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lottiesmomma's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Nothing in this world could make me like Chaol and this was painfully boring
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
lilywolf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Definitely recommend the tandem read with Empire of Storms.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Child death, Death, Drug use, Grief, and Gaslighting
tiernanalexandria's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- 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
This book wasn’t as action packed as Empire of Storms, its twin. It didn’t have crazy twists and turns, but it did bring big plot reveals!
I feel like this book was SO necessary. The development for these characters: Nesryn, Chaol, Sartag, and Yrene Needed to happen.
This book helps to further the plot while really healing us before the damage of the big battle.
It was a breath of fresh air and honestly gave Chaol the redemption story he needed. (They could never make me hate you Chaol)
I feel like this book was SO necessary. The development for these characters: Nesryn, Chaol, Sartag, and Yrene Needed to happen.
This book helps to further the plot while really healing us before the damage of the big battle.
It was a breath of fresh air and honestly gave Chaol the redemption story he needed. (They could never make me hate you Chaol)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Violence, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Physical abuse, Murder, and Pregnancy
jls6283's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
I have a bone to pick, and it is NOT with SJM - it’s with members of her fandom.
The way people talk about this book online I was expecting it to be BORING and for Chaol to *finally* be a giant douche-canoe that I would end up hating since everyone else hates on him…
To me, the beauty of all these Maasverse books has been people/fae/whatever have big, emotional reactions (like humans are supposed to). Her characters feel deeply and grow and learn and evolve and adapt. I HATE how so many people who like these books praise female characters (like Nesta or Manon) for their healing journey and growth, BUT FOR SOME REASON DON’T WANT MALE CHARACTERS TO DO THE SAME.
I’ve been pro-Chaol from the beginning. Does he mess up? Yes. Does he question everyone and everything and sometimes get confused about what he believes in? Yes! He’s a human being! I’ve certainly done all of these things and I understand him so much.
If you’ve ever felt depressed and unloveable, this book is almost triggering. 😅 I had more of an emotional reaction to this one than any of the others so far. It might be my favorite of them so far - I know that’s a hot take, but I’ll stand by it! I’m so proud of my boy Chaol ❤️
The way people talk about this book online I was expecting it to be BORING and for Chaol to *finally* be a giant douche-canoe that I would end up hating since everyone else hates on him…
To me, the beauty of all these Maasverse books has been people/fae/whatever have big, emotional reactions (like humans are supposed to). Her characters feel deeply and grow and learn and evolve and adapt. I HATE how so many people who like these books praise female characters (like Nesta or Manon) for their healing journey and growth, BUT FOR SOME REASON DON’T WANT MALE CHARACTERS TO DO THE SAME.
I’ve been pro-Chaol from the beginning. Does he mess up? Yes. Does he question everyone and everything and sometimes get confused about what he believes in? Yes! He’s a human being! I’ve certainly done all of these things and I understand him so much.
If you’ve ever felt depressed and unloveable, this book is almost triggering. 😅 I had more of an emotional reaction to this one than any of the others so far. It might be my favorite of them so far - I know that’s a hot take, but I’ll stand by it! I’m so proud of my boy Chaol ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
Minor: Ableism, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
mgdmcc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Sexual assault, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Classism
literarymary95's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
I wasn't sure how I would feel about reading a book entirely about Chaol and Nesryn (But let's be honest, it is really about Chaol). It was actually a really well done story and ties in events from the rest of the story really well and what's obviously to come in the last book, Kingdom of Ash.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Suicide, Vomit, and Murder
savage_book_review's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have conflicting thoughts on this book having now read it as its own entity rather than as part of the tandem read. One one hand, it feels like a side-quest or spin off, rather than part of the main narrative arc, and while I don't really get the general hate for Chaol, having him as the main character and away from the rest of the group doesn't help lift the storyline. However, at the same time this is the first book in the series where I've felt that inexplicable draw to just keep reading/listening, even when it's going to make me late/keep me up/stop me from doing more important things. And not just because I wanted to get through it so I could start Kingdom of Ash. I was just more invested than I was expecting!
