Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Publication Date:  September 1, 2015
Publisher:  Bloomsbury
Pages:  648
Series:  Throne of Glass #4
Genre:  Fantasy
Synopsis:  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 has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. 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.


Review:  Looking back on this series, it is unbelievable how far it has come.  It started out as a few characters running around in a glass castle to a diverse cast spanning continents.  Honestly, my initial reaction after finishing this was:  AHH FEELINGS.

First of all, I feel like the plot has more structure to it this time around, with a more defined path.  However, I also feel like it is simultaneously all over the place.  Secrets and plans are kept from the reader, which may be nice for plot twists later, but make for too many abrupt turns to keep track of.  

Let's go rattle the stars.

Speaking of plot twists, as much as I love them, this book series is bursting at the seams with them.  It's almost as if Sarah J. Maas keeps changing her mind halfway through the books and the series as to what is going on and just expects us to accept whatever new idea she's thrown in and go with it.

I distinctly missed three things in this book:  magic, Dorian, and epic wyvern riding. These things are gone for a reason (well, there could have been more wyvern riding, really), but the book felt a bit...empty without them.

She was fire, and light, and ash, and embers. She was Aelin Fireheart, and she bowed for no one and nothing, save the crown that was hers by blood and survival and triumph.

Aelin, formerly known as Celaena, has earned the utmost respect and a round of applause.  She has evolved exponentially as a character, become more responsible, strong, and confident in herself as Aelin, a queen who bears the burden of fighting for her country and her people.  No more running, or hiding, or recklessness (well, not much).  

Manon, the ancient and cunning witch who became much more involved in the plot rather than being so tucked away in the middle of nowhere, riding wyverns (think dragons).  However, as much as I still adore her and her chapters, the sole point of them seems to be revealing what the villains are scheming about and who they are currently torturing.  While it is hinted at, she has very little of her own story arc.

A cripple and a courtesan are thrown into the mix this time around.  Lysandra, the courtesan, has a fair amount of sass and will, so I naturally embraced her character. But Elide...well, she did not impress me.  Again, much like Manon, only seems to exist in order to reveal and link plot points.  The difference is that Manon is complex and has this spark to her, while Elide cannot even begin to compare.  Nesryn, another addition, would have been a preferable option to a new point of view and I hope to see more of her.

She was a whirling cloud of death, a queen of shadows, and these men were already carrion.

Chaol was unrecognizable.  I despised him for the first half and was just baffled at the last half.  I didn't see any of who he was built up to be in the first three books.  He might as well have died and been replaced.  There are also characterization issues regarding Rowan.  He at least has remained intrinsically himself, yet he behaves and reacts to certain situations in ways that don't match his personality.  He was less of a focal point and more eye candy or last minute hero than anything else.

Let's not forget Aedion, although it wouldn't be difficult, since he barely made an appearance.  There was the much anticipated Aelin/Aedion reunion...then it fell flat. Their relationship was glossed over to focus on more pertinent things, such as Arobynn, king of the assassins.  

Arobynn is excruciatingly manipulative and cruel, which is why it may sound odd that I was delighted he was so involved in the story.  Even if he presented a rather convenient means to getting the plot rolling, his character is necessary to be able to reflect on Aelin's past and how she has moved on from all that suffering.

Aelin has also moved on romantically, which is a bit redundant, since this must be the third or fourth love interest.  The romance was minimal but rushed.  I'm aboard the ship, but feel nostalgic for the strong friendship previously formed that has now been abandoned.  

To whatever end.

The ending was astronomical.  It is explosive and satisfying, leaving just enough hanging to drive you crazy, but not rocking in the corner clutching the book type of crazy.

Queen of Shadows delivers such a sense of delirious excitement and anticipation that it is nearly impossible to put it down.  More than ever I am looking forward to seeing the world being destroyed and rebuilt again when the next installment is released.