mitabird
Written on Nov 16, 2018
- ISBN10 1639731008
- ISBN13 9781639731008
- Publish Date 14 February 2023 (first published 1 September 2015)
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 21 January 2023
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Bloomsbury Publishing USA
- Edition Adult hardcover edition
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 672
- Language English
Reviews
Pigpen.Reads
Written on Mar 2, 2018
manonblackbeak
Written on May 17, 2017
kimbacaffeinate
Written on Nov 14, 2016
- The characters will pull you in. You will root for them, weep for them, become angry and spend hours trying to pair couples and destinies. Celaena/Aelin kick-ass assassin, Queen, and Fae is complicated, brave, brutal, passionate and leader. As Aelin has developed my emotions for her, have evolved. I have felt frustration, sorrow, awe, anger, confusion, and pride. Her growth, struggles, love of others and need to protect place her on my favorite character list. In Queen of Shadows, Lysandra shines, and I loved the reveals. Eldie proved interesting, and I am curious as to her role. Manon, Wing Leader and Heir to the Blackbeak clan both infuriated and surprised me. We aren't going to be besties, but I was surprised by how much I felt for her. An interaction between her and Dorian had me lifting a brow. Rowan and Aedion are not just sexy, but hilarious. Their banter and snide remarks gave normalcy to all around them. The villains, secondary characters, and creatures all added to the tale and had me flipping the pages lost within this world.
- The world is complex with its four kingdoms. Power plays, manipulation, and politics have wreaked havoc creating enemies and alliances. Maas teased me unmercifully and had me second guessing and plotting possible outcomes. We spend our time between Adarlan and castle where Manon and the other clans work for the Duke. The city and the castle were vividly described. Maas brought them to life in 3D delivering danger, tension, and suspense. At times the tale was gritty, bloody and dark. All elements necessary to ensnare the reader while lending an air of believability to the tale.
- I'd be remiss not to mention the romance(s) and complicated friendships between these characters. Theories run amuck among fans of the series. I too have matched and made predictions. The sexual tension between Alien and Rowan was both frustrating and delightful. Duty and desire battle, but there is no denying the current of feelings and emotions that pass between them. Alien's teasing seemed at times mean. I don't think she is aloof, but believe she is deliberately taunting him into making the first move.
- Battles, ARC developments, magic, demons, and trickery created a story that despite its length never meander or loss this readers attention. Every morsel only had me craving more. Alien and her secretiveness often frustrated this motley crew she has amassed. I understood her reasons and admired her brilliant tactics and deceptions. She protects first and foremost, and while this might be a weakness to some, it fuels her.
- Queen of Shadows wrapped up several threads and set in motion events that will unfold in Empire of Storms. At times the series take the reader on a macabre ride as Maas drags their emotions from the back of her creative horse. Like most, in her fandom, I cannot wait to go there again. Marketed as a young adult series, fans of fantasy regardless of age will find themselves enthralled.
tellemonstar
Written on Sep 9, 2016
Rinn
Written on Jun 2, 2016
I LOVE THIS SERIES SO BLOODY MUCH
wyvernfriend
Written on May 18, 2016
Mackenzie
Written on Jan 22, 2016
Full review to come (if I can stop gushing).
Sam@WLABB
Written on Dec 4, 2015
I was a little disappointed with the direction Maas took some of the characters, BUT I was also really excited about what she did with other characters. Mass allowed many of our misunderstood villains to be redeemed, and I guess I like believing that there is good inside everyone. Manon, wow! She wins for most evolved character. I am so excited to see where Manon's 3 am visit leads. Some other super awesome females we met (and I hope to get to know better) were: Elide, Nesryn, Lysandra. We also reunite with Kaltain, and there is a lot more to her than meets the eye. I was especially happy with the fate Maas granted her.
Relationships are made and mended. Truths and conspiracies are revealed. And my love for this series grew deeper.
Silvara
Written on Nov 28, 2015
I swear this is one of those series where every book just feels so much better than the last one. And the last ones weren't bad books!
I totally wanted to hit Chaol over the head with a heavy and hard object again for a good bit of this book. But, Manon! And Lysandra! And of course Rowan, Aedion and Aelin herself.
When I saw the size of this book I was both happy and a bit scared. Would it live up to the other books? Was it too long? What all could you fit into 650 pages?! And then of course I got to the end and was all, "that's it? There has to be more here I don't want to wait for the next book!"
I've seen a lot of people up in arms about Chaol and Aelin. I get it, I do. I wanted those two to end up together ever since the first book. And as much as he made me want to smack him, it also was a believable response. Considering that he was still having issues with her Fae heritage. And the magic. And then he finds out she's really a Queen? Not only that, but all the crap he went through after he sent her away. And his guilt over having to leave Dorian behind.
So while I don't like the way he acted, and the things he said, I understand it. That said, it took him a lot longer than I was hoping for, for him to get his head out of his ass.
I loved the dynamics between Rowan and Aedion. And I liked the way their friendship evolved, how Rowan called Aedion his brother and how Aedion was wiling to protect Rowan from the Valg.
I also really loved Lysandra in this. She's grown a ton as a character, and I liked the twist about her heritage. It also amused me to no end, that when Aedion told her to never do that specific thing, she of course did it multiple times. I hope we get to see a lot more of her as well as Evangeline in the next book.
And Manon! It's looking more and more like my wish from the last book may come true. I like her so much, I don't want to see her fighting against Aelin and the rest. At the moment, she hasn't switched sides. But a girl can dream, right? We also learned more about Asterin in this book. I was so sad for her!
I'm sure I'm forgetting things already that I loved, there was so much going on in the book. But it never felt like there was TOO much, you know? Everything felt relevant and nothing made me want to skim past to a better section. If you haven't started this series yet you need to, and if you HAVE read the other books, you need to read this one as well.
This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon