Book Review: TOWER OF DAWN by Sarah J. Maas

Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass Series, Book #6) by Sarah J. Maas

Blurb:

In the next installment of the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series, follow Chaol on his sweeping journey to a distant empire.
Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.

His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica—the stronghold of the southern continent's mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.

But what they discover in Antica will change them both—and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined.

My Review:

Let's unwrap this puppy before I get to the good stuff. The cover... yeah. I really dislike this cover, it's probably my least favorite of the whole series. Since all the other covers have Aelin on them, I would have liked to see the cover artist's depiction of Chaol... but oh well.

Okay, onward to the story itself. I know a lot of people were unhappy either with this book or  with the fact that it was a novel, not a novella as originally planned which delayed Kingdom of Ash's release by a year. Believe me, I was one of them BEFORE I read this book. I'd been annoyed with Chaol as a character since probably... Crown of Midnight?... yeah that sounds about right. So I went into Tower of Dawn with as open of a mind as I could muster, assuming I would dislike the book but suck it up.

Then I read it... and it blew. me. away! I loved the world of the Southern Continent, for some reason it conjured images of the world of the Wrath and the Dawn books. Chaol really grows in this book in my opinion, learning to accept the events of the past and move forward and I really love the way Maas approached the disability representation with Chaol in this book. My grandmother is in a wheelchair due to spine issues, will probably be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life, and I know how much it frustrates her not to be able to get up and move like she used to and how she hates asking others for help with simple tasks and Maas illustrates that beautifully through Chaol's perspective.

And Yrene! Readers will remember her from The Assassin's Blade, The Assassin and the Healer and I loved seeing more of her in this book. To be honest, The Assassin and the Healer was probably my least favorite of the stories in The Assassin's Blade but now to see so much more of this character I wrote off before, I appreciate the story so much more. 

The character that surprised me most was Nesryn. I like flat-out completely hated her in Queen of Shadows. I thought she was snooty and a total b****, but I got to see a whole other side of her in Tower of Dawn. In fact, Nesryn and Sartaq are my newest OTP! Who loved Sartaq as much as I did???? Ahhhh. Such an awesome character. 

The one character I could have done without was Hasar. I couldn't figure out whether she really wanted to help the cause at the end or not and she kind of felt like a false friend to Yrene. 

There were only two (small) things that I didn't like or left me hanging with this book, the cover and that we as a reader never find out exactly what Kashin said to Yrene that strained their friendship so much. Was it just a proposal or something more?

Overall, Tower of Dawn is definitely worth the read! Naysayers, give it a chance!

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

5 of 5 Stars!

*And thus, fair bookdragons, completes my reading of the currently published books in the Throne of Glass series. I kicked the #ReadThroneofGlass challenge in the teeth and finished all the books wayyyyy ahead of schedule. All 7 books in 6 1/2 weeks! 🎉

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #125

This week for "WIR"-Wednesday I'm reading the last currently published book in the Throne of Glass Series and finishing my reread of the #ReadThroneofGlass Challenge!

Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass, #6) by Sarah J. Maas

Blurb:

In the next installment of the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series, follow Chaol on his sweeping journey to a distant empire.

Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.

His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica—the stronghold of the southern continent's mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.

But what they discover in Antica will change them both—and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined.

Why I Chose This Book | What I Think So Far:

I chose to read this book, obviously because I've reached this point in the #readThroneofGlass challenge and I actually haven't read this one yet. While I liked Chaol in the earlier books I'm not sure how I feel about him after the past couple. He's been a bit judge-y and a lot assholery. I just read the first page last night so I'm only really diving into it today, but we'll see if Tower of Dawn changes my mind about Chaol - again. 

↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑

I'm way ahead!

Book Review: QUEEN OF SHADOWS by Sarah J. Maas

Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4) by Sarah J. Maas

Blurb:

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.

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 Review:

Queen of Shadows is the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series and I'm still really loving this series. Aelin has returned to Adarlan from Wendlyn seemingly just in the nick of time. Aedion is about to be executed by the King, Dorian has a wyrdstone collar around his neck, Chaol is essentially running the rebel group, and she has asked Rowan to stay behind in Wendlyn even though she'd love to have him at her side. 

As we meet new characters, like Elide, Nesryn, and Lorcan and hold our breath as the fire-breathing bitch-queen works to free magic, aid the rebellion, save her friends, and reclaim her throne the reader is once more drawn into the fantastical world Maas has created in the Throne of Glass series. Now that I've read most of this series I actually find myself liking the Throne of Glass series a smidge more than the ACOTAR series.

I like how we get to see the story through the eyes of so many of the characters, not just out snarky, badass heroine. 

Overall, each book in this series is a stepping stone to the explosive finale I can't wait to read when Kingdom of Ash comes out in October and I'm glad I took the time to go back and read  the first four books having only read Empire of Storms previously. 

