Queen of Shadows by Sarah J.Maas | Spoiler Free Review

Title: Queen of Shadows by Sarah J.Maas (Throne of Glass #4)  
Genre: Young Adult High Fantasy
Pages: 645

Synopsis

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 will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. 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.

Review

Queen of Shadows is the fourth book in the Throne of Glass Series. Even though this is a spoiler free review as it is the fourth book you may wish to read my previous 3 reviews for the first books; Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight and Heir of Fire  or avoid this one so you aren’t spoiled through the plot. 

Queen of Shadows really picks up after Book Three – Heir of Fire. Heir of Fire marks the end of Celaena Sardothien and the rebirth of Aelin Ashryver Galanthynius. Therefore Queen of Shadows is the next book in the series which takes a different turn as Aelin is a different character type to Celaena. Celaena is known as being purely the assassin and Kings Champion but Aelin already has responsibilities. She is more than an assassin, she is a Queen. Each of her decisions have consequences.

Queen of Shadows plot definitely picked up after Heir of Fire, it was full of shocks, epic fights and a lot of creating plans including rebels. I really enjoyed the whole reading experience of Queen of Shadows because there was so many twists and turns along the way. Overall I just found it to be such an exciting read, each chapter brings with it deeper world building, new characters or a new enemy. There is so much happening, it was truly hard to put down.

The Throne of Glass series each is told in multiple POV along the way and in Queen of Shadows we also get to experience a new point of view through Dorian being under the influence of the ‘collar.’ Placed on his neck by his father at the ending of Heir of Fire. This really added another aspect to the book because Dorian is living in darkness whilst the Demon inside him lives and performs his bidding under the guise of Dorian.

The Throne of Glass series has some amazing secondary characters, each book brings with it some new character introductions such as Nesryn. A rebel working alongside Choal. But the main person I want to talk about is Manon Blackbeak, in my review for Heir of Fire I mentioned how I wasn’t a fan of Manon’s POV chapters. They were so boring to me and I wanted to just read more about Celaena. However Queen of Shadows brought with it so many interesting elements such as demons and witchlings alongside with Manon and the entire Ironteeth Clan. I’m not going to reveal a big spoiler but the witches are used somewhat as vessels to create ‘monsters.’

I really think Sarah J.Maas has a true gift with character writing, each character even the secondary ones have so much depth and character development each time. Manon is a character who seems so brutal and cruel from her upbringing but through her interactions with Elide and Asterin we get to see a whole new side to her, a kinder side. Elide herself is a new character introduced who is linked to Aelin’s past, she is another character which adds more depth to the story and fills in further gaps to the history and childhood of Aelin.

Another new character introduction is Lysandra. EEEK Another kick ass heroine. Lysandra is a character who arrives in Queen of Shadows bringing with her so much depth as she is linked to Aelin/Celaena’s past. She is also linked to Arobynn as his paid lover. Lysandra has so much chaarcter development throughout this book and we find out secrets regarding her ownself. Lysandra and Aedion are definitely a couple and two characters to look out for in the next book. *Reign in the fangirl for them Hannah

Every review I write for the Throne of Glass series, I feel like I am just fangirling purely over Aelin or (Celaena). I just adore her character, she is strong, smart, sassy. Some absolutely hate her but I just don’t see it personally. Of course I appreciate everyone’s opinion but for me she’s one of my favourite heroines now.

“She was fire, and light, and ash, and embers. She was Aelin Fireheart, and she bowed for no one and nothing, save the crown that was hers by blood and survival and triumph.” 

Rowan. Ah goodbye Choal. Sorry I have a new love. Rowan arrives in Adarlan to reunite with Aelin and their relationship is very much slow burning. Sarah J.Maas writes Aelin and Rowan somewhat similar to Feyre and Rhysand in the sense that they have little quips at one another, they can both be sarcastic with one another and there is tension between them. This is one of my ultimate favourite ships now.

Finally I have to take a moment to mention the friendship shared between Dorian and Choal. No matter what they are both each others first priority, they care for one another and try to save one another throughout the series. I adore their friendship.

Queen of Shadows was a 5 star read for me. Once again Sarah J.Maas reeled me back after Heir of Fire seemed slower, this one was definitely of a faster pace. Their was action shocks and all the characters have so much depth. The entire Throne of Glass series is one which I am really loving. I can’t wait to see what else the series holds. Aelin, Rowan are now up there with Feyre and Rhysand for me. Two couples I adore.

Useful Links

Goodreads | Where To Buy Me | www.sarahjmaas.com

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Let me know in the comments what your favourite character is in this series!