Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

46 reviews

annamary54's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, War, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Torture, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Animal death

avialaeleigh's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring sad fast-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? No

5.0

I loved this series so much. A wonderful conclusion to a beautiful world. I cried so much during the last 100 pages of the book. I can't believe I put off reading this book for so long. 

I wish that we found out what happens afterword, some sort of epilogue set years in the future showing that everyone is married and happy and starting families. But I also like where it did end. Just a minor glimpse of the happiness that they might experience now that they have saved all of Erilea. 

Also fuck SJM for killing all of the thirteen that shit broke my heart so thoroughly same with Gavin. I can't believe that she did that to me. I was not ready. I knew people were going to die but I was not expecting them. I thought if anything it was going to be Manion and Darion or maybe even Aelin. I sobbed so fucking hard. Both during the scene where they died but also when Marion went to the spit where they died and mourned. I could not handle it and just sobbed. I was just a heart renching scene and I was not quite prepared for it. Then again I don't think that anyone is prepared for it even if they have had it spoiled for them. 

This series has become one of my all time favorites and definitely one that I will reread over and over again. Sarah J Maas definitely knows how to write a good fantasy book. One that makes you laugh, cry, cheer and dream with all of her characters. Can't wait to see what her Crescent City series brings to us.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Animal death, Violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and War

yarisbooksandbevs's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

What a great finale. I don’t have much to say. I cried. I laughed. I was STRESSED it was emotional and inspiring. I loved the characters, their growth throughout, and the way they tackle their problems. I love the thirteen. Yrene is amazing and all of the women throughout this story are badass.

I did feel like there were a few moments where the story dragged but not enough to take away from the general impact of the story.  So many amazing moments

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, Torture, Grief, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Violence, and War

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit

Minor: Animal death

huddle_dragon's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Confinement, Animal death, Blood, Death, Gore, and War

ruthannejoy's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, War, Violence, and Torture

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Genocide, Grief, Pregnancy, Slavery, Mental illness, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, and Kidnapping

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

infjkiki's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Slavery, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, War, Confinement, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Excrement, Grief, Physical abuse, Torture, Body horror, Gore, and Self harm

Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault

readwithde's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring 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

I am stunned and amazed at how beautifully this epic story ended. I have no words.

My only tiny complaint

is the deus ex machina at the end with the Wolf Tribe. Just the tiniedt bit more information, like proof of their existence, would have made the victory feel earned.

I absolutely love this series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Blood, Confinement, Violence, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Torture, Death, War, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Grief, and Alcohol

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Medical content

kotareadsbooks's review

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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

This book made me weep hysterically, made me squeal, made me annoyed, angry, nervous, and happy. There were definitely parts where I feel Maas could’ve written better or more, and she sticks to the ‘make it seem hopeless then reveal Aelin had a secret plan all along’ thing she’s done the entire series. At least she lets people help her this time. The twist at the end was a bit surprising. Some characters were lost, and while I was devastated about them, I knew we wouldn’t get through the massive war unscathed. Pretty cheesy who DID make it through, though. 
Maas kept throwing me off by how often she talked about how this entire series went on in less than ONE YEAR. It didn’t feel like it to me, but that’s just me. So. You know. 
Still, I loved it. I wish we got more Elorcan and Dorian/Manon, and less of less important characters, but that’s alright. There was some great character development.  The pacing dipped every so often but in general it stayed pretty solid. I loved it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Blood, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Animal death, Death, and War

thamual's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

i feel like i have been on a life-changing journey with Alien and her court. i feel as if i was a member of The Fellowship and just witnessed the end of Sauron once and for all. but i didnt. i witnessed Aelin Galathynius be unafraid in the face of certain death. i witnessed characters i have grown to love, fight and die and give their all for their world. and it was beautiful, and heartbreaking, and sometimes, a little funny. SJM, this 

was a masterful ending. thank you.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Blood, Death, Medical trauma, War, Violence, Murder, Grief, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Confinement, and Animal death

jesserae17's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

4.75

This was a great conclusion to a wonderfully epic series. My only complaint is the battle scenes started drag a bit towards the end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Blood, Torture, Sexual content, Violence, and Gore

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, and Cursing

Minor: Suicide attempt, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, and Confinement