Queen of Shadows

On By Rosie AdamsIn Fantasy, Recently Released, Young AdultLeave a comment

Title: Queen of Shadows
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass series, book 4
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: September 1st, 2015

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Note: This post reviews the fourth book of the Throne of Glass series. You may like to read the first three books in the series, Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire before reading this review.

Celaena Sardothien has returned to Adarlan – and she is ready to do what needs to be done, no matter the cost. With both Prince Dorian and Aedion Ashryver, her long-lost beloved cousin, imprisoned by the King of Adarlan, Celaena must risk everything to save the people she cares about.

But that is only the beginning. The King of Adarlan must be brought down, his tyranny and corruption brought to an end. With the help of her friends, and the Fae Prince Rowan faithfully at her side, Celaena must embrace the truth of who and what she is if she is to save Dorian’s people, her people, and the rest of Erilea from the impending darkness ahead.

This fourth book of the Throne of Glass series was the best so far. Not only was it an action-packed page turner, but it was rich with character development. Maas definitely upped her game with this one, and I am ready to jump right into the next one, Empire of Storms. 

Click on the links below to get your copy of this book and the others in its series:

Heir of Fire

On By Rosie AdamsIn Fantasy, Recently Released, Young Adult4 Comments

Title: Heir of Fire
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass series, book 3
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: September 2nd, 2014

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Note: This post reviews the third book of the Throne of Glass series. You may like to read the first two books in the series, Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight, before reading this review.

Celaena Sardothien, the King’s Champion, has been sent on an errand to the distant continent of Wendlyn. But instead of doing the King of Adarlan’s bidding, she finds herself on a mission of her own: to find the powerful Queen of the Fae, Maeve, and learn more about the ancient weapons the King of Adarlan has come to possess.

But she has more to learn than this – so much more. Celaena has been running from the truth of who and what she is for ten years now; her past, too terrible to confront, her power, unimaginable. She trains with Rowan, a prince of the Fae, and is easily outmatched by him, despite her skill as an assassin. Rowan does not let her off easy, but instead pushes her, challenges her, and ultimately breaks her. It is at this time that she must make a decision: to crumble into worthless nothingness, or to rise up and become the person she was destined to be.

I enjoyed this third installment of the Throne of Glass series… after the first two hundred or so pages. It took me a long time to get into, but once I was into it, I didn’t want to put it down. I’m hoping the next book, Queen of Shadows, picks up with the same pace this book ended with.

Click on the links below to get your copy of this book and the others in its series:

Friday Favorites: August

On By Rosie AdamsIn Friday Favorites2 Comments

I’m still in denial that it is actually August! Summer always seems to go by way too quickly.

For my Friday post this month, I wanted to share with you some books that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND for any fellow writers. I am getting ready to go to a conference next month, (Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold), and present some work there. (fingers crossed) There are two books that I have found incredibly helpful during this writing process, and I want to share them with you!

Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly, by Gail Carson Levine. For the low price of $3.03 on Amazon. (Seriously, this is a steal!)

Writer to Writer: From Think to Ink, by Gail Carson Levine. Also for the low price of $3.03 on Amazon.


I recommend starting with Writing Magic, as it’s the first one she wrote. These are books I consider to be musts, especially for writers of young adult, middle grade, and children’s fiction. They are amazing!

Have you read either of these books? Tell me what you thought of them!

Crown of Midnight

On By Rosie AdamsIn Fantasy, Recently Released, Young AdultLeave a comment

Title: Crown of Midnight
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass series, book 2
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: August 27th, 2013

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Note: This post reviews the second book of the Throne of Glass series. You may like to read the first book in the series, Throne of Glass, before reading this review.

After winning the brutal contest and earning the position as the King’s Champion, assassin Celaena Sardothien only appears loyal to the king she serves. She plays the part the king demands of her, in hopes of finally attaining her freedom. Celaena is also being pulled in different directions by the ones she cares about most: the Crown Prince of Adarlan, Dorian, the Captain of the Guard, Choal, and her best friend, Nehemia, Princess of the threatened kingdom of Eyllwe. Since each of them have their own expectations of her, she struggles to decide where her trust, her loyalties, and her heart truly lie.   

