abbyreads23's reviews
13 reviews
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
I think to give Queen of Shadows anything less than 5 stars would be a cardinal sin. Maybe that’s dramatic, I don’t care. The development of the overall story and characters is incredibly gripping, I don’t know how many time I was physically tensed up or tearing up over something I was reading. It’s touching, it’s hopeful, it’s also dark, sad, and makes you wonder how Aelin and her court are going to make it out of the mess. Let’s take a moment and appreciate Manon’s character development and the introduction of Elide, which I am very eager to see what their stories hold in the next few books.
I have read TOG in the “Romantic” way.
Going onto Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn as a tandem read.
I do believe, so far, that Queen of Shadows has been my favorite book though.
I have read TOG in the “Romantic” way.
Going onto Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn as a tandem read.
I do believe, so far, that Queen of Shadows has been my favorite book though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: War, Gore, and Death
Minor: Miscarriage, Torture, Slavery, Vomit, and Sexual assault
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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 read AB after Heir of Fire, it was certainly reflective to read it this way since it’s a prequel to Throne of Glass.
I enjoyed it and it was nice seeing Celaena before she got to the glass castle and the backstory of her and Sam’s romance. This book helped fill in a lot of gaps on where Celaena adopted certain practices, also shedding light on how she’s always operated.
I sobbed at one point, which the previous books didn’t make me cry lol so I liked that, you know it’s good when you can personally feel a characters pain.
It’s a solid 4.5 stars, I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
I enjoyed it and it was nice seeing Celaena before she got to the glass castle and the backstory of her and Sam’s romance. This book helped fill in a lot of gaps on where Celaena adopted certain practices, also shedding light on how she’s always operated.
I sobbed at one point, which the previous books didn’t make me cry lol so I liked that, you know it’s good when you can personally feel a characters pain.
It’s a solid 4.5 stars, I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Death
Minor: Slavery, Vomit, and Toxic relationship
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
5.0
Tell a friend, to tell a friend, that Aelin is BAAACK. I loved this book, the character development was probably the strongest in this book than in the previous two. It really picks up in excitement and plot from Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight, if you have read those 2, you NEED to read this.
Content Warnings
Minor: War and Slavery
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
I loved the continuation of the Throne of Glass series, this book was just a deepening of an already deep story.
Learning more about Caelena, Chaol, Dorian, and Nehemia, there was so much to take in, I found the character development to be strong. I was so genuinely scared sometimes when reading I had to set the book down lol
The plot continued to thicken as well in a medium-paced way, there’s a bit of lax when it comes to building up the “love triangle” and then adding to the mystery. The ending surprised me, I really didn’t see it coming but I’m kinda dull and don’t try to figure books out cause I like the surprise.
10/10 read. Would recommend. You’ll love it.
Learning more about Caelena, Chaol, Dorian, and Nehemia, there was so much to take in, I found the character development to be strong. I was so genuinely scared sometimes when reading I had to set the book down lol
The plot continued to thicken as well in a medium-paced way, there’s a bit of lax when it comes to building up the “love triangle” and then adding to the mystery. The ending surprised me, I really didn’t see it coming but I’m kinda dull and don’t try to figure books out cause I like the surprise.
10/10 read. Would recommend. You’ll love it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Gore
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I have read all of Sarah’s books and was very excited to start Throne of Glass and it did not disappoint!
I took an immediate liking to the main character, Celaena, and loved the slow-burn/tense romance, the mystery of the plot and overall how it drove the book forward. I read it in just a few days, I would consider it pretty fast paced.
I look forward to continuing the series and would absolutely recommend reading if you’ve enjoyed any other of Sarah’s writing.
I took an immediate liking to the main character, Celaena, and loved the slow-burn/tense romance, the mystery of the plot and overall how it drove the book forward. I read it in just a few days, I would consider it pretty fast paced.
