The Quiet Concert: Throne of Glass

Showing posts with label Throne of Glass. Show all posts

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Queen of Shadows
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #5
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Release Date: September 1, 2015

Summary from Goodreads:
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.

Review

I'm not sure there is another series that makes me feel quite like this one does. I could honestly read it forever, that is how much I love it. Crown of Midnight used to be my favorite book in the series but I think Queen of Shadows just usurped it. And yet, in some ways, I don't think it was perfect. I've seen some readers mention that they both love and hate this book and while I would never associate the word hate with Sarah J. Maas (or any negative emotion at all), I understand the sentiment they are trying to express. There are some things I wish were done differently, some I'm a little more upset about than others, but even so, I am obsessed with this book and I think it deserves all the stars. And I think that is because while I might change 1% of this book, the other 99% is so fucking off-the-charts perfect that that 1% is insignificant to me.

From this point forward, I'm going to just spew my thoughts everywhere...

Like, how fucking perfect was Aelin. MY GOD. Her shit definitely smells like roses. She is one brilliant badass and I love her so much it's unhealthy. I would swear fealty to her in a second. Rowan and Aedion move over. WAIT DID SOMEONE SAY ROWAN? Can I have his babies? Actually, I'll take Aedion because 1) Aelin could obviously so take me and 2) I just love those snarky royals. And then HELLO LYSANDRA. Talk about surprises! And while we are on the subject of surprises, I claim Asterin as my own second. Except, Manon scares me. LIKE REALLY SCARES ME. So, I guess I'll settle-but-not-really-settle for Elide. Or Nesryn. Damn that girl can shoot. I need to mention Dorian so DORIAN. Poor guy can't catch a break. Did I miss anyone awesome? Oh shit, Chaol... I guess this is as good a time as any to say...

WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED. I really wish the reunion between Aelin and Chaol was handled differently and this is the one thing that I am mildly upset about but that quickly gets overshadowed by the overwhelming feels I just vomited up in the last paragraph. But yeah, their relationship was not what I expected and I don't feel it was all that necessary for things to play out the way they did.

CAN WE GO BACK TO ALL THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN THIS BOOK NOW? By far the best thing to happen was Lysandra shifting into a ghost leopard and annihilating those Valg soldiers. Or am I the only one reliving that glorious moment? I am also happy about the long-overdue deaths of the two arrogant evil bastards that called themselves kings but I wish their deaths were more dramatic after all that gods-damned buildup (second gripe). But there was never a dull moment in this book. There were several occasions were I may or may not have squealed out loud (in public), cackled like an evil witch, actually got up and happy danced, stared at my book in horror, stared at my book in awe, blushed so furiously I pretended I got sunburn, and many more embarrassing but totally justifiable display of feels. Sarah J. Maas always brings out the best in me.

So was this book perfect? Yes. (And no). Thank the gods that there are two more books. Don't even get me started on the mess of a human being I am going to be when this series eventually ends. Oh, and if you haven't started this series, i'm not sure we can be friends.

Queen of Shadows Blog Tour: This One's For the Girls

I am so incredibly honored to be a part of the #MassThirteen and to be participating in this blog tour for the second year in a row. I have been championing this series for 3 years now and will continue to do so as it only gets better and better. Sarah J. Maas is my queen and I will swear a blood oath to her. Also, a huge thank you to Alexa, Jaz, Judith, Katie and Rachel for creating this unofficial street team and a way for us to share our love of this series with you all.

The Book...

Title: Queen of Shadows
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #5
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Pages: 665
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

About the Author

Sarah J. Maas is the author of the New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling Throne of Glass series–Throne of Glass, Crown ofMidnight, 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.

For my stop on the tour...

Last year I listed 5 reasons why I love this series and they all still stand. This year I wanted to do something different and decided to highlight some of the many wonderful (secondary) female characters in this book and have y'all vote on your favorite, if you can choose! We all know that Sarah is pretty skilled at creating swoon-worthy males, but she is as equally skilled at creating inspiring females, all of whom will stay with me forever. So without further ado, her are some of the badass ladies we have the privilege of reading about and why I love them...

