{Review} Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Queen of Shadows
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass, book #4
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: September 1, 2015
Source: purchased audiobook and hardcover :)
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Sarah J. Maas's New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series reaches new heights in this sweeping fourth volume.

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.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

I can't really do a typical review for this book. Nothing I say will be adequate enough to convey just how amazing this book was. I mean, obviously, by this point, you should already know that Sarah J. Maas is brilliant and you should read all of her books. Duh. So, I don't have to regale you with why you should read Queen of Shadows. Instead, let me extol on this book's merits, hopefully without spoiling anything too much for you, though I think it's probably still a good idea to suggest that you not read this until AFTER you've finished the book. =)

Queen of Shadows made me root for characters who I had previously loathed in the books that came before it. I love that I just didn't understand their importance until this book, that I dismissed them so early on, only to see them in a whole new light in this book. And then there were some that had me flip-flopping, even when I ultimately knew just how evil they were. Sometimes a girl just needs that affirmation.

Maas is BOSS at creating bad-ass female characters. And not just the main characters like Aelin and Manon but all of her female characters are fierce. Whether they've been wielding a sword as a rebel for years or slowly coming into their own, these ladies don't take shit from anyone. They are ruthless and cunning and I bow down to their awesomeness.

This author is not afraid to take a once-beloved character and show a completely different side of them. Readers may not like it, but people change, and I love that Maas had the balls to show the readers that other side, even if it did make the character almost unidentifiable in the end. I love Chaol, I do, but Sam never would have given up on Celaena just because he'd found out who and what she was. THAT is real love.

Maas ain't afraid to wreck yo ship. We've seen this before, and I'm sure we'll see it again, whether in this series or in ACOTAR. After HOF, I really, truly thought that things would remain platonic between certain characters. I mean, I was hoping for more but I wasn't going to allow that to get the better of me. Because when it comes down to it, I'll always be #TeamAelin because it's her prerogative to choose who she wants to be with. It doesn't make her promiscuous; it makes her a woman who knows what she wants...and doesn't want. And I'm usually pretty happy with who she picks for herself at any given moment. But most especially now. I swooned pretty hard even though there wasn't a lot of actual physical connection in this book. Page 527 got me hard, though. I'm probably fooling myself, but I think this might be the real deal this time.

Honestly, at this point, though, I'm almost, almost more interested in the friendships and kinship that develops. I've always adored the friendship between Chaol and Dorian, and now the Aedion and Rowan bromance has me all aflutter. But the pairing I'm really hoping for in my heart of hearts is Manon and Aelin. Their encounter in this book was phenomenal and everything I'd hoped it would be: fierce, bloody and death-defying. They are like two sides of the same coin.

I could've used more Abraxos, though. Especially considering my own theories about the wyverns. I'm just so curious about them: the how, the why, the who. I wish I had my own wyvern. :( But at least Fleetfoot made an appearance. And I hear that she'll make it through the whole series, so at least there's that.

After the sometimes tedious Heir of Fire -- which is much less boring on audio, I know from experience -- Queen of Shadows was everything I'd hoped it would be. These characters are everything. They lived up to my expectations and then some. They fought the bitter fight and never gave up, even when it looked like the end. They've all loved and lost and made sacrifice on top of sacrifice and yet they still keep going. #squadgoals

There are few series that can get me as fired up as this one. I am so unbelievably glad I still have two more books with all of these characters. When I first read Throne of Glass, I never thought I'd be so ardently devoted to these books, and now look at me. Fangirl to the end. I've even got both of my sisters hooked on the series now! =D

GIF it to me straight:

THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING!!!

About the author:

Sarah J. Maas lives in Southern California, and over the years, she has developed an unhealthy appreciation for Disney movies and bad pop music. She adores fairy tales and ballet, drinks too much coffee, and watches absolutely rubbish TV shows. When she's not busy writing YA fantasy novels, she can be found exploring the California coastline.

