Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

The novel, “Queen of Shadows” written by Sarah J. Maas is the fourth book in the “Throne of Glass” series. In the previous novel we find out that Maeve is truly evil and after the wyrdkeys herself. We also know that Aelin freed Rowan from Maeve’s blood oath, and surprisingly he pledges a blood oath to her right there and then. Aelin now embarks on a journey back to Rifthold, accepting her title as Queen of Terrasen so she can fight for her people. She seeks out Arobynn Hamel, her former master during her time as an assassin to use his forces and knowledge to delay the King of Adarlan’s cruelty and his demonic Valg minions. She also finds Chaol, but he is upset with her and won’t tell her how to restore magic. Additionally, Aelin’s cousin Aedion Ashryver has been captured for treason and will be executed, so Aelin crafts a plan to rescue him and tries to help Dorian who has a Valg Prince in his body, and not by choice. Lorcan Salvaterre comes hunting for Aelin under the command of Maeve. Lysandra, once a rival with Aelin, begins to develop a friendship with her. Also returning is Manon Blackbeak, a witch with her own point of view in Morath where she is a commander of the thirteen and heir to the Blackbeak line. Her grandmother, the Blackbeak Matron, has been offered a deal of wyverns to take back to the Wastes in exchange for fighting alongside the King of Adarlan and his army of Valg demons. This book introduces Elide Lochan, a crippled servant who is trying to escape Morath and find Aelin, her queen. 

I definitely recommend this novel because it is very exciting with new points of views from several characters. I especially love Manon’s confidence, Elide’s courage, Aelin’s mind; she makes plans ahead of time and thinks of everything. I love all these women; they are so powerful and in turn make me feel all these qualities they possess. This book would be for teens and young adults, but honestly anyone could try it, especially if they enjoy reading a good book about everyone’s tales, regardless of whether they are Fae, human, shifter, etc.

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas

“The Assassin’s Blade” written by Sarah J. Maas is the prequel to the series “Throne of Glass”. This book includes five novellas; The Assassin and The Pirate Lord, The Assassin and The Healer, The Assassin and The Desert, The Assassin and The Underworld, and The Assassin and The Empire. The Assassin and The Pirate Lord is about Celaena and Sam, both assassins from Arobynn’s guild that were sent to set up a deal for their boss. However, they find that this deal required slaves and both Sam and Celaena hated that their master was getting profit from slavery. So Celaena, being who she is, puts her mind to freeing these slaves with the help of Sam, which is shocking because both these assassins have been at each other’s throats for so long. The Assassin and The Healer is about her punishment for freeing the slaves in the previous novella, which is to go to the Red Desert. But to get there, she travels through a small town, waiting for a passage which is several days late. While staying at this inn for the time being, a barmaid catches her attention, whom she saves and teaches how to fight. The girl somehow brings up memories from her past as well. The Assassin and The Desert is about her time at the Red Desert training with the Mute Master. Her punishment requires her to retrieve a letter stating that the Mute Master approves of her skills and whatnot. She also finds acquaintances, her feelings for Sam spark up, and she makes her “first real” friend who may or may not last. The Assassin and The Underworld is her arrival from the Red Desert, where she throws herself into a big mission to distract herself from Arobynn and Sam. The Assassin and The Empire is about what happens to Sam, and it’s not pretty. If you read “Throne of Glass” you would think you would be ready for this sadness, but you won’t be. 

I recommend this book to 13 years and up and that you read this before the actual series because there were so many connections that I didn’t understand. For example Celaena said “I am Celaena Sardothien and I will not be afraid” multiple times during “Throne of Glass” but it didn’t register in my head that it was Sam who said that to help himself and now she says it to help herself. She has that memory that stays with her when she says that phrase. Also there are multiple times where they talk about Sam and reading this prequel allows you to see the love she had for him. Without it, I feel like you wouldn’t be able to understand these emotions. Throughout the rest of the series, there are people from this prequel that come back later in her storyline like Ansel from The Red Desert and Yerene from The Healer. 

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

The novel “Throne of Glass” written by Sarah J. Maas is a phenomenal novel about a teenage assassin named Celaena Sardothien, who has gone through indescribable events in her life that have led her to the path of death. This first novel hones in on her sentence in the salt mines of Endovier, where she gets an opportunity of freedom from the heir of Adarlan, the Crown Prince. The opportunity is a fight to become the King’s Champion and if she succeeds she will be given a contract as an assassin for the empire she despises. Most of this novel takes place in a corrupt nation with a dictatorial monarch, The King of Adarlan. In the course of her situation, Celaena establishes unexpected relationships and uncovers old secrets from the past. She becomes friends with Princess Nehima Ytger of Eyllwe, Prince Dorian of Adarlan, and even the Captain of the Royal Guard, Chaol Westfall. There is blood, gore, and death due to her profession but without those incorporations the story would simply not be the same. There are also pieces of romance fitted into this complex storyline. 

I definitely recommend this book as it has a fantastic blend of magic, mystery, humor, romance, friendship, morals, and action. It is interesting and makes you want to read more. I have been waiting to read this series for a while and I’m not disappointed to say the least. I read this novel in a day, yes it was that intriguing. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy those elements above, YA fantasy lovers, and people who love unexpected plot twists. I feel as though this book would be for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and young adults. This novel is perfect for the summer because it is a longer series so it requires time and personally I like reading the books as close as possible so I won’t forget anything.

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer