Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas

Published: Sept 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's

Pages: 648

Copy Provided by: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

The queen has returned.

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past . . .

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series contrinues Celaena's epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world. 

Review:

I think this was the best book I have read all year.  No seriously.  Have you read the Throne of Glass series?  If you haven't, stop whatever you are reading, start with Book #1 and then read about Celaena Sardothian.  This woman is absolutely amazing and unstoppable. And just when you think someone is stopping her momentum, something happens to give her one little sliver of hope to save her kingdom.  This series was NOTHING like I was imagining.  There are so many stories playing into the main character's life that it is hard to keep track of. Once I started reading Book #4, I considered re-reading Book #3 just as a refresher because I had a hard time remember what had happened.  

One of the things that I REALLY enjoyed in this series is how Sarah J Maas managed to break down Celaena's identity and re-build her as Aelin.  They are two different characters fused into one unique and incredibly strong woman.  As Aelin she takes responsibility for the people.  For her court. As Celaena she is angry and has trouble controlling her emotions to do anything but slaughter anyone who comes in her path.  Queen of Shadows exemplifies how Aelin's priorities have changed.  How much stronger and in control she is of herself. She is self-assured and exhibits leadership.  Another aspect of this novel that turned me upside down is how her relationship with Lyssandra changes.  Yes, that's right. I said Lyssandra.

Other characters play a key role in this edition as well.  Rowan and Aedion, Chaol and Dorian.  They are all major players in what goes down in Queen of Shadows.  Rowan....sigh...why can't we all have a handsome fae prince around? I love her private conversations with Rowan.  Ms. Mass does a great job of building up the tension between the two of these characters.  They become strongly attached and nearly animalistic towards one another.  I used to cheer for Chaol but now I can barely remember his name.  Yup.  He never had a chance once Rowan stepped into the picture.  

A couple notes I made while I was reading...perhaps you will also feel this way as you read

Chapter 44 - WHY???!!!!!!

Chapter 47 - Holy heck!  This just got incredibly interesting.  She is absolutely brilliant!!  

From this point on, I actually stopped taking notes because I didn't want to stop reading.  I was pretty much non-stop until the end of the novel.  So it is hard to get into the story without giving anything away but if you have read Books #1-3, you NEED to read this one.  It is PACKED from the get go with action and adventure.  There will be death and dying and lots of gruesomeness.  Plus witches.  The witches are discussed throughout the book and I have a feeling they will play a major part in Books #5 and 6.  Have tissue ready, a comfortable chair, plenty of good reading light and perhaps a small snack.  Oh, and turn off your phone because you aren't going want to get up for ANYTHING once you start reading this book.  It was STUNNING.  Absolutely, positively STUNNING.  Well done Ms. Maas.  Throne of Glass just bumped up a couple spots on my Top Ten best YA series of all time.