A review by talknerdybookblog
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

Representation: Main characters of colour, lesbian side characters, supporting characters of colour

Overall: 5-stars

[19 April 2021]
Some thoughts from my re-read:
I realized that Aelin pretty much lost her uncomparable powers for one reason: to make the endgame more interesting (with higher stakes). I admit Maas also probably wanted to make the point that Aelin is more than her fire abilities... but I'm just so done with women characters sacrificing everything because far be it a woman remains the most powerful person (in offensive magic) in the world. I don't know if I would go so far as to call it sexism, but I'm seeing there's a trend in Maas's books where only the characters who identify as women face such circumstances that they "have to" give up their world-defying abilities (ahem, see Nesta and Amren in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series).

Also, Chaol is probably even more insufferable during this re-read which is saying a lot. And, Dorian's up there, which is surprising since by the time I got around reading Kingdom of Ash I didn't mind him as much. But, I think the re-read – and it being almost a year of reading reviews and hearing other people's thoughts about the final book – that I realized how disappointing (and pointless) Dorian's character was. I really think Maas missed a great opportunity to pair Chaol and Dorian up romantically. And, I just don't understand why Maas felt the need to partner Dorian up with Manon since he was still grieving Sorcha and it was very evident throughout the novel that Manon never wants to marry someone. Also, did anyone else clock how he wanted Manon to still be the leader of his aerial legion... when she's a freaking QUEEN of her own land? Like, what?


[6 July 2020]
Kingdom of Ash was absolute perfection and the definition of a tear-jerker.

Safety Rating: Safe to Safe with Exceptions (depending on couple)

• No cheating (for any couple)
• Some OW/OM drama (but only for below):
- Elide meets Lorcan's ex-lover but Lorcan never talks to sees nor talks to the OW
- Rowan is dealing with his dead mate/wife not actually being his True Mate... and the grief and guilt that comes with the joy and relief that Aelin is his True Mate
• Does have Elide, Lorcan, Manon and Dorian pushing away
• Does have a separation between Aelin and Rowan, and Manon and Dorian


Possible Triggers: Yes

• Violence (blood and gore)
• Physical Torture (on-page, not excessively detailed but you know what is going to happen)
• Emotional Torture (on-page)
• Allusions to rape 
• Death
• Grief


Ending: 
HFN ... but to me it's a HEA