What I Read In September 2024

I'm a little late with last month's reading round-up as a nasty cold has been holding me hostage, but I can finally hold my head off the pillow again, so let's catch up.

I read a little less in September than in July and August, but I don't think I did too badly. I finished eight books and began two more, and a few of them were pretty chunky. And I loved almost everything that I read, so at least it was a quality reading month.

Here's what I read in September.

September Reading Stats:

📖8 books completed.

📖4 hardbacks.

🎧4 audiobooks

📖 2052 pages (4139 pages including audiobooks).

🎧 85 hours 3 minutes listened at 1.1x speed.

📖 6⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reads!

📖1⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖14 books acquired. (4 audiobooks, 10 hardbacks).

📖 5 books preordered. (5 hardbacks).

I Read:

📖Glint by Raven Kennedy. 5⭐

📖Gleam by Raven Kennedy. 5⭐

📖Glow by Raven Kennedy. 5⭐

📖Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton. 2.5⭐

🎧Crescent City House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas unabridged. 5⭐ (Reread).

🎧Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas unabridged. 5⭐ (Reread).

🎧Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas unabridged. 4⭐ (Reread).

🎧The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas unabridged. 5⭐ (Reread).

And I Started:

📖Fear the Flames by Olivia Rose Darling.

🎧Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas. (I was just an hour and a half from the end, but didn't finish before the month was up as I fell asleep while I was trying to finish it)! (Reread).

Favourite Reads: Probably Gleam by Raven Kennedy, with Glow a close second. I'm loving The Plated Prisoner series so much right now, and these books, which see Auren beginning to push back and fight for her freedom after being kept in a gilded cage and abused for her powers for ten years, have been the best yet. I sobbed my eyes out at Gleam, especially during the mutilation scenes, and actually had to put the book down for a while to rock in a corner because it upset me so much... but they're also really funny, and I love how Auren's relationship with Slade evolved. They're not easy reads as they focus on a lot of confronting topics like physical and emotional abuse, rape, imprisonment, and mutilation- and they feature some spicy scenes, too- so please check trigger warnings before reading. 

Favourite Listens: All of the audiobooks I listened to in September were amazing. I loved hearing House of Flame and Shadow brought to life, especially the ACOTAR cross over and Ruhn and Lidia scenes. I also began a Throne of Glass reread (in publishing order this time), and particularly enjoyed reliving Heir of Fire. Violent, long-haired, moody, who-did-this-to-you?, fussing Rowan Whitethorn just hits differently. The Assassin's Blade was also really fun as an audiobook, but Sam's death still killed me. I don't think it will ever get any easier to experience. His is the saddest book death ever.

Least Favourites: It was definitely Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton. I found the story really flat, monotonous, and repetitive from start to finish. While I liked Hayes, the MMC, Saoirse, the FMC, was very hard to love, and I was just so bored. There might have been a siren song singing me to sleep as I dozed off reading it a few times.

Have you read any good books lately?

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Throne of Glass Series Reviews Part Two

Last week, I reviewed the first four books in one of my favourite YA fantasy series, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (here), and I'm back with reviews of the final four books. 

Today, I'll be fangirling over talking about Empire of Storms, Tower of Dawn, Kingdom of Ash, and The Assassin's Blade. I'm likely to get carried away as I'm a little obsessed with this series, so don't say I didn't warn you!

Empire of Storms

'I love you. I am in love with you, Rowan. I have been for a while. And I know there are limits to what you can give me, and I know you might need time-'

'I love you. There is no limit to what I can give to you, no time I need. Even when this world is a forgotten whisper of dust between the stars, I will love you.'

Plot: Aelin has made it home to Terrasen, but doesn't quite receive the welcome she deserves. A queen without a throne, she sets off with her court to prove she's worthy of her crown by continuing on their quest to stop the demon king, Erawan, enslaving the world. To stop him, Aelin and her friends must travel across land and sea, and through forgotten marshlands where monsters lurk to find the final Wyrdkeys and seek the answers they never knew they needed. But will their journey uncover more than they bargained for? Before everyone comes together, we also see Elide making an unlikely alliance with Lorcan as they both journey to find Aelin, who, surprisingly, proves to be the one you want nearby when the monsters start chasing you and you run out of linen for your period. Elide and Lorcan become a formidable team as they trek across the kingdom and hide out in the circus- but are they just allies or are Elide's street smarts and Lorcan's shirtless knife-juggling skills impossible to resist? Back in Rifthold, Dorian is all alone and struggling to piece himself back together after being enslaved by a demon, and get his head around being king when a surprise attack on the castle sees him at the mercy of the witches. Elsewhere, Manon finally goes head to head with her monstrous grandmother- but will either of them make it out alive? Lysandra proves herself a badass queen as she uses her shapeshifting abilities to wipe the floor with their enemies- and bring a certain blond to his knees. And fae warriors, Fenrys and Gavriel, are finally given more air time as Maeve orders them to find and kill Lorcan- but will they succeed? With war fast approaching, the characters will come together to find the keys, uncover ancient truths, and fight for their kingdoms, facing monsters, dark forces, and an armada of fae warriors. But will Aelin, Rowan, and their friends be strong enough to best their enemies this time, or is their luck about to run out? 

