Book Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

November 12, 2024 by Joe Gray in Book Review, Fantasy, Fiction

I wanted to love this book. I had high expectations because of my love for Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series but A Court of Thorns and Roses is very different. It is a more insulated story with a much simpler plot and less action. I wasn’t as invested in the characters who seemed like premade pieces in a predictable puzzle. It seems tailored for a female audience and centers around a romance that is more superficial than the romances in Throne of Glass.

Book/Series Review: Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

July 04, 2024 by Joe Gray in Book Review, Fantasy, Fiction, Reviews

I have enjoyed the entire series immensely and consider it one of the best fantasy stories I have ever read. The entire thing is well-paced, superbly written, wonderfully exciting, and suspenseful and the organization of the chapters, books, and series was masterfully orchestrated. I am very glad that this series was introduced to me by my friends and I am compelled to read more from Sarah J. Maas although I am afraid nothing will quite live up to the Throne of Glass series. I cried, I laughed but mostly I couldn’t stop reading. I highly recommend these books and I thought the finale was perfect.

Book Review: Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

May 19, 2024 by Joe Gray in Book Review, Fantasy, Fiction, Reccomendations, Reviews

Tower of Dawn is the 7th book in the 8-book Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. The fantasy series is centered around Caelena Sardothien aka Aelin Galanthynius who is an assassin turned rightful queen of Terasen. Yet, in this book, Aelin does not appear. So what could this book be about?

Book Review: Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

March 13, 2024 by Joe Gray in Fiction, Book Review, Fantasy, Reviews

All of this happens and it is awesome and I enjoyed the ride. That is why I read these books. Because they are full of suspense, action, romance, and intrigue. They are all well-written and entertaining. They are popular books for a reason. That’s the review. It was great and you should read it. Review over.

Book Review: The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

February 17, 2024 by Joe Gray in Book Review, Fantasy, Fiction

This set of stories was another great entry in the Throne of Glass series and it is written wonderfully. It gives much-appreciated context to the life that led to the events that start with the Throne of Glass book and creates an immense amount of anticipation to read The Queen of Shadows, where Celaena will, hopefully, face those who took so much from her. I can’t wait to keep reading about the incredibly heroic life of Celaena Sardothein. I recommend this book and reading it after reading through the first three full novels starting with Throne of Glass book. It isn’t necessary to read it in that order but it worked well for me. In any case, these books are superbly written and very enjoyable.

Book Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

January 30, 2024 by Joe Gray in Book Review, Fantasy, Fiction, Reviews

This book was by far the most emotion-inducing of the series so far and was a delight to read through. I had a hard time putting it down and it left me on the edge of my seat the entire time. There is so much tension and action that there is never a dull moment. Getting to watch Celaena’s power and resolve grow as she is pushed to become more than a downtrodden slave to the will of others was extremely satisfying and exciting. Her character goes through so much inner and outer turmoil but she just keeps fighting and working toward becoming who she wants to be, which happens to be the hero the world needs in the face of such horrific tyranny.