The Thing About Books: Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

So we haven't done this feature in a while now and just to recap to those who are new to the blog: 

The Thing About Books is a feature in which Caitlyn and I talk about (usually fangirl) over books we love and need to talk about them. But this also means there will always be spoilers.

**Please only continue reading this post if you've already read the book for this post**

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas 

Release Date: September 1st, 2015 

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens 

Goodsreads Summary:

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 contrinues Celaena's epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

Caitlyn 

Soooooo... we're really late to this party but OMFG QUEEN OF SHADOWS

Taherah 

FEELS FEELS FEEEEEEEEEELS

THE STORY. THE CHARACTER. EVERYTHING WAS JUST BRILLIANT 

Caitlyn 

YES It's honestly gotten to the point with this story and these characters that I could probably be really entertained and on edge just watching them grocery shop or something. I'm so emotionally invested I would also probably think it was really epic too 

Taherah 

I think it would really entertaining to see all of them go grocery shopping now that you've mentioned it  

But back to the story. I don't know about you but seeing Celaena/Aelin back with everyone, it was very easy to see just how everyone changed and how pivotal HoF and even this book was 

Caitlyn 

Yeah, and honestly I really like the fact that we kind of took a step away from everything to allow people to grow and change and for the situation to develop further in Heir of Fire. Then we come back and it's kinda like BAM DIDN'T REALIZE HOW EVERYTHING CHANGED DIDJA? FIGURE IT OUT! It was kinda like reading a new book or series except you already know and love all the characters

Taherah 

YES YES YES 

We see the contrasting characters but at the same time it brings back elements/plot lines from the previous books (as a usual series does) and it was just so much more intense. I loved that we also got to see Aelin without Rowan for the first half (well more like hated because Rowan is life) but at the same time we see Celaena back in her own world without him for a bit. I have no idea if this makes any sense...

Caitlyn 

I LOVE SEEING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CELAENA AND AELIN SO DAMN MUCH! ITS JUST SO SO SO EPIC! I MEAN I THOUGHT I LIKED CELAENA (which I totally still do) BUT DAMN GIRL AELIN IS FUCKING AWESOME  She's just like...jeez I can't even describe her. She's like Celaena times a thousand plus scary ruler lady plus a little bit more understanding and driven and I'm just like WOW WHAT YES WHAT 

Taherah 

Goals, man, Just goals. I don't see how anyone could not fall in love with her. I'm mean I'm in love with her. And her wit. And fighting skills. And braveness. And sass. And even her fashion 

Caitlyn 

There is no part of Aelin I do not like. I even think her flaws are amazing. ALSO LETS TALK ABOUT HER RELATIONSHIPS (But lets leave the best *cough* Rowan *cough* for last)

Taherah 

Hehehe. SHE FINALLY REUNITED WITH AEDIOOOON! I love how that builds a protective, "I'll do anything for you" relationship. 

Caitlyn 

I love that you knew that was the first relationship I wanted to talk about  AND OMG I WAS SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SCARED DURING HIS RESCUE BECAUSE THIS IS THE KIND OF BOOK WHERE HE COULD HAVE ACTUALLY DIED AND GAH GAH FREAKED ME OUT SO BAD EVERY TIME THE POV SWITCHED TO HIM. AND THEN AND THEN AND THEN THEIR RELATIONSHIP! They're like brother and sister and I love it. And I love that they still love each other after all these years and I have no other description except love. Love, love, love,love,love.

Taherah

RIGHT?! It's like Aedion's capture was the only thing that kept them apart even though they haven't seen each other since they were kids. 

Caitlyn 

And they're still so similar which I find endlessly hilarious. *dramatically looks off into the distance* I love them both. Thats all I have to say on the matter.

Taherah 

Ok so I don't know if you want to talk about Chaol. But I want to. SO I love how clear their feelings are with each other. Although my heart did break a bit because I did have some hope for them. And I just loved that they were still somewhat able to work with each other and that it helped that they both understood each other what with the past they had.

Caitlyn 

No, no he was who I wanted to talk about next XD And yes I know. I still had some kindled hope for Chaol but I'm fine leaving him with quiet sassy fighter girl. Also I really thought that was one of the most distinct places you could see how Aelin changed. I liked that they were rocky and Chaol was leading the rebellion kinda. And I like how he kinda couldn't help himself but to work with her. And I liked where we left Chaol in QoS. He's kinda patched things up with Dorian and Aelin but is a little broken and on his way to getting better. I think it was a good place to take him as a character.

Taherah 

Agreed! Especially with the Dorian part. That was the main friendship I wanted mended. Dorian's been through hell and he's going to need Chaol and Aelin's support as he beings his rule

Caitlyn 

Omg I know. The Dorian POV's always tore me up inside. God those were awful, especially because for the most part you were able to ignore or forget just how awful his situation was until you were thrust back in it (usually right after some really great Aelin moments of happiness and joy) Jeez. That boy is crazy, strong, and messed up and I hope to god he can pull through his mess because I would hate to see him crumble and I really think they all need him. 

Taherah 

They all need each other. I believe he can make a wonderful and strong king. He just needs time. And given what he's been through, that's not surprising 

Caitlyn 

I believe in him. Also I had no idea just how much I cared about him and his well being until this book because MAN I was really freaked out. Also other Dorian related stuff. So his dad...wasn't actually evil was he? He was being possessed and somehow he like stopped it from doing too many bad things to Dorian for a long time? At least how I understood it. And that SO SWEET AND SAD LIKE OMFG

Taherah 

Yup I think that's what happened. It is kind of hard to just ignore the things that did happen even though he didn't do it but whenever I think of the King of Adarlan, I think evil evil things 

Caitlyn 

Well yeah I do too but from what I understood (and that was vague/I read it a little while ago) he had done all that stuff because of the demon thing inside him and like stopped magic or something to stop the demon from going as far as it wanted to in a lot of things and I was really impressed and it resonated with me because it was so different from how I did/do view him. He's still awful but there was enough kindness that I was shocked.

