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abby_ace_of_books 's review for:
Queen of Shadows
by Sarah J. Maas
10th-grade Abby screamed so many times while reading this, and unfortunately, college sophomore Abby also screamed many, many times...at the same parts
Queen of Shadows was probably my favorite book of the Throne of Glass series on my first read-through, so I was super excited to read it again (and very angry when my Libby hold took far too long to arrive). In my opinion, this is where the series really picks up speed and becomes the "epic fantasy" that everyone claims it to be. I don't think I enjoyed this as much as I did the first time, but it's probably still my favorite in the series, aside from book 7.
Picking up where the last book left off, the story begins with Aelin returning to Adarlan. Aedion is the prisoner of the king and Dorian has become the puppet of a Valg prince. Most of this book consists of rescue missions for Aelin's various allies and friends, as well as some political maneuverings and rebellion stuff that made me question why I liked the book so much. Again, the multiple POVs really work in the book's favor, especially with the Manon and Elide chapters interspersed throughout to give the reader information about the "other" side of the war. The ending is ultimately what makes me really enjoy this book...it's so angsty but also like aesthetically "epic," if that makes sense? There are a few plot twists, most of which I did not remember, but overall, I think this book is one of the better ones in the series.
Most of my character opinions have not changed from previous books. Aedion grew on me a bit (I did not like him on my first read-through), but he still gives me the ick. Aelin and Rowan are fine, but they aren't my favorites. I could write essays about the complexities of Chaol and fan reactions to him. Asterin is one of my favorite side characters. I don't care much for Elide or Lorcan. Lysandra is way better than I remember (major Nina Zenik vibes...especially with Aedion as Matthias). Dorian is still my favorite, especially with all the angst in this book (which I think is why I loved it the first time).
Queen of Shadows is my personal favorite of the Throne of Glass series, but we'll see how I feel about the new three books on a reread (because my opinion might change).
4.25/5
Queen of Shadows was probably my favorite book of the Throne of Glass series on my first read-through, so I was super excited to read it again (and very angry when my Libby hold took far too long to arrive). In my opinion, this is where the series really picks up speed and becomes the "epic fantasy" that everyone claims it to be. I don't think I enjoyed this as much as I did the first time, but it's probably still my favorite in the series, aside from book 7.
Picking up where the last book left off, the story begins with Aelin returning to Adarlan. Aedion is the prisoner of the king and Dorian has become the puppet of a Valg prince. Most of this book consists of rescue missions for Aelin's various allies and friends, as well as some political maneuverings and rebellion stuff that made me question why I liked the book so much. Again, the multiple POVs really work in the book's favor, especially with the Manon and Elide chapters interspersed throughout to give the reader information about the "other" side of the war. The ending is ultimately what makes me really enjoy this book...it's so angsty but also like aesthetically "epic," if that makes sense? There are a few plot twists, most of which I did not remember, but overall, I think this book is one of the better ones in the series.
Most of my character opinions have not changed from previous books. Aedion grew on me a bit (I did not like him on my first read-through), but he still gives me the ick. Aelin and Rowan are fine, but they aren't my favorites. I could write essays about the complexities of Chaol and fan reactions to him. Asterin is one of my favorite side characters. I don't care much for Elide or Lorcan. Lysandra is way better than I remember (major Nina Zenik vibes...especially with Aedion as Matthias). Dorian is still my favorite, especially with all the angst in this book (which I think is why I loved it the first time).
Queen of Shadows is my personal favorite of the Throne of Glass series, but we'll see how I feel about the new three books on a reread (because my opinion might change).
4.25/5