I like the final pairings that result from this story, but then all of the pairings up to now have felt 'right', and they've mostly fallen apart! There's a lot of serial monogamy going on, and while it doesn't sit quite right with me just how quickly the various feelings seem to come and go, I can appreciate that it's a good illustration of the characters' growth. That being said, the writing of the developing relationships here is a bit clunky in places; the change in Yrene's feelings especially feels really uneven. Considering how good SJM is at writing the enemies-to-lovers trope, this one really falls short of the mark.
I also love that, even with Aelin sidelined, little tidbits if her story so far start to pay dividends here. The reader gets to be in the know while characters remain in the dark (to an extent), and some of the payoffs that result are beautifully done.
But. This read through is also the first time I've found myself getting annoyed with one of SJM's writing 'tics'... I can laugh about the vulgar gestures and the watery bowels, but the amount of times she measures moments in heartbeats really started to get to me. I probably don't pick up on this as much when physically reading the books (and I don't recall it ever bothering me in previous reads), but the phrasing, coupled with the narrators almost identical inflections every single time this came up really makes the sheer volume of usage stand out.
Quick question regarding the narrator and Yrene's voice... am I going mad, or has she dropped the accent she used for Yrene is Assassin's Blade? Seems very unlike her to change the voice of a character half way through...
I am able-bodied, and cannot imagine being in Chaol's situation. Indeed, I suspect I'd be as desperate for a cure as he is. But I appreciate that the 'disabled person hating themselves because they can't walk' storyline has been used elsewhere in the past, and has been criticised for belittling the people and emotions behind these scenarios. Obviously in this case the fantasy setting makes a cure more readily available, and Chaol's emotions are part of the problem, but I just keep wondering if his character arc (and 'redemption' for want of a better word) would have been better served by his having to adapt and grow despite his disability? But then would it fit the world the character lives in? I just don't know.
Overall, this book is definitely better read in tandem with 'Empire of Storms', but nevertheless is still engaging and stands on its own merits. It certainly is not the best book in the series, but is a nice little breather before the emotional rollercoaster of KoA.
I like the final pairings that result from this story, but then all of the pairings up to now have felt 'right', and they've mostly fallen apart! There's a lot of serial monogamy going on, and while it doesn't sit quite right with me just how quickly the various feelings seem to come and go, I can appreciate that it's a good illustration of the characters' growth. That being said, the writing of the developing relationships here is a bit clunky in places; the change in Yrene's feelings especially feels really uneven. Considering how good SJM is at writing the enemies-to-lovers trope, this one really falls short of the mark.
I also love that, even with Aelin sidelined, little tidbits if her story so far start to pay dividends here. The reader gets to be in the know while characters remain in the dark (to an extent), and some of the payoffs that result are beautifully done.
But. This read through is also the first time I've found myself getting annoyed with one of SJM's writing 'tics'... I can laugh about the vulgar gestures and the watery bowels, but the amount of times she measures moments in heartbeats really started to get to me. I probably don't pick up on this as much when physically reading the books (and I don't recall it ever bothering me in previous reads), but the phrasing, coupled with the narrators almost identical inflections every single time this came up really makes the sheer volume of usage stand out.
Quick question regarding the narrator and Yrene's voice... am I going mad, or has she dropped the accent she used for Yrene is Assassin's Blade? Seems very unlike her to change the voice of a character half way through...
I am able-bodied, and cannot imagine being in Chaol's situation. Indeed, I suspect I'd be as desperate for a cure as he is. But I appreciate that the 'disabled person hating themselves because they can't walk' storyline has been used elsewhere in the past, and has been criticised for belittling the people and emotions behind these scenarios. Obviously in this case the fantasy setting makes a cure more readily available, and Chaol's emotions are part of the problem, but I just keep wondering if his character arc (and 'redemption' for want of a better word) would have been better served by his having to adapt and grow despite his disability? But then would it fit the world the character lives in? I just don't know.
Overall, this book is definitely better read in tandem with 'Empire of Storms', but nevertheless is still engaging and stands on its own merits. It certainly is not the best book in the series, but is a nice little breather before the emotional rollercoaster of KoA.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
jelkebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- 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
A four star? To a Throne of Glass book? From me? Yeah, I didn't see this one coming either. Truly, I still can't fully believe it, but I thouroughly enjoyed this book. I guess they'll just never make me hate Chaol, no matter how much of the fandom might do. No, my enjoyment of this book has nothing to do with the fact that I love Chaol. Well, it's not just that. I truly think this book and Empire of Storms are the best books from this series (so far) and which one you'll like more depends on your prefferences.
This isn't as action packed as Empire of Storms. It's pretty slowly paced. Most of it is spend healing Chaol, getting to know this different part of the world, and most importantly learning more about the Valg. We also got introduced to a brand new cast of characters with only Nesryn and Chaol returning from our old cast within this book. It did get some getting used to at the start of this one, but I still had a blast reading this book.
My biggest compliment for this book is that it didn't feel like its size to me. Like, this is a pretty long book, and considering not a whole lot happened this just flew by. It was an incredibly compelling read, and I did not want to stop reading. I thought the new land we were in was really interesting. I also loved the healing scenes. I mean, it was full of ableism, but when it comes to the magic and how the healing magic works I do think it was really interesting. Nesryn's storyline was also incredibly interesting in this book. We learned a whole lot about the Valg and their history as well, and I loved those parts as well. That came with some crazy reveals as well, so I can't wait to see it all play out in Kingdom of Ash.
The new cast of characters were great. I didn't care for all of the royals, but the characters that really took center stage this book I quite liked. As I mentioned before I have never hated Chaol, like most people, so I also loved that we focussed quite a bit on him in this book. Yrene was easily the best character of this book. She was just absolutely incredible. With new characters also come new romances, and I also really liked those. One of them is probably my favourite from the series as well. I won't tell you which one to keep you from getting spoiled but if you've read this book you can probably tell from this review as well. So yeah, not a perfect installement, but easily my favourite and I truly can't wait to get into the final book now.
This isn't as action packed as Empire of Storms. It's pretty slowly paced. Most of it is spend healing Chaol, getting to know this different part of the world, and most importantly learning more about the Valg. We also got introduced to a brand new cast of characters with only Nesryn and Chaol returning from our old cast within this book. It did get some getting used to at the start of this one, but I still had a blast reading this book.
My biggest compliment for this book is that it didn't feel like its size to me. Like, this is a pretty long book, and considering not a whole lot happened this just flew by. It was an incredibly compelling read, and I did not want to stop reading. I thought the new land we were in was really interesting. I also loved the healing scenes. I mean, it was full of ableism, but when it comes to the magic and how the healing magic works I do think it was really interesting. Nesryn's storyline was also incredibly interesting in this book. We learned a whole lot about the Valg and their history as well, and I loved those parts as well. That came with some crazy reveals as well, so I can't wait to see it all play out in Kingdom of Ash.
The new cast of characters were great. I didn't care for all of the royals, but the characters that really took center stage this book I quite liked. As I mentioned before I have never hated Chaol, like most people, so I also loved that we focussed quite a bit on him in this book. Yrene was easily the best character of this book. She was just absolutely incredible. With new characters also come new romances, and I also really liked those. One of them is probably my favourite from the series as well. I won't tell you which one to keep you from getting spoiled but if you've read this book you can probably tell from this review as well. So yeah, not a perfect installement, but easily my favourite and I truly can't wait to get into the final book now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug use, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Suicide
merrow's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
An almost relaxing turn in the midst of this series, but still maintaining the mystery and global stakes. The book feels generally hopeful and introduces a new part of the world well, and is only let down by the characters’ very occasional childish behaviour.
Yrene is a very engaging character, and Chaol and Nesryn both grow to find their places in the series. Very interesting revelations and the setting contrasts very well with the northern continent.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
tayymba's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism