Alicia's Word Haven

One of my favorite experiences as a reader is when I get to the point in my book or series when all the characters and storylines converge into those epic scenes, that for me, are the cherry on top of a great piece of writing. Think, The Battle of Helm’s Deep, or better yet, the Battle for Gondor. Or maybe it’s the Battle of the Bastards or the Battle of Winterfell against the Night King. There is something magical about seeing everyone together, despite their individual struggles and subplots.
Sarah J. Maas killed it (in a good way) in Kingdom of Ash. So much has happened to the characters throughout the Throne of Glass series. Many obstacles, heartbreak, despair, and desperation have been overcome. Sweet revenge, vindication, and the slow journey to healing have occurred. Although as a reader, I didn’t want to say goodbye to the characters I have grown to love, I felt a sense of closure at the end of this book and series, and not my usual grief when the end arrives.
The series was worth any of the minor issues I might have had at one point. Sometimes, though many may disagree with me, the slow spots are vital in making the good parts great.
I was really impressed with the series, and I fully intend on reading any other series that Sarah J. Mass writes because her style of writing flows and stimulates my mind’s eye so that her stories become more than words on a page but a familiar place, with old friends that I can escape to when reality is too much to bear.
Read this series. Seriously.

Now that I’ve finished this book, it pains me to say that I did NOT want to read this when I first learned that Celaena aka Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius was not in it. I really believed that I didn’t want to read Chaol’s point of view, especially given the way the previous book, Empire of Storms ended, but WOW was I silly to think that way.

Tower of Dawn is fantastic, and the newly introduced characters are wonderful! The introduction of a whole new world that we hadn’t yet been exposed to as well as the cultural differences added layer after layer of greatness to an already epic series.
This book created more depth to the story and also made the stakes that much higher. If I could give anyone reading this some advice, read it. Even if they’re debating whether or not they should bother with this book because, like me, they are initially opposed to such a drastic point of view change, read it.

With excellent character development, this side quest for Chaol Westfall is spectacular and the perfect addition to this series.

One of my favorite things about being a voracious reader is finding an amazing series to get lost in. You know the type. You end up dreaming about the characters, the places, and even some of the events, and because you have become so immersed in the story because you have pictured it all so vividly, your subconscious doesn’t realize that it isn’t your reality. You miss the characters when the series ends because they are as real as anyone else in your life, even if you sound crazy for admitting it.
That is what the Throne of Glass series has been like for me, so reading Empire of Storms was an emotional rollercoaster ride. Wow.

We see that despite her youth, the brutality and ruthlessness of her experiences have made her formidable in many ways. One thing Sarah J Maas does exceptionally well is to weave inconspicuous details throughout the story that eventually culminate into epic scenes later on. Empire of Storms was the perfect culmination of several seeds that Celaena planted in the earlier books and as readers, we get to enjoy another book where Celaena shows us exactly why she is a fantastic protagonist and badass.
I also appreciated the opportunities in Empire of Storms to get to know some of the supporting cast that up until this book did not get enough exposure in my humble opinion.
If you have made it this far in the series, or if you are just reading reviews to decide if it’s worth the time and effort to dive in, Do it. Start the series. Read the books. I’m glad I did.

I am thoroughly enjoying this series and Queen of Shadows was full of epic moments, as predicted in my review of Heir of Fire.
Maas has introduced some new and very intriguing characters in this story that I hope we continue to learn more about, and our familiar and well-loved characters face some harrowing and heartbreaking moments that leave the reader feeling utterly gutted.
Magic, friendship, love, danger, loss, grief, anger, revenge, closure…this book has it all.
Maas also masterfully ties up a few loose ends whose stories have spanned the first few books of the series which is why I was able to forgive much of the heartache she caused me.
That is one thing I like about epic stories and characters like those in the Throne of Glass series, the way in which I become so emotionally invested in it. I want to read things that make me feel something, that make me think and question. I want a book that moves me and leaves me a changed person from who I was before I started it. I think Maas has accomplished that for me, and I am grateful for it.

I was on such a high after reading Crown of Midnight (the book before this one) that I was really disappointed with Heir of Fire, at first. I read almost 20 chapters before the pace picked up enough to keep me interested, and then it was great! We meet some new and very exciting characters in this book as well as some new places to explore. We get to see Celaena embrace her truths more and more as she faces larger and more terrifying challenges. We also get a deeper and more detailed look at the dark adversaries that Celaena and company will have to face, setting the stage for some very epic moments to come.
As always, Maas excels at word building and creating complex yet relatable characters that pull you into their world. For me, that is the very best kind of storytelling. If you get the chance to read this series and make it to this book, don’t let the slow beginning dissuade you. What comes after is worth it.

Wow, wow, wow.

Occasionally, sequels can miss the mark, whether they’re a book or a film, but not this time.

Crown of Midnight is a brilliant sequel to Throne of Glass. I could not put it down. In the moments I managed to separate myself from it, all I could think about was reading more.

Maas does an excellent job creating deep and complicated characters and weaves their growth seamlessly into the storyline. The more I read, the closer I felt to the characters and the more I empathized with all their struggles and pain. All great books should cause the reader to feel something. I want to feel their joy, their pain, their excitement, and fear. I want to live in their world with them, and Maas provides that opportunity. I haven’t enjoyed a book as much as this one in a while.   I was captivated from the first page until the last.  If I had to pick only one word to describe this book, I would choose MASTERPIECE. I loved it.