Queen of Shadows by @SJMaas {Review}

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
(Throne of Glass, #4)
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury; 656 pages
Rating:

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past . . .

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

If you have NOT read Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight or Heir of Fire please read with caution. There may be some spoilers that were unavoidable. Proceed with caution . . .

By the end of this book, I was in love. But it took me awhile to get there. I didn’t like where part of the story was going and how I felt a character changed. It really took a long time for me to accept ahd move on. But I did and I’m okay now, I guess.

Manon, she is one that was tough to swallow. I didn’t like any of her chapters in Heir of Fire and I desperately wanted to skip over them but I didn’t because I knew they were important to the story. But I internally groaned when I turned to a new chapter and saw any time it was hers. I felt the same way in this book UNTIL a certain part. It’s a pretty big part, really. Completely changed me and I how I felt about her. Once this happened, I looked forward to her chapters. *highlight to view spoilers* When she met Dorian is when the change began. When it grew was when she fought Aelin. When it was real is when she left that not for the witch killer. *end spoiler*

Dorian broke my damn heart. He completely and utterly shattered it. Many of the few times I cried was after finishing his chapters, which were so short but so insanely powerful. Why did you do this to us, SJM, WHY? My heart still breaks just thinking about him.

There were many, many laughs in this book, many fist pumps (because let’s be honest, Aelin is the definition of kick-ass), a bit of tears and a lot of cheering. I have never wished for characters death as strongly as I had while reading this book. I was thinking of ways certain characters could meet their ends and I was hoping for the worst. Getting creative in ways of killing them – it’s all so scary, that I can’t believe those thoughts are going through my head.

Chaol, he is still mine so ladies, back away slowly. But when I don’t want him, Aedion is my back up so there’s that. If there ever will be a time when I don't want him. I doubt it but maybe Aedion can be my secret side guy (or not so secret since I'm telling you all now). Chaol's been through worse . . . riiiiight?

The passion and emotions this series brings forth is stronger than anything. It's going up there with Harry Potter as my favorite series. Sarah J. Maas - you are amazing and thank you for the stories and joy you bring in to my life and many lives around the world. You are a true artist with your words.