Thoughts: This book had me on the edge of my seat with all its fast-paced action, brilliant battles, and shocking twists and turns, but I stayed for all the exciting new alliances, heartwarming and surprising romances and friendships, and witty humour. It's a fantastic read from start to finish, and it's one of those books I can't stop thinking about months after I finished it- mostly because of the cliff-hanger ending that's as shocking as it is sad. That scene on the beach still haunts me. There are just so many great characters, scenes, and sub-plots in this book that it's impossible to stop it getting under your skin. I adored Rowan and Aelin's bond as they grew even closer, learnt life-altering revelations, and showed their enemies exactly why you don't want to mess with them. Or be within half a mile of them when they get it on. I think I enjoyed Elide and Lorcan's partnership even more, and loved the way tiny Elide slowly began to tame the big grouchy beast with her street smarts and cunning plots while they pretended to be a married couple as they hid in the circus. Lorcan as a shirtless knife-juggling carny will be forever imprinted on my brain, and I'll never get over him sweetly cutting up his shirts for her to use for her period. *Sobs.* I loved seeing this softer side of him, and the two of them quickly became one of my favourite bookish duos ever. I love them! I also loved the relationship between Dorian and Manon in this book, and their back-and-forth as they flirted and seduced each other had me screaming. I was equally invested in Aedion and Lysandra's friendship, and couldn't help but root for them as they grew closer, too. The aftermath of the sea dragon scene, where Lysandra proves what a queen she truly is, was one of my favourites. It was also great to get more Fenrys and Gavriel scenes to get to know them a little better, and to meet some new faces (or old ones, if you read The Assassin's Blade first) as Aelin rallied allies for the war. While the ending wrecked me and made me fearful to read the next book to find out their fates, I loved this book so much, and it's full of pivotal moments for the series you won't want to miss. 

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Tower of Dawn

'Using the chair is not a punishment. It is not a prison,' he said. 'It never was. And I am as much of a man in that chair, or with that cane, as I am standing on my feet.'

Plot: After a major cliff-hanger ending in EOS, Tower of Dawn takes a break from Aelin, the cadre, and the main storyline, which I can only assume is because the author delights in torturing her readers. It instead follows Chaol and Nesryn as they journey to the southern continent of Antica to find a healer for Chaol's spinal injuries, and convince the Khagan royals to ally with Erilea in the war against Erawan and the Valg. Enter Yrene Towers (who you will recognise if you read The Assassin's Blade first), a gifted healer with a grudge against Adarlanian soldiers who is conveniently assigned to heal Chaol, the former Captain of the Guard. She refuses to go easy on him and they verbally spar day after day- with hilarious results- as they work to heal him. Much to Chaol's annoyance. Chaol is in a very dark place and has to learn to face his demons and find a way to navigate life with disability and chronic pain, while trying to win over the Khagans. But when dark forces start to chase Yrene, it seems the Valg have made it to the southern continent, and the two must team up to find the link between the healer's tower and the Valg before it's too late. Will they get to the bottom of it, and what might their quest for knowledge cost them? Meanwhile, with Chaol's attention elsewhere, Nesryn flies off on an adventure of self-discovery with the kind-hearted warrior prince, Sartaq and his giant eagle to get answers about the Valg to aid the war. Together they must face ancient fae-traps, risk their lives with giant demonic spiders, and uncover shocking truths that could change everything for Erilea. But will they make it out alive to tell Chaol and Yrene what they've learnt? And as Nesryn and Sartaq grow closer, and she sees more of his world, will Nesryn discover where she belongs and where her heart truly lies? Will Chaol ever walk again? Will he learn to face the darkness inside him? And how long will it take Chaol and Yrene to admit that perhaps they don't hate each other after all?

Thoughts: Tower of Dawn was probably my least favourite of the series, and it took me a while to get into as it started off quite slow, and I wasn't as invested in the characters as others in the series. However, I really enjoyed it by the end, and it's essential to the storyline, so you don't want to skip it or you'll be very confused in Kingdom of Ash. Many people tandem read it with Empire of Storms, to keep themselves interested, as they're set at the same time, which sounds like a more motivating way to read it. I couldn't tell you, though- I read it the regular way. It's told from three POVs- Chaol's, Yrene's and Nesryn's, and I particularly enjoyed Chaol's and Yrene's. I loved the verbal assault between Chaol and Yrene as they worked together, and how their relationship developed from enemies to... well, something entirely different. It was interesting to see Chaol learning to adapt to life with paralysis, and once he learnt to accept it, I found his outlook on life with disability inspiring. It was great to see a disabled main character portrayed in such a strong and positive light instead of just dying from illness, seen as someone to pity, or being used as inspiration p*rn. Despite the unrealistic fantasy healing of a spinal-cord injury, it was also wonderful to see an ambulatory wheelchair user portrayed, to help educate people about how most wheelchair users aren't paralysed, but rely on mobility aids as their pain and fatigue levels fluctuate from activity and flares. It's not something I've seen talked about much in fiction books, so it was positive to see that representation as Chaol's health improved. I also enjoyed Chaol's character development in this book as he finally faced up to his past and his self-hatred, and it helped explain his behaviour in Queen of Shadows. I was definitely back on Team Chaol by the end. I also loved meeting Yrene, and Sartaq for the first time, learning their stories, and discovering more of Nesryn's. The relationship which developed between Nesryn and Sartaq was so lovely and heartwarming, and the adventures that they went on were full of suspense. I could've just done without the giant spiders. Also, you'll learn something big about a supporting character in this book, and I was shocked, but somehow also not surprised at all. (Full review on Goodreads here).

