undecidedpersonality'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: Body horror, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Medical content, War, Confinement, Slavery, Abandonment, Medical trauma, Domestic abuse, Ableism, Pregnancy, Genocide, and Sexual violence
Minor: Classism, Sexual content, Child death, Colonisation, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Child abuse
skillyillian'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
I loved every minute of this book. I read the assassin's blade before this bc I heard it had a really high emotional impact and holy shit, it was perfect. Having TAB freshly on my mind made so much of this book more intense. I loved heir of fire but I actually think this one beat it. Literally my only two not-wildly-in-love thoughts were that it almost felt like too many POVs with the introduction of Elide, but even then š¤·š»āāļø I really liked elide. My other thought was that aedion got real weird about aelin for a minute despite the fact that they're obviously not love interests and never could be. I understand he missed her and blah blah blah whatever but oh my god all the stuff about her scent and her body and everything was real weird for a cousin, I'm just saying š¤Ø now rowan's thoughts about aelin's scent and body, on the other hand, well... heh š more please š bc seriously good hell no more teasing, I just can't take it š®āšØ
Even chaol pissbaby westfall had some redemption towards the end. I didn't think I'd care if he got redemption, he's my tog tamlin at this point, buuuut he did do something useful so I guess I could allow it.Ā
Seeing aelin do all the cool shit she did tho? That was just. Truly the best. The very best. She and her court have my endless love and respect and adoration. Queen of terrasen, queen of my heart. Mwah. Incredible. I fuckin loved this book. Peak SJM to say the least. The plot twist towards the end had me literally gasping out loud. Now, is that maybe bc I'm a little dumb and didn't see it coming? Possibly. Do I care? No. š š»Ā
Excellent book, can't wait for the rest š
Graphic: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Confinement, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, 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
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
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 peopleās 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. Donāt 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 Iād 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 sheās 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 Iāve 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, & Iām so happy they have each other. I love the way that they accept all of each otherās flaws and pasts and idk literally all of it, theyāre so cute. Seeing Aelin slip back into her Celaena persona in order to face the aftermath of Arobynnās death, I was startled by how much Aelin has grown. Because SJM developed her character growth so well, I didnāt 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 Aelinās plotting and secret plansā 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 Aelinās 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 Aelinās 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 Aelinās, and all I can wish for is that they become very close allies one day soon. It was so interesting seeing how Manonās thoughts, feelings, and actions shifted throughout the novel as she stepped away from her Grandmotherās overbearing shadow and she allowed more humanity and morality to seep into her so-called ānonexistent heartā, and I will never not appreciate a badass woman that can hold her own in any battle & takes no shit. Kaltainās 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 couldnāt 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 Rowanās 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. Iām excited to see where the future takes them, and Iām so glad they have each other to support and protect and love. I adored the introduction of Lysandra, and how Aelinās court has been building into a family. Everyone has done so much growing throughout this novel, and I adore everyoneās character development.Ā 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
helpme71'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
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Miscarriage, Murder, Torture, Violence, Vomit, and War
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Pregnancy
sdemo08'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
[White Stag on "black currant" crocheted blanket]
Minor: Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Torture, Blood, Rape, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Suicide, and Violence