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jelkebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
first read in 2019 - original rating: 2/5 stars
Honestly, I liked this much more than I expected (and remembered from the first time around as well). I did still have a difficult relationship with this book though. There were parts that were boring to me. There were elements that I strongly disliked, but in the end I did enjoy this quite a bit, and the ending has me hyped to continue on with the series. I truly think this is a turning point for the series, and I'm quite excited to see where that is going to go.
Let's start with the biggest surprise of this book, it actually got me to root for Celeana. Don't get me wrong though, I absolutely HATED her for a large chunk of this book. She felt very weak, and pathetic, and following her just wasn't enjoyable for a while. However, she goes through A LOT of growth throughout this book, and I love that in this book she's surrounded by people that are willing to call her out on her bullshit, and just kiss her ass for no reason. I also think her part of the story was easily the most interesting. It got a bit boring in the beginning because it was just a lot of training, but overall the descriptions of magic, and learning how it works plus learning more about the fae side of the world was quite interesting as well. The plot also amps up the most in this part of the book, and I was on the edge of my seat during its climax.
Then we also have a storyline following Chaol and Dorian, and from what I remember that was my favourite part of this book last time. However, this time around it fell flat for me. I do think the concept of it was interesting, but the execution was lacking for me. Dorian's storyline could have been incredibly interesting but was pushed to the side for an incredibly underdeveloped, slightly problematic romance. It just was easily the least interesting part of this book. Chaol's side of this storyline could have been interesting as well, but it was obvious to me that Sarah J. Maas had no clue what to do with him. His character felt very wishy-washy. It kept me from getting invested in his part of the story as his motivations were just impossible to read.
Then we also have a new character to follow in this book, Manon. I don't know how to feel about her, or her story yet. Her chapters were very few and far in between, and didn't feel like a natural part of this book. They felt jammed in, and switching to her chapters felt very jarring. They were also relatively short compared to the other characters, and it left me with the feeling that I just didn't get a good enough grasp on her character, nor that side of the world, nor that storyline. I am excited to explore it more in future books, especially because I've heard a lot of people rave about Manon but right now it's just nothing.
So yeah, a very mixed bag of a book for me, but it was a relative quick read for its size, and I had a good time for most of it. Like mentioned before I also am incredibly excited to continue on with the series, and I never really expected that day to come so it is a win for me.
Honestly, I liked this much more than I expected (and remembered from the first time around as well). I did still have a difficult relationship with this book though. There were parts that were boring to me. There were elements that I strongly disliked, but in the end I did enjoy this quite a bit, and the ending has me hyped to continue on with the series. I truly think this is a turning point for the series, and I'm quite excited to see where that is going to go.
Let's start with the biggest surprise of this book, it actually got me to root for Celeana. Don't get me wrong though, I absolutely HATED her for a large chunk of this book. She felt very weak, and pathetic, and following her just wasn't enjoyable for a while. However, she goes through A LOT of growth throughout this book, and I love that in this book she's surrounded by people that are willing to call her out on her bullshit, and just kiss her ass for no reason. I also think her part of the story was easily the most interesting. It got a bit boring in the beginning because it was just a lot of training, but overall the descriptions of magic, and learning how it works plus learning more about the fae side of the world was quite interesting as well. The plot also amps up the most in this part of the book, and I was on the edge of my seat during its climax.
Then we also have a storyline following Chaol and Dorian, and from what I remember that was my favourite part of this book last time. However, this time around it fell flat for me. I do think the concept of it was interesting, but the execution was lacking for me. Dorian's storyline could have been incredibly interesting but was pushed to the side for an incredibly underdeveloped, slightly problematic romance. It just was easily the least interesting part of this book. Chaol's side of this storyline could have been interesting as well, but it was obvious to me that Sarah J. Maas had no clue what to do with him. His character felt very wishy-washy. It kept me from getting invested in his part of the story as his motivations were just impossible to read.
Then we also have a new character to follow in this book, Manon. I don't know how to feel about her, or her story yet. Her chapters were very few and far in between, and didn't feel like a natural part of this book. They felt jammed in, and switching to her chapters felt very jarring. They were also relatively short compared to the other characters, and it left me with the feeling that I just didn't get a good enough grasp on her character, nor that side of the world, nor that storyline. I am excited to explore it more in future books, especially because I've heard a lot of people rave about Manon but right now it's just nothing.