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Kingdom of Ash

One blink for yes. Two for no. Three for Are you alright? Four for I am here, I am with you. Five for 'This is real, you are awake.'

Plot: The epic conclusion to the series and an emotional rollercoaster of a finale. It's a race against time for Rowan and the cadre to find Aelin and save her from the iron coffin and horrific torture she's enduring at the hands of the evil fae queen, Maeve, and her sadistic minion, Cairn. While Rowan tears apart the world to find her with Gavriel, Lorcan, and Elide, Aelin is subjected to unimaginable pain, and Fenrys, bound by the blood oath and trapped in his wolf form, is forced to watch. Will they find a way to freedom before they break- or worse? Meanwhile, war has come to Erilea and everyone is fighting for their lives- but are Erawan and the Valg the only threats they must face? Can they take on their enemies and win? Will they find the final Wyrdkey and forge the lock before it's too late? And will Aelin ever make it home to Terrasen? 

Thoughts: Told from no less than 13 POVs, this book follows all the beloved protagonists from the series as they fight for survival, and sees their stories wrapped up neatly in 980 pages. It sounds intimidating, but it was so good, I honestly wish it was twice as long. I couldn't get enough. It's an emotionally painful read at times, but it's also fast-paced and exciting, filled with funny and heartwarming moments, and all the bite-your-nails-to-the-quick-tension you could want. The torture and trauma scenes were hard to read and broke my heart, as did some of the deaths and strained relationships (Aedion, you idiot), but there were even more lovely moments that gave me all the feels, and plenty of hardcore fight scenes, too. There's also an epic race-against-time rescue scene on the battlefield with the threat of a breaking dam and it left me a white-knuckled, emotional wreck. It's one of my favourite scenes of the whole book. Aelin and Rowan and Elide and Lorcan were the stars of the show for me, but Dorian and Manon were both so entertaining and moving in this book (not to mention hilarious when together), and I love the bond that formed between Aelin and Fenrys after all they went through together. Yrene was an absolute queen, too, and I enjoyed the sweet stolen moments of happiness between her and Chaol in between battles. There's also a brief cross-over with Rhys and Feyre from ACOTAR, which was really fun to read, and I was so excited when Nox, Celaena's ally in Throne of Glass, made his return. I give it 5 stars out of 5, but if I could, I'd give it 10. Scratch that- it's my review and I make the rules here; this book is a 10. It's one of my favourites of the series, and easily one of the best fantasy novels I've ever read. However, I will forever wonder WHAT DID LORCAN DO?! 

Rating: 10 stars out of 5

The Assassin's Blade 

'When I'm scared out of my wits, I tell myself: My name is Sam Cortland... and I will not be afraid.'

'My name is Celaena Sardothien,' she whispered. 'And I will not be afraid.'

Plot: The Assassin's Blade is the prequel to Throne of Glass, and a series of five novellas that let you experience Celaena as a young, deadly assassin before she was sent to Endovier, and freed to be the King's champion. The five short stories finally let you see how some of her infamous adventures really went down, and how she came to know some of her old friends in the series. We see how she was abused and manipulated by the assassin master, Arobynn; how she fell in love with her first love, Sam, the betrayal that led to his tragic death, and the heart-breaking aftermath that changed Celaena forever. In The Assassin and the Pirate Lord, we get to see how she and Sam freed the slaves from Rolfe the Pirate Lord, and began to see themselves as friends. We learn how Celaena and Yrene first met In The Assassin and the Healer; how she saved Yrene from being assaulted, taught her her infamous self-defence moves, and gave her the brooch that changed her life. The Assassin and the Desert lets us see what happened when Celaena was sent to train with The Silent Assassins, and how Ansel of Briarcliff betrayed her. Then, In The Assassin and the Underworld, we see romance building between Celaena and Sam, her rivalry with the young courtesan, Lysandra, a near-drowning incident in the sewers, and Celaena unknowingly meeting Dorian and Chaol at a masquerade ball. The book concludes with The Assassin and the Empire- where both Sam and Celaena are set up and betrayed, leading to Sam's tragic death, a heartbreaking scene in the morgue, and Celaena being sentenced to slavery in the salt mines of Endovier. (Stock up on tissues- you will need them).

