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abbyynormal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
sissiemilia's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The last 30% or so of the book was really good. the first 50% were mind numbingly boring. A lot of it should have been edited out. Most of the book felt like a filler episode.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
cineladeras's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
reghan_32's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Slavery and Injury/Injury detail
belletheblogger's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
I don't really understand the relationship between Celena and Rowan
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death and War
booksemmahasread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Genocide, Slavery, Medical content, Grief, and War
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
savage_book_review's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.0
The calm before the storm. Although objectively this is not the best book in the series, I think it's my favourite precisely because it's predominantly about the characters rather than the significantly progressing the plot of the series. And the audio version of confirms this.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit
ofclumsywords's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"...and then I'm going to rattle the stars."
This is the third time I have read this book, which proves just how amazing it is. Out of the entire Throne of Glass series, this one is my favorite as there is such an incredible character growth.
In the first two books of this series, the reader is introduced to Celaena Sardothien who is chosen as one of the competitors to become the kings champion and new assassin. But at the end of the second book we find out that Celaena is just an alias and instead she is Aelin Ashryver Galathanius, the presumed dead princess of a once great kingdom that was destroyed by the evil king she now serves. The beginning of this book finds Celaena lost and broken after her friend was brutally murdered. She has lost all will to fight or do anything other than wallow in her grief after losing one more person she cares about in her life. But she is forced to face her past and learn how to use her uncontrolled powers so she can take up her rightful place as queen.
Even though it is revealed that she is really Aelin, Celaena refuses to be called by her given name and all through the book she is still referred to as Celaena. In the very last chapter of this book, Celaena finally allows herself to be addressed as Aelin. It is only when she has forgiven herself for her past and has overcome her fear of her powers that she accepts who she is and that she is the rightful queen. In those final moments, that is the last time she will ever call herself Celaena and also the last time the author uses that name when the chapters are in Aelin's POV. It is such a powerful and incredibly cool moment to not only see Aelin accept herself but for the author to switch gears and fully change a characters name, especially in the middle of a series.
I will always have a love/hate relationship with Sarah J Maas as an author. But I cannot give up these books for the life of me. This was her first series she ever wrote and for that it will always be my favorite since it was before she got too famous. This series fills me with the exact same joy as the Harry Potter series does every time I crack open its covers. It will never get old to me and I find comfort in returning to this incredible world Maas has created and unforgettable characters who feel like old friends.
This is the third time I have read this book, which proves just how amazing it is. Out of the entire Throne of Glass series, this one is my favorite as there is such an incredible character growth.
In the first two books of this series, the reader is introduced to Celaena Sardothien who is chosen as one of the competitors to become the kings champion and new assassin. But at the end of the second book we find out that Celaena is just an alias and instead she is Aelin Ashryver Galathanius, the presumed dead princess of a once great kingdom that was destroyed by the evil king she now serves. The beginning of this book finds Celaena lost and broken after her friend was brutally murdered. She has lost all will to fight or do anything other than wallow in her grief after losing one more person she cares about in her life. But she is forced to face her past and learn how to use her uncontrolled powers so she can take up her rightful place as queen.
Even though it is revealed that she is really Aelin, Celaena refuses to be called by her given name and all through the book she is still referred to as Celaena. In the very last chapter of this book, Celaena finally allows herself to be addressed as Aelin. It is only when she has forgiven herself for her past and has overcome her fear of her powers that she accepts who she is and that she is the rightful queen. In those final moments, that is the last time she will ever call herself Celaena and also the last time the author uses that name when the chapters are in Aelin's POV. It is such a powerful and incredibly cool moment to not only see Aelin accept herself but for the author to switch gears and fully change a characters name, especially in the middle of a series.
I will always have a love/hate relationship with Sarah J Maas as an author. But I cannot give up these books for the life of me. This was her first series she ever wrote and for that it will always be my favorite since it was before she got too famous. This series fills me with the exact same joy as the Harry Potter series does every time I crack open its covers. It will never get old to me and I find comfort in returning to this incredible world Maas has created and unforgettable characters who feel like old friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
darkpizza's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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