Source

Time to choose!

I didn't know who I was going to choose as I was making this list, and I still could go back and forth between all of these characters because they are all amazing, but right now I am leaning towards...

*drum roll please*

Asterin

Love and loyalty are two of the things I value most in this world and Asterin is the epitome of both. I also love that she was willing to stand up for what she believed in even if it would cost her.

Now, it's your turn!

Giveaway (International)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

September 7 - Judith @ Paperiot

September 8 - Jaz @ Fiction in Fiction in Fiction

September 9 - Kelly @ Belle of the Literati

September 10 - Andi @ Andi’s ABCs

September 11 - Gillian @ Writer of Wrongs

September 14 - Kim & Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

September 15 - Mel @ The Daily Prophecy

September 16 - Gina @ Behind the Pages

September 17 - Nicole @ The Quiet Concert *waves*

September 18 - Jamie @ The Perpetual Page-Turner

September 21 - Katie @ Polished Page-Turners

September 22 - Rachel @ Hello Chelly

September 23 - Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

Title: The Assassin's Blade
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass 0.1 - 0.5
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Release Date: March 4, 2014

Summary from Goodreads:
Contains all five novellas.

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin's Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free? Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine to find out.

Review

With each new book in the Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas has revealed more and more of Celaena's past but readers are given only pieces of a much larger story. We know enough to understand that Celaena's time with Arobynn had a significant impact on her, and that there was a man who stole her heart before Chaol, but the truth is much harder to swallow.

These are the first novellas I have ever read. One thing I wasn't expecting was how closely they tied together. You can't read just one and stop, you need to read all 5, in order (not that I have any problem with that though). Here are my thoughts on the lot:

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord - just the type of adventure I was expecting. It was so good to be back with Celaena and her bad self as she parried with Captain Rolfe, Lord of the Pirates. And to meet Sam finally!!! But the events in this novella are what set everything in motion and knowing that now makes it all bittersweet.
The Assassin and the Healer - not as critical to the overall story nor as action packed but just as moving. After the fallout in the first novella, Celaena is looking for a fight and accidentally befriends a tavern maid along the way. We see the cold, deadly assassin again but we also glimpse the softer, more vulnerable side of Celaena. I hope to see Yrene again someday.
The Assassin and the Desert - this was my favorite novella. I just had so much fun with it. Give me a school of assassin's and Celaena proving herself any day. It was new and exciting and unpredictable and Celaena shines in the end. I couldn't have asked for more.
The Assassin and the Underworld - Celaena returns to Rifthold and the overload of feels begins. She's in a precarious situation with Arobynn and as bad as things are, they are only going to get worse. The mission she is on is suicide and things are complicated with Sam. By the end of this novella, I had 104 ways I would like to see Arobynn die, one for each page. But Sam!!!
The Assassin and the Empire - the death of me. The pieces of my heart, along with my tears are left on the pages of this story.

I am sure it is no surprise that I loved these novellas. I definitely understand Celaena more now having read them. And I could live in her story forever and ever even if is full of pain and betrayal. I know that Celaena's day will come and that gets me through. I only wish I had more time with Sam.

Lastly, it took me entirely too long to read these novellas and I have no good excuse to give. But perhaps I can make up for my negligence by urging you all to read these novellas and this series. Don't make the same mistake I did!

Thirteen Days of Ash and Fire: An Heir of Fire Blog Tour (+Giveaway)

Welcome

Welcome to Day 5 of the Heir of Fire Blog Tour!!! I am honored to be part of the MaasThirteen bringing you Thirteen Days of Ash and Fire. This is one of my FAVORITE series EVER and it brings me great joy to share my love for it and push it on all of you. For my stop on the tour, I wanted to share with you the reasons why I love this series and how Heir of Fire continues and furthers the epicness that is this series. But first, a huge thanks to our lovely hosts: Alexa from Alexa Loves Books, Rachel from Hello Chelly, Judith from Paper Riot, and Jaz from Fiction in Fiction in Fiction. You girls rock for setting this up! Also, don't forget to check out the TWO giveaways at the end of this post as well as the other stops on the tour. And for more updates, follow the Twitter hashtags #HOF13Tour and #MaasThirteen! Thanks for stopping by!