Thoughts: It was a harrowing but fun and exciting collection of stories that provided a new perspective on many of the characters in the series, tied up loose ends, and answered some burning questions the series created. It was interesting to see Celaena at 16/17 years old as such a violent and bratty assassin, and realise how much she changed by TOG, and how far her character had come by the end of the series. I particularly loved meeting Sam, and seeing their relationship blossom- even if I knew the novellas were counting down to his death, and it was one of the most heartbreaking things I've ever read. Seriously, I'm never getting over it. (Whyyyyy?) I also really enjoyed learning more of Yrene's past and how the two women crossed paths, and it was fun to read Celaena's adventures with Ansel and Illias in the desert, too. The only thing I felt was missing was a novella of her time in Endovier. I would've loved to have read about the day she snapped and killed a bunch of people as she tried to escape or seen her learning to survive there. 

As it's a prequel, you can read this book at any point in the series after Throne of Glass- it was originally published after Heir of Fire (book three)- but I would recommend reading it last. You don't need to read it to understand the series, and ending the series by going back in time before it all began and learning these back stories was the perfect way to put it to rest. Except it just made me want to read it all over again, so it led to me rereading Throne of Glass before I let go. I've heard a lot of people have trouble getting in to this book, and I think reading it first could put you off continuing with the series, so at least read the first three books before beginning it.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

So, there we have my low-down on one of the best fantasy series of our time. But don't take my word for it, go grab yourself a copy of the first book, Throne of Glass, and see for yourself why I won't stop raving about them. They're a Booktok favourite for a reason!

And once you've made it through all eight books, you're going to want to move on to A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City- two other fae fantasy series from Sarah J Maas, which she's beginning to intertwine. 

Welcome to the Maasverse, guys! You're never going to want to leave.

Have you read Throne of Glass yet?

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Throne of Glass Series Reviews: Part One

After years of putting it off, I finally began reading the Throne of Glass series in January, and even though I finished the series months ago, I've been hooked ever since. It's one of my favourite fantasy series ever.

I've been trying to convince anyone that will listen to read the series, so I thought it was about time I worked my magic on you guys, too with some reviews, and photos of the gorgeous Bloomsbury hardbacks that were released earlier this year. Just look at how gorgeous the art is on these covers! 

If you're not already familiar with Throne of Glass, it's a fantastic eight-book YA fantasy series that you're sure to love if you enjoy romantasy adventure books like ACOTAR, The Cruel Prince, and Fourth Wing. The main female character is a badass, deadly assassin with quick wit, a complicated past, and a big heart underneath her morally grey veneer. There are also gorgeous, ripped fae warriors, a hot prince with shadow powers and daddy issues, a brooding royal guard (also with daddy issues) driven by his love for his best friend, witches with iron nails and teeth, a flower-loving wyvern, shapeshifters, demons, giant eagles, ghosts, enchanted talking door-knockers, a loveable dog, and young kings and queens trying to find their place in a troubled world.

It might be a YA series, but the story and world-building are really well developed and most of the main characters go through so much character growth over the series. There are so many great characters to fall in love with (my faves are Aelin, Rowan, Elide and Lorcan) and a handful to hate with passion. (Arobynn, Maeve, and Vernon, for sure). There is an assassin trying to win a place as the king's champion, a lost queen trying to reclaim her kingdom and free magic, epic romances, heartwarming friendships, rivalries, torture, murder, tragedy, battles, and a war with demons all the characters will come together to fight

If that sounds like your cup of tea, let me introduce you to the start of your new book obsession. 

I'm breaking this up in to two posts because I've gotten carried away with the word count again (can't help it- I love these books), and I'll be focusing on the first four books today- Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, and Queen of Shadows. 

Throne of Glass

'What's the point in having a mind if you don't use it to make judgements?'

'What's the point in having a heart if you don't use it to spare others from the harsh judgements of your mind?'

Plot: Celaena Sardothien, a young and deadly assassin, is freed from slavery in the salt mines of Endovier by a prince and his guard, and taken to the glass castle to compete to be the king's champion. Celaena must go up against 23 dangerous male criminals in a series of trials where desperation for freedom, and no rules means anything's possible- even murder. Determined to win back her freedom, she trains daily with Chaol, the moody captain, who refuses to see her as anything but a criminal; catches the eye of handsome Dorian, the cocky but charming young prince; and befriends the strong-willed princess, Nehemia. Friendships blossom and perhaps more. But then champions start being brutally murdered one by one in between trials, and Celaena is determined to get to the bottom of who's behind it before they come for her, too. Does it have anything to do with the weird symbols she keeps seeing around the castle, and can she find the answers she seeks before it's too late? Can she beat her brutish rival, Cain, and win the championship? Or will she find herself back in the salt mines once more?

Thoughts: I've read this book twice this year- first when I began the series and again when I finished it, and while it read even better with context, I thoroughly enjoyed it both times. It's the kind of book that left me wanting to read just one more chapter whenever I had to set it down and burrowed its way into my thoughts when I wasn't reading it. It's an unusually strong start to a fantasy series, with plenty of action, murder, mystery, betrayal, and suspense, and enough twists and turns to keep things interesting and entertaining. It also has just the right amount of romance and friendship to give the story some heart and excitement, and the beginnings of a love triangle. The world building was well developed and beautifully descriptive, helping to draw me into every scene, and the multiple-narratives helped to keep the story fresh and interesting. (Although, I would have been happier without Kaltain's whiny point-of-view- even if it was relevant to the story). I quickly fell in love with the three main characters, Celaena, Dorian, and Chaol (okay, Chaol took a little longer), and the relationships that developed between them, and I also enjoyed Celaena's friendship with fierce Princess Nehemia, and Nox, her ally in the championship. The book also introduces several characters I loved to hate, too, including Celaena's ruthless nemesis, Cain, irritating Lady Kaltain, scheming Duke Perrington, and the deplorable King of Adarlan. (Full review on Goodreads here).

Rating: 5 stars out of 5 (upgraded from 4 out of 5 on my first read).

Crown of Midnight 

'I know you can look after yourself. But I worry because I care. Gods help me, I know I shouldn't, but I do. So I will always tell you to be careful because I will always care what happens.'

Plot: Celaena is the king's new champion, and is tasked with using her skills to murder his enemies. Except, she secretly plays the king by making them disappear instead, which seems like a genius idea- until she's told to kill her childhood crush. While she decides whether she can trust the smooth-talking courtier to run and hide. nothing will stop Celaena from plotting to other throw the king, and uncover the mysteries of the castle. Like what exactly is lurking in the halls and beyond the library? And what does the riddle in the tomb mean? Also, did that doorknocker just talk? And why is Celaena so afraid of the witch in the travelling carnival? Meanwhile, Dorian is in the throes of heartbreak, and shocked when strange things keep happening around him that he can't explain. Things that seem an awful lot like magic. But that can't be right- magic disappeared from Adarlan ten years ago. And Dorian can't tell anyone; if his father finds out, he'll have his head. Elsewhere in the castle, bristly captain Chaol has turned in to the soft, brooding type over Celaena, but what will happen when one little lie he makes to keep her safe results in the death of someone she loves? Devastated by the loss, she can't stem her blood lust, and as grief tears her apart and a betrayal is uncovered, more surprises are in store for the characters that could change their lives- and their relationships- forever.

Thoughts: Crown of Midnight is one of my least favourites of the series, along with Tower of Dawn. Don't get me wrong, I still really enjoyed this book, but it's a little slower-paced and less exciting than most of the others, so it's low-ranking in my list of SJM favourites. It must be one of the few occurrences where I feel the second book in the series isn't better than the first. It has such a different feel to the first book, with less humour and a much darker tone as the characters face loss and loneliness, avoid acknowledging their secrets, and struggle with their mental health. There's plenty of feral violence, intriguing mysteries, betrayal, magic, young love, heartache, and devastating grief and depression, and it took me through the emotional ringer- something SJM seems to have a talent for. Even now, I'm not sure I'm over the strained relationships or the shocking death. I loved Chaol and Celaena's relationship in this book, especially how cute soft, loved-up Chaol was. The dancing and birthday dinner scenes between them were particularly adorable. It was interesting to see all the different sides of Celaena and wonder how a person can wear so many different faces, from vicious assassin to chocolate-cake loving bookworm, but I especially enjoyed seeing her go rogue as an assassin and learning exactly why everyone is afraid of her- by the Wyrd, she's terrifying! I also found the change in Dorian's demeanour from cocky jokester to withdrawn little emo boy broke my heart, but the plot twist for his character was so intriguing and unexpected. I definitely didn't see this side of him coming. Nor did I guess the massive twist in Celaena's story, but looking back, the signs were all there, and I don't know how I missed them. It made for a fantastic climax to the story, and had me on the edge of my seat right until the painfully bittersweet ending. (Full review on Goodreads here).

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Heir of Fire

'I claim you, Rowan Whitethorn. I don't care what you say and how much you protest. I claim you as my friend.'

'I claim you, Aelin. To whatever end.'

Plot: Celaena has been sent to Wendlyn to murder the royal family, but she has no intention of following orders. She plans to go to Doranelle to learn more about the Wyrdmarks, but the fae Queen, Maeve, won't allow her passage into the fae city until she proves herself worthy. She's ordered to first master her powers with the silver-haired warrior Prince, Rowan, the most powerful fae male in all the realms, who is a sadistic, grouchy bastard, and seems intent on making her life hell. But she's the world's greatest assassin and nobody fights better than her- or so she thinks. Has Celaena finally met her match? Lost in her grief and depression, and being forced to confront the traumatic past she's kept buried for ten years, Celaena is in a dark place, and teetering on the edge. Will Rowan push her over it, or will they find some common ground? And what are the monstrous beings leaving dried-up dead bodies in their wake around Mistward? If anyone can figure it out, it's Rowan and Celaena, but will she be strong enough to fight when they come a-calling? Back in Rifthold, Dorian is angry with Chaol for sending Celaena away, and desperately looking for a way to suppress his magic, which sees him visiting a healer that he just can't seem to stay away from... Chaol is missing Celaena but reeling from what he learnt about her, while trying to tie up loose ends to keep Dorian safe before he sacrifices his soul to his manipulative father. He finds himself suspicious of newcomer Aedion, a shady young general who is definitely up to something, and he's determined to find out what. Will what he discovers interfere with his promise to leave the glass castle? We're also introduced to Manon and The Thirteen, a deadly coven of witches with iron teeth and nails who the king has enlisted. And they're not flying on broomsticks. What exactly is the king planning for Erilea- and for our heroes in the Glass Castle?