Find Sarah:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Instagram

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Labels: audiobooks, bloomsbury, faeries, fantasy, favorite authors, favorites, girl power, magic, must-read, reviews, sarah j. maas, throne of glass

Queen of Shadows Release Day Blitz

I am so excited that QUEEN OF SHADOWS by Sarah J. Maas releases today and that I get to share the news, along with an awesome giveaway! If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful series by Sarah J. Maas, be sure to check out all the details below. This blitz also includes a giveaway for a set of the first 3 books in the series (in paperback format). US only. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

About the book:

Title: Queen of Shadows
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass, book #4
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: September 1, 2015
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Audible

Sarah J. Maas's New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series reaches new heights in this sweeping fourth volume.

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.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

Read Chapters 1-5 of QUEEN OF SHADOWS HERE!

About the author:

Sarah J. Maas lives in Southern California, and over the years, she has developed an unhealthy appreciation for Disney movies and bad pop music. She adores fairy tales and ballet, drinks too much coffee, and watches absolutely rubbish TV shows. When she's not busy writing YA fantasy novels, she can be found exploring the California coastline.

Find Sarah:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Instagram

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive the first 3 books (in paperback) in the THRONE OF GLASS Series. US Only. Ends on September 11th at Midnight EST!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you started reading Queen of Shadows yet?!?

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Labels: assassins, beautiful covers, bloomsbury, book blitz, fantasy, favorite authors, favorites, giveaways, promotions, sarah j. maas, throne of glass

Waiting on Wednesday: The Iron Warrior & Queen of Shadows

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selections are...








's Pick:

Title: The Iron Warrior
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #3
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: October 27th, 2015

The Iron Prince—my nephew—betrayed us all.

He killed me.

Then, I woke up.

Waking after a month on the brink of death, Ethan Chase is stunned to learn that the Veil that conceals the fey from human sight was temporarily torn away. Although humankind's glimpse of the world of Faery lasted just a brief moment, the human world has been cast into chaos, and the emotion and glamour produced by fear and wonder has renewed the tremendous power of the Forgotten Queen. Now, she is at the forefront of an uprising against the courts of Summer and Winter—a reckoning that will have cataclysmic effects on the Nevernever.

Leading the Lady's Forgotten Army is Keirran himself: Ethan's nephew, and the traitor son of the Iron Queen, Meghan Chase.To stop Keirran, Ethan must disobey his sister once again as he and his girlfriend, Kenzie, search for answers long forgotten. In the face of unprecedented evil and unfathomable power, Ethan's enemies must become his allies, and the world of the fey will be changed forevermore.

I feel like I've been waiting forever for this book. Cannot freaking wait! :)





's Pick:



Title: Queen of Shadows
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass, book #4
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: September 1, 2015

Sarah J. Maas's New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series reaches new heights in this sweeping fourth volume.

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.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

I heart this series SO MUCH. If you know me at all, you know that I prefer fantasy over pretty much anything else, and this series tops my list of favorites. Big things are coming and Celaena's finally on track to greet the destiny she was meant for. I see no mention of her love or a certain captain of the guard in the summary above, but I'm sure hoping they'll at least be reunited as some point in this installment. *bites nails*


What are you desperately waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comments or share a link to your own WoW post!

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Labels: assassins, beautiful covers, bloomsbury, fantasy, favorite authors, favorites, julie kagawa, sarah j. maas, the iron fey series, The iron Warrior, throne of glass, waiting on wednesday (wow)

Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Heir of Fire
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass, book #3
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: September 2, 2014
Source: from publisher via Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

**As always, no spoilers for this book, but there are potential spoilers for the previous books. Read at your own peril. But if you haven't started this series yet, why the heck not?!?**

After I finished my re-read/listen of the THRONE OF GLASS series, I had to wait a bit because I was still overcome with Crown of Midnight feels. Again. Okay, AND The Assassin's Blade feels. I had so many emotions leftover from the previous books that I didn't want that to affect my feelings toward Heir of Fire. After several weeks, though, I just couldn't wait anymore. (The first 30% or so of HoF was a tad slow for me, but I knew the pace had to pick up eventually, and it did.)