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

5 of 5 Stars!

Don't forget my 3-Year Blogiversary Giveaway ending soon!

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{Taylor Fenner's Bookish World 3-Year Blogiversary} Book Review: HEIR OF FIRE by Sarah J. Maas

Hey Bookdragons! Before I dive into my book review of Heir of Fire, I want to talk a little bit about my journey through blogging. When I first started blogging about books three years ago I didn't like certain genres of books - or at least I told myself I didn't. Through blogging and interacting with other book bloggers I learned to love books in genres I never believed I could love - especially fantasy novels. Sarah J. Maas was one of my first fantasy read loves and now is at the top of my auto-buy list. Be sure to read to the bottom of this post for a giveaway!

Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3) by Sarah J. Maas

Blurb:

Celaena Sardothien, heroine of the New York Times bestselling series, rises from the ashes to burn even brighter than before.

Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak-but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth…a truth about her heritage that could change her life-and her future-forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?

In this USA Today bestselling third book in the New York Timesbestselling series, Sarah J. Maas again delivers the epic fantasy, heart-stopping pace, and heady romance that have won her readers the world over. Look for a teaser for the fourth book in the series, Queen of Shadows, out in this same season!

My Review:

Heir of Fire shows Celaena and her friends scattered. Celaena arrives in Wendlyn to see what her great aunt, Maeve - Queen of the Fae - knows about the Wyrdkeys Celaena seeks and how to destroy them. Back in Rifthold Dorian and Chaol's friendship becomes strained as Chaol keeps the secret of Celaena's true identity and the real reason why he had her sent away to Wendlyn while Dorian feels that his oldest friend cannot accept the magic running through his veins and seeks the company of an alluring healer.

We also meet fantastic new characters that we will see more of in the books to come like Rowan Whitethorn, a Fae warrior-prince, Manon Blackbeak, heir of the Blackbeak Witch Clan, and Aeidon Ashryver, Aelin's long lost cousin. 

The events of this book will begin the tipping point of this series, what happens in Heir of Fire cannot be undone - both the good and the bad. Where will our fearless heroine be at the end and who will be standing at her side?

In my opinion this series keeps getting better with each book and I love seeing through each of the character's perspectives. I love Manon and Aeidon and loved seeing their introduction to the story and I eagerly await when Aelin will come face to face with her cousin after so long. Aelin grows a lot in this book, both in her magic, and in learning to understand and accept the horrors of her past. 

I like the sense of mystery blended in with the fantasy in these novels, like Celaena finding out who was killing the Champions and discovering Elena's tomb in Throne of Glass, in Heir of Fire Celaena and Rowan investigate a series of unusual murders in Wendlyn and the appearance of deadly, unknown creatures. 

Overall, I'd definitely say this is one of my favorite books in the series overall and I can't wait  to see what will happen next!

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

5 of 5 Stars!

Giveaway!

Since Sarah J. Maas fed the flames of my love of fantasy novels it seems only right to give away a preorder of the final book in the Throne of Glass series, KINGDOM OF ASH!

A Few Rules...

📚 This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL (As long as Book Depository ships to you.

📚 This giveaway ends August 1, 2018 at 12:00 EST

📚 No duplicate entries or giveaway accounts. You WILL be disqualified.

📚You MUST be willing to provide your mailing address if you win. It will not be kept for any purpose other than to ship your prize.

📚The winner has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

📚 Since Kingdom of Ash doesn't release until October 23, you will receive your prize as soon as it releases and Book Depository ships it to you (usually takes 5-8 days to the US)

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Book Review: CROWN OF MIDNIGHT by Sarah J. Maas

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2) by Sarah J. Maas

Blurb:

An assassin's loyalties are always in doubt but her heart never wavers

Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become the King's Champion. But she is far from loyal to the crown. Though she hides her secret vigilantly, her deadly charade becomes difficult when she realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. No one is above questioning her allegiance—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then, one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie ... and whom she is willing to fight for.

My Review:

Crown of Midnight begins two months after Celaena Sardothiaen was named the King's Champion. Since then she has been sent to dispatch several of the King's enemies. But Celaena is far from obeying the King's wishes - a secret she must keep to herself if she doesn't want to watch more of her friends die because of her. When the King orders her to kill a courtesan she knew when she was younger, Celaena will fall into a deadly game where she doesn't know who to trust and a tragedy will tear her whole world apart. She will have to face her truth, admit who she's truly loyal to, and what she'll do to protect the ones she loves the most. 

I'm not sure I loved this one as much as I did Throne of Glass but I still really enjoyed this book and I loved the ending! Once more this book is filled with danger, adventure, mystery, magic, and swoon-worthy romance. Your heart will break for Celaena and you'll be on the edge of your seat wanting to know what is going to happen next. 

