Review - Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass (#5) 

Genre: Fantasy

Age Group: Young Adult

Hardcover - 693pgs

Source: Purchased 

Published - 2016

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Rating: 3/5

The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius as war looms on the horizon. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't.


With her heart sworn to the warrior-prince by her side, and her fealty pledged to the people she is determined to save, Aelin will delve into the depths of her power to protect those she loves. But as monsters emerge from the horrors of the past, and dark forces become poised to claim her world, the only chance for salvation will lie in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

So just a few things that were good. I like that we continue to learn about the world and the people who live on the continent. It was interesting to see the dynamic between magical and non-magical people now that the magic has been released. I like how random characters turn up again.

HOWEVER. I was frustrated and really disapointed by this book. I have left this book languishing on my shelf for years because I've heard a lot of mixed things and if I wasn't already five books in, I would probably give up on this series. As it is, I only have two more books and I'm too invested in Manon and Lyssandra to give up now.

I'm disappointed we focused so heavily on the romance during this book. Here's the real question though, why? I loved Maas's focus on the romance aspects of A Court of Mist and Fury. She does write interesting characters and creates sexual tension. So why did I hate it in this series?

Because it got in the way of the plot and the character development.

This series is volatile and we are leading up to great violence and battle, I expect, for the last book. However, everyone in this book is focused on sex and romance when many of them never were before? Several of them have survived trauma, but they are focused on romance? The plot doesn't advance very far. We once again spend most of the book traveling and being confused how Aelin will defeat the Valg.

I was unimpressed and seriously disappointed. Characters can be friends, they can work together and they can travel in mixed company without falling in love. Friendship is a real thing.

Also every relationship is a hertosexual one. Maas did mention one gay relationship and one character who could be bisexual. However, those felt like Maas throwing a bone to the LGBT community. None of those relationships are written on the page or currently happening in the series. Both instances were only mentioned in passing. Again, not impressed.

The ending also felt so much like her other series. The format and plot points seemed very similar. Throughout the book the tension and build up felt incredibly similar to ACOMAF. The plot points weren't the same, but the way they were written and the big reveals were very similar. Because her characters have escaped some nasty circumstances before, I'm not worried going into this last book based on what I've read from her before.

Overall, while I like many of the characters (Lyssandra, Manon & Elide especially) I'm really frustrated with this series. I'm hoping Tower of Dawn will redeem a few of these flaws for me, but I'm not expecting it to be different as far as romance goes.

My Review of ⇨ The Diviners by Libba Bray

Review - A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #3 (Finale) 

Genre: Fantasy

Age Group: New Adult

Bloomsbury USA - May 2016

Hardcover -  706 pgs

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Rating - 3/5

A nightmare, I’d told Tamlin. I was the nightmare.

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin’s maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit—and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well. As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords—and hunt for allies in unexpected places.

I devoured the first 2/3 of this book. I like the interactions between the characters and thought the planning was complex and interesting. Even in this third book we learned a little bit more about the world. I enjoyed learning even more about Prythian and absorbing these details while the action continued. It wasn't always front and center but I liked that it was added.

However, the end felt like Maas tried to wrap up every loose end, redeem every character, and make it end perfectly. This kind of ending never feels realistic or satistfying to me so I was disappointed with where we left off. I wanted more answers about certain characters and clarification of some of the events. Everything was rushed from the half-way point and in the end most plot points were only addressed in overview.

Book two was very character focused, which I loved, and this book shifted the focus back to plot and action. While the overall arc of the story is important, I didn't care very much about this war. I was much more interested in the histories of the characters and their interactions with each other. (and if everyone survived what would happen next)The action parts of the book just didn't hold my attention as well. To put it simply: I wanted more banter, more friendship moments, and just more about everyone especially Rhy's Court of Dreams. They were the ones I wanted this book to be about. I was so devoted and attached to them after ACOMAF.

Overall Maas's writing doesn't impress me anymore. I've read much better writing since I started reading her books with more diversity, better character arcs and more interesting worlds. I do think this is the better series of the two she has going right now. ACOMAF remains my favorite book in the series and I will be interested to see what the "next" books in this series will be about.

Review - A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Series: ACOTAR #2

Genre: Fantasy

Source: Purchased

Published:

Hardcover

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Rating: 4/5

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

On an enjoyment level I want to rate this book a five out of five. However, there were a few problems in the transition from book one to this one and I am developing some issues with Maas as a writer. So overall, I couldn't give this book the full five stars.

While the endings of her books are spectacular, the middle is often slow and takes a long time to develop. In this particular book several characters, Feyre specifically, changed completely from the end of book one to the start of book two. Instead of doing the leg work and showing us how the characters changed and gradually changing them, the cast is totally different. In a lot of ways it felt like we started over with an entire new set of characters. This actually felt very much like how Chaol's character did a 180  from Heir of Fire to Queen of Shadows.

While I have critiques about how we moved from book one to book two, the story and romance of this installment had me hooked. I loved how Feyre took control of her situation and had the strength to break out of a cycle of abuse. I did appreciate how Maas included Feyre's mental health issues after Under the Mountain which often isn't covered in YA/NA books. Maas has the ability to make me ship just about anyone and the romance in this story destroyed me. The new characters are also great.

So to recap I am frustrated with Maas's writing and how she seem to be falling into a pattern in her books. Even so, I really enjoyed this book and I am reinvested after an amazing ending. I'm anxiously waiting for the third book, which may or may not be the final book.

Happy Reading

Review - Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass #4 
Genre: Fantasy 
Source: Published
Published: September 2015
Hardcover - 648pgs
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Rating: 4/5

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.

Quick Thoughts: This book was a roller  coaster for me. Not only emotionally (maybe especially emotionally) but also my reading experience. I struggled at the beginning of this installment. Maybe this was because of a impending reading slump, but I think mostly because the characterization was off which kept distracting me from the events in the story.  After about 150 pages this issue was less noticeable and the rest of the book was fantastic.

Full Review: 

Queen of Shadows was the perfect follow up to Heir of Fire. While I liked Heir of Fire, we did not make a lot of progress in the story. There was a lot of character development, which was necessary, but the plot stalled for the most part in that book.

This story in contrast explodes from the beginning with action, adventure and new information. Characters reappear and new revelations drive the plot forward. The female characters in this series are phenomenal! I love  them and their relationships with one another. These relationships have only improved as the series goes on. Maas fleshed out several characters that felt flat and underdeveloped earlier in the series but especially Lyssandra and Manon. Their character development was out of this world during this book and I savored every second of it.  At first I was unimpressed by Manon but I am almost as interested in what happens to her as Aelin. Her whole life could be another series in my opinion. No one is really a side character in this series. Everyone has a backstory, a life and a story to be told. I love how they all feel important and necessary.

On the other hand we had a couple of instances at the beginning of this book where the characterization was out of whack. Chaol especially lot a lot of ground at the beginning of the story. I understand there is a certain amount of tension between him and Alein because they have differences of opinion, they are a former couple, and mistakes have been made on both sides. However, Chaol's character went backwards for a period which frustrated me a lot. His behavior also made me mad at Aelin for a while to because their interactions never seemed to be in character. There was a lot of frustration all the way around for me during their interactions! (Thank goodness I reread books 1-3 and don't ship them anymore)

Speaking of ships. I am behind all the ships at this point. Even the ones that may be controversial to some, I am excited for and ready to see how they work out.

Lastly I want to compliment Maas' writing in this series. After rereading the first three books and finishing this one, I can see how much planning went into this series. It is incredible to see how well she knows the world and what a deep knowledge of its history she has dreamed up. I love authors that know the history of their world long before any of the characters they write have been born.

The events in this story had me on the edge of my seat and holding my breath. There were moments when I had to let out great sobs because the emotions overwhelmed me. I am so excited for Empire of Storms. I love these characters and cannot wait to see what happens in the next installment, but I am also terribly afraid it will hurt me.

Happy Reading! 

February Wrap Up

This month I raced through books. I read at a speed I don't think I've read at before. It was fast and furious. I read fourteen books this month and loved a lot of them. Check out my video wrap up to see exactly what I was working on this month.

Review - A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

   

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #1
Genre: High Fantasy 
Hardcover: 
Source: Purchased
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Rating: 4.75


When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Look at me! I'm writing up a review within days of when I finished it! I wish I could find more books where I cannot contain my glee enough to write the reviews immediately. After finishing Heir of Fire last month, I was craving some more Sarah J. Maas writing. I jumped into this book wholeheartedly.

Overall, this is a stronger first book than Throne of Glass was. I wasn't sure if this was a series when I finished the book so the story was much more solid and complete. One of my favorite parts of Maas' books are the characters and of course these did not disappoint. There is a lot of grey area for all the characters (good, bad and indifferent). I liked how Maas used the immortality of the Fae to create even more complexity in her characters. Even the human characters had great depth and background characters grew and changed.

Maas does an incredible job interpreting the Beauty and the Beast tale. Her original storyline has an undercurrent of the original tale, but it is so easy to forget about it. In fact, I forgot about the curse element of the tale and was surprised by it. The retelling was even more unique because she adds fae into the mix! The combination of fae and fairy tale really worked out well.

I'd be very interested to see what the publisher classifies this book as. I think it is New Adult, but I think this will really surprise people who read New Adult often. There are quite a few sexy moments and a lot of violence within this story. Fae are not lighthearted, carefree or kind in this series. The topics are handled so well though and Maas' writing (while it was always great) is very mature in this book. I though Feyre's sexuality was handled so well and made her an even more powerful character. Her strength comes from many places and she is a fierce heroine. Plus her romance built in such a believable way that I was very captivated by it. (I was also fanning myself a few times because there are some steamy moments!)

My experience actually reading this book was different than I was expecting. I had some issues when Feyre first went to live in the Fae Kingdom regarding Feyre's relationship with Tamlin and Lucian. Things just seems a little too friendly. Also later on I thought the curse was a little too constructed even though I know phrasing and specifics are important to Fae lore. This was the only part of the book that pushed me out of the story. It made me really look at a few relationships as well. Overall those are small beans compared to how much I enjoyed this story.

I'm very happy with this initial book and cannot wait to see what is coming next. I'm curious if we will continue to follow the same characters or different ones as well. 2016 come faster!