Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Empire of Storms
Series: Throne of Glass #5
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publication Date: September 6th, 2016
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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.

Review

To be quite honest, before writing my review I actually read a few just to get a feel of how other readers rated this book. And boy was I surprised. Empire of Storms was another great addition to the series - at least to me. Now I find my views to be controversial oooOoooO.

I love this series purely for it being fast paced and action packed, filled with characters who really only have one goal and they’re not afraid to risk anything in order to achieve it. Maas writes in a way that had me engrossed and I like that even though there is such a gap between the releases I don't feel lost by the time I pick up the next one. The characters also felt familiar and I immediately could connect with them - or at the very least start rooting for them again.

I definitely am invested in Aelin’s tale, the progress she’s made and how she has grown throughout the series. Fighting to be my favourite character, next to Aelin, is Manon. She will forever be my favourite “villain”. Her character conveys the importance of humanity, mercy and comradeship perfectly - it is so inspiring. Other characters had interesting arcs, even if they were out of place or really out of character (excuse the pun). The story involves two characters, Elide and Lorcan, more this time but both characters only grew on me by the end. For the most part I couldn’t really care less about they were up to.

The story line came full circle by the ending and everything clicked into place. It was a smart move by Maas to keep everything hidden, but it did feel a little like a finale from another series - no spoilers, sorry. There were some scenes that did seem out of place or really unnecessary and the excessive sex scenes weren’t amazing. I wasn’t put off by them too much but I can see why a lot of other readers wouldn’t think it’d be okay, seeing as this is as YA series.

I can see why some people aren’t huge fans of this series anymore, I get it, it’s definitely nothing like the first three novels in the series. However, I am curious to see how this series will end so I’m in it for the final ride. I still think that Empire of Storms was an enjoyable and exciting read, that kept me invested and engaged, and that’s what I want out of reading a story.

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Queen Of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas Shines With Fierceness And Intensity

Title: Queen of Shadows
Series: Throne of Glass #4
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publication Date: September 1st, 2015
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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.

Review

Queen of Shadows was an intense but extremely satisfying read. Everything about this was the perfect instalment that I had been waiting for. The story predominately focuses on its characters and their development. There is a lot of character progression, which is so good because it creates another dimension and makes them so much more believable and relatable. Celaena's story arc just keeps getting better and better. It's still possible to see her old self, but her new maturity and resilience really strengthens her character. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of exploration of Dorian and Chaol's character, although Maas does set up for possible development in the next part. Plotwise, events are clarified to fully understand the direction of the rest of the series. There were also hints of what could potentially happen, which I'm excited for!

Much like the previous books, Maas writing excels, being able to draw me in and keep me engrossed in the world. I do have some trouble concentrating during the first 100 pages or so, but that's probably because it was awhile since I read Heir Of Fire. There's so much creativity, it just breathes magic. 

If you have not read Queen of Shadow or even the series get on it! This is an amazing series that has an epic storyline and badass characters. Trust me, you won't regret it. 

Discussion

(Warning: Spoilers)

Characters

It's amazing to witness Celaena the Assassin (both in Throne of Glass and The Assassin's Blade) transform into the mature and passionate Aelin, Queen of Terrasen. I love that she's found her true identity without losing her confidence and sassiness. I cannot wait to see her claim her own throne back and rule with her new found strength and maturity. I'm so proud of her!

“She was fire, and light, and ash, and embers. She was Aelin Fireheart, and she bowed for no one and nothing, save the crown that was hers by blood and survival and triumph.” 

I don't particularly like how Chaol's character arc was dealt with though, even if he isn't a favourite of mine. He's sort of diminished entirely from the brave captain to someone filled with doubt and hopelessness. In the scheme of things, it does make sense. You have someone who's blindly followed an evil tyrant and was unwilling to accept anything different. Once the world he knew crumbled he was pretty much at lost. Still, I would like to see some of the old Chaol come back in the next part.

Rowan is fast becoming a swoon worthy character. His physical appearance and personality is pretty much perfection. I don't particularly see his current purpose besides protecting Aelin, but there's this bond between them that does make their relationship development almost believable. Almost. 

Manon annoyed me so much until the last third of the novel. I like that Maas is using her character to explore the issues of morality and values versus obedience and pride. I'm super excited to see what her role will be considering she's now found some humanity and compassion.

“You and I are nothing but wild beasts wearing human skins.” 

Surprisingly, Lyssandra has now taken a place in my heart. She is wickedly awesome and her friendship with Celaena is so fun to read. I like that they can both rely on each other now after being manipulated against their each other all their lives. Very heartwarming.

Plot

The world has expanded significantly and will continue to do so. This gives the plot so much more potential and I'm loving the setting of each area. I'm curious as to see how big Terrasen will be and it's actual environment. 

