Scan barcode
A review by whiskers_and_lipstick
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
3.0
The most disappointing installment in the ToG series
The Morath plotline (Manon, The Thirteen, Elide, and Kaltain), Lysandra, and the events of Chapters 68 - 87 pulled this book from 2 to 3 stars.
Character development for the leads from [b:Throne of Glass|76703559|Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673566495l/76703559._SY75_.jpg|11138426] and [b:Crown of Midnight|76705490|Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673566594l/76705490._SY75_.jpg|21581860] is completely derailed.
SJM decimated Chaol in an effort to push other romantic agendas in the book. And as the only truly mortal individual, who is learning about the magic, danger, and powers at play in time with the reader, it is devastating to see so little care given to one of the core voices of the story. His loyalty, honor, and commitment to truth become a punchline used to keep him broken.
Nesryn is introduced but is given no real opportunity to flourish as a character. Instead, it seems she exists to become a romantic interest for Chaol because Aelin has moved on and deems that he "deserves to be happy too" offering up Nesryn as a new lover for him to make himself whole with.
Apologies between Aelin and Chaol come late in the second act, but they feel empty and more of a "let me explain why I was literally the WORST" (Aelin) and "I guess I should apologize since you are apologizing" (Chaol). There doesn't seem to be an event that triggers contemplation of how her actions have hurt those around her. Or how he has made peace with how his ignorance created space for the rift between them and recognizes they ultimately want the same thing even if they don’t agree how it may be achieved. If anything, it seems that everyone is apologizing simply to ease tension because there are bigger enemies to deal with.
The Rifthold plotline is WORK to navigate, and beyond Lysandra’s story, lends nothing of interest to the overall story. All of the brilliance of the third act has absolutely nothing to do with Aelin, but rather the way the other characters show up and find their purpose in this epic story - especially Lysandra and Kaltain (who LBH deserved way more screen time).
I have no interest in the rest of Aelin's story. I'm continuing the series only to see how Chaol's, Dorian's, Lysandra's and Evangeline's, Elide’s, Manon's and The Thirteen's, and Lorcan's journeys end.
The Morath plotline (Manon, The Thirteen, Elide, and Kaltain), Lysandra, and the events of Chapters 68 - 87 pulled this book from 2 to 3 stars.
Character development for the leads from [b:Throne of Glass|76703559|Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673566495l/76703559._SY75_.jpg|11138426] and [b:Crown of Midnight|76705490|Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673566594l/76705490._SY75_.jpg|21581860] is completely derailed.
Spoiler
Celaena is dead, Aelin has risen, and everything that endears you the heroine is buried with her assassin persona. Aelin's disposition and personality seem to be a complete contradiction to Celaena's ethos and the shift also seems to come out of nowhere. Charming arrogance is replaced by hypocrisy and pompous indignation. Aelin demands fealty and transparency but continues to spin lies and half-truths while also disassociating herself from the people that risked everything to help Celeana survive unless they fall in line. Aelin steamrolls through her "allies" and is quickly angered by their continued distrust or attempts to question her plans/motives. Those in “Aelin’s court are giving far more grace for calling her out on her BS and quickly forgiven when tempers flare and words are sharp.SJM decimated Chaol in an effort to push other romantic agendas in the book. And as the only truly mortal individual, who is learning about the magic, danger, and powers at play in time with the reader, it is devastating to see so little care given to one of the core voices of the story. His loyalty, honor, and commitment to truth become a punchline used to keep him broken.
Nesryn is introduced but is given no real opportunity to flourish as a character. Instead, it seems she exists to become a romantic interest for Chaol because Aelin has moved on and deems that he "deserves to be happy too" offering up Nesryn as a new lover for him to make himself whole with.
Apologies between Aelin and Chaol come late in the second act, but they feel empty and more of a "let me explain why I was literally the WORST" (Aelin) and "I guess I should apologize since you are apologizing" (Chaol). There doesn't seem to be an event that triggers contemplation of how her actions have hurt those around her. Or how he has made peace with how his ignorance created space for the rift between them and recognizes they ultimately want the same thing even if they don’t agree how it may be achieved. If anything, it seems that everyone is apologizing simply to ease tension because there are bigger enemies to deal with.
The Rifthold plotline is WORK to navigate, and beyond Lysandra’s story, lends nothing of interest to the overall story. All of the brilliance of the third act has absolutely nothing to do with Aelin, but rather the way the other characters show up and find their purpose in this epic story - especially Lysandra and Kaltain (who LBH deserved way more screen time).
I have no interest in the rest of Aelin's story. I'm continuing the series only to see how Chaol's, Dorian's, Lysandra's and Evangeline's, Elide’s, Manon's and The Thirteen's, and Lorcan's journeys end.