Review: Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Mass

              Title: Queen of Shadows

              Series Title: Throne of Glass #4

              Author: Sarah J. Mass

              Published by: Bloomsbury UK

              Published on: September 1st 2015

              Format: Paperback

              Rating: 5 Stars

Summary:

"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 will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. 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.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world."

Can I take a moment to just say how much I love Sarah J. Mass.

Sarah J. Mass I seriously adore you. 

You are a Master. A Master of words which brings life to a story from the paper, a World Builder, making us believe in places we want to see with our own eyes. A Manipulator who makes us readers clutch your books with reverence and create characters with whom we hopelessly and shamelessly fall in love with.

It was a tad bit slow in some chapters but overall it was fast paced. I loved the new characters. And the Old. The various twists and turns kept me glued to the pages. And of course, we can't forget about the action and adventure. I cried a lot. Especially in the chapters involving Sam. I laughed. I growled in frustration at some parts and smiled like an idiot at others. 

Being a ToG fan, I went into the book expecting to be blown away and Thank God, that is what happened. 

I wanted to know what happened to Dorian-was he alright after the incident in Heir of Fire. I was waiting for Celaena Sardothien to return one last time to wreak havoc in Adarlan. What was Chaol up to now? Was Aelin going to save her cousin Aedion of time? What was she going to do about magic? What was Manon Blackbeak and her hard on the outside and soft on the inside, Abraxos were doing in the mountains? 

What I was really hoping was for to know more about Ansel but sadly she was mentioned only once in the whole book considering even Lyssandra returned but also with magical powers of her own. 

And I will say it outright, Arobyn Hammel got what he deserved. There!!! Feels good to get it off my chest. 

And I am totally confused that Aelin goes from being in love with Choal to be now in love with Rowan. And I get it. But this pessimist side of mind keeps commenting like- Celaena/Aelin stop falling in love with every handsome man you meet. I know. I know. But seriously though I loved the Platonic part of their relationship in Heir of Fire and somehow I wouldn't have mind seeing it that way. And one more doubt that has been nagging at the back of mind when I finished the book was Sarah J. Mass how are you going to sort out the immortal/mortal age difference between Aelin and Rowan.

And do I sense love budding between Manon and Dorian. If that does happen I don't know how you are going to pull it off.

And now a gif below to show how Badass Aelin is: 

(Even if she wouldn't be caught dead in such ugly outfit.)

I am still in my book hangover mood.