The plot keeps your attention, the writing and worldbuilding was exactly what you'd expect from a SJM book (as in AMAZING), and I can definitely see why people ship Celaena and Chaol. We see more of Celaena's backstory in this book, the introduction of magic, and the beginning of a rebellion but I missed the closeness between Dorian and Celaena for most of this book. It made me sad that after their fling ended at the end of Throne of Glass they didn't spend much time together or exchange as much amusing banter. 

Overall, this probably will never be my favorite book of the series but its definitely a must read stepping stone in the evolution of Celaena/Aelin's journey from assassin to who she must become. 

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

5 of 5 Stars!

Book Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas

Blurb:

"Nothing is a coincidence. Everything has a purpose. You were meant to come to this castle, just as you were meant to be an assassin."

When magic has gone from the world, and a vicious king rules from his throne of glass, an assassin comes to the castle. She does not come to kill, but to win her freedom. If she can defeat twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition to find the greatest assassin in the land, she will become the King's Champion and be released from prison.

Her name is Celaena Sardothien.

The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her.

And a princess from a foreign land will become the one thing Celaena never thought she'd have again: a friend.

But something evil dwells in the castle—and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying, horribly, one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival—and a desperate quest to root out the source of the evil before it destroys her world.

My Review:

The first time I tried to read this book I had to put it down after 34 pages because I disliked Celaena. But as I mentioned in my recent review of The Assassin's Blade, I really think you have to read The Assassin's Blade before you even attempt Throne of Glass because you'll appreciate it more. 

I went from disliking Celaena (but loving her as Aelin in EOS because I have read that one) to understanding her and loving her cunning and fearless spirit in Throne of Glass. I also had a deeper appreciation of Dorian in TOG and met Chaol for the first time and enjoyed him. I loved his banter with Celaena. And Nehemia... ah sweet, wise Nehemia! She was possibly my favorite character. 

I liked the plotting and pace of this book and the vivid description of the Glass Castle. I thought the training and competition scenes as well as when the lesser Champions were killed off and the manner they were killed was well written, although I'm still fuzzy on the description of the ridderak. 

Overall this book has something for everyone. We already know Celaena is a badass female lead and there's plenty of action, adventure, political intrigue, and a dash of mystery and romance to balance everything out. I can honestly say I'm looking forward to reading Crown of Midnight to see what Celaena will get up to now that she's the King's Champion.

My Rating:
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
5 of 5 Stars!

Book Review: The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass Series #0.1-0.5) by Sarah J. Maas

Blurb:

Discover where Celaena Sardothien's thrilling saga began

Celaena Sardothien is her kingdom's most feared assassin. Though she works for the powerful and ruthless Assassin's Guild, Celaena yields to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam.

When Celaena's scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, she finds herself acting independently of his wishes—and questioning her own allegiance. Along the way, she makes friends and enemies alike, and discovers that she feels far more for Sam than just friendship. But by defying Arobynn's orders, Celaena risks unimaginable punishment, and with Sam by her side, he is in danger, too. They will have to risk it all if they hope to escape Arobynn's clutches—and if they fail, they'll lose not just a chance at freedom, but their lives...

A prequel to Throne of Glass, this collection of five novellas offers listeners a deeper look into the history of this cunning assassin and her enthralling—and deadly—world.

Included in this volume:

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord

The Assassin and the Healer

The Assassin and the Desert

The Assassin and the Underworld

The Assassin and the Empire

My Review:

I've been holding off on reading The Assassin's Blade for a while now because I wanted to read all of the currently published books in this series fluidly. I admit, I've read Empire of Storms all the way through (and loved it) but it was the only one I've read completely before The Assassin's Blade. I tried reading Throne of Glass several years ago but book it down because I couldn't get into it and didn't much care for Celaena. 

After reading The Assassin's Blade and seeing what Celaena went through before she ended up in the Salt Mines of Endovier, I like her much better now. These novellas show her humanity more, show the scared girl she was under all the cockiness and bravado. We also find out about Sam in The Assassin's Blade and how they went from rivals-to-love throughout the five novellas. While I completely ship Rowan and Aelin, I loved Sam in this book. 

The Assassin's Blade also shows you how Celaena met some of the characters who will pop up later in the series - from her hatred for Lysandra to helping Yrene forge her path to her new life in the Southern Continent, and the friendship-turned-betrayal she experienced at the hands of Ansel. 

There were stories in this book that I liked more than others such as The Assassin and the Desert over The Assassin and the Healer, but I believe this book should be read as one book instead of as separate ebook novellas because in my opinion they're not really separate stories/novellas as they all flow together. You wouldn't, for instance, read The Assassin and the Empire before The Assassin and the Pirate Lord. It wouldn't make any sense. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book as a whole and I think it's required to read before you even attempt Throne of Glass because it will help you understand Celaena's backstory so much more. 

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟

4 of 5 Stars!