The Laughing Listener
June 2018
Format: Paperback

Rating: 5 Stars

Oh my god. I just... I Can’t believe how far this series has come? Everyone told me that it would get better, but I was still woefully underprepared for the sheer adoration I have for this series now. I mean, remember my first review?? REMEMBER WHEN I CALLED THRONE OF GLASS MEDIOCRE?? REMEMBER WHEN I CALLED DORIAN A LOW-KEY DOUCHEBAG AND CHAOL AN UPTIGHT DEBBIE DOWNER?????? How did I even get here?!



THE GOOD

I’m really tempted to just write the name “Rowan” in this section and leave it at that, but I’ll refrain. That won’t stop me from TOTALLY GUSHING THOUGH. I mean???? THIS guy. I love him so much?? I don’t really understand how it happened because he’s a complete tool in the beginning, but I still somehow fell in love with him. It was AMAAAAAAAZING watching his relationship with Aelin (or Celeana? I don’t know what to call her now. Aelin has fewer letters…) slowly grow over the course of the book. And that blood oath scene at the end?!?!?!?! *Swoons* I can’t wait to see their romance grow over the coming novels.

And I finally met Manon you guys!! I LOVE HER SO MUCH. Watching her find Abraxos and bond with him was the best! They’re both completely heartless and bloodthirsty, but still somehow manage to be adorable. And it’s interesting that she and the Thirteen are on the King’s side of things right now. I’m super curious to see how that unravels later. If I get to see Manon kick the King’s ass, my life will be complete.

Plus, Aedion is the cutest!! His devotion and love for Aelin was so sweet and I’m so excited for their meeting in Queen of Shadows (because I refuse to believe he’ll actually get executed. Just… NO).

So many new awesome characters!! I could definitely feel the plot shifting and expanding out from where it started in the first two books. Things are slowly getting bigger and more meaningful. We’re finally seeing other terrains and witnessing the effects the King’s decisions have on the populace. And even though this book felt a little transitional, I didn’t even mind because I LOVE this new direction the story is going.

THE UGLY

Poor Dorian. That guy can’t catch a break can he? It was odd, I really loved Dorian’s character in this book because he’s grown so much from where he started in Throne of Glass, but I was completely bored with his storyline. Even though it was great seeing him find someone nice like Sorscha, I knew the entire trajectory of their relationship from the very beginning. And when sandwiched in between the exciting events happening to Aelin and Manon, it felt so dull!



Also, I’m back to being annoyed at Chaol. What was his deal?? He won me over in Crown of Midnight because he was really sweet with Aelin and I felt bad that he got screwed over in the whole Nehemia debacle. *Quietly sobs* But he was so indecisive!! Aedion was all “BRO, what are you doing?? Are you on Aelin’s side or the King’s???” And Chaol is like, “Idk man, I’m just loyal to my Prince bromance.” What?? THAT’S NOT AN ANSWER!! How can you stand by the King AT ALL after learning about the despicable things he’s been doing???? Ugh. Chaol was a complete weenie in this book and I didn’t like it.

FINAL WORD

I LOVED IT!!! By far the best book in the series so far! These new characters are giving my life and I can’t wait to read Queen of Shadows.

#0.5 ↦ [b:The Assassin's Blade|18243700|The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass, #0.1-0.5)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1384362444s/18243700.jpg|25691778] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#1 ↦ [b:Throne of Glass|7896527|Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1495278054s/7896527.jpg|11138426] ↦ ✦✦✦✧✧
#2 ↦ [b:Crown of Midnight|17167166|Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1391580481s/17167166.jpg|21581860] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#3 ↦ Heir of Fire ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#4 ↦ [b:Queen of Shadows|18006496|Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1441230104s/18006496.jpg|25272067] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#5 ↦ [b:Empire of Storms|28260587|Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463107108s/28260587.jpg|25272004] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#6 ↦ [b:Tower of Dawn|31450852|Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass, #6)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1497973101s/31450852.jpg|51681900] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#7 ↦ [b:Kingdom of Ash|33590260|Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1531922609s/33590260.jpg|25272014] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