QUEEN OF SHADOWS READALONG | #BOOKISHSEPTEMBER discussion
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Let's Discuss | Chapters 68 - END
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Aug 27, 2015 08:13AM
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OMG, this was the best book of the year and I read pretty good books but this... I can't even
Julia wrote: "OMG, this was the best book of the year and I read pretty good books but this... I can't even"Now you have to go through the longest book hangover ever.
Pearl wrote: "Not going to lie, my heart genuinely stopped at the end of Ch72. Thought I was going to have to get angry there for a second."I was in tears!! I had actually thought earlier in the book he was being set up to die...god I was so relieved when he survived!
Okay here are my thoughts: love the idea of Dorian and Manon - I picked that during HoF (before Sorcha...I figured Manon had to connect to them all somehow and at the time Dorian was single...I'm actually not sure what prompted me to match him up with the witch, I just remember thinking it and then dismissing it once Sorcha happened) so I really hope it turns outSooo glad Chaol redeemed himself by the end - he was incredibly frustrating for a while but by the end I was just like 'aaawww' - although as much as I want him to be happy I don't really like the idea of him and Nesryn (sp? - I listened to the audio so hard to know the exact spelling sometimes) - it's just all a bit too convenient for me
Row an and Aelin - there was something bugging me about this match-up for the entire book despite the fact that I actually really like Rowan...and I finally figured out what it was...the way Chaol and Aelin/Celaena have shut the door on each other pretty much rules out any further debate over the romance situation (sure there are two books to go, but even I, as one of the biggest Chaol fans out there, can see there's no coming back from this point) - so my problem is this: there was no point to Chaol and Celaena's romance in book 2...everything that happened between them (lies, betrayal etc) would have still happened and still cut just as badly if they'd only loved each other in a platonic way
There's nothing I hate more in a series than what I call 'placeholder' romance or 'distraction' romance - it usually happens in flimsy love triangles when the main love interest is off limits for some reason....it basically only exists because God forbid a YA novel goes without some sort of romantic plot line, even if it is with the wrong person! I feel as though Chaol and Celaena have been reduced to this and it's really disappointing...
On the whole though, really loved the book!
I can't even process the whole book because i just finished it but man the final chapters had me just so gripped!! Manon man, she and Lydandre are probably my favorite! I just can't resist a redemption story and these two just took over. Manon rescuing Elide with the thirteen, I probably stopped breathing while it was happening and then Kaltain happened and I cried because of what she'd endured and sacrificed. Lysandre going back for Aelin and changing into a ghost leopard of all things. Finally Dorian, his small chapters hurt me so much, he was so hunted and in the end it looked like he has given up, he was no longer fighting it, and then Aelin came and she wouldn't give up, she fought and magic was restored and Dorian broke free! And both GAVIN AND ELENA 2.0 i was gripping a pillow so hard while reading it. I think for me one of the most emotional heart gripping scenes was having Aelin, Dorian and Cheol in her bedroom talking about the end and the new beginning. Things have changed, they've changed, been through and seen so much and they've endured and will start shaping a new world.
I can't even process the whole book because i just finished it but man the final chapters had me just so gripped!! Manon man, she and Lydandre are probably my favorite! I just can't resist a redemption story and these two just took over. Manon rescuing Elide with the thirteen, I probably stopped breathing while it was happening and then Kaltain happened and I cried because of what she'd endured and sacrificed. Lysandre going back for Aelin and changing into a ghost leopard of all things. Finally Dorian, his small chapters hurt me so much, he was so hunted and in the end it looked like he has given up, he was no longer fighting it, and then Aelin came and she wouldn't give up, she fought and magic was restored and Dorian broke free! And both GAVIN AND ELENA 2.0 i was gripping a pillow so hard while reading it. I think for me one of the most emotional heart gripping scenes was having Aelin, Dorian and Cheol in her bedroom talking about the end and the new beginning. Things have changed, they've changed, been through and seen so much and they've endured and will start shaping a new world.
The book was really amazing. I love that we meet old characters and I love how they all develop. I mean...when they all sit together to have dinner or lunch it seems like they have been friends forever. Also they seem all so grownup. I'm happy that Dorian is more or less himself again. I loved the bitching between Chaol and Aelin. So epic. I'm very curious where Sarah will lead us. I mean...there will probably be more new worlds in the next 2 books. Epic!
