Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass)

“‘What if we go on,’ he said, ‘only to more pain and despair? What if we go on, only to find a horrible friend waiting for us?’ Aelin looked northward, as if she could see all the way to Terrasen. ‘Then it is not the end.’” — Queen of Shadows After training with the Fae in Wendlyn, Aelin Galathynius arrives in Rifthold, the capital of Adarlan, under her old pseudonym Celaena Sardothian: Master Assassin. Her purpose: to exact vengeance and free her family, friends, and people from the corrupt King of Adarlan. Queen of Shadows is the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series, written by Sarah J. Maas. I will forever have a gaping black hole of 48 hours lost from my memory, during which I fell face-first into this novel and refused to surface until it was finished. *And cue the Category 5 Book-Hangover Hurricane* You literally CANNOT put this book down! Why, you ask? Author Sarah J. Maas courted us in the previous installment, Heir of Fire, with intricate, slow-blooming character development, setting the stage for Queen of Shadows to be a non-stop rolodex of action, suspense, and all around bad-assery, making it a binge-worthy read! My lifeboat throughout this entire series: Aelin. Celaena. Queen of Shadows. Whichever alias you prefer, know this: I ADORE HER. This is something readers rarely see in fantasy literature: a heroine who is complex, broken, terrifying, and relatable: 1) Her love of couture clothing equals her love of a perfectly weighted dagger... 2) She obsesses over libraries filled with leather bound books, yet can snap a man's neck with blinking an eye... 3) She isn't afraid to shed tears, bearing her scars for all the world to see, while at the same time exhibiting an unyeilding core of strength that draws a circle of loyal followers like flies to honey... At the end of Heir of Fire, we see an Aelin who was stripped of all emotional blockades, piece by piece, layer, by layer, until she finally came to accept her true self, the identity she’s been denying for 10 years ever since the death of her parents and her kingdom: Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, the part-Fae rightful Queen of Terrasen, beloved of Mala Light-Bringer. Maas unleashes this new, powerful Aelin onto all of Adarlan and its inhabitants, who hold on for dear life as her vengeance rips through the gutters and dredges of her past. The Queen has finally arrived! We see a new Aelin here: one with confidance, power, and a firm, unwavering purpose: before she can take back her crown and claim Terrasen as her birthright, she must free her cousin Aedion Ashryver, free her friend Dorian Havilliard, the Crown Prince of Adarlan, and liberate all of Adarlan by killing its king, and the Valg demon who inhabits his body. Maas barely bats an eyes as she raises the curtain for newer characters in this series, all with rich, vivid histories: Manon (the icy Wing Leader of the Blackbeak clan of Ironteeth witches, and rider of the wyvern Abraxos), Lysandra (Arobynn’s prostitute of choice, cloaked in secrets while dreaming of freedom), Nesryn (Chaol’s apt rebel second-in-command), and Elide (a crippled servant girl who suspiciously keeps company with witches). We also dive headfirst into the twisted character of the elusive King of Thieves, murderer of Sam, and Celaena’s old employer: Arobynn Hamel (who I could not stop picturing as Klaus from Vampire Diaries!!). *At this moment, I'd like to acknowledge that I am blatantly avoiding any/all romance in this book. This was done so in an effort NOT to give away spoilers. If you've already read the book, you know. YOU KNOW. If you haven't... *drowns in feelings* Part of the reason why I fell in love this series has to do with the author’s writing process. When interviewed during QoS's production, Maas explained: “Music—especially movie scores and classical music—is usually my main source of inspiration… With book four, which I’m working on right now, I was listening to Kanye West to get into Celaena’s head — eyes closed, just thinking about her, soaking in the music. I’m not an actor by any means, but when I’m typing, I act out my scenes. I keep a mirror behind my desk; I watch myself making expressions, and then I write them.” (be still my beating heart...) EXCITING: Maas has recently begun posting playlists from her Spotify account onto her blog where readers can listen to the tracks that inspired scenes in her books (And yes, I've already listened to all her playlists...). As a musician, this SPEAKS TO MY SOUL!!! When I was 15, I would take tracks from the Gladiator soundtrack and use them as background music while reading Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Mists of Avalon. Sarah J. Maas is officially my new spirit animal. Overall, this is by far the darkest Throne of Glass installment yet. The reader is exposed to corruption, demon possession, prostitution, countless executions, slavery, abuse of the worst degree… All of us, to some extent, have a streak of darkness within; hiding, watching, waiting for the right moment to take hold and make our marionette strings rattle... Watching helplessly as Aelin takes that streak and splatters it in an arching crescendo of death and destruction, I couldn’t help but ask myself throughout this book: What if I was honed into a flawless weapon with a score to settle? Would I bring the world crashing around my feet as retribution? More importantly… would I enjoy it? At times, Aelin does. "She was a whirling cloud of death, a queen of shadows, and these men were already carrion." - QoS Aelin is broken. Her world was brutally ravaged, burnt to the ground with nothing left but ashes and despair. To save herself, she became Celaena. To save her people, Aelin was reborn. And Aelin wants vengeance. “V - ‘What was done to me created me. It’s a basic principle of the Universe that every action will create an equal and opposing reaction.’ Evey Hammond – ‘Is that how you like to see it? Like an equation?’ V – ‘What was done to me was monstrous.’ Evey Hammond – ‘And they created a monster.’” — V for Vendetta I give this 5/5 stars.

