The next book in my reread! And also the only book in the series I’ve reviewed on Goodreads haha. I’ve flown through this one for the reread but also forgot to take notes so this review isn’t going to be super long. Nevertheless, I wanted to share my thoughts so let’s dive in!
An alternative cover edition for this ISBN can be found here.
Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…
She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.
She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.
The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series continues Celaena’s epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.
Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4) by Sarah J. Maas
Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens on 01/01/2023
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 645
Format: Audiobook
Goodreads
There was so much character growth in this fourth book! My absolute favorite being Manon. She slowly starts to think for herself and I love seeing her turning in the witch I’ve come to love. Although that also brings us closer to the scenes that have been cemented in my memories…. Her Thirteen are wonderful and I love that they don’t obey her blindly but tell her when she’s wrong. All these witches own my heart <3.
“What if we go on,’ he said, ‘only to more pain and despair? What if we go on, only to find a horrible friend waiting for us?’
Aelin looked northward, as if she could see all the way to Terrasen. ‘Then it is not the end.”
I also love their relationship with Elide. She seems so timid but she can really hold her own. As someone who has a bad leg after a bad break, I love reading about her. She has a quiet strength I would love to see in more characters. I love how smart and cunning she can be and I can’t wait to see her growth.
Another favorite part of this instalment is the relationship between Aelin and Lysandra. I am still in awe of Sarah J. Maas’ storytelling. Especially after the Assassin’s Blade you dislike Lysandra a lot. But after Queen of Shadows there’s no way you don’t love her. And her friendship with Aelin developed beautifully, definitely one of my favorites in the series.
“They joined hands.
So the world ended.
And the next one began.”
This book was more about the characters and their relationships to each other than the plot I would say. But we also got some important advancements in the main storyline. First there is a lot surrounding Arobynn and in the second half it’s all about Dorian and the King. These were all things that needed to happen so I wouldn’t say this book was a filler. And I still remember from the first time I read this one that I finally finished a book in the series with a happy and hopeful feeling. I wasn’t anxious about waiting for the next book. And we all now that will definitely happen further along in the series haha.
While this isn’t my favorite book in the series, it is one I really enjoy. I wouldn’t mind rereading this one again and was once again left with that hopeful feeling. The next book in the series will be intense and I’m already preparing myself for all the heartbreak that is coming my way. Have you read this one? How do you feel about the series and about this book in particular? I would love to hear from you!