This is my favorite book in the series. I just loved it. I'm glad that Aelin and Chaol finally got over their crap and were there for eachother. I didn't think Rowan and Aelin would end up more than friends after reading the last book and I was ok with that, but the second he came back in this book I was like nope, they need to get together. Mannon is a great character. I love that she finally decided to do what felt right for her and not just follow orders.At the end of the book it just really hit me how much the characters have changed from the first book. They really have been through so much.
I'd like the next book now please and thank you
I absolutely love how these characters function together. When they were all having dinner together at the end, I just realized how much these characters have grown up. This series is no longer a young adult to me. This is purely new adult.
Meh. I feel like I'm the only one who thought this was bad. The only characters I liked were Chaol, Dorian and Manon. Even though SJM butchered Chaol's character, and did stuff to him he NEVER deserved. Dorian was barely there. Manon- she should be the protagonist, as far as I'm concerned. To me, this was a Rowan x Aelin centered fanfiction of the Throne of Glass series. Totally disappointed and angered, and slightly disgusted.
No Aimal you're not the only one - I had to try really, really hard to just take away the romance stuff and focus on everything else - all the other stuff I thought was really awesome, e.g. The witches, Arobin's death and the way Aelin got his inheritance, Lyssandra, Dorian's Magic etc...that was all pretty coolBut Rowan and Aelin....urge...I have no problem with this ship, just with how it was done. It came out of no where after telling us in HoF there was no attraction, all of a sudden they're completely in love with each other! Where was the build up? If I was going to be convinced to get on board with this pairing I needed lots and lots of build up and tension, not just Rowan saying he'd realised he'd missed her while they were apart and that meant he was in love with her!
Also I thought it was really bad that Aelin and Rowan got together before she and Chaol had smoothed things over...it just reduced their relationship to something meaningless which I don't think was fair to all the readers who loved Chaol and Celaena together - as I said above, I would have preferred for them to never get together than reduced to something like that.
Also wtf with Chaol and Nesryb? Of course I want him to be happy but where the hell is the tension and build up? Could she be any more of a rebound? ...it just seems lazy and once again not fair to Chaol fans
And my final sore point with the romance - there's still two books to go!! Why the HELL would we want to know who Aelin's final choice is when there's still another two books left? At the VERY least SJM could have used this book to point us away from Chaol and towards Rowan but still leave us waiting desperately for them to actually get together. But no. Aelin and Rowan are officially together, the romance is flat as a tack and we've got to put up with them making googly eyes at each other for another two books. Not to mention, Aelin has gotten booorrriinnnggg since shrugging off Celaena.
THANK GOD for Dorian and Manon
Ash wrote: "No Aimal you're not the only one - I had to try really, really hard to just take away the romance stuff and focus on everything else - all the other stuff I thought was really awesome, e.g. The wit..."Okay, thank goodness, because I felt like I had read a completely different book. You're right. If I was looking at everything BUT the romance, this book wasn't bad- definitely better than its predecessor. The action was good. I loved how Arobynn played a bigger role (although I did think his death was super unrealistic. He was the king of the assassins, so his death was anticlimactic, imo). And also at the end, SJM totally pulled a Sebastian Morgenstern and tried to redeem the king. What was up with that? How about no
But the romance. Gosh, the romance. You're right. HoF built up a completely platonic relationship between Aelin and Rowan. They were friends, bffs, bros or whatever, but there was absolutely zero sexual tension or attraction between the two. And all of a sudden in QoS, they're both all over each other? Like half the book was Rowan "struck stupid" by how beautiful Aelin was, and Aelin swooning over Rowan's hot bod. There was NO BUILD UP. It just DIDN'T MAKE SENSE. And I felt like the romance only existed because SJM liked Rowan better than Chaol, and she decided before penning down QoS that Aelin and Rowan have to end up together, so she shoved Chaol aside - in the most disgusting way possible - to make room for Rowan.
I'm a huge Chaolena shipper. Absolutely huge, because the two just made SENSE together in ToG and CoM, even in HoF to some extent. But for SJM to reduce the ship to this... not only the ship, but Chaol's character as a whole? She tried to make him seem like the asshole so Chaolena shippers would get over them sooner? Uh, that didn't work out too well for me.
And you're right about Nesryn and Chaol. One second, Chaol's all like "oh I don't think of Nesryn like that," and the next second, he kinda maybe likes her? In the matter of two or so chapters? WHAT?!?!?! -___-
Aelin is just... not a good character anymore. She's mean and arrogant and selfish, and she puts the blame on anybody but herself. I did not like her.
The only redeemable points for this book were, as you said, Dorian and Manon (and Chaol.) But none of them got the attention or care they deserved because much of their brilliance was overshadowed by the swoon-fest that was Rowan and Aelin.
SORRY FOR THE RANT, BUT I COULDN'T HELP IT!
Aimal wrote: "Ash wrote: "No Aimal you're not the only one - I had to try really, really hard to just take away the romance stuff and focus on everything else - all the other stuff I thought was really awesome, ..."Lol it's funny you mention CoHF because I actually think Aelin/Rowan have become the most boring couple since Clary and Jace...who knows, maybe they'll discover they're related to each other...or maybe Rowan will be possessed by some evil demonic power
I agree with you about Aelin's character also...all that AND she's got everyone worshipping the ground she walks on..gah
The only positive I've taken out of this romance crap is that it's given me hope for Rhys and Feyre in aCoTaR if this is the kind of thing SJM does...
Ash wrote: "Aimal wrote: "Ash wrote: "No Aimal you're not the only one - I had to try really, really hard to just take away the romance stuff and focus on everything else - all the other stuff I thought was re..."LOLOLOL, I think one of the reasons why I'm so mad is because I love Tamlin and Feyre so much together, and now that I know SJM is capable of doing something like this, I'm 200% certain that Rhys and Feyre are going to become an item. xD Wow
Aimal wrote: "Ash wrote: "Aimal wrote: "Ash wrote: "No Aimal you're not the only one - I had to try really, really hard to just take away the romance stuff and focus on everything else - all the other stuff I th..."Haha nope! Rhys all the way...just hope (if it's done) it's done better than this lol
I just finished this book and it was so awesome!! I mean, Rowan! <3 And Manon! And I really love how there finally is some sort of explanation for the "evil king" (which was the main thing that bugged me in the previous books). I can't wait for the next one, is it 2016 yet?Ash wrote: "There's nothing I hate more in a series than what I call 'placeholder' romance or 'distraction' romance - it usually happens in flimsy love triangles when the main love interest is off limits for some reason....it basically only exists because God forbid a YA novel goes without some sort of romantic plot line, even if it is with the wrong person! I feel as though Chaol and Celaena have been reduced to this and it's really disappointing..."
I actually find it refreshing that Aelin is with a guy who only showed up in book 3. I enjoyed her and Chaol's romance, but I don't mind that it didn't last, nor do I think it shouldn't have existed in the first place. Break-ups happen and it is not the end of the world. I think that in YA novels, protagonists end up with their first love interest too often and he is their one true love forever, and although I know that Chaol wasn't Aelin's first love interest, I find it interesting that we see how their relationship develops post break-up.
Valeen wrote: "I absolutely love how these characters function together. When they were all having dinner together at the end, I just realized how much these characters have grown up. This series is no longer a young adult to me. This is purely new adult."
Yes to this! I think I really like this New Adult fantasy thing.
Ash wrote: "But Rowan and Aelin....urge...I have no problem with this ship, just with how it was done. It came out of no where after telling us in HoF there was no attraction, all of a sudden they're completely in love with each other! Where was the build up? If I was going to be convinced to get on board with this pairing I needed lots and lots of build up and tension, not just Rowan saying he'd realised he'd missed her while they were apart and that meant he was in love with her! "
Yes! I adore Rowan and Aelin together, but I do agree with this. At the end of Heir of Fire I didn't see any romance happening between the two of them (even though I wished for it), especially since Aelin was leaving. So while I love that they are together, I do think there should have been a little more build-up.