Even after waiting so long to start it, I was still a bit overwrought with everything that happened at the end of CoM, but I kinda think it worked for me. I was feeling every bit as gloomy about Celaena's situation as she was, which is to say we were having an extreme pity-party all on her behalf. Things have taken a dark turn for all involved parties, but most especially Celaena, who's coping with her past and what it means for her future while also trying to fulfill her promise to Nehemia. (If you haven't read The Assassin's Blade yet, I highly recommend it. It's the five prequel novels to the series, and they give the reader some incredible insight into Celaena's character.)

BUT this installment has really upped the magic factor. And unearthed some major secrets from Celaena's past that have only been hinted at before. This includes Celaena's ability to wield magic, as we saw in CoM. This book may be the darkest yet, but Celaena is still her charming self. And I don't mean that sarcastically...mostly. Seeing her have to really work at accessing her magic and seeing others' reactions to her progress were something else. This is a character who's been adept at everything she attempts, and to see her struggle -- and give up only to come back fighting harder -- only endeared her to me more. Celaena may be beautiful and fierce, but she is not above reproach and she is not without her faults. Her character growth over the course of this series has been monumental but never more astounding than in this book, especially as we learn more about who she is and what that means for everyone else.

Everyone else. Yes, them...they're important to the story, too. Favorites, those that remain anyway, are still featured prominently, but for now, we're beyond petty romantic entanglements. A war is brewing and there are ever so many more players now than there were before. There's the heartless Manon Blackbeak and her wyvern, who bears a striking resemblance to Toothless. (I'm not making that up...Summer thought the same of Abraxos when we discussed it. :D) And Rowan, the ageless fae prince tasked with helping Celaena access her magic and teaching her how to control it so that she might get the answers she needs. Dorian finds a friend in Sorscha, the healer who is complicit in her knowledge of the existence of magic in the castle. Aedion is Aelin Ashryver Galathynius's cousin and there is much more to him than meets the eye, especially once he learns that his cousin has truly survived all these years. I loved the addition of all these new characters and new perspectives and what they all bring to the table, and I sense that the characters that survive this book will become very important indeed in future books.

As I said, unlike the previous books, this installment does not focus on romance nearly as much. I appreciated that even though Celaena dwelled on what happened with Chaol a bit, she concentrated her attention on the task at hand. Chaol and Dorian do their own fair share of dwelling on the subject, and their friendship has suffered for it. Dorian has to learn how to wield his own magic while also keeping it a secret. Chaol's sense of duty, his desire to protect his friend at all costs, his love for Celaena, and his promise to his father are all vying for his attention. These two are at odds with one another after Chaol's decision to send Celaena to Wendlyn and his discovery of Dorian's own magic, and it leaves them turning to others for help. And for better or for worse, they'll each have to live with those decisions and what they may bring.

The tone of this book is definitely darker, but the story also delves so much deeper into this world. Yes, this is somewhat of a typical middle book, intent on exploring the world and the rules it abides by over intense action scenes and swoonworthy romance. However, that's not to say that neither of those things makes an appearance in this book. Those scenes are just few and far between in favor of the overarching theme of war that looms over everyone's heads.

I'm very much looking forward to where Maas takes this series in the next three books. I doubt I adequately expressed my sentiments in this review, but I don't think I could honestly do that without spoilers. So, I leave you with this instead: this book does start out slowly with a wallowing Celaena, but give it a chance. If you loved the previous books, you will absolutely find something to love in this book, as well. I promise it's just as engaging as the rest once it gains momentum. And if you haven't even started the series, 1) why are you reading this? and 2) I suggest trying the audiobooks, which are beautifully narrated by Elizabeth Evans.

GIF it to me straight:

Pretty much. Also, I want demand my own wyvern.

Those are some fierce covers, right? Did you see the announcement that you can now get ToG in the new cover in HARDBACK on the same day that HoF releases?!?

About the author:

Sarah J. Maas lives in Southern California, and over the years, she has developed an unhealthy appreciation for Disney movies and bad pop music. She adores fairy tales and ballet, drinks too much coffee, and watches absolutely rubbish TV shows. When she's not busy writing YA fantasy novels, she can be found exploring the California coastline.