I look forward to continuing the series and would absolutely recommend reading if you’ve enjoyed any other of Sarah’s writing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Violence, and Murder
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
Solid first installment to the CC series. When I first read the blurb I wasn’t sure I’d like this book because I found Bryce to be… distasteful. Alas, I was wrong and happy to be wrong about it. I quickly was intrigued by this advanced technological world that was so different from ACOTAR. I also grew to love Bryce much faster than I anticipated. The plot is great, the relatability to the characters is well-written and I think makes even the side characters lovable or at the very least, intriguing. Sarah is very good at keeping her readers coming back for more.
Overall, great book, highly recommend.
Overall, great book, highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery and Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
5.0
I’ve realllyyyy enjoyed the Crescent City series. The second installment was just as good as the first, I found the character development to be great, as well as the plot. I am not one to try to figure out where the author is leading me, as I really like the element of surprise so I am sure some people might expect the ending in some way but as for me, my jaw was on the floor. I find Sarah’s writing style to be great, the world-building and connection with every. single. character. keeps you coming back for more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Violence
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
medium-paced
- 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
2.5
The books screams 2015 in the way that it wanted to compete with the stories we fell in love with like The Hunger Games or Divergent but it just wasn’t there.
Is it the worst? No, it’s actually a fun little read but it’s a bit repetitive, sometimes predictable, and the character development is basically non-existent. The ending was a page-turner but it ends quite abruptly, I haven’t decided if I’ll read the next book.
It’s not a great book but it’s not the worst either. Overall, a decent read.
Is it the worst? No, it’s actually a fun little read but it’s a bit repetitive, sometimes predictable, and the character development is basically non-existent. The ending was a page-turner but it ends quite abruptly, I haven’t decided if I’ll read the next book.
It’s not a great book but it’s not the worst either. Overall, a decent read.
Anastasia by Sophie Lark
dark
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
First off, I know nothing about Russian culture, so I’m excluding that from my review.
It’s a slow-paced read, it’s a lot of story and character building until the last 100 pages, that’s when everything climaxes.
I personally never got super attached to any of the characters so even though the book had some really horrifically sad parts, I didn’t feel anything.
I was more attached to the bird than Anastasia herself lol
The world is semi-immersive, it wasn’t lack of description, I just didn’t feel this book like I have with others.
The magic aspect of the book has no rules, no boundaries, it’s all shrouded in mystery which is cool but also kind of confusing for the reader because there’s no law to the magic, so literally it seems anything is possible.
The plot is there, there’s a steady build to the climax, it makes sense and I followed the characters the whole way there, but ultimately I finished this book with a sense of “well, that’s done” compared to the usual existential dread I’m used to feeling after I finish a really good book.
Overall, I still recommend the book, it’s a low-fantasy, easy read and I enjoyed it!
Huge points for the paperback copy, the book is 656 pages but super floppy, I wished other big paperbacks were like that.
Oh, also the artwork in the book is BEAUTIFUL.
Pick it up and read it. Or don’t.
It’s a slow-paced read, it’s a lot of story and character building until the last 100 pages, that’s when everything climaxes.
I personally never got super attached to any of the characters so even though the book had some really horrifically sad parts, I didn’t feel anything.
I was more attached to the bird than Anastasia herself lol
The world is semi-immersive, it wasn’t lack of description, I just didn’t feel this book like I have with others.
The magic aspect of the book has no rules, no boundaries, it’s all shrouded in mystery which is cool but also kind of confusing for the reader because there’s no law to the magic, so literally it seems anything is possible.
The plot is there, there’s a steady build to the climax, it makes sense and I followed the characters the whole way there, but ultimately I finished this book with a sense of “well, that’s done” compared to the usual existential dread I’m used to feeling after I finish a really good book.
Overall, I still recommend the book, it’s a low-fantasy, easy read and I enjoyed it!
Huge points for the paperback copy, the book is 656 pages but super floppy, I wished other big paperbacks were like that.
Oh, also the artwork in the book is BEAUTIFUL.
Pick it up and read it. Or don’t.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent, War, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
A close second to my favorite of the Harry Potter books, a great ending to a spectacular series. Be ready to cry at the end as you may miss your Hogwarts friends very much.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence