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Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4)

Sarah J. Maas

Start date: September 1, 2015

Finish date: September 30, 2015

Discussion: Series

Why we're reading this: It won the poll for the series BOTM
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Series

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What Members Thought

May 26, 2017 ☾ Liz ☆ Stellar Kitten Book Reviews ☆ rated it it was amazing

So much happened! AHHHH, I'm so in love with this book. I think this is definitely one of my favorites in the series. It was great to see so many characters coming together and seeing them interact. And then all the emotion and the plot things. Celaena was just so cunning in this one! I love it and I can't wait to read the next book <333

Full review on Stellar Kitten Book Reviews:

It took me way too long to get to this book. Part of it was that I was busy with school, but the other part was that I So much happened! AHHHH, I'm so in love with this book. I think this is definitely one of my favorites in the series. It was great to see so many characters coming together and seeing them interact. And then all the emotion and the plot things. Celaena was just so cunning in this one! I love it and I can't wait to read the next book <333

Full review on Stellar Kitten Book Reviews:

It took me way too long to get to this book. Part of it was that I was busy with school, but the other part was that I was so overwhelmed with Heir of Fire that I needed a break to appreciate all its awesomeness and just kinda step back–if that makes sense. Like that energy drain when you read a really awesome book. Yeah, I get that with this series a lot. At the same time, it gave me the drive to read other books because I just needed something else to help me come off that good book high.

So yeah, just wanted to explain that. But, back to the review!

Queen of Shadows takes the series forward once again as we watch Celaena coming to terms with her new status as Queen. She’s no longer just an assassin trying to look out for herself and others. She’s starting to think of things in terms of what it means for her and her people, her court. This is definitely great for fans of Celaena because you get to see her more vulnerable side as she carefully considers what her decisions mean.

She also shows a great deal of doubt in herself and guilt when she finds out what happened to her friends while she was gone. The fact that her rise as Queen meant hardship on her friends and family weighs heavily on her and makes you sympathetic to her turmoil.

Unfortunately, if you’re a fan of Chaol, you’ll be disappointed if you were looking forward to seeing the usual charming, likable Captain of the Guard. After everything that Dorian goes through, Chaol is left feeling guilty for running instead of fighting–even though he really could do nothing to help. When Celaena comes back he finds in her the perfect target for his pent-up rage and self-hatred.

Although he eventually comes around, it’s difficult to really forgive him for all that he puts Celaena through considering their history. He knows that she’s not heartless, that she worries and cares deeply about things despite the tough, nothing-bothers-me attitude. It’s hard to believe that he doesn’t know what effect his jabs and bitter words will have on her.

However, another good part of the story is that we see Manon and her Thirteen again. More importantly, they continue to evolve as a group, moving towards independence from the Blackbeak Matron. They start to really come together and define themselves independently from everything they’ve been taught, and it’s amazing.

Aaaaaand, let’s not forget Kaltain’s comeback. For all of those wondering what became of this stuck-up mean girl you finally get to find out. In this book, Kaltain’s true purpose is revealed and it’s dark. And when things get tough she decides to take control of her life. Her big moment came to really define her and make me see her in a new light. I think it was redeeming and gave her back the power that she felt she’d lost while under someone else’s thumb.

As for the plot (especially the ending) I could not have been happier. Big players are unveiled and shown as they truly are. We also find out about the storm that’s on the horizon for Celanea, what’s really at stake for their world. It took everything from the last book and just piled more on. I have to say I’m really pleased with where the series is going and I’m excited to see where Maas takes it in the next book. ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Oct 13, 2016 Katerina rated it it was amazing

Queen of Shadows has now reached the top of my favorite books of 2016! I am in love with each character even more than the last 3 books and will continue to fall in love :D

Like · see review

Jun 10, 2021 Jennifer rated it really liked it

Oct 26, 2014 Stacey rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019-read

Jan 18, 2016 Jacquel marked it as to-read

Mar 11, 2016 Priya rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, ya, koi-bhi-kuch-bhi, series, 2016

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