Find Sarah:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest

Read More

Labels: all the feels, beautiful covers, bloomsbury, faeries, favorites, high fantasy, magic, must-read, reviews, sarah j. maas, throne of glass

{Audiobook} Mini Reviews: Life by Committee, Paper Valentine & The Assassin's Blade

Title: Life by Committee
Author: Corey Ann Haydu
Narrator(s): Allyson Ryan
Length: 7 hrs 49 mins
Series: n/a
Publisher: Harper Audio
Publication Date: May 13, 2014
Source: from publisher via Edelweiss, audio borrowed from library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Some secrets are too good to keep.

Tabitha might be the only girl in the history of the world who actually gets less popular when she gets hot. But her so-called friends say she’s changed, and they’ve dropped her flat.

Now Tab has no one to tell about the best and worst thing that has ever happened to her: Joe, who spills his most intimate secrets to her in their nightly online chats. Joe, whose touch is so electric, it makes Tab wonder if she could survive an actual kiss. Joe, who has Tabitha brimming with the restless energy of falling in love. Joe, who is someone else’s boyfriend.

Just when Tab is afraid she’ll burst from keeping the secret of Joe inside, she finds Life by Committee. The rules of LBC are simple: tell a secret, receive an assignment. Complete the assignment to keep your secret safe.

Tab likes it that the assignments push her to her limits, empowering her to live boldly and go further than she’d ever go on her own.

But in the name of truth and bravery, how far is too far to go?

I didn't read Haydu's debut, but if it's anything like this book, I'll do better by listening to it...less chance I'll throw my phone across the room than the book. It wasn't bad. There were just some aspects I found more tolerable than others.

The narrator for this audiobook made some of the less nice things better. She made Tabitha sound just as vulnerable and new-to-this-whole-girly-thing as I envisioned.  The narrator's voice actually reminded me of the narrator for The D.U.F.F. but I checked and they're not the same.

I liked how the novel showed Tabby's growth, how she'd already sort of outgrown her old friends and how that rift had affected her. I didn't like the cheating aspect, but as the romance was key to Tabby's growth, I did feel that it strengthened the novel as a whole, which is not something I'd normally be able to say in this scenario. Still, it felt icky...not a fan of cheating in stories, especially when it's portrayed in the manner that it is here, where it seems like each person is being used for reasons they never deign to discuss with one another.

I was also not a fan of the Life by Committee, though without them, I admit the story would have been a lot less interesting. Tabby did question some of their instructions, but where she went wrong, I think, was her inability to look at the potential consequences of these actions. Sure, she wondered if they'd do more harm than good, but she didn't really seem to look beyond that. I'm pretty happy with how that little situation worked itself out, even if it did feel very Mean Girls there at the end.

Not wholly a bad thing, just a little too easy maybe. What did work for me was that twist. I can't believe I didn't see it coming, though. I think maybe I was just too focused on that fauxmance and LBC to see anything else...couldn't see the forest for the trees and all that.

Basically, I'd read another Corey Ann Haydu novel. I'll just know that I won't love every facet going into it.

GIF it to me straight:

Will you like it? Idk...depends on what you consider tolerable, I suppose.

Title: Paper Valentine
Author: Brenna Yovanoff
Narrator(s): Caitlin Prennace
Length: 8 hrs 59 mins
Series: n/a
Publisher: Listening Library
Publication Date: June 25, 2013
Source: audio borrowed from library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

The city of Ludlow is gripped by the hottest July on record. The asphalt is melting, the birds are dying, petty crime is on the rise, and someone in Hannah Wagnor’s peaceful suburban community is killing girls.

For Hannah, the summer is a complicated one. Her best friend Lillian died six months ago, and Hannah just wants her life to go back to normal. But how can things be normal when Lillian’s ghost is haunting her bedroom, pushing her to investigate the mysterious string of murders? Hannah’s just trying to understand why her friend self-destructed, and where she fits now that Lillian isn’t there to save her a place among the social elite. And she must stop thinking about Finny Boone, the big, enigmatic delinquent whose main hobbies seem to include petty larceny and surprising acts of kindness.

