Reviews with content warning for Grief - Kingdom of Ash

I can’t believe this series is over. This series is a roller coaster. I do think this could have been smaller. Like not almost 900 pages. I did not give it a full 5 because

I really did not like Yrene. she just bothered me and for her to be the one that kills Erawon. 🙄 I’m so annoyed. I truly thought that the book was going to end during the war and it doesn’t which surprised me. I thought this was one of the best ways I’ve seen a series wrap up. Like everything was put into place. Now, the key. I had NO IDEA what was going on. I was so confused. I fucking missed when she passed by Veralis but I’m glad that my friend told me about it. I feel like that moment was so hyped and everything counted on the lock but the execution of that entire scene was poor.

I love these characters so much. Through this entire series you go THROUGH IT with Aelin and to see how she ended up… it was beautiful. It really was✨

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marissaumble's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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lisavandonselaar's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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annamary54's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

alright I’m gonna start with the reasons it’s not 5 stars for me: I did take FOREVER to finish this book. I don’t necessarily blame the book for this, it could’ve been me falling into a fantasy reading slump after reading so much. BUT I will say that this book was extremely repetitive, a lot of SJM is, but especially the beginning of this one was really tough. I loved that we dove into a large world of characters, but I think in developing so many characters in the two books before this it created a messy ending. It felt like the final chapters were kinda just slapping everything together

like yes it is fantasy, but the they all lived happily ever after of it all was frustrating. Not that I needed more sorrow, I just wanted to know more about these characters I began/fell in love with. Continuing with that idea, Nox?? He showed up and was never seen again, I guess he died in war??? I was waiting all book for his reunion with Aelin that never came. Maybe I missed something, idk. Also Fleetfoot getting her own deus ex machina at the end of the book, like ope and Fleetfoot was also well taken care of. It kinda all came together like the ending of a Shakespeare comedy. Something I really hated was Murtaughs death. It was just like “see yall, ima fight” then the next chapter Ren mourning for two pages and sudden make out sesh between Aedion and Lysanndra. Idk the timing of that was weird.

The smut in general was not timed right. Not enough early on and when it came, I was too stressed to be horny, so idk how the characters were. All this complaining aside, I had a wonderful time. I contemplated a lower rating, but i had too much damn fun reading this to do that. These books are entertaining, I can’t deny that. They’re also so heartwarming, I find myself crying more at the declarations of love and friendship than the deaths. I also have these books to thank for my fitness journey. I wanna be able to run like these strong ass women in SJM books, but specifically the training Aelin does in these books made me wanna start running. And whenever I’m tired I think of her and Rowan running through the forest, lungs burning. SJM you are my marvel. I’m obsessed with SJMLU (Sarah J. Maas literary universe).

Loved the little nod to Rhys and Feyre while traveling worlds. Can’t wait to start Crescent City soon, cause I know those go further into the world crossing.

It’s been two days, I changed my rating from 4.75 to 4. I remembered more that frustrated me.

This goes along with the too many characters thing, but I remembered Falkin had this whole story and helped fight in Tower of Dawn, turned young in Kingdom of Ash and never was seen in battle. I would’ve liked a little more development there. Same with the wild mountain men, I’m not as frustrated there, but I would’ve liked to have seen how they fight at least. Just on second thought, the last two books, and the first half of this one built up all these characters and tied them together really quick in like the last 5 chapters.

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