Thoughts: Heir of Fire is when the series really starts to transform from mildly entertaining into something spectacular, and when my love for the series began to turn slightly more obsessive. That's not to say the first two books aren't great, but book three is when everything really starts coming to life. The introduction of the fae, Rowan and the cadre, shapeshifting, powerful magic, and intense battles with magical demons adds so much to the story, as does seeing Celaena finally meeting her match, learning to control her powers, and beginning to face up to her past. And then there's Rowan Whitethorn, who despite starting off as a depraved bully who badly needs around-the-clock therapy, quickly tunnelled into my heart and became one of my favourite fictional characters of all time. Apparently, I just can't resist a morally-grey, brooding fae warrior with a hidden heart of gold who asks 'who did this to you?', fusses when she gets hurt, and has touch-her-and-you-die vibes. I worry about myself sometimes. I loved his sadistic side, and how his relationship with Celaena played out- except for one particularly cruel scene that hurt my heart- bastard. I also adored how cute Dorian and Sorscha were together, and loved meeting The Cadre, Luca and Emrys, and Aedion for the first time, whose shadiness and suffering for the greater good gave me Rhysand vibes. It took me a while to warm up to newcomer Manon and the other witches, and it probably wasn't until sweet baby Abraxos came along that I started to enjoy their scenes, and stop longing for another POV. There's also a dramatic ending in the glass castle you're not going to want to miss, but be warned- it hurts. A lot. I'm not sure I'll ever recover. Despite that, it's definitely one of my ultimate favourite books of the series, and of all time- and I wish I could read it for the first time again.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Queen of Shadows

'You make me want to live, Rowan. Not survive, not exist. Live.'

'You make me want to live, Aelin Galathynius,' he said. 'Not exist- but live.' ... '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.'

Plot: With the help of her found-family, Aelin returns to Rifthold to free Prince Dorian and her cousin from the king's clutches, take down the king, slay some demons, free magic, and get her revenge on her erstwhile mentor, Arobynn. Can she and her friends do it all before the king enslaves the world? Meanwhile, Dorian is trapped in his body and forgetting who he is as a demon prince takes control; moody Chaol is plotting to save Dorian, while brandishing a massive attitude problem and working underground to free people from the demons with sharpshooter, Nesryn; Lorcan is furiously playing Aelin in determination to find the Wyrdkeys- and Aelin is playing him right back; Manon and the Thirteen are being trained as weapons but starting to question the disturbing things happening under the mountain; and cunning newcomer Elide is working to escape her abusive uncle's chains which sees her forge an unlikely alliance- but will it be enough to save her from the horrors of Morath and the future her uncle has planned for her? And when Aelin and Chaol come face-to-face with demon-possessed-Dorian and the king, will any of them walk out alive? 

Thoughts: 

Queen of Shadows gets the bronze in my top three favourites of the series, after Heir of Fire and Kingdom of Ash which are fighting it out for the gold. This book is a masterpiece and you can't convince me otherwise. It's packed full of fight scenes, brilliant schemes, satisfying revenge, manipulation, sexual tension, angst, rivalries, heartwarming reunions, humour, and a big long list of other great stuff. I loved every moment of it. There's just so much to love about this book from Rowan and Aelin's iconic reunion scene to Rowan being floored by a nightgown, and Manon and Dorian's flirting (hello Princeling, hello Witchling), to Lysandra and Aelin joining forces to get their revenge on the psychopathic Assassin Master, Arobynn. And then there's Aelin and her friends teaming up to free magic and save Dorian, and the growing friendship and sexual tension between Rowan and Aelin. *Chef's kiss.* I also loved meeting Elide (one of my faves) for the first time, who proves you don't have to be literate to be smart as she creeps around Morath with a chain around her disfigured ankle plotting her escape from the demon lair, and becoming unlikely friends with the terrifying witches. This book equally did a good job at punching me in the heart with Dorian being controlled by an evil demon, Kaltain being abused for her powers, and Chaol taking break-up pettiness to a whole new level by blaming Aelin for everything wrong in the world and just behaving like an absolute douche. The change in his character in this book definitely made me hate him for a while, but that's okay- who needs angry Chaol when there's ruggedly beautiful Rowan, Lorcan, and Aedion to fill the void? There's also a big plot twist at the end that totally blew my mind. I didn't see it coming for a second, and it completely changed my perspective on the character and all they'd done up to that point. If I'm honest, I'm still shocked, and I'm sure you will be, too. And if you love fantasy, I think you're going to love this brilliant book as much as I do.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

So, as I said, this is just half of the Throne of Glass series, and there's another four books to go after Queen of Shadows. But don't let the length of the series intimidate you; they're fantastic, easy reads, and the kind of books you'll fly through in days. I sure did!

I'll be back with reviews of the last four books soon, so be sure to keep an eye out for them- hopefully later this week!

Have you read Throne of Glass? What's your favourite book series?

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Currently | April 2023

It's been almost four months since I last sat down for a catch-up, so I think it's time for a long over-due Currently post. 

