Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas

Publication: September 1, 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Source: Purchased/Own

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 will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. 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. Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

I’m going to start this review by simply saying that I loved this book. I loved it even more than the previous book Heir of Fire.  If  you haven’t read Queen of Shadows yet, I recommend you do it asap!

Aelin has really come into her own, these past few months she has been away in Wendlyn.  Now that she has a handle on her Fae powers and has become a stronger more skilled fighter, she is back to the place that has been her home for several years…Rifthold.

Because I wasn’t sure where to fit this part in I am just putting it here….There isn’t enough that can even be said to tell you how much I heart Rowan. I never loved silent eye conversations so much until Rowan and Aelin started doing them. Their connection is awesome. I am totally rooting for them! Now on to the rest of my review...

Everyone seems to be dealing with a ton of their own crap in this book. Chaol is attempting to come to terms with the guilt he felt and still feels for leaving Dorian at the hands of that monster..aka the King of Adarlan.

Dorian is fighting with a Valg demon locked inside his body. Virtually becoming a human puppet.

Aedion is holding out hope that he can just get a glimpse of his beloved cousin before the King executes him.

Manon and her Thirteen are training and preparing for a battle where the details and reasons behind it all is unknown.  Being forced to listen and obey the orders of Duke Perrington when they aren’t used to following any human regardless of the circumstances.

Of course the King of Adarlan and Duke Perrington are intent on this evil scheme they have going on and doing sickening experimentations. But to what end? To what cost? I can only guess total world domination, but I doubt even that would be enough.

Not to mention Aelin. She is tough and fierce, but she is also young. Rescuing Aedion, killing the King and dealing with Dorian is a lot to deal with for someone at any age let alone hers. And she is used to keeping secrets and doing things on her own without help.  What if everything doesn’t go according to plan? How is she expected to be responsible for a whole kingdom?

There were plots and subplots and other smaller plots within those.  Everything was intertwined so well. I truly enjoyed every single page. I was even trying to sneak some pages in while at work. I just didn’t want to stop reading.  

Queen of Shadows was pretty thick book. Almost a hundred pages more than the previous book.  But it didn’t feel that long when I was reading it. I took a longer time reading because I just wanted to savor everything. Especially since I knew it would be at least a whole year before the fifth book is released (hopefully it won’t be any longer than that!). I probably say it almost every time, but I love the way that Sarah J. Maas writes. Her descriptions and choice of words…it’s very well done. I hope her writing continues to get better with each book she writes. I know I will be on pins and needles anxiously awaiting the next book.

RATING: 5½ out of 5.

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Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas Release Day Blitz!

I am so excited that QUEEN OF SHADOWS by Sarah J. Maas releases today and that I get to share the news, along with an awesome giveaway!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful series by Sarah J. Maas, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a set of the first 3 books in the series (in paperback format). US only. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

About The book:

Title: QUEEN OF SHADOWS

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Pub. Date: September 1, 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Pages: 656

Find it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Goodreads

Sarah J. Maas's New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series reaches new heights in this sweeping fourth volume.

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 will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. 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.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

Read Chapters 1-5 of QUEEN OF SHADOWS HERE!

Sarah J. Maas is the author of the New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling Throne of Glass series–Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire, and the series’ prequel, The Assassin’s Blade–as well as the New York Times and USA Today bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses. She wrote the first incarnation of the Throne of Glass series when she was just sixteen, and it has now sold in twenty-three languages. Queen of Shadows, the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series, will release worldwide on September 1st, 2015.

A New York native, Sarah currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and dog. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hamilton College in 2008 with a degree in Creative Writing and a minor in Religious Studies. 

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest | Instagram| Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive the first 3 books (in paperback) in the THRONE OF GLASS Series. US Only.

Ends on September 11th at Midnight EST!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

3rd Blog Anniversary Giveaway!!

This post is coming to you guys a week late. But better late than never in this case. Last week marked my 3rd year running this blog! And tomorrow just happens to be my birthday, so I decided what the hey...why not do a giveaway? 

