Ok, ok. I'm late to the game on this series but I tried to tell myself for a really long time that I wasn't interested in reading popular TikTok books. Also told myself that I didn't want to read anything with romance in it. I shunned this series (and the ACOTAR) series for years.
I've learned a valuable lesson. SJM knows what she's doing and I'll never doubt her again.
I started with Assassin's Blade and read straight through in publication order. I did not do the tandem read with Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn. So many people love the tandem read. Seemed liked a waste of time to mark the chapters in reading order and I just wanted to finish the series and know it ended!
If you've read ACOTAR, I'd say I liked the males better in that series over this series (ummm... the Bat Boys!!!) but I liked the females better in this series. Aelin is my girl. :)
This series makes you laugh, cry and made me angrier at times than a book should. I love how SJM immerses you in the world and makes you feel like you're right there. The character's emotions are very real and they grab you by the throat at times.
No spoilers here but here's might thoughts on some of the characters:
Aedion- Can't stand him. I don't know why people hate Chaol over this guy. Aedion was big pain in the ass throughout 95% of the chapters he was in.
Aelin- See above. Love her.
Lysandra- Yep, gold. Adore her.
Elide- She was just ok for me. Didn't love her, didn't hate her.
Lorcan- Loved him.
Chaol- I don't get the hate. I liked him.
Dorian- Just meh. He's arrogant so if you like that kind of thing...
Fenrys- I wish he was real.
Manon- Love, love, love the team up between Manon and Aelin. Manon is just the right amount of cold heartedness mixed with a slightly softer side when she needs to be.
Rowan- I don't get the love for him. He's fine but he's a fairly quiet MMC.
There are obviously a lot more characters but these are the highlights. For those that critique SJM's writing, I'd suggest just chilling out a hot second and appreciating this absolutely incredible world she built for us to get lost in.
Comments