Today, I'm going to talk about some of the things I've been enjoying and doing lately. 

Let's start with some books:

Reading

Since the New Year, I've fallen down a Sarah J. Maas rabbit-hole and have been flitting back and forth between the Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses series'. Two series that I've wanted to read for years, but have only just got around to. I'm kicking myself, as they're both amazing. 

So far, I've read the first three books of A Court of Thorns- A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, and A Court of Wings and Ruin, and I've just began A Court of Frost and Starlight after a a little ACOTAR break to stop myself reading them too quickly. I'm completely obsessed with the series, and it's been living rent-free in my head for the last four months. 

A Court of Mist and Fury has definitely been my favourite so far. It's so different to the first book, and completely changed my perspective on several characters (Tamlin's out, Rhys is in, Lucien can get a time-out for being an enabler), but it's one of my favourite reads ever. The trauma, PTSD, depression, abuse, and recovery storylines were so powerful and heartbreaking, and the character development was amazing. The book is quite melancholy for a while because of the trauma and abuse, but as characters heal and so many different things unfold, it turns in to such a funny, flirty, empowering, and exciting read. I loved getting to know Rhys and the Inner Circle (hello, Cassian), and I adored Rhys' relationship with Feyre- especially the way he tries to piece her back together with banter and flirting. Chapter 54 killed me, and that ending! Cauldron boil me, it was so good! Would highly recommend it and the series in general... as long as you don't mind a bit of spice... (Avoid chapter 55 of ACOMAF if you do). 

I can't wait to read A Court of Silver Flames for Cassian and Nesta's story, but I won't know what to do with myself once I'm finished and have to wait God-knows-how-long for the next book to come out.

I've also been loving the Throne of Glass books (perhaps even more than ACOTAR), and have so far devoured Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, Queen of Shadows, Empire of Storms, and Tower of Dawn. Just two more to go.

I loved the first two books and the Celaena/ Dorian / Chaol love triangle, but Heir of Fire is when it really started getting good, and has definitely been my favourite so far, followed by Queen of Shadows- mostly because of Rowan, who quickly became one of my favourite male fictional characters ever. Sadistic side of him, an' all. I adore Rowan and Aelin together- especially how cute the big grouchy warrior is when he gets protective and starts fussing over her, or later worships her like a queen. (Where can I get one?) The introduction of the fae magic definitely adds something extra to the story, too. I really enjoyed Empire of Storms, as well, though, with so much of the storyline focused on war, I found it a bit slower than the other books at times. But, I loved the Elide and Lorcan scenes, and all the romance and sexual tension building between several couples, and I can't wait to find out if they all end up together in the final book. And that ending! Brutal! Rowan's reaction to what happened broke my heart. I was gutted when I began the next book, Tower of Dawn last week, and realised it took a break from the main characters and storyline to tell Chaol and Nesryn's stories, and that I have to wait a whole other book to find out what happens next. I wasn't so invested in Chaol and Nesryn's POV to begin with and it took me a while to get into as it was a bit duller than the rest of the series, but I loved Yrene as a character, Chaol getting his ass handed to him by Yrene, and Sartaq being so obviously smitten with Nesryn. It was also interesting to see Chaol learning how to adapt to life with his spinal injuries, battling his limitations and his pride, and realising using a mobility aid doesn't make someone less of a man / woman. Despite the unrealistic fantasy healing, it sent a good message about disability, and it was great to have an ambulatory wheelchair user character to open people's eyes to how mobility levels can alter through activity, and that not all wheelchair users are paralysed.

I'll try to post some proper reviews of both series' once I've finished them, but you can find some mini reviews on my Instagram highlights, and more in-depth ones for some of them on my Goodreads.

Another book I really enjoyed was The Stolen Heir by Holly Black. It's the first book of a new duology set in the same world as The Cruel Prince series, but eight years on. It follows Jude's younger brother, Oak, and Suren (Wren), now all grown up in their late teens as they team up with his knight and their prisoner, and travel across the faerie lands of Elfhame to the Ice Needle Citadel to free Madoc and defeat Lady Nore. Along the way, they face dangers and threats, like trolls and monsters made of human body parts, and there's some fledgling romance developing, before they reach the Citadel, where there's lots of shocking twists and turns. I didn't see the ending coming, but it was brilliant. I can't wait for the second book now- and it pains me that it's almost a year away.

Watching

I haven't watched a lot lately, as I've been in a weird funk, but I've been loving Shadow and Bone on Netflix these past couple of weeks. I'd been looking forward to it since I finished season one last year, and though it's different to the books, it hasn't disappointed. I need season three and the Six of Crows spinoff now!

I also recently watched Avatar 2: The Way of Water for the first time, and absolutely loved it. Possibly even more than the first one. It was so beautifully done- especially the underwater / sea creature scenes.

Listening

I'm loving the new Fall Out Boy album, So Much (For) Stardust, which came out recently, and have been playing it on repeat. The entire album is amazing, but I particularly love Fake Out, Love From the Other Side, The Kintsugi Kid (Ten Years), and So Good Right Now. I've also been going back in time twenty years with Linkin Park's Meteora 20th Anniversary release. I've been playing the original since I was seventeen and still at college, and it's always been a favourite album (and Linkin Park era) of mine. I'm enjoying reminiscing about those good old days with it, and getting to hear lots of unreleased tracks from that era on top of the original songs from the album. It's like 2003 all over again.