I just wrapped up a quick one on Twitter...Now I am doing one here for a book I am anxiously awaiting for……...QUEEN OF SHADOWS! Queen of Shadows releases on September 1, 2015. The contest will run until August 31, 2015 11:59pm. So what are you waiting for? Enter below!  

RULES:

I’m trying to keep everything simple. Leaving a comment is mandatory. After that you have 5 other ways to gain more entries into the contest!

Oh and I almost forgot…..There will be not one, but TWO WINNERS!! Must be at least 17 years old to enter. United States and International Entries are okay. The two winners will have the option of either a physical book or an e-book of Queen of Shadows. Once the two winners have been picked and notified, they will have 48 hours to respond.  GOOD LUCK!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas

Publication: September 2, 2014

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Source: The Publisher / Own a Copy

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy. While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

This time Celaena makes her way to Wendlyn in order to find a way to bring down the King of Adarlan.  On her journey she encounters Rowan, a fae warrior who has sworn his allegiance to Maeve. Celaena needs to meet her in order to get information regarding the Wyrdmarks. Maeve of course won’t just give her the information, she wants Celaena to learn about and be able to control her Fae form. So Rowan attempts to teach her how to control her magic when she shifts into it. Celaena knows how to handle her own when fighting a human, but it turns out she’s not so great when it comes to harnessing her magical powers. Training with Rowan is anything but easy, and they push each others buttons and argue A LOT.  But once Celaena starts to get the hang of things, they find that they do make a good team. I’m secretly hoping these two will get together. I think it would be awesome.

Meanwhile in Adarlan...Dorian is still attempting to get his magic under control with the help of a healer named Sorscha. Because of the deal he made with his father in order to protect Celaena the only way he knew how, Chaol is preparing to leave Adarlan behind and go back to his home.

The King has now brought in the witches to help aide him in his plot. Which introduces Manon Blackbeak of the Blackbeak clan. I may be the only one who thought this, but I just couldn’t get that into her storyline like I wanted to. But I will say this…Manon gives new meaning to the term badass witch. She is definitely a cunning, cutthroat, witch who isn’t afraid of a little or a lot of bloodshed. She knows what she wants for her and her clan and she will not back down for no one. I love her fierceness. If Manon and Celaena ever get into a confrontation, it will be interesting to see what will happen.

I do not know why it took me so long to read this book. I have no clue. I remember when I first started it, I wasn’t in the right mood, so I put it aside, but regardless I am so glad I read it when I did. It was such an addictive read. I stayed up till 2am and 4am two nights in a row reading devouring this book like nobody’s business. Nothing really major happens to past the halfway mark of the book, but I never found anything boring. The different POV’s added to the story and kept things moving at a good pace. I couldn’t stop reading and all I wanted to know was what was going to happen next. I think I liked this book a little better than I did Crown of Midnight. Or it just could be that each book keeps getting better and better. I cannot wait for book 4,  Queen of Shadows coming September 1, 2015.

RATING: 5 out of 5.

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Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas Cover Reveal!!!

The time has finally arrive….the gorgeous cover reveal for Sarah J. Maas’s Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) has been released!!

I’m not always a series kind of reader, but this series has hooked me from the very onset. The writing and world building is awesome not to mention the characters. And Celaena looks so badass on this cover. Like she is out for blood. LOVE.IT. I cannot wait till September 1st! Which cover do you like best?



U.S. Version

U.K. /AUS Version

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas

Publication: August 27, 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Source: Bought

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached. It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend." From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil. Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart. Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie...and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

I was surprised that I liked Crown of Midnight better than Throne of Glass. But both of these books are just awesome.

Celaena’s friendships, relationships, and loyalties are put to the test and she is forced to decide whose side is she really on and who she will trust.

“And what is so wrong with wanting my freedom? Haven’t I suffered enough to deserve it? So what if the means are unpleasant?” “I won’t deny that you have suffered, Elentiya, but there are thousands more who have also suffered— and suffered more. And they do not sell themselves to the king to get what they, too, deserve. With each person you kill , I am finding fewer and fewer excuses for remaining your friend.”

As far as the love triangle goes? At first I wanted her to be with Dorian, then I  thought I wanted her to be with Chaol because they seemed better suited for each other. But now I don’t that he really deserves her. It seems like he is to loyal to the King and I wonder will he ever be able to fully trust her or will he always see her as an assassin. Now I am not sure who I want Celaena to end up with.

I didn’t think it was possible, but I ended up enjoying Crown of Midnight more than I did Throne of Glass. The author did a really nice job with the flow of the storyline and character development. Even though I knew one of the main developments in the story, there were still a couple of twists to the story that caught me by surprise. I’m hoping that Heir of Fire will be even better. It releases on September 3, 2014. I can’t wait!

RATING: 5 out of 5.

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Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas

Publication: August 7, 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s

In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king's champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien.  The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass--and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.

I do not know why I waited so long to read Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas. I really don’t…But regardless, I picked it up last week and it was all I could think about.

At first, I was expecting something a little like The Hunger Games but in a different period. It’s not really like that though. I’m glad to say it’s completely different. At least to me it was. 

Celaena Sardothien is a tough kick butt heroine. Trained to be an assassin since she was eight years old by the King of Assassins, she has learned a lot.  Now she is an eighteen year old who is smart, caring, a little arrogant…well no scratch that she is really arrogant about her skills and reputation as an assassin. After being imprisoned in the salt mines of Endovier for a year, Dorian Havilliard, Crown Prince of Adarlan gives her a way for her to earn her freedom…

Out of 23 competitors, Celaena is the only woman in the bunch. But of course she doesn’t find that the least bit intimidating.  Though she is confident in what she can do, the competition is far from a cakewalk even for someone like Celaena and soon people start ending up dead.  Worried not only about her safety, but those of her friends and people, she realizes that she must do whatever it takes to stop the evil that’s begun all while fighting to become the King’s Champion.

“She pulled her cloak around her. She would win. She’d win, and serve the king, and then vanish into nothing, and think no more of castles or kings or assassins. She didn’t wish to reign over this city again. Magic was dead, the Fae were banished or executed, and she would never again have anything to do with the rise and fall of kingdoms. She wasn’t fated for anything. Not anymore.”

Some of my favorite scenes include Dorian and Celaena. They have such witty banter. These two could argue/talk all day and I would never tire of it. There chemistry is great. I’m secretly hoping that they get together in the end.

“Don’t you pay people to entertain you?” He glowered, breaking the deck. “You should be honored by my company.” “I’d be honored if you would leave.” “For someone who relies on my good graces, you’re very bold.” “Bold? I’ve barely begun.” Lying on her side, she curled her knees to her chest. He laughed, pocketing the deck of cards. “Your new canine companion is doing well, if you wish to know.” She moaned into her pillow. “Go away. I feel like dying.” “No fair maiden should die alone,” he said, putting a hand on hers. “Shall I read to you in your final moments? What story would you like?” She snatched her hand back. “How about the story of the idiotic prince who won’t leave the assassin alone?” “Oh! I love that story ! It has such a happy ending, too— why, the assassin was really feigning her illness in order to get the prince’s attention! Who would have guessed it? Such a clever girl. And the bedroom scene is so lovely— it’s worth reading through all of their ceaseless banter!” “Out! Out! Out! Leave me be and go womanize someone else!” She grabbed a book and chucked it at him.”

I kept telling myself just one more chapter, one more chapter. I was so enthralled by the story that I quickly lost track of time and before I knew it, it was 4 in the morning. I haven’t gotten that into a book in forever. The pace of the story was good and there is plenty of action, adventure, deception, and solid characters that kept me more than a little entertained.  I. Loved. It. Now I am on to the second book, to discover what happens next. If you enjoy fantasy or historical fiction with some action/adventure than I would definitely recommend this book in an instant.

RATING: 5 out of 5.

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