krillalinn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Blood, Violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault and Gore
Minor: Torture and Suicide
bibliorama's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Start - 4
Characters - 3.5
Atmosphere - 3.5
Plot - 3
Ending - 3.5
Style - 2.5
The writing in this one was a bit more cheesy than the last ones at the "big" moments, but it's fine. This feels a bit like a fantasy soap opera and I'm okay with that.
Overall - 3.5
Moderate: Grief, Miscarriage, Blood, Death, Gore, Injury/injury detail, Misogyny, and Vomit
Minor: Ableism, Sexual harassment, and Slavery
jenna_s_9's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There are still some qualms I have overall, but I throughly enjoyed the escapism this book allowed me.
The found family vibe is strong and the themes of love and friendship. I was relieved with the strong pivot in the approach to female friendship here, and how a “not like the other girls” character became a champion for the power and value of female friendship and the strength of the women around her that had also survived against the odds.
Graphic: Gore, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Slavery, Miscarriage, Sexual harassment, and Vomit
erisedstraeh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Physical abuse, Medical content, Grief, Confinement, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Gore, Colonisation, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Body horror, War, Torture, Vomit, Mental illness, Injury/injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
kaledragon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: War, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Medical trauma, Sexual content, and Trafficking
Minor: Racism and Sexism
nerdkitten's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Grief, Injury/injury detail, Gore, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Ableism, Cursing, Medical content, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Sexual content, Misogyny, Torture, and War
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Child abuse, Medical trauma, Child death, Death of parent, Excrement, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Stalking, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and Rape
beckyremillard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Spoiler
Pretty sure Rowan is my favorite character so I’m also less interested when he’s not in the story.Manon was also fairly meh in the beginning but got much more interesting.
Graphic: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Child death, Injury/injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Death, Grief, and War
mhairi_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Slavery, Cursing, Injury/injury detail, Blood, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Violence, War, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Genocide, and Stalking
Minor: Cannibalism, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Bullying, Torture, and Vomit
mollydollydoodah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Spoiler
I have always loved Celaena for her cunning and brilliant plans, her wit and strength and courage, and her secretly soft heart as she has risked so much to save other people’s lives even as a cold-hearted assassin. I have been awed by her unflinching bravery, her undying loyalty, and her overall bad-assery throughout all of these novels, but I am stunned by her as Aelin. I loved how SJM switched from referring to the narrative of Celaena to Aelin in this novel, demonstrating to readers right off the bat all of the growth she has done. I originally mourned the loss of Celaena Sardothien, having become attached to that persona, as Aelin herself had (obviously not with the same intensity, but you get the point), and I was left clawing at the scraps of the name. But as I progressed through the novel, reading of each task, plan, hope, action, and word from her mouth, I realized I love Aelin much more than Celaena. Don’t get me wrong, I do not fear Celaena, her actions, or her past (I mean I probably would if I saw her in person because omg she seems so intimidating ngl even though I’d want to be friends or something idk), but Queen Aelin Ashryver Galathynius is like a pheonix standing in the flames of who Celaena was, reborn much more powerful and capable and strong after all of the hell she’s been through. I am awed by the journey that SJM has taken us through, as every piece and occasion seems so necessary to where we have ended up at the end of this novel, and it seems as though I’ve spent a lifetime with these characters. Chaol seemed so right for Celaena at a time, but through all of her growth, all of his own journey, a reborn Aelin being with Rowan is the perfect match, & I’m so happy they have each other. I love the way that they accept all of each other’s flaws and pasts and idk literally all of it, they’re so cute. Seeing Aelin slip back into her Celaena persona in order to face the aftermath of Arobynn’s death, I was startled by how much Aelin has grown. Because SJM developed her character growth so well, I didn’t consciously compare Celaena to Aelin until it was done for me, and I was awed just by how truly different Aelin has become to the girl that was Calaena. I positively adored all of Aelin’s plotting and secret plans— plans that were constantly withheld from the readers as well! This was thrilling, because I never really knew what I would get next, but I knew that something was brewing as she constantly snuck out at night & did hinted at things without giving the readers full knowledge. I adored the shock that came from everyone at the will reading, because I experienced some of it as well! Through all of Aelin’s cunning plans and straight up badassery, I was reminded of my beloved, darling, Feyre. The detailed descriptions and lack of blatantly telling readers what the plans running through Aelin’s mind during certain crucial action scenes were so much fun to read, as it felt as though I was truly immersed in the scene, watching these plans unfold along with the other characters. The battle between Aelin & Manon reminded me so much of Feyre & the Middengard Wyrm because of the brilliance of both scenes, and I positively adored the resemblance. Speaking of Manon, I am in love with her character development. Despite my feelings in the last novel, I very much enjoyed reading about her journey and I am thrilled with how her story has connected with Aelin’s, and all I can wish for is that they become very close allies one day soon. It was so interesting seeing how Manon’s thoughts, feelings, and actions shifted throughout the novel as she stepped away from her Grandmother’s overbearing shadow and she allowed more humanity and morality to seep into her so-called ‘nonexistent heart’, and I will never not appreciate a badass woman that can hold her own in any battle & takes no shit. Kaltain’s subplot was heartbreaking and so interesting, as I had no idea how her story would end up. When Elide & Manon ran into her as they were fleeing, I was convinced for a split second that she would stand in their way, & that although she had broken free of the demon, she had been overtaken by the darkness of her shadow flames. I was in awe of the way that her story ended, and I think that it was perfect, and couldn’t have happened any other way. It was so effective, both for the plotline itself, as well as for readers. I am so intrigued about how & when Elide & Aelin will connect, and how long it will take Elide to realize that the Celaena Sardothien she searches for is her queen. Sorscha was a great character, and I was excited to see how she would have grown throughout the series, and it was sad to see her die. She was exactly what Dorian had needed at the time, and I desperately hope he can heal from all the trauma and wounds he has been through, and that perhaps he can find someone else to love. It made me giddy to see Rowan’s perspective of how connected he is with Aelin, and to read all his little personal comments about how much he wished that he could touch her & all of that stuff, I thought it was so sweet. Also, I adore their enemies to friends to lovers route, it makes perfect sense for who they are. I’m excited to see where the future takes them, and I’m so glad they have each other to support and protect and love. I adored the introduction of Lysandra, and how Aelin’s court has been building into a family. Everyone has done so much growing throughout this novel, and I adore everyone’s character development. There was so much action in this novel, especially towards the end, and it was remarkably thrilling.Graphic: Pregnancy, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/injury detail, Vomit, War, Blood, Grief, Murder, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping, Rape, Medical content, and Stalking
kiwitenney's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Death, Violence, and Torture
Minor: Miscarriage