Book Review – Queen of Shadows by @SJMaas #YA

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Queen of Shadows is the fourth book in the series and follows Celaena Sardothian as she steps into her role as assassin one more time.

I am a huge fan of Sarah Maas and devoured this book as quickly as I could, often staying up until the small hours to finish ‘one more chapter’.

You are thrown straight into the action but there are enough links to the previous books to help you stick with the storyline, although I strongly suggest you read the first three books (Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire) so you know what’s going on and who the characters are.

Celaena is back in Rifthold and looking for revenge.  Her lust for blood is at an all-time high, and expertly represented in the descriptive prose.  Maas does a wonderful job of painting the picture of a lethal killing machine while ensuring the deep emotions that make Celaena who she is are true to life.

We are re-introduced to old characters who become vital the plot line and yet some of the relationships between well-known characters shift and change with the story arc.  Fans of these books will appreciate Lysandra’s development.

One of my favourite characters is Manon, the Iron-Teeth Witch and Wing Leader.  I could happily read an entire series dedicated to her and the Thirteen.  I thoroughly enjoyed how her story evolved and then intertwined with Celaena.

Queen of Shadows is everything I hoped it would be.  It hurtles along at break-neck speed to a satisfying conclusion, but leaves the obligatory threads to entice you to buy the next book in the series.  I’m sure it won’t disappoint.

Blurb:

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. Now she returns to the empire – to confront the shadows of her past … The fourth breathtaking instalment in the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series.

Bloodthirsty for revenge on the two men responsible for destroying her life, and desperate to find out if the prince and his captain are safe, Celaena returns to Rifthold, the seat of so much evil. She has accepted her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, there are dark truths to learn and debts to be paid. Aelin must stay hidden beneath her assassin’s hood and draw on her mortal strength as Celaena to prevent the King of Adarlan from tearing her world apart. Only then can she fight for her people.

Readers will be held rapt as Celaena’s story builds to an agonising crescendo, packed with heart-pounding action and swoon-worthy romance.

Buy your copy here:

Amazon UK

Amazon US