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sissiemilia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
savage_book_review's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I would love to be able to devour this audio in a single sitting, as I think I'd enjoy it even more without the interruptions, picking it up mostly felt like I was sliding back into something relatively relaxing. However, I think this one will properly fly when it gets the graphic audio treatment.
Of course, the massive draw of this book is the introduction of Rowan Whitethorn. Now, IMO he doesn't reach Bat Boy levels of sexiness until later on in the series, but he's by far the most interesting character in this whole series and this book gives him a great foundation. Elizabeth Evans does a great job bringing him to life (as she does with all of the characters), but he is the one character that I think does need a proper voice actor to do him justice.
The biggest shift in my perception of these books that has come about due to listening to the audios is I've realised just how fleeting the characters' feelings seem to be about their relationship partners. When I read the physical books, because I read quickly it comes across fairly naturally, but where the audiobooks are slower it's really hammered home the immaturity here. Four books in, and Celaena is on man number four. Dorian is on girl two with more to come, Chaol is a bit behind but about to get going... and it's not like they're painted as teenage crushes or casual relationships either - the feelings always seem to be all-consuming, end game feelings. It's 100% just an observation, not a criticism, because they story and the characters work, but it's just something I can't necessarily relate to.
The other thing I love about this book is that I can picture the majority of scenes in my head with absolute clarity - certainly more than in any of the other books. I still see Abraxos as Toothless, but that just makes it cuter! I see Maeve as Miranda Richardson's Queen Mab from 'Merlin' (the Sam Neill version from the 90s), and the image of her surrounded by her cadre of warrior Fae is crystal clear. I think the gentler pace allows the scenes to build more completely and immerse the reader more fully, and then the slower speed of the audios and the wonderful narration boosts the effect even further.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Vomit
incognitoexisting's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
She was Aelin Ashryver Galathynius—and she would not be afraid.
3.5☆ but I still enjoyed it pretty much a lot. I couldn't put it down.
The writing is really good, addictive. The world, the magic, Celaena's adventures - all were very interesting to see. Not gonna lie, I was here mainly for Celaena kicking the King's ass and Chaol and Dorian helping her in that. I mostly enjoyed the book, however! There were triggering upsetting moments present (
P.S. it's really cute that Sarah Maas included her dog in acknowledgements!
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit
miss_berry315's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Every storyline was interesting and served to move the plot forward in a way that made sense.
Celaena's character growth in this was great. This book really feels like a turning point in the series, and I love it!
As usual, SJM puts the last 20% of the book in chaos mode and I have never been more grateful to not have to wait for the next book in a series to come out.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Genocide, Slavery, and Torture
aas'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
darkpizza'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? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Medical content, Cannibalism, Abandonment, and Alcohol
tabea1409'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
nicklybear's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Slavery, Torture, Vomit, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Cursing
eemi42's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The story opens into an ensemble cast, with Celaena/Aelin and Rowan (my new favorite character, sorry Chaol) in Wendlyn; Chaol, Dorian, Sorscha, and Aedion in Rifthold; and Manon and the Ironteeth witches in the Ferian gap. Additionally, as more information about Celaena was revealed, she became more 3D, more likeable. I find it easy to identify with and root for her now.
I'm still not sure where things are headed with Manon.
There were some themes in this book that reminded me of A Court of Silver Flames, like Celaena feeling useless and avoiding her responsibilities until forced training helps her out of it. I enjoyed it then and I enjoy it now. Though—dare I say it—this might be a better series than ACOTAR.
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
barbarianmissy'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? Yes
5.0
Ok I was so worried after the first 3 books I read in this series that there wouldn’t be any characters that I fully loved or connected to. I liked them but I never LOVED any of them. It was a good story, but I wasn’t obsessed with it UNTIL FRIGGIN NOW!
Rowan and Manon literally saved this series for me. Bringing back the world of magic, epic training and fun banter, off the chain chemistry between characters, AND friggin WYVERNS?!?! Epic and cool and just awesome. It was so so so so much fun!
I liked Celaena Sardothian… but Aelin Galathynius is a friggin badass and I wholeheartedly stan. Her growth in this book was outstanding.
Chaol is a coward and the fact that I ever compared him to Lightning McQueen is a real kick in the pants. Lightning never deserved such disrespect. 🤦♀️
Dorian, my poor sweet little baby. God I hope that necklace gets removed and you don’t need to be beheaded to be freed. I’ll be so pissed if your head gets the chop!
And Aedion, stop crushing on your cousin and I’ll find you more appealing. Hope you don’t hjget executed for being a traitor and get to once again kick ass.
And finally, to the king of Adarlan, suck a big fat egg and choke.
Overall, this book slaps, your honour.
ONTO QUEEN OF SHADOWS!!!! LETS ROCK!
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Genocide, Gore, Incest, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail