Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, 4)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⚠️ SPOILERS ⚠️Everyone told me the Throne of Glass series gets better with every book, and they were NOT WRONG.I liked Throne of Glass. Crown of Midnight was disappointing and just SAD. Then Heir of Fire came along and everything finally kicked off. But Queen of Shadows?! I could not put it down. The action was nonstop, there were surprises at every turn, and so many questions were finally answered.And then ROWAN SHOWED UP. 😍Honestly, one of my favorite moments of the entire book. I can officially see why Rowan Whitethorn is the OG of book boyfriends because that man sets the bar HIGH. The way he looks at Aelin?! Their chemistry is undeniable. I have loved him since the moment he crossed the page in Heir of Fire—the grumpiness, the loyalty, the protectiveness, and, of course, those lovely canines. 😂 I especially love seeing his character come alive around Aelin. We’re finally getting smiles and glimpses of happiness from our favorite grumpy Fae warrior!And Aelin and Rowan finally admitting their feelings while still not realizing that this whole carranam connection might be something MUCH MORE?! 👀 COME ON. I am ready!But then we got MANON AND DORIAN’S MEET-CUTE. 🔥SPECTACULAR. It was such a small moment and somehow immediately left me wanting more of these two. Dorian deserves some happiness after everything he’s endured, and if it happens to involve a certain terrifying white-haired witch, I fully support it.And MANON VS. AELIN?! Easily one of the best scenes in the book. Two queens finally meeting face-to-face and absolutely going for it. I didn’t even know who to root for because I love them both!Sarah J. Maas also does such an incredible job of introducing characters you genuinely care about and slowly creating this found family out of people brought together through impossible circumstances. I love watching these relationships grow.But I still feel a real sense of loss for Dorian, Chaol, and Celaena. That trio will never exist again. Their lives have changed them too much, and they’re all moving forward in different directions. There’s something incredibly sad but realistic about that. Sometimes people belong to a certain chapter of our lives, and no matter how much we loved them, we can’t go backward.Chaol is still pompous, stubborn, and rigid—but somehow you love him for it. 😂 I was glad he and Aelin finally found some common ground and worked through at least some of their complicated past. Their friendship may never be what it was, but maybe that’s okay.Overall, Queen of Shadows was a fantastic read and easily my favorite of the series so far. The action, character development, friendships, romance, and twists had me completely hooked.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Now bring on Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn because I NEED more Rowan and Aelin, and I definitely need to know what’s happening with Manon and Dorian. 👀🔥Also, Rowan Whitethorn smiling with those little canines? I’m done. 😂

“‘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.’”— Queen of ShadowsAfter training with the Fae in Wendlyn, Aelin Galathynius arrives in Rifthold, the capital of Adarlan, under her old pseudonym Celaena Sardothian: Master Assassin. Her purpose: to exact vengeance and free her family, friends, and people from the corrupt King of Adarlan.Queen of Shadows is the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series, written by Sarah J. Maas. I will forever have a gaping black hole of 48 hours lost from my memory, during which I fell face-first into this novel and refused to surface until it was finished. *And cue the Category 5 Book-Hangover Hurricane*You literally CANNOT put this book down! Why, you ask? Author Sarah J. Maas courted us in the previous installment, Heir of Fire, with intricate, slow-blooming character development, setting the stage for Queen of Shadows to be a non-stop rolodex of action, suspense, and all around bad-assery, making it a binge-worthy read!My lifeboat throughout this entire series:Aelin. Celaena. Queen of Shadows. Whichever alias you prefer, know this:I ADORE HER. This is something readers rarely see in fantasy literature: a heroine who is complex, broken, terrifying, and relatable:1) Her love of couture clothing equals her love of a perfectly weighted dagger...2) She obsesses over libraries filled with leather bound books, yet can snap a man's neck with blinking an eye...3) She isn't afraid to shed tears, bearing her scars for all the world to see, while at the same time exhibiting an unyeilding core of strength that draws a circle of loyal followers like flies to honey...At the end of Heir of Fire, we see an Aelin who was stripped of all emotional blockades, piece by piece, layer, by layer, until she finally came to accept her true self, the identity she’s been denying for 10 years ever since the death of her parents and her kingdom: Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, the part-Fae rightful Queen of Terrasen, beloved of Mala Light-Bringer.Maas unleashes this new, powerful Aelin onto all of Adarlan and its inhabitants, who hold on for dear life as her vengeance rips through the gutters and dredges of her past. The Queen has finally arrived! We see a new Aelin here: one with confidance, power, and a firm, unwavering purpose: before she can take back her crown and claim Terrasen as her birthright, she must free her cousin Aedion Ashryver, free her friend Dorian Havilliard, the Crown Prince of Adarlan, and liberate all of Adarlan by killing its king, and the Valg demon who inhabits his body.Maas barely bats an eyes as she raises the curtain for newer characters in this series, all with rich, vivid histories: Manon (the icy Wing Leader of the Blackbeak clan of Ironteeth witches, and rider of the wyvern Abraxos), Lysandra (Arobynn’s prostitute of choice, cloaked in secrets while dreaming of freedom), Nesryn (Chaol’s apt rebel second-in-command), and Elide (a crippled servant girl who suspiciously keeps company with witches).We also dive headfirst into the twisted character of the elusive King of Thieves, murderer of Sam, and Celaena’s old employer: Arobynn Hamel (who I could not stop picturing as Klaus from Vampire Diaries!!).*At this moment, I'd like to acknowledge that I am blatantly avoiding any/all romance in this book. This was done so in an effort NOT to give away spoilers. If you've already read the book, you know. YOU KNOW. If you haven't... *drowns in feelings*Part of the reason why I fell in love this series has to do with the author’s writing process. When interviewed during QoS's production, Maas explained: “Music—especially movie scores and classical music—is usually my main source of inspiration… With book four, which I’m working on right now, I was listening to Kanye West to get into Celaena’s head — eyes closed, just thinking about her, soaking in the music. I’m not an actor by any means, but when I’m typing, I act out my scenes. I keep a mirror behind my desk; I watch myself making expressions, and then I write them.” (be still my beating heart...)EXCITING: Maas has recently begun posting playlists from her Spotify account onto her blog where readers can listen to the tracks that inspired scenes in her books (And yes, I've already listened to all her playlists...). As a musician, this SPEAKS TO MY SOUL!!! When I was 15, I would take tracks from the Gladiator soundtrack and use them as background music while reading Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Mists of Avalon.Sarah J. Maas is officially my new spirit animal.Overall, this is by far the darkest Throne of Glass installment yet. The reader is exposed to corruption, demon possession, prostitution, countless executions, slavery, abuse of the worst degree…All of us, to some extent, have a streak of darkness within; hiding, watching, waiting for the right moment to take hold and make our marionette strings rattle... Watching helplessly as Aelin takes that streak and splatters it in an arching crescendo of death and destruction, I couldn’t help but ask myself throughout this book:What if I was honed into a flawless weapon with a score to settle?Would I bring the world crashing around my feet as retribution?More importantly… would I enjoy it? At times, Aelin does."She was a whirling cloud of death, a queen of shadows, and these men were already carrion." - QoSAelin is broken. Her world was brutally ravaged, burnt to the ground with nothing left but ashes and despair. To save herself, she became Celaena. To save her people, Aelin was reborn. And Aelin wants vengeance.“V - ‘What was done to me created me. It’s a basic principle of the Universe that every action will create an equal and opposing reaction.’Evey Hammond – ‘Is that how you like to see it? Like an equation?’V – ‘What was done to me was monstrous.’Evey Hammond – ‘And they created a monster.’”— V for VendettaI give this 5/5 stars.

Actual Rating 4.5 starsReview:Characters: Celaena's journey continues as she has finally accepted her place as Aelin, Queen of Terrasen. This book deals a lot with Aelin keeping the promises she made in her life and taking vengeance where she is due. Aelin is such a complex and striking character, who just when you think that maybe she can't really develop anymore, she does. Manon Blackbeak is now Wing Leader and has to struggle with the demands of the duke and what is best for her people. I know that there are people out there that don't like Manon, and while I don't really understand that, I accept that. However I love Manon, she's cold, cruel, and vicious, but somewhere deep down there are glimpses of a good and moral person and over the course of this book those glimpses come around far more often. As for Dorian, Chaol, and Rowan, I love them all, their flawed and some are broken but their inner-strength really comes out over the course of this book.Romance: If I had one complaint about this book it would be the romance aspect of it. As if the romance wasn't complicated enough with Dorian a slave to a Valg Prince and Chaol extremely conflicted about whether or not he trusts Aelin after hiding her true self from him and the frightening stunt she pulled in Wendlyn, but now Rowan throws his hat into the ring. I have nothing against any of these characters, in fact independently I love them all, but the plot and world-building of this series is so amazing that needlessly complicated romances kind of distract from the story.World-Building: This series just keeps getting more and more in depth. I definitely regret not having read The Assassin's Blade prior to this book because many things that I'm sure were introduced in that book come back and play a large role in the first half of this book or so. The sinister plot of the King of Adarlan thickens as we discover his true motivations and about a coming threat far more dangerous than a magic wielding mortal king. As this series continues it's as though layers are added that make the world so real and complicated, but not in confusing or needless way. I can't wait to see how the world will continue to grow in these final two books.Predictability: There are a great many things I didn't see coming. In fact I never quite knew what was going to happen. There are a few things that seemed obvious, but other than that I had no real idea what was going to happen with these characters, other than Aelin and Manon I think I had feelings at some point that every other character might die. There are moments in this book that are utterly game-changing. It seems that this series keeps reinventing itself in small ways, but in this book that really rings true.Ending: So the final climax of this book is so incredibly epic. I mean I don't think I can properly put into words what I was felling as I read it. Everything happened so fast and there were moments of fear, moments of excitement and everything was just so amazing. The cool down after the climax sort of shows where the next book is headed and the various journeys that we'll be on with these characters. While there wasn't really a cliffhanger, and it actually ended up being more plateaued I can't wait to continue this series.Rating:If I was rating this just on the plot and world bulding and such and wasn't taking into account the romance this book would not only have gotten five stars but probably would have been my favorite so far. However I felt the romance was needlessly complicated and while things are sort of sorted out by the end it just felt off to me.

Some books entertain. Some engage. Queen of Shadows consumes. This fourth installment in Throne of Glass isn’t just a turning point—it’s a blazing rebirth. Aelin Galathynius returns to Rifthold not as Celaena the assassin, but as a queen reclaiming her city, her past, and her power.From daring rescues to magical battles, the plot moves with relentless precision. Every choice feels earned, every confrontation crackles with emotional weight. Aelin’s arc is no longer about survival—it’s about sovereignty. She doesn’t shed her past; she fuses it into the foundation of who she becomes.The women in this book own the narrative. Lysandra’s transformation is both literal and revolutionary. Manon begins to question everything she was raised to believe. Kaltain seizes back her agency in one of the most unforgettable acts of defiance in the series. Each of them rises—not unscathed, but unbroken.Aelin and Rowan’s romance burns slow and steady, grounded in respect and recognition. But just as powerful are the bonds of sisterhood, loyalty, and redemption woven throughout the story—especially between Aelin and Lysandra, and between broken, struggling friends like Dorian and Chaol.Queen of Shadows doesn’t shy away from the cost of power or the complexity of healing. Aelin is sharp, strategic, and deeply human. Her strength lies in her contradictions—and her ability to rise from ruin without forgetting it.This is where Throne of Glass comes fully into its own: epic in scope, intimate in emotion, and unflinching in its honesty. The fire doesn’t just destroy—it forges.Rating: ★★★★¾For the women who rose. For the names reclaimed. For the fire that cleansed instead of consuming.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I think Queen of Shadows may be my favorite book in the series so far. It was so freakin’ good!This book was action-packed and never slowed down with the anticipation, excitement, and drama. It spiked my blood pressure on several occasions. Jeez! 🤦‍♀️The characters were incredible and evolved so much throughout this book. I loved how Sarah J. Maas could make me love someone at one point and then dislike them later, or vice versa. It pulled me in so many different directions and made me feel every possible emotion.I don’t want to say too much about the characters or what I loved and disliked because it would be far too easy to give something away. Just know that this book was an emotional roller coaster, and I loved every minute of it!

Aelin Galathynius, previously known as Celaena Sardothian, has returned to Rifthold to confront her old master and save her cousin, Aedian, from the clutches of the evil king and a death sentence.That's about all I can summarize without spoiling anything.And because I'm probably not the best at not spoiling things, if you haven't read Crown of Midnight yet, you probably shouldn't read this. Just fyi.It's been a week or so since I finished this and I am still struggling for the words to say. All I can really do without giving too much away is gush about this series. I flippin' love these books. I cannot believe that I waited so long to start Throne of Glass but I'm honestly glad because it allowed me to read the first four books one after the other (with a week or two between depending on when I got the next book). I think if I had started Throne of Glass when it first came out I would have probably lost interest from the year long wait before the next book came out. This way I was able to get a huge portion of the story. Now I only have to wait six months before 'Empire of Storms' comes out and that is going to kill me. And a year or so after that for the final book!Let's talk a little about the characters.- We have all our lovely favorites from the first book; Celaena/Aelin, CHAOL (I think it's mandatory to put his name in CAPS because CHAOL), and Prince Dorian.- Then we have Rowan and Aedian from Heir of Fire, as well as Manon and her Thirteen. I'll admit that I wasn't a huge fan of Rowan in the beginning but he has grown on me. And Manon? I have a wicked lady crush on Manon. I know, it's weird. I've seen nothing but hate for Manon but I loved her chapters in Heir of Fire and couldn't wait for the next. She totally appeals to my dark side. She's like Harry Potter's 'Snape'. Evil but still redeemable. (I'm not sure if that's a good comparison but I'm going with it.)- And then we have a few new and very important characters: Arobynn (we've at least heard of him in previous books), Lysandra, and Nesryn Faliq. We were in need of a couple more badass female characters and we got them. Oh, and Elide. I didn't like her character much but am eager to see what happens with her in the next book.'Crown of Midnight' is my favorite in this series so far but 'Queen of Shadows' is a close second despite there being a few things that I didn't thoroughly enjoy.- I thought that Rowan was a bit disappointing in this book. He went from being this badass warrior fae prince to basically just a love interest drooling over Aelin. I swear he took more hits and got hurt more than anyone in this book (well, excepting one person but I'm not going to spoil anything too much). He seemed like such a weakling towards the end of the book and that bothered me. I guess it's easier to deal with that since he pretty much heals any wound super quickly, but still.- I felt like most interactions with Chaol were just a subtle way to come to some sort of closure between him and Aelin so he is no longer needed in future books. BUT CHAOL! I know. We all love him and it's hard to deal with that. [CROWN OF MIDNIGHT SPOILERS!!! READ AT OWN RISK!!!] I knew that Aelin wouldn't be able to look at him the same no matter what after their big 'break up' and he isn't truly gone but I can see how he could possibly be just a passing mention in future books and that is hard to deal with. While Nesryn Faliq seems like a pretty cool character, she is obviously just there for Chaol's character development.- Another small problem I had with QOS was with Manon. She has quickly become my favorite in this series but when I started reading about her in HOF, I was thinking, "Hurray! We get a badass VILLAIN and get to read from her perspective for once! Woohoo!" We still get that, but on a much less evil scale. We're not really reading from the villain's point of view now. Just another supporting character.- And the king? Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. Why give us someone to hate for FOUR books and then take that away?! Why, Sarah?! Are we supposed to just magically pull some hatred out of thin air for someone new-ish this close to the end of the series?!And because that's actually a lot of things to dislike about this book, I feel like I need to list some of the things that I loved about it now.- Agree to disagree if you must, but all that tension between Aelin and Rowan was kind of hot. Some of it was cheesy but there's definitely something building there.- Hints at Lysandra and Aedian becoming a thing. Or a tease thing. Whatever. I ship it.- That Manon and Aelin showdown! I think that was my favorite part of Queen of Shadows.- Lysandra being a total badass babe! Can't really give details on that...- Kaltain (I hope I'm spelling that correctly...). We all hated you in Throne of Glass but I want to hold you like the precious little wicked thing that you are.- That's probably enough. I don't want to give anything away!Overall, while there are a few things to dislike about this book (as shown in many of the reviews on Goodreads!) it is still a pretty awesome book and a lot of edge of your seat stuff happens. With nearly 700 pages of action it's got to be good, right?! I personally haven't read a fantasy like this in quite some time and am thoroughly engrossed by it.

I can't even begin to tell you how amazing this book is. I'm sure you've heard this by now, but it truly is. At first, I was a little worried because this is a whopper of a book, coming in at 656 pages. I was very concerned that the book might drag, or...and I would hate to say it...be boring. But I had nothing to fear, as this was 656 pages of thrills, adventure, pain, love, and growth. Sarah J. Maas has delivered yet another astonishing novel that you will want to get your hands on as soon as possible. Every single scene blew me away, and I relished every word on the page. Sarah J. Maas has such a unique talent, a talent that allows the reader to become so immersed in the world that she has created that it feels that they are part of the book. I feel like these characters that I have read about over the past 3 books and collection of novellas, have become part of my life. Their heartbreaks are my heartbreaks, and their joys are my joys. Quite simple, every time I pick up a book in this series, I feel like I'm coming home. And very few authors are able to achieve this.Celaena is gone, and Aelin has finally accepted her past and her role in becoming a leader and a Queen. While she is the same, she is different, and this is a very important thing to note. Even though she is no longer the "assassin," she still has no problem killing or getting rid of those in her way. Aelin is not as ruthless as Celaena was, but still a badass woman that takes no prisoners. She is out for revenge, and no one will prevent her from doing just that. The one thing that was absolutely fascinating for me while reading this book was to reflect on just how far Aelin has come in this series. The amount of character development for her is quite simply something of beauty and something to admire. In some ways, you actually feel like you aren't reading about the same person anymore because she is so different and has come so far since the first novel. She fully embraces her role as Queen of Terrasen, but she remembers and respects her past and those who have played a role in getting her to where she is today. Many people have shaped Aelin into the person she is now, and while they might not all have been the best of influences, they have all made her into a strong leader that is willing to fight until her very last breath for her people.The other aspect of this book that I absolutely loved was how much of her past came back into the spotlight. Not just things she did in the past, but also the people. Arobynn Hamel is a very prevalent character in this novel, and I loved every scene between Aelin and him. He has played a major role in shaping her into the fierce warrior she is now, and I can see why Celaena loved him in her own way.I was very interested to see where Sarah J. Maas would take Aelin and Chaol's relationship. Let's just say I went through a couple of stages of anger, disbelief, and then fury when Chaol came onto the scene. Not because of how Sarah J. Maas wrote it (in fact I thought it was so realistic and the perfect way to go about their relationship), but because of Chaol acted. I knew that he wouldn't be happy, but by God Chaol, man up a bit! I seriously wanted to smack him for a good majority of this book, and kept wanting to tell him to get over himself. However, this being said, I understood why he acted the way he did. I admire his dedication to Dorian, and I can't blame Chaol for wanting to try every possible way before doing the worst thing he could ever imagine. Have no fear though, he and Aelin finally come together, and make amends. I think that both of them are in a better place now in terms of their relationship, and fully understand each other. They have a loyalty and bond to each other that is hard to break.Dorian, my beloved Dorian, goes through so much in this book. I can't say too much on him because I don't want to spoil anything in regards to his character. However, I will say this...Sarah J. Maas did an excellent job with his character, and set his story up very well for the next book in this series. Dorian is going to be facing some major struggles in the fifth book in this series, but with Chaol and Aelin at his side, he'll be able to conquer anything that comes his way.And finally there is Rowan. Let me just tell you, I was extremely excited when I heard that Rowan was getting his own POV in this book. I think his perspective was crucial to the story, and it let us in on how his head works. I love him even more after this book, and from the very moment he enters this book, your love for him just escalates. There are some truly breathtaking and beautiful scenes between him and Aelin and they brought a tear to my eyes sometimes. The protectiveness that both Rowan and Aelin have for each other is yet another admirable aspect of this book, and they have quite the development towards the end of this book. I'll just let your imagination run wild with the possibilities ;)While I wasn't the biggest fan of Manon's POV in the last book, I actually greatly enjoyed it in this novel. Perhaps it was because there was more action and development with her character, but I loved her fierceness in this book. There is one particular scene where Aelin and Manon meet, that is AMAZING. The epicness that is that chapter is just mind-blowing. And then there are a couple scenes when she meets a certain person. That certain person makes her realize that there is something more to life than being a bloodthirsty witch. I'm so excited to see where this aspect of the story goes because I think it's bloody brilliant!!!Overall, this was such an amazing installment in the Throne of Glass series, and sets up the fifth book in the series very well. There are endless possibilities in which Sarah J. Maas could take this story, and I am so excited and eager to see what happens next! Just a little bit of good news...there is NO CLIFFHANGER! Let us all thank the gods above that this happened because I don't know what I would have done if there was a brutal cliffhanger like we all know Sarah J. Maas can write. Check this book out as soon as you can because this is not to be missed!Happy reading :)

