I've been waiting pretty much a year for this book. And it was worth that wait. After saying that though, HOW CAN I WAIT ANOTHER YEAR FOR THE NEXT BOOK? Sarah J. Maas is definitely one of my favorite authors. I love her books and her writing. There's just something that flows so elegantly with the way she writes. I love it. Seriously, Sarah could write a 1,000 page novel about Celaena going grocery shopping and I'd be hooked. Queen of Shadows is the fourth novel in the Throne of Glass books by Sarah J. Maas. No rhyme intended. This is a spectacular series, one of my all time favorites. I highly recommend it to anyone. The books just keep getting better and better. Out of the four books, Queen of Shadows is definitely my favorite. So, if you don't like Throne of Glass, try Crown of Midnight (book 2) before completely giving up on the series. (I really hope you don't give up because I really love these books) to see my review of the first book, click- oh wait, on second thought, after reading that review and realizing it was terrible I'm not gonna link it. Just read that book! It's awesome. And the plot just keeps getting twistier and twistier! I love it! Anyway, this part of the review will contain no spoilers for Queen of Shadows, but no promises for any of the earlier books. So, pretty much what I'm saying is, if you have yet to read this series, go on! Pick up the first book, you'll rush through this book series faster than you'd ever imagine- it's that good. 
Here's the synopsis for Throne of Glass (Book 1) 
After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined. 


It's 10x better than it sounds. And Queen of Shadows is 10000x better then the first book. The characters in this book were, as expected on point. If not better than on point (can you get better than on point?) Celaena- or should I say Aelin has turned from a cocking assassin to a cunning and confident queen. I really enjoyed reading about her character and her story. Her point of view was definitely my favorite in this book. It still impresses me how cunning and strategic Aelin is. She's such a wonderful and great protagonist. Strong. Smart. Powerful. Everything you'd want in a protagonist. I just love Aelin. No matter what she does, I'll always love her. I'll always cheer her on, no matter what she's doing. Seriously, while I was reading this I started squealing and cheering whenever Aelin a. fought and won b. 's plans worked c. was awesome. So pretty much I was cheering the entire time. My sister thought I was either insane or dying. Honestly, I can't really say whether or not I'm insane. 
If you do remember my Throne of Glass review, as bad as it was, you'd remember I was team chaol. But after I read the Assassin's Blade, I was totally team Sam. Even though he's dead. I really appreciated how much Sam was in this book. He had a lot more time in this one than the previous two. Honestly, in this book, Chaol was rather annoying. The thing is, I saw where he was coming from butI love Aelin so much I always have to be on her side- I found myself annoyed at Chaol quite a lot during this book. My feelings for Chaol are complicated to say the least. I don't dislike him but I don't like him too much right now, either. 
Dorian, his point of views in this book were interesting. He was stuggling to remember and to take control. 
Rowan, I have complicated feelings for that guy. I like him better as a friend for Aelin, not really a romance. But that's more of what he was this book. I don't really mind their romance but I'm still solidly team Sam. Forever. 
Aedion. I. Love. This. Guy. And I still love him. Aedion and Sam. Those boys are my life in this book series. Aedion is a total babe. He's a spectacular fighter and loyal to a point. What more could you ask for? Oh yeah, he's also drop dead gorgeous and half fae. True love. I'd take an Aedion any day. 
Aedion and Aelin? Best family I've ever read about, probably. Though, I was disappointed at the smaller part Aedion took after Rowan showed up. (Gee thanks Rowan) Anyway, not team Chaol, anymore, now I'm team Galathynius! <3 And team Sam. Always team Sam. 
Manon, I do remember last book I was disinterested in her. This book I found her more interesting and even began to like her more. It's just she's such a pushover and I really didn't appreciate it. 
Anyway, this a fanastical book and I really feel that you should read it because it's probably one of my favorite books out of my favorite book series. 

10/10 stars. This book is brilliant and I love it so so so so much. Seriously, I was in love with it by page one. 

SPOILERS BELOW FOR QUEEN OF SHADOWS
Guys, I'd totally forgotten by Kaltain but I got really excited when she showed up in this book. I love seeing old faces. When will Nox show up again? I never thought that Kaltain would have any special powers like her shadow fire but I found that really interesting. The book leads you to believe that she died... but I'm not sure because you never actually get proof that she's dead. And in books, if there's not proof, you can never be sure. The thing is, she gave the key to Elide and was like only give this to Celaena Sardothien and I'm like... oh this might be complicated because now, Celaena is technically dead. Will that confuse Elide when she meets Aelin? 
The relationship between Aedion and Aelin is beautiful and I love it. They're pretty much like brother and sister and it's really cute seeing them be with each other. I did wait a really long time to see it and it was worth it. I really loved how Aelin was worried Aedion would hate her because of what she'd done but she was willing to save him no matter what. And then Aedion thought Aelin would hate him for what he did and he was willing to sacrifice himself for her. *SCREAMS* THE FEELS. Their devotion to each other and their family / country is so beautiful. I did like the comparison that they were two sides of a coin. Also they're described as almost twins and yeah they are alike in looks as well as personality. They've both gone through hardships they're ashamed of, are strong fighters and can be ruthless if needed. When Chaol said he was almost afraid to see them together because of the team they'd make, I was just thinking, they'll make an unstoppable team. I LOVE IT. "Never. I could never be ashamed of you." 
I loved how much Sam was mentioned in this book. I said that before but he has a lot more significance in this book than he did in the last ones. She wears his shirt to bed (I got so many feels for that) and she goes to his grave (Aw) and she avenges his death, (Major AW there)
Aedion's rescue was amazing. Very well planned out and very intensely exciting. "That was a spectacular rescue. Let's never do it again." Aedion is BAE. 
Remember that quote- "You could rattle the stars. You could do anything, if you only dared. And deep down, you know it too and that's what scares you most." I LOVED the follow up line to that in this book, "Let's go rattle the stars." That was great and well planned out. 
I can't wait so see the next book with pretty much unlimited magic! <3

Just like Rebel Belle, Miss Mayhem is a fun and light read. It's not my favorite but if you're looking for something light and amusing, yeah it's the book series for you. Truthfully, so far I've enjoyed the Hex Hall series more than this one but these books are pretty good. The action scenes were fun to read and the relationships, well, they were very complicated to say the least. 7/10 stars. Short and light book you'll read in one sit down. 
The ending made me sad :(
Synopsis: 
Life is almost back to normal for Harper Price. The Ephors have been silent after their deadly attack at Cotillion months ago, and her best friend, Bee, has returned after a mysterious disappearance. Now Harper can focus on the important things in life: school, canoodling with David (her nemesis-turned-ward-slash-boyfie), and even competing in the Miss Pine Grove pageant.

Unfortunately, supernatural chores are never done. The Ephors have decided they’d rather train David than kill him. The catch: Harper has to come along for the ride, but she can’t stay David’s Paladin unless she undergoes an ancient trial that will either kill her . . . or make her more powerful than ever.

There's a lot of hype surrounding this book. As I've mentioned before, hype can ruin and book and sadly, I think this book was  bit ruined by all the hype. I kept hearing how amazing this book was and blah blah blah. I had pretty high expectations. Sadly, I was disappointed. Snow like Ashes was rather cliche, now, I'm not against cliches, but sometimes over cliches can be quite annoying. I saw every 'plot twist' coming. During this whole book I was just dragging my feet along and waiting to be pulled into an excellent world with fascinating plot twists and characters. Nothing too interesting really happened. 
The protagonist, Meira, was very annoying. An annoying protagonist hardly ever leads to a fun book to read. She's pretty much always thinking about how much Sir must hate her and all when it's blatantly obvious that Sir loves and cares for her. UGH. 
There isn't a beautiful amazing romance to fall in love with in Snow like Ashes. There's the cliche best friend thing and then there's a prince. The best friend I wasn't particularly interested in and well, the prince, the romance was way too fast to fall in love with. Fast paced romances may be the bane of my existence. A bit of a pet peeve of mine, I guess. If it's too fast paced no one can fall in love with it or grow particularly attached to it. It's hard to enjoy the relationship properly if you aren't attached to any of the characters. 
I'm giving this book 5.8/10 stars. I was disappointed to say the least. I might continue this book series, but not any time soon. 
Synopsis: 
A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.