A review by virtual_ambs
Kingdom of Ash, by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- 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? No
5.0
There is a special place in my heart that until now I thought was reserved just for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows but alas there is space for one more. Both now reside together in easy reach of my bed
The character development and world building included in this series is absolutely phenomenal and this finale sticks the landing. The prologue alone is incredible. There are three things SJM writes incredibly well: Battle scenes, Women I wanna be and men who actually deserve to be with those women, this book showcases all three in abundance. I cried my eyes out multiple times to this book both in joy and heartache and probs once or twice out of sheer tension.
As much as I tried to avoid it, I had a fair amount of this book spoilt for me thanks to bookstagram and Booktok but my god this book still had me on the edge of my seat the whole time and I think some of those spoilers actually saved me from a number of cardiac arrests. The pace of this book is incredible and the plot twists and tension building fantastic. I love the skill SJM has for tying everything little thing in from across a series, I think I screamed at the end of chapter 16.
*** I’ve tried to keep my following thoughts as a vague overview and spoiler-free but if you want to remain unbiased prior to reading stop now coz I’m about to spread a whole lot of love ***
Aelin is my favourite character ever now - I love how SJM really gave her bravery and courage center stage here (obvs one does not speak Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius’s name without mentioning her intelligence, sass and all round badass ways too).
The storyline of the witches is absolutely outstanding - Manon and Abraxos for the win. Everyone should read these books for them alone, I am and always will be sucker for a witch story and Manon’s is a so interesting and different, a favourite for sure. I’m never going to emotionally recover from chapters 90 and 91.
Lysandra and Elide are the friends Aelin’s deserved her whole life, they both deserve the world. All of their POVs were incredible and some of their scenes hold their own against Aelin’s and Manon’s storylines well.
Rowan is the no. 1 book BF. The ending of chapter 28 sent chills down my spine, I freaking loved it. Aelin and Rowan’s relationship is beautiful and they compliment and support each other so well.
Fenrys… I am speechless, give the male a whole book.
It was great to see Dorian get more independence in terms of plot - and boy was he given a worthy story.
Maeve was such an interesting character, I loved the constant blurred lines and grey moments to her character. So many dimensions (pun unintentional but acknowledged).
If I had any wishes to make it would be:
It would have been nice to see the OG gang - Aelin, Dorian and Chaol have more interaction towards the end but you can’t have everything.
I got a bit tired of hearing about the TOD gang, especially towards the end, feel like they were starting to take away from Aelin’s hard fought ending.
Anyways…
I pray SJM wasn’t playing with us hinting TOG having a few stories left to tell.
It’s Aelin’s world, we’re all just living in it now.
The character development and world building included in this series is absolutely phenomenal and this finale sticks the landing. The prologue alone is incredible. There are three things SJM writes incredibly well: Battle scenes, Women I wanna be and men who actually deserve to be with those women, this book showcases all three in abundance. I cried my eyes out multiple times to this book both in joy and heartache and probs once or twice out of sheer tension.
As much as I tried to avoid it, I had a fair amount of this book spoilt for me thanks to bookstagram and Booktok but my god this book still had me on the edge of my seat the whole time and I think some of those spoilers actually saved me from a number of cardiac arrests. The pace of this book is incredible and the plot twists and tension building fantastic. I love the skill SJM has for tying everything little thing in from across a series, I think I screamed at the end of chapter 16.
*** I’ve tried to keep my following thoughts as a vague overview and spoiler-free but if you want to remain unbiased prior to reading stop now coz I’m about to spread a whole lot of love ***
Aelin is my favourite character ever now - I love how SJM really gave her bravery and courage center stage here (obvs one does not speak Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius’s name without mentioning her intelligence, sass and all round badass ways too).
The storyline of the witches is absolutely outstanding - Manon and Abraxos for the win. Everyone should read these books for them alone, I am and always will be sucker for a witch story and Manon’s is a so interesting and different, a favourite for sure. I’m never going to emotionally recover from chapters 90 and 91.
Lysandra and Elide are the friends Aelin’s deserved her whole life, they both deserve the world. All of their POVs were incredible and some of their scenes hold their own against Aelin’s and Manon’s storylines well.
Rowan is the no. 1 book BF. The ending of chapter 28 sent chills down my spine, I freaking loved it. Aelin and Rowan’s relationship is beautiful and they compliment and support each other so well.
Fenrys… I am speechless, give the male a whole book.
It was great to see Dorian get more independence in terms of plot - and boy was he given a worthy story.
Maeve was such an interesting character, I loved the constant blurred lines and grey moments to her character. So many dimensions (pun unintentional but acknowledged).
If I had any wishes to make it would be:
It would have been nice to see the OG gang - Aelin, Dorian and Chaol have more interaction towards the end but you can’t have everything.
I got a bit tired of hearing about the TOD gang, especially towards the end, feel like they were starting to take away from Aelin’s hard fought ending.
Anyways…
I pray SJM wasn’t playing with us hinting TOG having a few stories left to tell.
It’s Aelin’s world, we’re all just living in it now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, War, Violence, Blood, Death, and Gore
Minor: Death of parent and Animal death