Queen of Shadows is book 4 in the Throne of Glass series. This book contains a ton of conflict resolution. Alliances are made and major things gets fixed. Of course, some new issues come up, things that have to be resolved before a happily ever after is possible.I am not going to lie. I read the early reviews of Queen of Shadows and became really worried about the fate of this series and my enjoyment of this book. It turns out that, for me, nothing could stop me from enjoying this book. This read was just as addictive and epic as everything else I have read in this series.*This review contains spoilers for earlier books in the Throne of Glass series.*This book brings us right into Rifthold, Celaena's old stomping grounds as a training assassin. There we find characters familiar from the novellas in Assassin's Blade. Abroynn and Celaena are going to talk about the past and hash out who is the best trickster. Although the people may look familiar, Celaena is not the same person she was in Throne of Glass. She has been growing as a character and now she is now Aelin through and through. She is still an absolute bad-ass, but since she got to really be Fae, she doesn't want to go back to just being Celaena anymore. Facing people from her past is going to solidify her future.In this book we see her making real progress toward claiming her place as the Queen of Terrasen. She is setting up her court, making real plans to enact justice, and setting up alliances for the future. There is still the issue of a few missing wyrdkeys so there is a lot of potentially epic fight scenes and in half of this book we see Aelin sneaking around and setting things up for the future. This was awesome from her and a bit frustrating. Where's the trust? But there is so much more going on that I was really distracted by everyone else and their drama. So I found other places to put my interest.One of the main people in the dark from Aelin's actions is Chaol. Chaol has also done a lot of learning and growing throughout the series. One thing remains absolutely clear for him thou, he is absolutely loyal to Dorian no matter what. Since Dorian isn't really himself anymore this creates major conflict for Chaol. How to be loyal at this point?For anyone still holding out hope for Celaena and Chaol, I am here to tell you that that ship has sunk. Chaol needs to starts looking at other options, but he doesn't have to look very far. But then...Rowan is absent from the beginning of this story, but don't worry, he shows up at just the perfect moment for Aelin. Rowan and Aelin still have issues. Aelin is going to mishandle this man throughout this story. They are moving toward something, but it is at a turtle's pace. Rowan and Aelin are a complex ship, still, that hopefully gets hashed out in future installments.Rowen and Aedion finally meet face to face, and it is a beautiful thing to behold. Even though I was highly anticipating Aelin and Aedion meeting, his admiration and similarity to Rowan was the thing that really stuck with me.We are going to meet with some characters and make new alliances here. I got one word for this, Lysandra.Manon's part gets major attention. Manon meets a girl names Elide and everything is going to be questioned. Elide and Kaitlin are going to play into Manon's next moves. You may remember Katlain from ...an earlier book in the series. I want to say Throne of Glass, but I might be wrong here.Manon and Abraxos are still an unstoppable team. We don't get as much Abraxos as I was hoping for but his actions in this story made me really wonder and speculate about him. Abraxos is almost like Manon's conscience in this story. Manon and her thirteen are going to get even more awesome in this story. We get some insight into how a witch gets a heart and what their love looks like. We also learn about all kinds of cross breeding.In ConclusionI don't care that everyone in these books keeps falling in and out of love. That is the nature of males and females working together. There are going to be alliances and there are going to be hook-ups. I am still going to root for some people to get a happy ever after. I am still most definitely a fan of this series. It just keeps getting better.I feel like this book has moved from being YA to NA due to the ages, actions, and mature language of the characters. I really enjoyed this installment in the series. I am excited about the next two books. If history has taught us anything, it is that the next two books will be massive and epic. I know some people will disagree due to the turns the series has taken, but I am going to give this 5/5 stars. This is a solid book with major conflicts, epic romances, and world building unlike anything out there in book land

Queen of Shadows is my favourite book in the Throne of Glass series so far. Sarah J. Maas takes everything that made the earlier books so enjoyable and raises the stakes. There are epic battles, political intrigue, friendships, unspoken love, honour, loyalty, and an unforgettable showdown with the King.One of the things that struck me most was Dorian's heartbreaking struggle. His description of himself as being "hardly more than a marionette, struggling to speak" was devastating, especially when he admits he hated everyone for not noticing. It perfectly captures how lonely invisible suffering can be.Chaol frustrated me throughout much of this book. He blames almost everyone except the people truly responsible—mainly the King, and at times himself. He judges Aelin for having magic while accepting it in Dorian, despite everything Aelin has endured. If her parents had never been murdered, she would never have become an assassin. His grief over Sorscha and everything he has witnessed clearly leaves him miserable and broken, but Aelin's challenge to him really resonated with me: "Did you learn nothing from Nehemia's death? Did you somehow think you could win with your honor intact, without sacrificing something?" Later, Dorian's words—"You do not get to pick and choose which parts of her to love"—beautifully expose Chaol's flaws and force him to confront his own failings.I loved how the novel explores tyranny and resistance. The descriptions of the public executions, with the crowd actually applauding, reminded me that executions were once considered public entertainment long before cinemas or television existed. The Temple of the God of Truth, built upon bones, was another fascinating piece of world-building that added a darker historical feel to the story.The witches became some of the most compelling characters for me. Their brutal society, the cruelty of the High Witches, the horrific experiments on the younger witches, and the bond between the witches and their wyverns made them far more complex than simple villains. Abraxos is impossible not to love—a giant, lethal dog... with wings. The hint that the Thirteen, and Manon herself, might be changing was one of my favourite developments. The message, "WITCH KILLER—THE HUMAN IS STILL INSIDE HIM," was a powerful turning point.There are so many memorable moments and quotes. I loved Aelin telling Rowan, "You make me want to live. Not survive; not exist. Live." It marks such an important emotional shift for her. And "Let's go rattle the stars" perfectly captures the spirit of this group as they come together.I also enjoyed spotting little similarities to Harry Potter, from the red and gold colours that reminded me of Gryffindor to the Wyrdkeys, which made me think a little of Horcruxes because of the unsettling, otherworldly power they possess.By the end, the world has become so much bigger. Witches, wyverns, Fae, ancient magic, Erawan waiting in the shadows, and the promise of new alliances all leave me desperate to continue the series. There even seems to be the beginning of something between Lysandra and Aedion, which I'm looking forward to seeing develop.For me, Queen of Shadows is a brilliant blend of action, emotion, friendship, sacrifice, and hope. Every book in this series gets better, and this one earns a well-deserved five stars.

This is not heroic fantasy, this is epic heroic fantasy with one of the strongest and most formidable heroine I've read about.Sarah J Maas is incredibly gifted and impresses me each and every time.With the Throne of Glass series, she has created real artwork worth The Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Ring series.Celaena/Aelin is one hell of queen warrior. She kills with skills but her heart also bleeds every time she loses a friend or innocent people are hurt in the process. Beautiful and terrible Queen of a conquered kingdom, Terrasen, she'll fight with all her might and tricks to free magic, kill the king of Adarlan and help Dorian.In Queen of Shadows, Aelin was an incredible strategist, she planned everything and placed her pawns in a formidable chess game. Working in the shadows of the night, she orchestrated her revenge against Arobynn, her former Master, King of Assassins and everyone who hurt her loved ones.This book is full of spectacular escapes, furious battles against Valg princes, flights in the sewers, in the slums and will take you on an incredible journey.Think to breathe, from time to time, usually when you begin seeing stars dancing before your eyes because that's how breathless that book is. I swear Aelin must be some kind of cat as she always escape death at the last moment. You think "that's it, all hope is lost, this is the end" and ... something happens to save the day, be it an incredible move of Aelin, an unexpected ally or... And you're left panting with trembling hands.Most of the time, I wanted to shake Chaol as he was so different from the first books. His disgust and animosity for Aelin was so unexpected. I was really angry with him. How did he not see Aelin was the savior?I loved the connection Aelin shared with Rowan but they're dancing around each other and it made me think of some TV shows where you're always waiting for something to happen between the male and female protagonists but nothing comes and you get frustrated. It's a clever way to keep the reader on his/her toes as he/she wants these two to realize they're made for each other in more ways than one.Manon of the Blackbeak Clan, Wing Leader witch is a complex character and I loved how Sarah J Maas played with her emotions and conflicts. Manon and her Thirteen side story was truly fascinating to follow. It adds layers to the book, all individual stories running alongside to collide at some point in a clash of swords and knives. When Manon meets Aelin, arrows, punches and sparks fly.Now that Aelin had revenge, she has to prepare for the final battle... in the next book.

Queen of Shadows is a standout entry in the Throne of Glass series and easily one of its strongest instalments. From the first chapters, the story feels larger, darker, and more confident, raising the stakes for both the characters and the world they inhabit.Sarah J. Maas continues to expand Erilea in impressive ways, introducing new locations and perspectives while deepening familiar settings. The sense of scale grows significantly here, and the series begins to feel truly epic rather than simply adventurous.This book places a strong emphasis on character relationships and how past events shape current decisions. Aelin’s arc is particularly compelling as she faces increasing expectations and responsibility. Her determination, confidence, and refusal to be controlled create meaningful tension and drive much of the story forward.The supporting cast is expansive, and Maas largely succeeds in keeping a large group of characters distinct and engaging. Several new additions bring welcome depth, especially through strong female representation and non-romantic bonds that enrich the narrative.While the book isn’t without minor pacing or structural issues, its momentum, emotional payoff, and character development more than compensate. The plot is ambitious and fast-moving, with frequent moments that feel designed to push the series into new territory.Overall, Queen of Shadows is a bold and gripping continuation that solidifies the series’ strength. It balances action, character growth, and world-building in a way that feels rewarding for long-time readers, and it sets the stage beautifully for what follows. A highly recommended read for fantasy fans invested in this series.