Aimal wrote: "LOLOLOL, I think one of the reasons why I'm so mad is because I love Tamlin and Feyre so much together, and now that I know SJM is capable of doing something like this, I'm 200% certain that Rhys and Feyre are going to become an item. xD Wow "
This! I'm so scared of this! :-P
Caroline wrote: "I just finished this book and it was so awesome!! I mean, Rowan! <3 And Manon! And I really love how there finally is some sort of explanation for the "evil king" (which was the main thing that bug..."I actually don't have an issue with not going with the first love, as long as it's done properly and there's plenty of build up e.g. Shatter Me, potential Kricket, potential Arcana Chronicles ...the reason I said that about Chaol/Celaena is that if you look at the four books so far, their romance didn't actually add anything to the story except for a few kissing scenes...unlike the above examples where the 'first love' added quite a bit to the story and of course in two of those it's still up in the air, it's just my wishful thinking here lol (and as mentioned in earlier posts we can hopefully add aCoTaR to this list)
I was convinced to backflip in both Kricket and Arcana...I could have done it again in ToG but SJM didn't give me a chance...it might have also helped if Rowan was more sinister and murdery - those guys win me over every time...I have a problem :s
Please don't be mad if I've given stuff away about those series mentioned above - go out and get them and read them, they are all brilliant!
Ash wrote: "I was convinced to backflip in both Kricket and Arcana...I could have done it again in ToG but SJM didn't give me a chance...it might have also helped if Rowan was more sinister and murdery - those guys win me over every time...I have a problem :s"I'm in love with The Darkling from Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone, so I understand your "problem". :-P
I read Shatter Me a couple of years ago and couldn't really get into it, but I'll look into the Arcana Chronicles, thanks for the recommendation!
Caroline wrote: "Ash wrote: "I was convinced to backflip in both Kricket and Arcana...I could have done it again in ToG but SJM didn't give me a chance...it might have also helped if Rowan was more sinister and mur..."How far did you get with Shatter Me? I found the first one a little hard to get into but I flew through the second and third and now it's one of my favourite series :)
And yes...the darkling...sigh...
I am actually hoping Dorian goes a little darkling-ish after his ordeal in the next couple of books...that would make him so much more interesting!
Yes! I think it would be a letdown if Dorian wouldn't go at least a little dark after what happened to him, especially as Aelin and Chaol are leaving and his support system is basically gone.I've also heard some theories about Erawan not actually being inside Perrington, but maybe Dorian, Hollin or the Queen. What do you guys think about that?
Ash wrote: "How far did you get with Shatter Me? I found the first one a little hard to get into but I flew through the second and third and now it's one of my favourite series :)"
I only read the first book, back in 2012. Maybe I'll finally pick up the sequel, if I ever get to it with my already massive TBR pile. :-)
Ash wrote: But Rowan and Aelin....urge...I have no problem with this ship, just with how it was done. It came out of no where after telling us in HoF there was no attraction, all of a sudden they're completely in love with each other! Where was the build up? If I was going to be convinced to get on board with this pairing I needed lots and lots of build up and tension, not just Rowan saying he'd realised he'd missed her while they were apart and that meant he was in love with her! This did bother me. I was convinced in the last book that they were just going to stay friends, that's how it was laid out for us and we all accepted that because it was mentioned many times. Then in the next book all that goes out the window. Why spend all this time driving the point home that they are just friends and then just kidding guys they love each other!
I wish Chaol and Aelin's relationship ended differently. I wished that they were still struggling with their feelings for each other instead it was like "nope I feel nothing".
I still wish she never had that relationship with Chaol. I prefered her with Dorian over Chaol.
Virginia wrote: "Ash wrote: But Rowan and Aelin....urge...I have no problem with this ship, just with how it was done. It came out of no where after telling us in HoF there was no attraction, all of a sudden they'r..."Yeah it was as if she was trying to mind screw everyone but doesn't really know how to do that...
First I have to say I LOVED this book. Like sitting there after closing it and just being in a daze the rest of the day thinking about it. What I find really sad though, is that so many people hate this book in their 1star reviews only because their favourite couple didn't end up together. Its like all the rest of the series doesn't matter, but only the romance.
It is such an amazing world that Maas build here and only to hate the book because Aelin didn't end up with Chaol just doesn't feel right. Especially because it ALWAYS drove me mad that Chaol never let go of his standards in his one-way driven mind. He only loved some part of Celeana, only the part that wasn't assassin (which was a small one). And since he learned that she was actually Aelin, I couldn't wrap his one-way mind around it and maybe loved a teeny tiny part of her. Not the assassin part, not the queen part, what DID he actually love? Dorian was far more open minded and therefor would have been better that Chaol for her in my opinion. (although Dorian never matched her in strenght character-wise)
It is true that the first two books are different (as many of the haters say) and that Celeana changed. But I love that she did. It was necessary that she did. She isn't the same person. She embraced her crown rather than acting like she wasn't an heir. Befor HoF she didn't want to be Queen, and so it makes perfect sense that she would act different now.
I also see people complaining about how spoiled and selfish she is now. I actually think she was a brat as Celeana who didn't care about lots of other people at all. As Aelin she still does everything alone as she is used to it, but at least she tells Rowan about it to a degree. Celeana didn't let anybody in and didn't trust anybody fully. She began caring more about people as she became Aelin.
And Last Rowaelin. I actually shipped them hard in HoF. I kind of hoped they would end up together but thought Maas wouldn't bring a third romantic interest in this as Celeana already went through two of them. So now I think that this will be endgame, because a fourth is pushing it :P But although I shipped them hard, I would have been fine with them just being friends, and I do agree to some agree that the build up was nearly non existent. BUT there was some in HoF if you reread it. Him being so incredibly concerned when she was fighting the Valg. Him being so incredibly territorial of her. How he reacted when she freed him from Maeve (He fell to his knees and whispered her name). Just all of it. Aelin says in QoS that the boundaries where never clear between them and I have to agree. So I guess that was the main build up. A guessing game if it was a platonic friendship bordering on something else or a real romantic interest.
The only fear I have now is that Maas will kill off Rowan. Maybe to solve the immortal-not immortal thing. I just feel that can't be it. Two books of a happy in love Aelin? I somehow fear that it will be too easy, but I hope Maas won't put a weird obstacle between them as so many other authors do. It always drives me mad as it is sooo unnecessary.
And about the Feyre and Rhys thing .... I actually wouldn't mind tooo much to be honest :P I mean I like Tamlin, but his Character fell so short for me somehow.
Laura wrote: "The only fear I have now is that she will kill of Rowan. Maybe to solve the immortal-not immortal thing. I just feel that can't be it. Two books of a happy in love Aelin? I somehow fear that it will be too easy, but I hope Maas won't put a weird obstacle between them as so many other authors do. It always drives me mad as it is sooo unnecessary."I wonder if Aelin will have to consider marrying for a political alliance, and that would definitely cause tension between Aelin and Rowan. Aedion did mention the possibility of a political marriage (for both himself and Aelin), and while they have the money for their army now, they will also need allies.
Caroline wrote: "I wonder if Aelin will have to consider marrying for a political alliance, and that would definitely cause tension between Aelin and Rowan. Aedion did mention the possibility of a political marriage (for both himself and Aelin), and while they have the money for their army now, they will also need allies. "Yeah and because she said to Aedion that she would never make him do that, she would probably only consider doing it herself. At least Rowan's a Prince though :P (whatever that means for the Fae)
Another thing about killing off Rowan: IF she really goes down that road1. I will bawl my eyes out. Like for a day or so :P
2. It has to be at the end of the series or something, like a not so happy ending, because I don't think Aelin would recover from it. We saw what happend after Sam, she just got herself together again and with Rowan being her actual soul mate? I don't know.
Also do you remember the scene where she shortly felt Rowan inside her (yes I know how wrong this sounds but I can't phrase it otherwise right now :P) .. I think the next book will explore this bond more. They can already read each others thoughts through facial exprecions. I Think they might be able to read each others thoughts later on in the series or something ...
God I hope she doesn't off Rowan! I'm thinking she won't but you never know! I'm hoping for something like what happens in Court of Thorns which I won't go into too much detail because spoilers.
Virginia wrote: "God I hope she doesn't off! I'm thinking she won't but you never know! I'm hoping for something like what happens in Court of Thorns which I won't go into too much detail because spoilers."I don't think Maas could do this in two of her series, but maybe the opposite of what happened in ACOTAR could happen in the Throne of Glass series?
