A Solid Plot & Great Character Development – Queen of Shadows {Review}

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #4
Publisher: Bloomsbury (2015)
Hardcover (648 pages)
Via: Library
Rating:
Also by this author: Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Crown of Midnight
Also in this series: Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire
Reading Challenges: 2016 Royal Challenge, Read 2016

Synopsis

The queen has returned.
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 has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.
She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. 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.
The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series continues Celaena’s epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

Find the book: Goodreads, Amazon, Book Depository

My Review

Celaena has finally embraced her identity as Aelin, Queen of Terrasen. She isn’t afraid of her past any longer. She has returned to Adarlan with plans, plans to make those who hurt her pay.

The Aelin of Queen of Shadows is a very different person from the Celaena of Throne of Glass. Aelin has embraced her identity and her inheritance. She isn’t afraid to do what has to be done for her country. She is, in short, becoming a queen.

Dorian is basically non-existent in Queen of Shadows. He is trapped in his own body by a Vlag prince. The hope for him is slim, and Aelin fears killing him would be a mercy. Chaol, on the other hand, is still holding onto hope for his oldest friend.

Speaking of Chaol, he has good reason to be upset with Aelin. As Celaena, she never trusted him with her identity. I can understand why he feels he needs to be through with her. He is loyal to Adarlan and Prince Dorian. That opposes any sort of relationship with Terrasen’s lost queen. Chaol is moving on and I am okay with that.

Manon Blackbeak is dealing with her own problems. Strange things are happening in the Ferian Gap. Something is not right and Manon needs to decide what to do before her witches are taken from her. Not to mention that Elide may be more important than either of them knows.

Aedion‘s devotion to his cousin is admirable. He would do literally anything for Aelin. He is even trying to will himself to death before being responsible for Aelin’s capture when she attempts to rescue him. That is some devotion.

Rowan… how do I even start? The overprotective Fae prince would, like Aedion, do anything for Aelin. He is one dedicated bodyguard and, let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want Rowan on their side in a fight?

Overall, I really enjoyed Queen of Shadows. It does drag a bit in some parts and speeds up really fast in others. The story is definitely engrossing and I had a hard time putting it down.

What are your thoughts on this series? I would love to hear them.