I like the way the books were packed. The smell of the books. How fast they arrived.

Después de los eventos ocurridos en Heir of Fire, Aelin Galathynius está de vuelta en Adarlan. Pero ella tendrá que hacer más cosas de las que se esperaba en su regreso.DORIAN. DORIAN. DORIAN. Ese primer capítulo destrozó mi alma por completo. Luego, en su encuentro con Aelin y Aedion me dio tanta pena que no quisiese que Aelin supiese que él seguía de alguna forma dentro de su cuerpo sólo para que ella le matase y acabase con su dolor. Y cuando se acercaba a Manon para irritarla y que le matase ella sólo podía pensar “Dorian, aléjate de ese bicho YA”. De verdad espero que a la autora no se le ocurra juntarlos en los próximos libros porque Dorian es demasiado bueno para Manon. Y me da muchísima pena que lo hayan dejado solo en su castillo.Sé que mucha gente dice que el personaje de Aelin ha actuado de forma muy diferente en comparación con libros anteriores pero yo no lo veo del todo así. Ella ha cambiado, sí, pero con la gente que aprecia siempre ha sido igual. No olvidemos que es un personaje que no suele mostrar sus sentimientos pero sí su rabia. Me dio muchísimo miedo cuando Arobynn le puso el anillo, de verdad que me moría. Pero al final ella lo tenía todo bajo control. Aelin se pasa todo el tiempo haciendo cosas en secreto que ni el lector sabe y eso hace que haya tantos giros en este libro que el lector nunca se espera. También me pareció muy inteligente como usó el anillo que le tuvo que dar a Maeve en el libro anterior.No me gusta la relación que mantienen Rowan y Aelin en este libro. De repente tienen sentimientos el uno por el otro y no los veo como pareja. Además Rowan debería de pensar un poquito más con su cerebro. De verdad que quedaban mejor como amigos.Como he dicho otras veces, Chaol no me desagradó en Trono de Cristal pero le odié por completo en Corona de Medianoche y Heir of Fire. Para mí, a pesar de lo que opina mucha gente, este libro ha sido la redención de su personaje. Siempre estaba preocupado por salvar a su mejor amigo, aunque esto le lleva a hacer una locura en un determinado momento. También debo decir que le shippeo con Nesryn, un nuevo personaje del que me gustaría saber más ya que creo que no la llegamos a conocer a fondo en esta entrega.El rescate de Aedion fue una escena chulísima y llena de acción y tensión. Como ya dije en la reseña de Heir of Fire, Aedion es un personaje que me encanta, y lo sigue haciendo. Me encantó el momento de primos que tienen en casa de Aelin cuando se cuentan todas las cosas por las que han pasado desde que se separaron. También me daba muchísima pena que Aelin y Rowan nunca le tuviesen al tanto de la mayoría de las cosas. En este libro también descubrimos quién es su padre.Lysandra ha sido el personaje nuevo que más me ha gustado. De verdad que la adoro. Es una mujer fuerte y valiente a pesar de que no le gusta demasiado su vida. Su relación con Aelin me ha parecido absolutamente genial, dejan atrás el pasado que tenían juntas y se hacen mejores amigas. Me encantaron los regalos que Aelin le hizo. Y puede que espere que ella y Aedion tengan algo en los próximos libros.La trama de las brujas ha sido muy muy interesante. Ha sido curioso saber cómo se crearon las brujas y cómo tienen descendientes. Como me pasó también en Heir of Fire, los capítulos de Manon al principio me parecían aburridos pero después fui ganando interés en ellos. Elide me ha parecido un personaje que no estaba mal pero tampoco me ha parecido gran cosa. Eso sí, Kaltain ha estado demasiado increíble. Su personaje ha evolucionado muchísimo y realmente espero que siga viva después de lo que hizo.Me encanta como en ningún momento Aelin y Dorian se hacen daño porque esto mantiene mi teoría de que son almas gemelas. Además, ESE momento en el que se despiden y Aelin piensa que nunca imaginó que despedirse fuese tan doloroso, yo no podía con mi corazón. Por no decir que la descripción del amor que quiere Lysandra es la descripción que la autora vuelve a usar en la escena en la que Aelin y Dorian unen sus poderes y los llama dioses, DIOSES. Si oís a alguien gritar soy yo.Ya no voy a decir más, sólo que, por si nadie se había dado cuenta todavía, Trono de Cristal es mi saga favorita. Con Queen of Shadows Sarah J. Maas prepara lo que va a ser un final épico que yo no puedo esperar a leer.