I really loved this. Just like I loved Heir of Fire. The story was never boring and I really liked the characters. ( )

Good book in a good series, but honestly if I had to read any more about a “fairy prince” or the phrases “death incarnate” or “death, destroyer of worlds” one more time I might have screamed ( )

This book was so good in so many ways except the fact that Chaol appears to have left his big boy pants at home. ( )

3.5 - At this point in the series, I've developed a chronic allergy to just about anything Celaena- and Assassins' Guild-related, since that episode of her life was so poorly put together that it was cringy and flimsy at best (world's greatest assassin with a big mouth, enormous ego, no actual stomach for killing, and no street smarts - seems legit). The only exception to that rule was Heir of Fire, where Celaena finally underwent some true character development before accepting her new identity as Aelin. So I wasn't excited to see her slip back into her old assassin guise for the first half of the book, but I suppose it was necessary to tie up some loose ends - Arobynn wasn't very believable at first, but finally became a realistic and ruthless enough antagonist that the stakes involved made sense. The boss battle in the second half was well-written in terms of action and pacing, which has always seemed to be SJM's main strength. But - yes, another but - by that time there had already been too many convenient saves with all the magical artifacts floating around the story, what with copies being made of just about everything that made it super easy to fool Aelin's overpowered enemies... somehow.

As far as the other characters went, I still liked most of our sidekicks, particularly Rowan and his ongoing chemistry with Aelin, but Chaol was insufferable. I could only read so many pages of constant pity parties mixed with bitter commercial breaks where he blames Aelin for breathing, existing, and everything that happened while she was sent away (which he's somehow forgotten was his own doing). He did one good thing in the end, but I still can't say I'm a fan. Lysandra was a new favorite, and I'm glad to see there wasn't any weird love triangle going on with Aedion, because that would have been tiresome to read too. Anyway, the overall plot still held my interest enough to warrant at least a 3-star, and I was glad to say goodbye to Celaena (hopefully) for good. ( )

Finally, at Book #4, I’m really starting to enjoy the Throne of Glass series. I’m disappointed that it took me this long to get into the story, but at last I am looking forward to the next book. ( )