Tag Archives: Sarah. J Maas

A Court of Frost and Starlight

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“I have to create, or it was all for nothing. I have to create, or I will crumple up with despair and never leave my bed. I have to create because I have no other way of voicing this.” Her hand rested on her heart, and my eyes burned. “It is hard,” the weaver said, her stare never leaving mine, “and it hurts, but if I were to stop, if I were to let this loom or the spindle go silent …” She broke my gaze at last to look to her tapestry. “Then there would be no Hope shining in the Void.”

Title: A Court of Frost and Starlight

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series: ACOTAR #3.1-ish

Publication: May 1st 2018 by Bloomsbury YA

Pages: 229

Summary from Goodreads:

Feyre, Rhys, and their close-knit circle of friends are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly-changed world beyond. But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it, a hard-earned reprieve. Yet even the festive atmosphere can’t keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, she finds that those dearest to her have more wounds than she anticipated–scars that will have far-reaching impact on the future of their Court.

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A Court of Wings and Ruin (AKA: A Court of Pain and Feels)

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“Remember that you are a wolf. And you cannot be caged.”

Title: A Court of Wings and Ruin

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series: ACOTAR #3

Publication: May 2nd 2017 by Bloomsbury Childrens Books

Pages: 699

Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:

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.

In this thrilling third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Sarah J. Maas, the earth will be painted red as mighty armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy them all.

All the Feels:

It’s taken me almost a full month and two full rereads of A Court of Wings and Ruin before I could even fathom the idea of sitting down to write this. It’s always hard saying goodbye to a book series that you love, even though this one isn’t really goodbye to Prythian but only goodbye to Feyre and Rhys. This series, from ACOTAR and ACOMAF, has created a whole new feeling of home. The series has pulled me up, made me smile, made me rage. The ACOTAR series has been there through the ups and downs, through my younger brother’s football games when I was stuck for hours, and even through finals week. I was terrified to start reading A Court of Wings and Ruin. I had it preordered, and I was laying in bed May 1, just waiting. It was like Christmas morning when midnight hit – it took all my self restraint to save it for the morning. Reading it on my Kindle that Tuesday was like walking through the doors of a dream reality. I couldn’t believe it was real.

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Empire of Storms

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Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen, knew the time would soon come to prove just how much she’d bleed for Erilea.

Title: Empire of Storms

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass # 5

Publication: September 6th 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Pages: 693

Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:

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

As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

Aelin’s journey from assassin to queen has entranced millions across the globe, and this fifth installment will leave fans breathless. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down?

Sooooo…. that just happened. You know you’ve just finished a Sarah J. Maas book when you find yourself at a loss for words. I am speechless, uncontrollably emotional, and a complete wreck. She has done it once again, folks. Maas is the wondrous, evil queen of ripping out all of your feels and dancing on their ashes. I don’t know what else to tell you, nor do I want to dive into details and spoil everything. Trust me when I say this: Empire of Storms is the type of book you survive, barely, by hanging onto any shred of hope left within the pages of the masterpiece. e Continue reading →

A Court of Mist and Fury

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“He thinks he’ll be remembered as the villain in the story. But I forgot to tell him that the villain is usually the person who locks up the maiden and throws away the key. He was the one who let me out.”

Title: A Court of Mist and Fury

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses # 2

Publication:  May 3rd 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Pages: 640

Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:

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.

My Thoughts:

My brain has officially imploded due to the sheer force of all the feels. I do not know what to say. I am in an extreme state of emotional turmoil and I can’t even function right now – much less write a coherent review. I thought A Court of Thorns and Roses was spectacularly brutal, yet I cannot begin to comprehend the enormity of what is running through my veins. A Court of Mist and Fury has blown its predecessor out of the water and right out into outer space, maybe even into another galaxy. I don’t know whether to scream in anguish, dance around with joy, and or melt into a puddle of molten feeling. Perhaps all three.

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Queen of Shadows

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“She was fire, and light, and ash, and embers. She was Aelin Fireheart, and she bowed for no one and nothing, save the crown that was hers by blood and survival and triumph.”

Title: Queen of Shadows

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass # 4

Publication: September 1st 2015 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Pages: 648

Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:

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.