Playing

I've been playing Animal Crossing New Horizons a lot, and have jumped on the bandwagon and got myself Disney Dreamlight Valley, when it was on sale after Christmas. I haven't actually got past making my avatar yet, though. I've been in too much of a funk to want to play or concentrate on anything new lately- sometimes my brain-fogged head gets like that. I'll have to give it another go again soon.

Stitching

I haven't done any cross stitching since Christmas. I've been so uninspired with what to make next that I've lost my sewing mojo. Hopefully I'll spot a fun, colourful pattern I like soon.

Painting

I recently bought myself the A Court of Thorns and Roses colouring book, and have enjoyed colourising Feyre and Tamlin in the glen of the Spring Court with my watercolours recently. I'm just beginning the second coat, and making a complete mess of it, especially of Tamlin, who is a complete train wreck at this point. I ruined a patch of his hair and sleeve by overworking the areas, and made his gold mask too yellow, since I didn't have a gold paint when I started. (I do now)! I'm hoping I can improve them before I'm finished, but he might remain a bit of a fixer-upper- much like his character. It's going to take me forever to work through the book as my joints will only let me paint in short bursts, but I'm enjoying destressing with it, trying to improve my painting 'skills' (I have none!), and bringing one of my favourite book series' to life this way. It's so therapeutic. I'll post a review of the colouring book once I've painted a few more pages.

Loving

The new book covers for the Throne of Glass series- especially the hardbacks, which I'm currently collecting. The cover art is so pretty, and the books are such lovely jewel colours.

Liking

The Nivea Organically Good Aloe Vera body lotion. I've been trying some cheaper skincare options since the cost of living crisis to save my pennies where I can, and I'm so impressed with how good this one is. I don't think my skin has ever felt softer! It smells so good, it's vegan, and you can roll up the bottle as it empties to get every last drop of lotion out of it. Very impressed, especially considering it's a budget brand.

Enjoying

the extra hour of light in the evenings now the clocks have changed, and all the blossom and colourful spring flowers that are popping up. I love it when everything comes back to life again after the winter. 

Seeing

I recently saw Ronan Keating and the City Light Symphony Orchestra live at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and it was amazing I've seen Ronan live countless times over the years, but never quite like this. The classical music really complimented his voice and they were some of the best performances of his songs I've ever seen / heard. The music was so powerful, I had goosebumps all night, and even got teary-eyed over a few songs because of it. It was such a fantastic experience, and the 65-piece-orchestra was incredible. I've never really seen a big professional orchestra perform before (though Ronan toured with a small one years ago), or been to a classical concert, but I was definitely impressed by what I saw and heard. There were so many talented musicians on that stage, and the maestro was so fun to watch as he was such a character. It's a shame it was just a one-off gig in the UK (with random shows in places like Cape Town and Switzerland), as I'd have happily gone to see them again. 

Needing

I really need to get my hair cut. I haven't had it cut in almost two years, and I'm beginning to look like Cousin It again. Hopefully I can afford a visit to the hairdresser's this spring to get it cut into a more manageable length. I also need to get to the optician's for new glasses (I'm about five years over due), and see a dentist about my cracked molar.

Wanting

About 8929134 books, several of the new Lady Vintage Lyra dresses, a new Vendula London clasp purse (to replace the one that was stolen), quite a few Loungefly bags and purses, a few Erstwilder My Little Pony brooches, an Illyrian bat boy, my own Rowan Whitethorn, a pain free day, more time out of the house, some adventures, a holiday, and a good night's sleep. Not asking for much, really...

Wishing

the two guys who pick-pocketed my purse from my bag at Victoria Station last month get kicked in the balls before enjoying a pleasant stay in hell. 

Buying

Most of my purchases over the last few months have been books. I just can't resist them, and they're the best form of escapism and distraction. I've been gradually collecting the Throne of Glass and ACOTAR hardbacks, and also treated myself to the Illumicrate editions of The Stolen Heir, Ninth House, and Hell Bent, which are all absolutely gorgeous. (I'll try to review those for you soon). I also treated myself to an amazing A Court of Thorns and Roses book tin from Litjoy Crate in the style of Beauty and the Beast (yes, I'm obsessed!), some Erstwilder brooches, and an amazing My Little Pony print smock dress from Truffle Shuffle. 

Eating

I've been enjoying treats in Easter form- especially Cadbury mini orange eggs, and Kinder Bueno eggs. They're so good! Why is Easter chocolate so much better than regular chocolate??

Drinking

Apart from being treated to a Hotel Chocolat hot chocolate after Christmas, I haven't drank anything interesting in  ages. I don't think I've even had a proper drink in about five years. I've not made a conscious decision to quit drinking or anything (though I'm not meant to drink on my painkillers), I just don't tend to drink unless I go out, and it's been a long time since I did that. *Tiny violins.*

Well, that's been my life lately.

What have you been enjoying recently?

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