Finally figuring out who the Duke really is and his and the King's actual purpose in breeding the Wyverns and relying on the witches help was actually fascinating. It really broadened the potential of the plot, and how much can take place in the future. I wasn't particularly interested in Elide's storyline   just because I didn't see a purpose. It's still early days for her though. 

The romance element is something I like only because it's the most realistic account of dating between characters. Well, "dating." She's able to date who she wants and see the relationship development before deciding if her partner is compatible and what she really wants out of a relationship. There's no instal-love that has stretched across the four books, thank gosh. I want to see her relationship with Rowan as stemming from their lengthy time with each other but also a pull from their fae heritage.

Something that didn't sit well with me though, was how Chaol and Aelin treated each other with hostility after their history. It was a little extreme even if their relationship ended badly. Still, I loved almost every part of Queen of Shadows. The wait was worthwhile and I cannot wait for the next part. I want it already *cries quietly.*

“They joined hands. So the world ended.

And the next one began.” 

Who Is Your Favourite Character?

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

Title: Heir of Fire
Series: Throne of Glass #3
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publication Date: September 2nd, 2014
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Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien's only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Ardalan's Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Calaena 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?

Review

I knew there was a reason I kept persevering with this series, and now I have found it. I wasn't a massive fan of the first two novels - Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight - though the last of of CoM did persuade me to stick it out. Heir of Fire is, by far, the best of the three. 

The size of Heir of Fire is definitely an indication to how much takes place in this part of the series. The story is set over a number of different places and narrated by various characters, both old and new. I actually really liked how it played out and Maas did it so effortlessly that I wasn't left confused or annoyed at the different jumps. The new characters were actually really interesting and I enjoyed the depth and complexity they added to the plot. Out of the four new main characters though, only two really grabbed my interest and I wasn't too sure what purpose the third one really had in this story. More on that in my discussion part! You also get to know a lot more about Celanea and her past, which I found fascinating.

There was a lot more suspense and action, paced perfectly so I flew right through it. It felt like the series was coming together and had more of a direction, instead of flitting between romance and fantasy. Heir of Fire is definitely my favourite of three that have been released and if you think the first two was meh, just keep preserving because I did and am so glad that I have!

Discussion

(SPOILERS BELOW)
This was definitely one hell of a ride. I loved how the story progressed, slow to start but hitting the action just as quick. It really reflected Celaena's thought process, being sluggish and unmotivated only to have her ass picked up once she met Rowan and travelled to Mistward. Speaking of Rowan, I absolutely fell in love with him. I'm not sure why but the whole badass warrior image is pretty compelling, but there's still a vulnerability about him that it's too hard to really hate him. Contrary to what people think, I don't see his and Celaena's relationship as romantic but more like comrades. They gave each other something positive and really helped heal each other. It was such an inspiring platonic relationship and I loved that they could share a bed but not in a sexual way. I'm just sad that Celaena wants to separate with Rowan at the end, after having him swear an oath to here. Like come on! Hopefully there'll be more Rowan in the next book. 

Manon was a great character as well, edgy and exciting. Whilst I did like seeing the more human side of her, I really did prefer her as the cold and calculative killer she is. The same can't be said for Sorscha who I found did really have a purpose besides being a new romance interest for Dorian and the final push for him to stand up against his father. I couldn't care less about their scenes, and I was slightly annoyed cause I've always been a Dorian and Celaena shipper. Which is why I liked this book more than the others because I didn't have to read about Chaol and Celaena so often. I'm not even going to talk about Chaol because he annoyed me from Crown of Midnight and it translated into Heir of Fire as well.

Maas does an epic job in broadening the world and strengthening the use of magic with the addition of witches and Fae people. The expansion of the world really opened up to the different possibilities and  I could really envision the different settings. It also made sense because of the wakening of magic, which basically means the wakening of the entire world and every other element. 

My favourite perspectives to read from were probably Manon's because I liked the whole different side of things, and Celaena's just to see her character development and rebuilding herself. I am so excited to see her unleash her magical powers and burn everybody down (how insane am I?). The training process for Celaena really has me super, super excited! The entire book was written so perfectly I really can't get over it. I don't even think that this review has made any sense, but seriously I could not get over it. The final moment when she accepts her own self and her role really has me excited for the next sequel and cannot wait to see how far the battle will go! The same can't be said for Dorian though, who's now under his dad's control and I am freaking out because I do not want anything bad to happen to him. Praying he can survive this. 

Let me know what you thought about this because seriously this entire thing was insane!

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[Review] The Summer I Turned Pretty, Throne of Glass & Boundless

If you guys didn't know, other than reviews on this blog I also do mash up reviews occasionally on my channel. This time around I wanted to talk about the books that I read for the #AYearAThon and Bout of Books 10.0 Readathon.

Books Mentioned:

The Summer I Turned Pretty - Jenny Han (0:36)

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) - Sarah J. Maas (4:42)

Boundless (Unearthly #3) - Cynthia Hand (9:31)

If you've read any of them tell me what you thought of it below!

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