The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series continues Celaena’s epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

My Thoughts:

HOLY BATCRAP ROBIN! Ahhh! All the feels, this book has all the damn feels. It was so amazing.. I can’t even begin to explain how amazing this book is. Queen of Shadows is a particular kind of masterpiece where everything goes to hell and simultaneously everything finally seems to be alright. Queen of Shadows delves deeper into the lives of our new characters from Heir of Fire, it illustrates harrowing escapes and dangerous plans, we get to see just how badass and amazing Celaena – or Aelin – can be, and so much more.

My brain has literally exploded from all the amazingness this book contains. Filled with far fetched schemes and plots that somehow make perfect sense, hilarious territorial male Fae bullshit (and just hilarious male Fae), brutal fights and brawls that make everything else look like child’s play, and swoonworthy moments that make you melt out of your skin. Queen of Shadows is both the perfect installment for the series to move it forward and the perfect mix of happiness and despair. It will kill you slowly while also lifting your spirits. It will make you scream and cry while also making you weep with joy, join in the battle cry, and laughing at Rowan and Aeidon’s antics.

Let’s just say this, our fire-breathing-bitch-queen is back in full force and I couldn’t be happier. While Heir of Fire was Aelin’s heartbreaking journey of rediscovery and redemption in her own eyes, Queen of Shadows is a window into just how powerful and determined she can be. Aelin, Celaena, is unstoppable. She is unrelenting, yet she is kind and willing to make sacrifices for the greater good. She is willing to forget her need for revenge to give someone she cares about what they need. She is selfless, yet she is also, undeniably, Celaena. Celaena who loves music, books, pretty things. Celaena who knows how to torture, how to cause the most pain, how to keep someone alive, how to maim and kill without breaking a sweat. Celaena who just wants to go home and be free. You’ve known this from the start, but Aelin is my absolute favorite. She is everything to me, my favorite heroine and all that – I don’t know what it is about her but she has a very, very special place in my heart.

Speaking of characters…. Aelin’s Court! Oh my goodness I do not know what to do with myself. Rowan is amazing. I’ve loved him from day one, too. I mean… it’s Rowan: territorial, badass, ancient, powerful, Fae, and completely devoted to Aelin Rowan. I am glad to say my ship has fucking sailed, and I will leave it at that.

“You make me want to live, too, Aelin Galathynius,” he said. “Not exist—but live.” He cupped her cheek, and took a steadying breath—as if he’d thought about every word these past three days, over and over again. “I spent centuries wandering the world, from empires to kingdoms to wastelands, never settling, never stopping—not for one moment. I was always looking toward the horizon, always wondering what waited across the next ocean, over the next mountain. But I think … I think that whole time, all those centuries, I was just looking for you.”

We also have Lysandra, and yes folks, she’ back and she’s fucking amazing. If you’ve read The Assassin’s Blade, you know who she is and why Celaena hates her. In Queen of Shadows, there is an amazing bond formed. Celaena has needed a female friend since Crown of Midnight – and Lysandra becomes just that. Also, I CAN’T BELIEVE SHE DID THAT. It made me so damn happy, so, so damn happy. If you’ve read it, you know exactly what I am talking about. Not only did Aelin give her friend what she needed, I CAN’T BELIEVE LYSANDRA FUCKING DID WHAT SHE DID AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

“You and I are nothing but wild beasts wearing human skins.”

Then we have Aedion, precious Aedion who needs a great big hug. I love him, I really do. Aelin’s cousin and eternal body guard, just… awww! I thought he was adorable, albeit a bit scary at times. I also think he is hilarious – I mean, especially when he was getting into some sort of verbal pissing contest with Rowan. Aedion was amazing. All of the characters are amazing in their own way, but he’s a special little cinnamon roll. The moment when he sees Aelin again for the first time, when they are finally reunited was so heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time.

“Whatever you had to do to survive, whatever you did from spite or rage or selfishness … I don’t give a damn. You’re here—and you’re perfect. You always were, and you always will be.”

Overall, Queen of Shadows has to be my favorite book in the series yet. There is little bit of everything: political intrigue, subterfuge, brutality, romance, friendship, family, forgiveness, revenge and vengeance, all of it. Queen of Shadows is a wild adventure – it is an adventure I will never forget. Queen of Shadows is about finally taking your place, about accepting who you are and using it to your advantage. It is about finding your home, loving your family, and protecting those you care about. It is about love, loss, and redemption. It is everything.

“She was fury, she was wrath, she was vengeance.”

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