"Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it. The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts. "
I wish there was more of the adventure than romance to fit in with the previous books. The spice level was a little over the top for me and I wanted to see more of the interactions between the new Valkyries and get more of their stories and growth. I really enjoyed Nesta's journey and growth as she found her place in a world she was forced into and found her own little family. As for Cassian, I loved him in the original trilogy, but he felt a little off in this book. The plot also felt really rushed and concluded way to fast. Even though it was left open with the potential of another big badguy. Maybe more will be done in future books.
By Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 272
"Months after the explosive events in A Court of Wings and Ruin, Feyre, Rhys, and their companions are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly-changed world beyond. But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it, a hard-earned reprieve. Yet even the festive atmosphere can't keep the shadows of the past from looming."
I enjoyed this little novella. It didn't have much plot impact but was a cute, wintery, Christmas-episode aesthetic story, and a nice way to wean off of the end of the series. It provided a bit of closure on the characters, while somewhat setting up the next trilogy, though it was not the best writing in comparison to the main books.
By Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 433
"When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world. As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin and his world forever."
I started this series as I really loved Maas' Throne of Glass series, but to be honest, I was a little disappointed. The initial set up was great, but the slow pace in the middle was a weird contrast to the final few chapters where everything happened at once. Also the relationship between the main character and Tamlin felt too easy. I am hoping the series improves in the next two books as I have heard good things about the series that aren't meeting my expectations yet.
By Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 989
"As the threads of fate weave together at last, all must fight, if they are to have a chance at a future. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever in the explosive final chapter of the Throne of Glass series."
Explosive ending indeed. This series was absolutely amazing. Its hard to give it a review now since there were soo many twists and reveals that make the last book vastly different from the first one. You can really see how the authors writing skills grew as she wrote this series. The end of this book both broke my heart and filled it to the brim at the same time. Get ready for an emotional roller coaster as all the ends meet, characters finish their story arcs, and kingdoms start to build anew.
By Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 668
"Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica-the stronghold of the southern continent's mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.But what they discover in Antica will change them both-and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined."
I honestly was slightly dreading reading this book since it takes a break from the main plot and the last book left off on such a cliffhanger but I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it. There were still major revelations that will affect the main storyline and I fell for the new character that is introduced and links back to our current party. Even better is I now to get to read the final novel in this series!
By Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 704
"The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius as war looms on the horizon. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't. With her heart sworn to the warrior-prince by her side, and her fealty pledged to the people she is determined to save, Aelin will delve into the depths of her power to protect those she loves. But as monsters emerge from the horrors of the past, and dark forces become poised to claim her world, the only chance for salvation will lie in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear."
I had to stop and sit for a while after I finished this book just to process the ending. It is hard to write a review on this one without spoiling so many things that happened as our characters converge at last only to them to rip my heart out as they separate again. I cannot wait to see how the story picks up, but apparently the author decided to take a break from this story line to follow Chaol and so I have to wait an entire book to get any sort of closure!!!
By Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 656
"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 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."
This latest installment really blew me away. The character growth and relationships are amazing as Celaena reconnects with people from her past, friends turned enemies and back again, and Celaena herself has matured and become so empowering, she really is growing into her role as a future queen and I cannot wait to see the rest of the journey!
By Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 565
"Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak-but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth . . . a truth about her heritage that could change her life-and her future-forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?"
Love triangle is not utterly destroyed though it seems like we have a new potential? I really cannot wait to see how the relations continue to develop but they have taken a backseat as Celaena works to unlock and control her inner fae, confronts her scheming aunt, and decides to return to her home to help her old friends and her people.
By Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 420
"From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as 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."
This sequel really pivots from the focus in the first book. The love triangle(?) fades to the background while the action and plot against the kingdom starts unfold from the events and clues we received in the first book. However, by the end of the book everything changes again when a tragedy turns Celaena from everyone she loves and trusts and she shares one of her secrets with what has become one of her worst enemies. I have already opened the next book as I cannot wait to see how the choices made at the end will effect the three characters that all now have their own intertwined plotlines.
By Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 406
I've been meaning to re-read and finally finish this series. I started reading it years ago right before Empire of Storms (book #5) came out. I am bad about finishing a series when it is still in progress as I am very impatient and do not like to leave a fantasy world mid-story. Now that the series is finished I am determined to finish this amazing series as everyone around me has told me it is worth finishing. I already loved the first book with its dangerous and sassy main character who has many mysteries in her past. I may have to go back and read the novellas soon as my friends say they are good for more background on how our main character Celaena, became this worlds assassin queen.