Taherah 

Oh yeah for sure. The actual king wasn't a bad person (at least I don't think). But I totally see where you're coming from. Speaking of such things.  MANON. 

Caitlyn

DDUUUUUUUDE! I always thought she was pretty cool but I wasn't sure. Also I've always thought if things go the right way she could actually become a good ally. Plus her and her (shit is it thirteen?) people are badass and would totally listen to her. ALSO BADASS FIGHT SCENE IS BADASS AND AELIN SAVED HER AND JUST WHAT WHAT WHAT YES

Taherah 

But dude it was also hard to like her at first. There was all these things she could have prevented and I totally get it was all part of her character development. And I think helping (that girl who's name I've forgotten) and hearing her friends haunting story just made her realize her role in the story and the power and choices she has. I loved that because Aelin saved her, she paid her back by telling her that Dorian is still in that demon that possessed him. AND OMG DO I SENSE A POTENTIAL LOVE INTEREST FOR HIM?!?!?

Caitlyn 

HOLY SHIT IKR WHAAAAAAAAA BUT YES I FELT IT TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO And yeah I like her a lot now. Before it was kind of begrudging because I was pretty sure she wasn't going to end up being an ally but now I'm not so sure so I'm letting myself like her more. And man, once she starts thinking for herself, do I like her.

Taherah 

Oh I'm pretty sure she's going to be apowerful ally. I think that's why she was introduced. And as a game changer player too

Caitlyn 

DEFINITELY GAME CHANGER PLAYER! And yeah, idk. At first I thought it was a sort of mean, "haha here see how screwed your protagonists are and here's this girl you can't help liking except she's evil." And I can't *quite* let go of that, but I'm hoping that initial guess is very, very wrong.

Taherah 

I understand. Alsoalsoalso that girl that was Aelin's nemesis. Lysandra? The one that works for Arobbyn? Can we talk about her friendship with Aelin? 

Caitlyn 

I LOVE HER

SHES SO BADASS

I kinda don't know what else to say about her except that I'm really glad she was a character in this one and her history with Arobbyn's second and how she got to kill Arobynn. Because I fell like Celaena never would have let her live or kill jerk assassin man but Aelin totally let her.

Taherah 

Yesssssssss! I love how quickly they were able to form a friendship and understanding with each other. They're much more alike that I previously thought and I loved that she played an important role in the story. PLUS SHE'S A SHAPESHIFTER. ANOTHER ALLY 

Caitlyn 

OH YEAH! MAN THAT WAS COOL! Also I love how ragtag the group is. We have a previously possessed king, who's still not 100%, the king's friend who's kinda stable but is paralyzed and still feels guilty, the cousin who's the protector but still just as flawed, Rowan, and the former assassin kind of elf queen. And maybe a witch. Oh yeah, and a shapeshifter and a crippled human girl. WOOO. Speaking of OMG AEDIONS FATHER IS THE AND THEN THE GAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH

Taherah 

Wait what?  what about his dad? What am I not remembering? 

Caitlyn

His dad is one of Rowan's friends(a cool one I think) who is still being controlled by the bitchy elf queen. 

Taherah 

OH RIGHT AWK. I KNEW THAT 

BUT YES I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER GAME CHANGER TOO

Caitlyn 

I LOVE THAT THERE ARE SO MANY MOVING PIECES IN THIS BOOK SO MUCH ITS KINDA REALLY SUPER AMAZING!

Taherah 

YAAAAAAAAAAAS I'M SO HAPPY THIS IS A SERIES THAT JUST KEEPS ON GOING AND GOING WITH NEW NEW AND OLD PIECES FITTING TOGETHER.

AND NOW BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL ROWAN

Caitlyn 

*deep breath* AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ROWAN ROWAN ROWAN ROWAN ROWAN TAHERAH I LOVE HIM SO MUCH HE'S SASSY AND MOODY AND BROODY AND BADASS AND SUPERDEDUPER CARES A SHIT TON ABOUT AELIN AND TOTALLY LOVES HER AND SHE LOVES HIM AND THEY JUST MESH SO BEAUTIFULLY AND CAN LIKE TALK TO EACH OTHER WITHOUT SPEAKING AND JUST KINDA GET LOST WITHOUT EACH OTHER AND MAKE EACH OTHER STRONGER AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW 

Taherah 

I KNOW I KNOOOOOOOW! THEY'RE LEGIT SOULMATES. I feel like a lot of people in real like at least have what Celaena and Chaol have but what Rowan and Aelin has? That's just pure love and dedication and strength and commitment right there

Caitlyn 

I agree 10,000%. Also I'm willing to admit that you called this and I am so so happy you were right. And I love them. And him. And want it forever. So there.

Taherah 

They are forever. They have that intense chemistry no one can deny 

Caitlyn

I love it. I honestly have no other words. I just love it intensely and that is that. 

Taherah

Agreeeeeeeeeeeeeed

SO 5+ stars from me  It deserves it all

Caitlyn 

If I could give more than 5 stars I would. Hell I would probably give it more than 100. *shrugs* who knows

Taherah 

  

It's been so long since we've done one of these! 

What are your thoughts on QoS (assuming everyone reading this has read it already and didn't get spoiled from our conversation, hopefully)?
Who are your favorite characters? Anything you're excited to see in the rest of the series?