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mary_do_12's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
- 0.5 stars because the first half of the book was boring without him.
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Slavery, Blood, Vomit, Self harm, Murder, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Violence, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, War, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Torture
anguawolf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Genocide, Sexual harassment, Gore, Blood, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Physical abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Cannibalism, Self harm, Classism, Cursing, and Hate crime
Minor: Stalking
oxfordcommas91's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Suicide, War, Gore, Confinement, Misogyny, Trafficking, Death, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Excrement
liesthemoontells's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is also the first book that starts to get properly horny.
Many of the descriptions are starting to become repetitive - there are only so many times that I can read that someone was "covered in black blood" or had "eyes lined with silver" (just say they're filled with tears jfc). Also the way that Maas describes territorial Fae males is already exhausting, and the lack of nuance between familial vs romantic territorialism makes a big middle chunk of the book seem uncomfortably incest-y.
Overall this is stronger than the first two entries in the series and makes me excited to continue reading, but imo, a small step down in quality from Heir of Fire.
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Body horror, Blood, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Murder, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, War, and Vomit
Minor: Incest
notamouse's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Death, Suicide attempt, Grief, Violence, Vomit, War, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Confinement, Infertility, Gore, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Slavery, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
aksmith92's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I am thankful for the break because it also allowed me to review SJM books more critically. SJM is one of the more prominent authors in the social media, where many familiar tropes and themes are checked in pretty little boxes. The fandom is beyond massive. All of which to say: SJM is talked about A LOT. Good and bad. I was interested in starting this reading journey in her series because I was so curious about it. To discuss SJM and her series in general on this review for Queen of Shadows seems silly, as it will likely fade away in Storygraph's abyss, but it has been on the top of my mind. Therefore, I will keep it brief.
Upon reflection and the SJM break, plus reading other novels, particularly in the vast spectrum of fantasy, literary pieces are missing from the books I've read so far. It may be because of plot holes or missing world-building aspects. Or, it may be because the characters are less dimensional than I like. Reading some of her books (I haven't read the Crescent City series yet!) is a bit TOO YA-like for me (the drama!). Regardless, I must admit I've been struggling with some of these books, even though, oddly, they are incredibly straightforward, and the prose is quite readable. It's a conundrum that I can't figure out. I've rated most of her books 3ish stars because while I fly through them, get their premise, and understand the prose, something needs to be added, and it's hard to pinpoint/articulate. It may have to do with the dramatics, something I struggle with A LOT within the Romantasy category. For instance, "Rowan waited, knowing she was gathering the words, hating the pain and sorrow and guilt on every line of her body. He'd sell his soul to the dark god to never have her look like that again." I mean....I roll my eyes at this. Of course, no one wants to see someone they care about in pain, but selling his soul? It's so dramatic. I think this is what I get for reading a more Young Adult book than anything, and I understand to an extent that this is a me thing. But it's so pronounced everywhere in her books that I sometimes roll my eyes. It's not just that, though; there is more to my conundrum that I cannot pinpoint.
BUT here we are, another review for another Throne of Glass series book. For starters, I became immersed in this novel, similar to how I felt in Heir of Fire. It's very readable, albeit cringy, for me at times since I am now 31 years old. I always have questions about the plot, how the characters got to where they were, and overall, just world-building. However, I generally let that go for a little and flow with the story because while the plot may have some holes, I am interested.
Here is what worked for me: Lysandra's character development (excellent!!!!!!) and the new friendship with Aelin. Yay! Hopefully, this one sticks! I also still enjoy Chaol and Dorian. Chaol is a ding dong, of course, but I enjoy his character; he's realistic in a realistic, fantastical kind of way, but I get him. Poor Dorian jeeeeeeeeeeeeeez, but I liked the overall Valg plot point in general, and I think it was an interesting magical system.
Here is what didn't work for me: Aelin. She's so annoying. The epitome of a "chosen one." I know this was written in 2015 or something, and it was the time for this type of character, but there are only so many times we can hear about how ruthless and extraordinary she is at 19. Also, I wouldn't say I liked Rowan's chapters - I liked him much better without the POV. As a spoiler,
It's fine! This book was interesting at times, but I still have my qualms. It's a solid 3.5 for me.
Graphic: Self harm, Vomit, Physical abuse, Gore, Murder, Torture, Violence, Blood, Confinement, Death, Grief, Pregnancy, Suicide, Trafficking, and War
Moderate: Cursing and Rape
Minor: Alcohol
Rape is implied but not descriptive.dalek_caan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Vomit, Gore, War, Death, Torture, Suicide attempt, Slavery, Sexual violence, Self harm, Rape, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Murder, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Confinement, Colonisation, Child abuse, Body horror, and Blood
Minor: Ableism
dlsmk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Violence, Torture, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, and Suicide
imds's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Graphic: Infertility, Medical trauma, Murder, Trafficking, War, Pedophilia, Abandonment, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Blood, Gore, Grief, Self harm, Slavery, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Rape, Colonisation, Physical abuse, Ableism, Death of parent, Death, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Vomit