I don't think Rowan will die - I think it will be Chaol who dies. She gave us a let off in book 4 but I still think he'll die some time in the next two books. Did anyone else find the whole reading thoughts by facial expressions really confusing? To me it seemed like a compromise bc SJM wanted to have a private/flirty conversation in public but also wanted the situation where Rowan could whisper in Aelin's ear and she could feel the heat of his breath or whatever (when they were hiding in the Forrest. At the time I was like 'why are they whispering to each other? Can't they talk telepathically?' It took me a while to figure out what was going on.
Caroline wrote: "I don't think Maas could do this in two of her series, but maybe the opposite of what happened in ACOTAR could happen in the Throne of Glass series? "Yes, that more along the lines I was thinking of.
Ash wrote:Did anyone else find the whole reading thoughts by facial expressions really confusing? To me it seemed like a compromise bc SJM wanted to have a private/flirty conversation in public but also wanted the situation where Rowan could whisper in Aelin's ear and she could feel the heat of his breath or whatever (when they were hiding in the Forrest. At the time I was like 'why are they whispering to each other? Can't they talk telepathically?' It took me a while to figure out what was going on.
Yea I think that was for the flirt factor. The woods would be a perfect time to read thoughts so no one can hear you when you're hiding!
I also think Chaol will die, most likely trying to protect Aelin or Dorian.
Yeah as I said I think they will be able to really talk telepathically or something like that. Mass likes to forebode sooo much, like how aelin had this scent of pine and snow in her mind when she thought of terassen even BEFORE she met Rowan. (and I hope this proves he is endgame :P) So the scene where she could feel the "essence" of Rowan if you will has to mean something for sure.And about this "thing" in ACOTAR. (view spoiler)
What I also hope is, that Maas won't turn around again with the romance because so many people hated what she did to Aelin and Chaol and hated her relationship with rowan.
And to be very honest I never liked Chaol that much. Am I a bad person to say that if he is the only one who dies I would be relieved?^^
Laura wrote: And about this "thing" in ACOTARI'm still trying to figure that out! (view spoiler)
Laura wrote: What I also hope is, that Maas won't turn around again with the romance because so many people hated what she did to Aelin and Chaol and hated her relationship with rowan.
And to be very honest I never liked Chaol that much. Am I a bad person to say that if he is the only one who dies I would be relieved?^^
I was never a big fan of Chaol so I don't think I would be too upset over his death. There can't be anymore love interests introduced, I'll be pretty peeved if that happens. I also hope there's not this huge relationship struggle between Aelin and Rowan. Some obstacles are fine but it gets draining after a while.
Virginia wrote: I was never a big fan of Chaol so I don't think I would be too upset over his death. There can't be anymore love interests introduced, I'll be pretty peeved if that happens. I also hope there's not this huge relationship struggle between Aelin and Rowan. Some obstacles are fine but it gets draining after a while. Ugh I HATE when YA/NA novels do that. And drag it on over more than one book if its a series. The most frustrating thing in this genre if you ask me^^
Virginia wrote: "Laura wrote: And about this "thing" in ACOTARI'm still trying to figure that out! [spoilers removed]Laura wrote: What I also hope is, that Maas won't turn around again with the romance because so..."
This is one reason I find it so annoying that Aelin's and Rowan are already together...I also hate those forced relationship struggles e.g. clary and Jace in TMI - it was just ridiculous how many hurdles those two had to jump over. But I also think Aelin/Rowan being all in love and happy and solid for the next two books will be so completely boring ...I wish SJM had dragged out their getting together more, it would have Ben way more interesting
Ash wrote: This is one reason I find it so annoying that Aelin's and Rowan are already together...I also hate those forced relationship struggles e.g. clary and Jace in TMI - it was just ridiculous how many hurdles those two had to jump over. But I also think Aelin/Rowan being all in love and happy and solid for the next two books will be so completely boring ...I wish SJM had dragged out their getting together more, it would have Ben way more interestingOh God Clary and Jace, that was just frustrating beyond belief. I think you're right. We still have two books left so I'm sure there will be some hurdles, I just hope not Clary and Jace level hurdles. I really can't handle that again.
