Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

The Queen has returned.

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.

Goodreads | Amazon

The Review

The fourth addition to the Throne of Glass is every bit as good as the previous books. I'm just going to take a second to appreciate this cover; how incredibly badass does Aelin look? It made me quite nostalgic for the Nightingale armor in Skyrim! My first impression was that holy cow, this is a thick tome. I didn't mind so much until it became evident (around the middle) that nothing much was happening as far as story progression. Manon, the Blackbeak Witch/Wing Leader stole my heart again. FYI, she and Aelin finally meet in an absolutely perfect way. Scenes with Abraxos were very much cut down and I'm a little disappointed about it. I enjoyed learning more about the relationship between the witches and the tension between Manon and Asterin absolutely wrecked my heart, especially learning about Asterin's past with Manon's grandmother. The corruption goes far deeper than, and extends beyond the reemergence of the Valg. Aelin is an absolute badass. I know that I keep calling her that, but just when I think she's settled down she goes and does something insanely epic. I love the dynamic between Aelin, Rowan and Aedion. All three are extreme alpha personalities and the idea of the three of them sharing an itty bitty apartment gave my heart so much joy and laughter. You guys, there's a breakfast scene! (I need more of those, Maas!) I love that Aelin's court have suffered and bear the scars and vulnerabilities to prove it, and yet each is still kicking back against the world. I won't say that any of them are entirely noble, because they are certainly not. However, it's an interesting premise; what would become of a group of people who were ripped apart, enslaved, beaten and abused? If those people were anything like this group, they would go down swinging. All debts get paid eventually, and the day has come for many people who are responsible for inclicting pain on this Queen of shadows in her past. I loved seeing more of Aelin's life when she was an assassin and discovering just how much horror she's witnessed--and dealt. I've rated this book 4 out 5. I like watching this battered, snarky girl becoming a fire breathing bitch-queen. Is it September yet??