With the entire city in a panic, Hannah soon finds herself drawn into a world of ghost girls and horrifying secrets. She realizes that only by confronting the Valentine Killer will she be able move on with her life—and it’s up to her to put together the pieces before he strikes again.

Paper Valentine is a hauntingly poetic tale of love and death by the New York Times bestselling author of The Replacement and The Space Between.

I think I had some seriously misplaced expectations for this story, based on the author's previous work -- I've read The Replacement and her short stories on Merry Sisters of Fate -- but even so, it held my interest. I also think that it's been awhile since I read that synopsis and added this book to my TBR because I'm only now just putting the title and premise together and seeing how it fits. Oh, well.

The fact that Hannah can see ghosts, especially the ghosts of the Valentine Killer murder victims, intrigued me to no end, but I still really would have liked to know why she could see them. I don't take a lot of things on faith, and so I spent a substantial amount of time looking for answers to that question rather than on who the serial killer was and what their motivation was.

I just knew that I hoped it wasn't Finny Boone. I love an awkward romance that makes little sense to everyone else. This is one of those cases. It reminded me a lot of Kiri and Skunk in Wild Awake honestly. And I rooted for it, even when the characters themselves weren't sure. It was just sweet and the way Finny and Hannah were both so protective of each other melted my heart a bit.

Obviously, this was not a murder-kill-stab bloody gore-fest, or anything, and it didn't really delve into the psyche of a serial killer, either. Instead, it was a kind of sweet story about friendship and deceptive appearances in a town with a serial killer on the loose. And I kinda liked it. Makes me want to get to my copy of The Space Between that much sooner.

GIF it to me straight:

Weird...but delightfully so.

Title: The Assassin's Blade
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Narrator(s): Elizabeth Evans
Length: 12 hrs 52 mins
Series: Throne of Glass, book #0.1 - 0.5
Publisher: Audible Studios for Bloomsbury
Publication Date: April 1, 2014
Source: borrowed from library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Discover where Celaena Sarthodien's thrilling saga began.

Celaena Sarthodien is her kingdom's most feared assassin. Though she works for the powerful and ruthless Assassin's Guild, she yields for no one and trusts only her fellow killer for hire, Sam.

When Celaena's scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, she finds herself acting independently of his wishes--and questioning her own allegiance. Along the way, she discovers friends and enemies alike, and discovers that she feels far more for Sam than just friendship. But by defying Arobynn's orders, Celaena riskes unimaginable punishment, and with Sam by her side, he is in danger, too. They will have to risk it all if they hope to escape Arobynn's clutches--and if they fail, they'll lose not just a chance at freedom, but their lives....

A prequel to Throne of Glass, this collection of five novellas offers readers a deeper look into the history of this cunning assassin and her enthralling--and deadly--world.

Included in this volume:

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord
The Assassin and the Healer
The Assassin and the Desert
The Assassin and the Underworld
The Assassin and the Empire

Have you read Throne of Glass? Did you love it? (Of course, you did.) Then you must read The Assassin's Blade, a series of five novellas, all still from Celaena's perspective in the third-person narrative. (I realize that the full-length novels are third-person omniscient, but a lot of times, novellas are from another character's point-of-view specifically, and I wanted to assuage any doubts.)

I'm not going to go into each novella, but suffice it to say, they are all very enlightening and show Celaena's considerable growth as a character. I've just finished my re-listen of this series to-date, which obviously included this collection, so that I could start Heir of Fire with no reservations, and I have to say, Elizabeth Evans is a solid pick to voice these books.

If you haven't started the series yet, this is definitely a good place to start. If you've already read the first two books but have lingering questions about Celaena's past, you should pick up The Assassin's Blade. Of course, I'm a fangirl, so *I* think you should read all the books in the series.

Hey, I think this may just be my most succinct "mini" review yet!

GIF it to me straight:

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Labels: audiobooks, bloomsbury, brenna yovanoff, contemporary, corey ann haydu, harper-collins, high fantasy, life by committee, murder mystery, paper valentine, paranormal, penguin, reviews, sarah j. maas, throne of glass