2.5

*I put down the book and let out a breath fo relief, knowing that I can finally review it.*

There are so many people complaining that x character is a rip off of Celena. I propose you this: Celena is the sucky rip-off of Katsa (and practically all the leading ladies) in The Graceling Realm by Kristin Cashore. Seriously, that was all I could think about while reading this. She's a knockoff Kasta in a knock off court ruled by a knockoff King Leck and is also filling the role (to some degree) of a knockoff Bitterblue and Fire. I love that series with all my heart and I really could not fall into this and enjoy it because of that. I am bitter that this is more popular and Graceling is not. And people go around getting mad at "Celena rip-offs". Graceling came out in 2008. Fire came out in 2009 and Bitterblue hit shelves in 2012 (although I get that publishing takes years so this one might not count for much).

Also, everyone talking about her names and calling her Aelin when they said they didn't want to spoil the series spoiled the plot twist of this book. I can't even tell you if it was obvious or not, though judging that it's similar to

Cinder by Marrissa Meyer

, it was probably something that someone would have deduced if they were fully captivated by the plot. Which, as I mentioned above, was very hard for me for many reasons.

*I let out a calming breath*

On a lighter note, I can see why it has the hype and not just because it's a knockoff of one of the best YA fantasy trilogies ever written. It has a lot of interesting elements and ideas, but they were not executed well. I'm not a fan of Celena's character. I'm a fan of the idea of Celena. She sounds cool, but liking cake is not a personality trait. Being instantly attractive to all the important people is not a personality trait. Having remorse for killing, sure I guess, but it just makes her character weird and inconsistent, and it makes me believe like there should be a lot more to her characterization but there isn't. And then I just think back to how well Katsa is everything she is not and, well... 

This book was enjoyable. It was fun, light read. I will give it that. It's better than the first one, and after reading the Assassin's Blade I believe there's more promise for improvement as this series continues. I also bought the next two installments at Value Village some time ago, so I'm glad this didn't put me off the series completely. I'm actually really excited to see where this goes if the story improves, but I have read mixed reviews for some of the later volumes so I'm not sure. But that has nothing to do with this book other than to point out that it has potential. It just doesn't live up to it.

Does it live up to the hype? Kind of? I guess? I can't say that it blew me away and that I will now sing Sarah J. Maas's praises from every rooftop, but it wasn't heinously bad. Just very disappointing. Maybe because of the hype. I have a feeling if you haven't read Graceling you would like this a lot more than I did. Because all I was thinking about was Katsa, and how she bridged the gap between Middle Grade and YA for me, and how deeply connected I felt for the character and how much I enjoyed Bitterblue and found Fire interesting and reread them for years until I finally had the courage to read more YA. I didn't feel any of that here. Someone else might though, and I'll be happy for them. 

And at the very least, SJM is improving as a writer. Maybe her future works will be something I will love. There is that potential. I don't yet believe that it has been squashed. 

*I let out another apprehensive breath that I had been holding now that I've finally gotten down all my pent-up thoughts.*

And if this review seems long, somehow, this book felt long. Like I was enjoying, but about 70% of the way through I was just waiting and waiting and waiting for it to be over.

This review is over now

At least, I'm pretty sure it.

Gotta make sure I have nothing else smart to say.

No, I don't.

This review is over.