Tour Schedule

August 25 – Jaz @ Fiction In Fiction In Fiction

August 26 – Katie @ Polished Page-Turners

August 27 – Kelly @ Belle of the Literati

August 28 – Elena @ Novel Sounds

August 29 – Nicole @ The Quiet Concert

September 1 – Gillian @ Writer of Wrongs

September 2 – Judith @ Paperiot

September 3 – Melanie @ The Daily Prophecy

September 4 – Magan @ Rather Be Reading

September 5 – Andi @ Andi’s ABCs

September 8 – Gina @ Behind the Pages

September 9 – Rachel @ Hello Chelly

September 10 – Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books

The Book

Title: Heir of Fire
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #3
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Summary from Goodreads:
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?

Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | Kobo | iBooks

The Author

Sarah J. Maas is the New York Times bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series: Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire, and the series’ prequel, The Assassin’s Blade. A New York native, Sarah currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and dog.

Author Links:

Official Website | Blog | Twitter | Pinterest

Why I Love This Series:

1. This story is epic. Everything a reader of fantasy could want and more. Throne of Glass was a nice introduction to the characters and the world, with just enough action and intrigue to lure you in. A captured assassin is offered a chance at freedom but first she must prove herself worthy by winning a competition and then serve a year under her enemy. There is magic and forces not quite yet understood. But in Crown of Midnight everything is explored in greater detail – the history, the magic, the characters – as it should be in a sequel. A LOT happens in this second book to further the plot and there are a lot of surprises as new discoveries are made about the characters, the source of the King’s power, and the rebellion that is brewing. But by the end, everyone and everything seems broken. Where Crown of Midnight was plot-driven, Heir of Fire is very much character-driven. Celaena has left Adarlan searching for a way to destroy the King under the pretenses of working for him. But to learn the truth she seeks, she must first master herself with the Prince of the Fae as her teacher. That means she must also piece herself back together since she is so utterly broken at this point. Meanwhile, in Adarlan, new friends and foes are introduced and loyalties are tested while a sinister force is brewing in the mountains, readying for war. Now what part of what I just said doesn’t sound AWESOME!?!

2. The characters are damaged and wonderful. I can’t express how much I love these characters. Celaena, our fearless assassin, is like the fiercest character I know but so utterly broken inside that I want to give her a hug and never let go. Chaol is this loyal and caring Captain of the Guard that just wants to do right by all but circumstances have made that impossible so he’s just trying to do the best he can. Prince Dorian is nothing like his father but to protect himself and those he cares about he must put on an act to hide his true self, which is becoming harder and harder to sell. The King is as cold and unforgiving as they come and will stop at nothing to control everyone and everything. These are the key players in Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight, with others coming an going. But in Heir of Fire, we are introduced to 3 new equally noteworthy characters. Rowan, the immortal Fae Prince, whose many yeas on this earth have hardened him to stone, is relentless in his teachings of Celaena but may be the greatest ally she's ever gained. Aedion, the quick-talking General, is not who he appears to be and refuses to be controlled but his devotion is unquestionable. And last but not least, Manon Blackbeak, the ruthless and stubborn Witch whose led a hard life trying to live up to expectations but is still willing to take risks for what she believes in. These characters make up the heart and soul of this series, and Sarah J. Maas has made it so that I care about each of them deeply. When they experience joy, I experience joy. When they suffer, I suffer. That is why each book gives me anxiety.

3. The relationships are varied and intricate. There are friendships that rival family bonds. There are romances that make you ship it like you can't ship no more. There are rivalries that have you bloodthirsty and merciless. There are loyalties that span history and hopelessness. There are losses that leave you feeling hollow. There are promises that have you begging for what's to come. So many of these characters are connected in ways we have only started to discover. Heir of Fire had a few new relationships for us and I loved them all.

