Oops I waited too long to write this review. Let‰ЫЄs see what I can dig up from my brain...

I am glad to have finally read this book because it is referred to so frequently by authors I follow, and because I want to see the movie when it releases (eventually? #covid). I definitely get the sense that this would have been completely ground-breaking when it was written, and absolutely paved the way for modern science fiction. However, there were times that the story seemed to drag on way too long, and of course I can‰ЫЄt go without mentioning the homosexual, fat villain. An unfortunately trope we‰ЫЄve only recently escaped from. However, the rest of the novel was mostly enjoyable and definitely interesting.

Do I feel a bit ashamed that I wanted there to be a true love interest? Yes, yes I do. Was it really hard to read about child murder? Yes, yes it was. I had to mentally check out for the especially graphic bits, but was overall pretty impressed with the Sherlock-ian story and was surprised with the level of psychological analysis present even when it was written in the 90‰ЫЄs.
Also John is a waste of space in this book. He needed more to do as a main character. There was a Nick vibe from the Great Gatsby.

Absolutely flew through this novel. The premise is fascinating and the writing is quick and to the point. It was not at all what I expected and I was a little annoyed with myself that I accidentally spoiled a bit of it through a google search. Todd‰ЫЄs growth and coming of age is excellently written.
....
That ending though.... not a fan. But I guess I‰ЫЄll see what happens next!

Oof. Not the most necessary supplemental story. Just there to break your heart I guess?

Easily the best book I've read so far this year. Slow build to a HUGE end!!! I am crossing my fingers for an excellent movie as well!

Reread March 2021.
I just love this book. Absolutely the most original and fantastic story.

Too dark. Too heavy. Too long. Too sad. Too repetitive. Too far removed in style from book 1.
Reminded me a lot of all the issues I had with the third Hunger Games novel. Constantly going back to square one. Constantly pointing out that the world isn‰ЫЄt black and white to the point of me going OK I GET IT. The parallels to WWII were too sad for me to handle and I also read it in the hours I was awake with my baby who was going through her first stomach bug at 6 months old so to be fair I was NOT in the right mental space for this book. I probably won‰ЫЄt be reading book 3 in the series.

I waited waaaaaay too long after Book 4 before starting this one and spent a fair amount of time looking everything up on the Throne of Glass Wiki to reacquaint myself with the characters and the story. Aelin‰ЫЄs journey has been epic, but I stand by what I‰ЫЄve said in previous reviews that she should be older by now, and more than just a year since book 1 should have passed.

I was soooo nervous that I wouldn‰ЫЄt love this one because it focused on Chaol‰ЫЄs journey after Heir of Fire and that was the novel where I stopped caring about his character. But then enter YRENE MY FAVORITE PERSON EVER and it completely hooked me. I would read an entire spin off series with just her.

4.5 stars. So cliche to say an epic conclusion but it really was epic. Relationship building was very well done especially with the nuances of each pairing. Half a star gone for all of the queer relationships being between secondary characters. Another half a star gone because I felt that Maas struggled with writing battle scenes and not relying on ‰Ычsurprise back up army saves the day‰ЫЄ multiple times. But add that half a star back for doing a wonderful job with Aelin‰ЫЄs grief management.

4.5 stars - One of the most unique books I've ever read. I can't think of any other book in second person POV, and it was so interesting how it made me feel both connected to the story and alternatively disconnected from the protagonist. Satire is expertly used while also telling a heartfelt story. Everything is addressed in such a matter of fact way - corruption, violence, love, loss... I'm so glad this was a book club book - otherwise I probably never would have picked up!