and for her to finally have young men interested in her and a collection of beautiful dresses allows her a chance, however short-lived it may be, to find joy in her life and to be more than just an assassin capable of causing pain and death.

‘Despite her arrogance, she was clever, and relatively kind, and somewhat charming. But where was that writhing darkness? Why didn’t it show itself so he could just throw her into the dungeon and call of this ridiculous competition?’  

As I already mentioned Maas is not afraid to talk about female concerns and issues. In fact she champions the discussion and exposure of female bodies and their enjoyment of sex both in the Throne of Glass series and A Court of Thorns and Roses series. As Celaena regains her physical strength we learn that her monthly periods also return as a result, ‘Celaena stretched, but then stopped as pain seized her stomach. She bent over, focusing on her breathing, and waited for the cramp to pass’. Talking about women’s bodies shouldn’t have to be a problem and women themselves have been silenced for too long over the discussion of their bodies and the issues that they face. Of course, Maas is not the only writer not afraid to discuss women’s bodies but perhaps she is one of the few writers out there writing about them for Young Adult readers. In response to Celaena’s returned periods Maas also exposes the male embarrassment and discomfort about confronting women’s bodies. After Celaena tells Chaol about her periods his instant reaction is to run away in discomfort, ‘“I- if… Then I’ll take my leave,” he stammered, and bowed. Celaena raised an eyebrow, and then, despite herself, smiled as he left the room as quickly as his feet could go without running, tripping slightly in the doorway as he staggered into rooms beyond’.

Synopsis (From Goodreads)

Meet Celaena Sardothien. Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake. She got caught.

Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament - fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin's heart be melted?

Key Quotes 

‘"How old are you?" "twenty-two." "So young!" She batted her eyelashes, watching him for some kind of response. [...] "And how old are you?" "Eighteen." But he said nothing. "I know," she continued. "It is impressive that I accomplished so much at such an early age." "Crime isn’t an accomplishment, Sardothien." "Yes, but becoming the world's most famous assassin is!" He didn’t respond. "You might ask me how I did it."’ 

'"Only an idiot would walk in a house made of glass." "It's as sturdy as steel and stone." "Yes, until someone just a bit too heavy enters and it comes crashing down."’

‘"I like music," she said slowly, "because when I hear it, I…I lose myself within myself, if that makes sense. I become empty and full at once, and I can feel the whole earth roiling around me. When I play, I’m not…for once, I’m not destroying. I’m creating."

‘A glass chandelier shaped like a grapevine occupied most of the ceiling, spitting seeds of diamond fire onto the windows along the far side of the room.'

Similar reads

Grave Mercy, The Cruel Prince, Red Queen, Graceling

Afterthoughts

The series also sets up incredible friendships for Celaena between Chaol, Dorian and Nehemia.

Maas also challenges gender stereotypes for young men as well as for women.

The friendship and tension between Chaol and Dorian concerning their developing feelings and relationship to Celaena.

Maas carefully crafts distinctive and multiple narrative voices for each character. 

The series is building up for an introduction to a land filled with magic, already the series is heading towards being more complex, and about more than just an assassin. 

What else would you recommend readers if they enjoyed this book or series?

I would love to hear what you thought of this book too, sound off in the comments and I cannot wait to chat with you