4. There is so much emotion. My poor heart when reading these books. There are so many feelings to be felt and I feel it all - love, lust, kinship, grief, shame, anger, hatred, pity, jealousy, vanity, fear, cowardice, bravery, uncertainty, hope, hopelessness, indifference and on and on. These are emotional books and I experience all of the highs and the lows while reading it. But that is because of points 1, 2 and 3. I am so beyond invested in this series that I am living this journey with these characters. And Heir of Fire was a difficult but precious journey. Celaena's personal transformation from hating herself to forgiving and owning herself was tragic and beautiful at the same time. Her bond with Rowan, first resistant and then just right was amazingly developed. Meanwhile, Chaol's promises and honor are finally catching up to him. Dorian's self-induced isolation has given him both welcome and regretful insights. And Aedion has been given an unimaginable hope only to have it taken away again. This was a book filled with grief and pain and ultimately hope.

5. These endings kill me. The wild ride that is each book always culminates in one hell of an ending that tears me to pieces. I have died twice now. And I might die again just waiting for the next book. But you bet your ass that if Sarah J. Maas is at BEA again next year I will be right back at first in line.

So yeah, that is the beginning of why I love this series. And I hope to have convinced at least one person to read it if you haven't started yet.

Giveaway One

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Two

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC REVIEW #116: Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Crown of Midnight

Series: Throne of Glass #2
Author: Sarah J. Maas

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Release Date: August 27, 2013

Pages: 432, Hardcover
Source: ARC obtained at BEA

Summary from Goodreads:

An assassin’s loyalties are always in doubt.
But her heart never wavers.

After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.

Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice.

Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

“If they wanted Adarlan’s Assassin, they’d get her. And Wyrd help them when she arrived.”

CROWN OF MIDNIGHT ROCKED MY WORLD!!!! Celaena Sardothien is every bit as FIERCE and LOVELY as she was in Throne of Glass. My mind and heart are still reeling from the events in this book. I promise that fans of Throne of Glass will NOT be disappointed. *Takes a deep breath* *tries to form coherent thoughts*

Crown of Midnight picks up right where Throne of Glass left off. Celaena is now the King's Champion and it is her duty to dispatch of his enemies. BUT she's never exactly been one to do as she's told. When she's commanded to kill an old friend, whom is allegedly connected to a rebel movement, she buys herself some more time with the promise of uncovering more about the opposition. But for whose benefit, the King’s or hers? (rhetorical question). Meanwhile, even though she wants nothing to do with magic, it wants everything to do with her. For the sake of the kingdom, Celaena must discover the source of the King’s power. But where to start and whom to trust? Strange things are happening in the castle, and the more Celaena discovers, the darker the future ahead becomes. Soon her paths merge and it seems everyone is after the same thing. It’s only a matter of who gets there first.

Rebellion and secrets. Riddles and magic. This book has enough to get your mind and heart racing. And I haven't even mentioned the romance yet!! I think it safe to say to the first half of the book was more romance-driven whereas the second half of the book was more plot-driven. Whatever, FINE BY ME. My god the tension between these two characters, the anticipation for something, ANYTHING, to happen, was driving me crazy!! It’s slowly… slowly… then BAM! *big stupid grin*

The characters are seriously just amazing. I LOVE Celaena - nice and playful Celaena AND cold and deadly Celaena. She is amazing. And don't even get me started on the men in this book. Oh. My. God. *fans thyself*. We get a little taste of everything - jealousy, affection, love, hate, betrayal, fear, vengeance, and on and on. WARNING: Reading this book will lead to frequent and overwhelming FEELS.

Oh and did I mention the personal discovery yet, the bombs dropped on readers, or the mind-boggling reveals? HELLO. Several events left me gaping at the pages. JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU GET TO PAGE 378 (don't you dare flip to that page ahead of time!) I swear, the last like 100 pages were just absurd. So packed with awesome.

So was this book FANTASTIC? Yes. Should you READ THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW? Yes. Will you ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT? I think so. SO what are you waiting for? GO GET THIS BOOK (or eagerly await it since it doesn't come out until August *sorry*.

"'She's just one girl.'

'Then you're really in for a surprise.'"

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