So yeah, a very mixed bag of a book for me, but it was a relative quick read for its size, and I had a good time for most of it. Like mentioned before I also am incredibly excited to continue on with the series, and I never really expected that day to come so it is a win for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Slavery
emilywemily6's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Amazing!! I devoured this book and I can’t wait for the next one. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I thoroughly enjoyed following every perspective and am so excited to see where these characters go from here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Animal cruelty, War, Violence, Animal death, Torture, Death, Grief, Hate crime, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Murder, Child death, Alcohol, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Sexual content and Medical content
ivegotyourpaperback's review
3.75
3.75-4⭐️ (I keep fluctuating)
This was another very enjoyable addition to the series.
I felt there was a bit of a lull at the start of the book where the pacing had slowed back down since the ending of book 2. So I found myself almost starting from scratch in terms of being emotionally invested in the returning characters.
In terms of new characters introduced that I’ve come to love, we’ve got:
- Manon Blackbeak (badass bitch extraordinaire)
- Abraxos (cutie patootie)
- Amaranth—— I mean Adarlan’s Whore, Aedion
- Sorscha (under-utilised character IMO)
For me where this book shined was in:
- the relationship between Dorian and Sorscha
- The rift between Dorian and Chaol
- The political intrigue and scheming going on in Rifthold
- Aedion’s feelings and motivations
- Villainous deeds on page from fucked up rulers (side note: does the King of Adarlan have a name?)
I was less thrilled hearing about Celaena’s training montages and depressive episodes with newbie, Rowan. And I wasn’t completely sold on Rowan until he said one of my favourite things an MC can say to another MC: “who did that to you?”. 🫠 After that I was wholly on board with this broody Fae prince.
The last few chapters of the book had me experiencing a roller coaster of emotions and I can’t wait to pick up where we’ve left off (hopefully there’s not another pace change at the beginning of the next book lie there was with this one).
In terms of recommending reading order of the series, I’ve seen a lot of people say Assassin’s Blade should be read next. I’ll try it, but may end up skipping straight to book 4 if I get antsy.
Content warnings:
⚠️racism towards mixed race beings
⚠️Slurs towards mixed race beings
⚠️implied animal cruelty
⚠️mention of torture
⚠️corporal punishment
⚠️murder
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Murder, and Racism
Minor: Torture and Animal cruelty
michellehrice's review against another edition
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Animal cruelty
noetical's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Animal cruelty, Slavery, Violence, Murder, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, War, Grief, and Gore
emsavors's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Animal death, Torture, Vomit, Body horror, Gore, War, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, Child death, and Violence
meghansarmiento97's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Bullying, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Body horror, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and War
knitmonstera's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
There is a lot of improvement in this book compared to the rest of the series so far! Less telling, more showing, less chatting, more action. I was really not prepared for the ending and it was a little sad. There’s a lot of killing, you’d think that there’s a problem with that? Like, supply issues or angry peasants? It’s not really addressed. I’m excited for the next one! (But not excited Rowan isn’t going to be in it also it’s kinda weird he’s low key mated with a 19yo)
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Clearly made up animals are severely beaten/tortured, BUT, there is redemption for the animals.infjkiki's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Toxic relationship, Classism, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Genocide, Confinement, Torture, Body horror, Slavery, War, and Violence
britwalsh16's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Omg! Did this series get REALLY good!!! Sarah J Maas seems to start her series off simple with minimum characters & world building & their good. But once she’s a book or 2 in, she like let’s loose! Quadruples the amount of characters, makes the world so much bigger, and just lets all the drama and problems unfold. & I have to say it is a brilliant strategy. You don’t necessarily get fully hooked to the story in the beginning, but she’s not throwing a lot of stuff at you at once. If I started this book without having already known some of the characters, I don’t know if I would have been able to follow along and remember who all the players are. But having been brought into the story slowly, I followed it so easy, and I am thankful for that!
This book was incredible! I can’t wait for the rest of the series & to hopefully meet even more amazing characters!
This book was incredible! I can’t wait for the rest of the series & to hopefully meet even more amazing characters!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Grief, Cannibalism, Blood, Murder, Slavery, Gore, Animal cruelty, Death, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, War, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Colonisation, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Cursing, Medical content, Physical abuse, and Body horror
Minor: Abandonment, Excrement, and Drug use