OK confession time; I couldn’t wait to start reading Queen of Shadows before writing my Heir of Fire review, so this is going to be a joint review of both books. For those of you unaware, Heir of Fire and Queen of Shadows are the third and fourth books respectively in Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series. It is YA fantasy series with a kickass heroine and great worldbuilding. If you’ve not yet started it, I highly recommend checking it out. I listened to both books within a fairly short space of time and loved both of them. Because Queen of Shadows builds upon and develops characters and plot points raised in Heir of Fire, they are excellent to read together. Many of the cliffhangers in Heir of Fire are also resolved, which is very satisfying. What I liked Character development. We see lots of wonderful character development in our main character, Celaena. When we rejoin Celaena at the beginning of Heir of Fire, she is in a pretty dark place emotionally, reeling from the events of previous book Crown of Midnight. Throughout Heir she along with new character Rowan works to get her mojo back. This is a significant chunk of the book. Such a wonderful character arc. Her success is expressed in the change of name from Celaena to Aelin in Queen – she has accepted her identity, her past and her powers and is going to use them to kick ass. Incidentally, I had no issue whatsoever with the name change – Maas has written the character consistently and her “voice” remains the same whether she is “Celaena” or “Aelin.” Given how much she has progressed in Heir, Aelin’s character development does stall a lot in Queen – the focus is more on kickassedness and achieving the goals she set for herself at the end of Heir. Personally, I was actually far less engaged in Aelin’s story in Queen because of this. In Queen, the character development is expressed far more through the character of Manon, and I absolutely LOVED her chapters. Given the choice between reading about Manon or Aelin in Queen I was far more involved in Manon’s struggles. I loved how her relationship with her wyvern, Abraxos and with her Thirteen and Elide, caused her to rethink the values and attitudes with which she has been raised. The Manon we leave at the end of Queen is not the Manon we meet at the beginning of Heir and it was beautiful. I fully expect to see Manon work to bring down the Matron in the next book. Strong female friendships. There are some pretty cool female characters in the Throne of Glass world; Aelin, Manon, Lysandra, Elide, Asterin to name a few. Each of these are strong women in their own right, but when they get together thrones will fall, names will be taken and asses will be kicked. Our characters are stronger and are changed for the better (cue Wicked medley) because they knew each other. Things would have turned out very differently if it weren’t for the bonds between these women and Maas writes these friendships beautifully. Promises delivered. In Heir, Maas set out some very clear expectations about what was going to happen in Queen and she delivered. What we expected to happen did happen, which adds up to a very satisfying book. It didn’t always happen the way we expected, and often there were many unexpected obstacles in our protagonists’ path, but the expected confrontations took place, goals were achieved and people were saved. Intriguing minor characters. We met some new and interesting minor characters. I was particularly touched by Asterin’s story and I’m really interested to see where Elide’s path takes her. I have very strong suspicions about young Evangeline and her “citrine” eyes. It appears yellow eyes have some power over the Valg, so I’m curious to see what part she plays. What I didn’t like Promises delivered. Yes, I know I had this in my what I liked list. In some ways though, I felt too many loose ends were tied up. Our characters, other than Dorian, are in pretty good shape. I was almost left with the feeling that, if the series were to end here, I’d be quite content. Certainly there are a few open plots for the next book, but nothing that had me thinking I have to have book five NOW. I’m not certain that that’s altogether a good thing given there are two more books to go. The Aelin/Manon confrontation. Don’t get me wrong, I loved that Aelin and Manon finally met, and I loved the developments that came out of their confrontation, but I just didn’t buy how it ended. Aelin’s thought processes just didn’t ring true. Sorry. Despite these slight misgivings, I loved both Heir and Queen. I gave them both 4.5 stars out of five.

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.

Can I take a moment to just say how much I love Sarah J. Mass. Sarah J. Mass I seriously adore you. You are a Master. A Master of words which brings life to a story from the paper, a World Builder, making us believe in places we want to see with our own eyes. A Manipulator who makes us readers clutch your books with reverence and create characters with whom we hopelessly and shamelessly fall in love with. It was a tad bit slow in some chapters but overall it was fast paced. I loved the new characters. And the Old. The various twists and turns kept me glued to the pages. And of course, we can't forget about the action and adventure. I cried a lot. Especially in the chapters involving Sam. I laughed. I growled in frustration at some parts and smiled like an idiot at others. Being a ToG fan, I went into the book expecting to be blown away and Thank God, that is what happened. I wanted to know what happened to Dorian-was he alright after the incident in Heir of Fire. I was waiting for Celaena Sardothien to return one last time to wreak havoc in Adarlan. What was Chaol up to now? Was Aelin going to save her cousin Aedion of time? What was she going to do about magic? What was Manon Blackbeak and her hard on the outside and soft on the inside, Abraxos were doing in the mountains? What I was really hoping was for to know more about Ansel but sadly she was mentioned only once in the whole book considering even Lyssandra returned but also with magical powers of her own. And I will say it outright, Arobyn Hammel got what he deserved. There!!! Feels good to get it off my chest. And I am totally confused that Aelin goes from being in love with Choal to be now in love with Rowan. And I get it. But this pessimist side of mind keeps commenting like- Celaena/Aelin stop falling in love with every handsome man you meet. I know. I know. But seriously though I loved the Platonic part of their relationship in Heir of Fire and somehow I wouldn't have mind seeing it that way. And one more doubt that has been nagging at the back of mind when I finished the book was Sarah J. Mass how are you going to sort out the immortal/mortal age difference between Aelin and Rowan. And do I sense love budding between Manon and Dorian. If that does happen I don't know how you are going to pull it off. I am still in my book hangover mood.

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.