Now onto book four in the Throne of Glass series and Queen of Shadows is another epic instalment! I write these reviews in the context of having read the previous books, so if you haven’t – why not?? I have to say, I’m only dipping my toes into the fantasy / romantasy genre (I’ve read the Sarah J. Maas series’ and Fourth Wing but no others as of yet) and Throne of Glass is really quite brilliant.
The characterisation, the world-building, the history and back-stories, the small plot points that are woven in but you don’t realise it until later. I’m so impressed!
Queen of Shadows
So, what happens in Queen of Shadows? Well, in previous books we knew our main character as Celeana Sardothian but she now only goes by her true name: Aelin Ashryver Galathynius. She has reclaimed her true heritage as Queen of Terrasen and things are getting very interesting…
I was reviewing my summary notes I made while I reading and – wow! – so much happens in this book! I’ll summarise the highlights but trust me, Queen of Shadows is so layered and rich in every context. What’s absolutely becoming clear is just how much this series is a celebration of female friendship.
Let’s hear it for the girls
For example, the moment I’ve been waiting for happens in Queen of Shadows: Aelin and Ironteeth witch, Manon finally have their first meeting and yes, it’s epic. The sass, attitude and all-round amazingness of both these characters is such a delight to read. They might not start off as besties but it’s the enemies to friends trope used here that works so well.
The separate witch sub-plot also gains a lot of pace in Queen of Shadows, giving Manon some moral dilemmas and high-drama moments. The fact she utters line like this, shows that she is a multi-faceted character and I really enjoy how she is developing as a character:
“It did not seem like a weakness to fight for those who could not defend themselves.”
We get lots more of other female characters too. Elide (the slave girl who has witch blood) and Lysandra (previously courtesan, now Aelin’s biggest champion – oh and a powerful shape shifter) and my particular favourite, finding out more about Ironteeth witch Asterin, Manon’s second in The Thirteen. Yes, I am biased, the witches are my girls.
A rebellion is rumbling
In overall plot, Aelin’s ex-lover Chaol has shown a more exciting side and is now part of the rebels, an underground movement to overthrow the evil King of Ardalan. Speaking of the royal family, things are not great for the handsome and charming Prince Dorian but Aelin has his back and is on mission to free him from the clutches of his evil father. As well as working out a way to free magic.
Aelin has other issues though as Fae Queen Maeve and the Valg King are both essentially going to war against her, luckily she has tricks up her sleeve and immense fire-power. Lastly, it was great to see the evolution of Aelin and Rowan’s relationship. It (finally!) hots up and adds a little spice. But it’s written in such a tender way, they are soulmates:
“You make me want to live, Rowan. Not survive. Live.”
In summary: my favourite book of the series so far!
- Get your copy of Queen of Shadows here;
- Audiobook narrated by Elizabeth Evans;
- Running time: 20 hours 43 minutes;
- Published by Bloomsbury 2015;
- 689 pages;
- My rating:
Books on the 7:47 