But as she uncovers more and more of the king’s dark and powerful secrets, it becomes harder for Celaena to do his bidding, especially with her own secrets about who she is, secrets so dangerous that she trusts no one with them; secrets that could affect the future of everyone.

Sarah J. Maas is quickly becoming a new favorite author of mine. She drew me in first with her series A Court of Thorns and Roses, and is continuing to captivate me with her series, Throne of Glass. For some reason, this book was a little difficult for me to fully get into. I’m still enjoying this series, its characters, and the fantasy world, and I look forward to seeing where Celaena goes from here!

Click on the links below to get your copy of this book and the others in its series:

Throne of Glass

On By Rosie AdamsIn Fantasy, Recently Released, Young AdultLeave a comment

Title: Throne of Glass
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass series, book 1
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: August 7th, 2012

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Celaena Sardothien is willing to do whatever it takes to buy back her freedom – even if it means selling herself to the same king who destroyed her family so many years ago. She accepts Prince Damian’s offer, agreeing to be his champion in a fight to become the king’s assassin. If she can beat the other champions in the competition, she will serve the King of Adarlan for four years, after which she will be given her freedom.

What her competition does not know is that she is really Adarlan’s Assassin, her name widely known across the land. No one could have thought that the most feared assassin is an 18-year-old girl. The only ones who know the truth are the king, Dorian, and Chaol (the Captain of the guard). Celaena and Chaol eventually have an understanding between them, and even a friendship; Celaena and Dorian begin to have something, as well. While she has nothing but contempt for the king, she feels differently about his son.

In this exciting first book of the series, we meet a strong heroine who is not afraid to fight for what she wants, a prince who wants to be more than what his father has become, and a guard who will protect, no matter the cost. This YA cross between Game of Thrones and Hunger Games drew me in immediately, and continued to hold my attention till the end. I look forward to continuing the journey with Celaena in the second book of the series, Crown of Midnight.

Click on the links below to get your copy of this book and the others in its series:

The Silent Songbird

On By Rosie AdamsIn Christian, Fairytale, Historical, Recently Released, RomanceLeave a comment

Title: The Silent Songbird
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Series: Hagenheim / Fairy Tale Romance series, book 7
Genre: Christian, Fairytale, Historical, Romance, YA
Publisher: Zondervan
Release Date: November 8th, 2016

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Note: Even though The Silent Songbird is the seventh in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone story, as with the other books in the series. However, the characters that are in this book are featured in some other stories, which is why I recommend staying in order.

A retelling of The Little Mermaid.

Evangeline, the ward of King Richard II, wants nothing more than to be free and to live her life outside the castle. And when the king decides that she will marry his closest advisor, a vile man at least twice her age, she knows she must seize whatever chance she has and flee the castle.

Pretending to be mute to keep herself unknown, she joins Wesley le Wyse and his small band of servants, heading back to their own village. She wishes she did not have to deceive Wesley, especially as she begins to form a friendship with him. But too much is at stake for her to reveal her identity now. Will she win her freedom, and find happiness with the man she loves, or will her ruse not be worth the all the deceit in the end?

I really enjoyed this retelling of The Little Mermaid! I haven’t actually read many retellings of the mute redhead with a fiery spirit, so this was a fun read. At this point, I am wondering if Melanie Dickerson has any more Hagenheim books up her sleeve? Maybe Aladdin, or Little Red Riding Hood, or something? Anything? I’m not ready for this series to come to an end!

Click on the links below to get your copy of this book and the others in its series:

The Golden Braid

On By Rosie AdamsIn Christian, Fairytale, Historical, Recently Released, Romance, Young AdultLeave a comment

Title: The Golden Braid
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Series: Hagenheim / Fairy Tale Romance series, book 6
Genre: Christian, Fairytale, Historical, Romance, YA
Publisher: Zondervan
Release Date: November 17th, 2015

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Note: Even though The Golden Braid is the sixth in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone story, as with the other books in the series. However, the characters that are in this book are featured in some other stories, which is why I recommend staying in order.

A retelling of Rapunzel. 

Hagenheim, 1413

When sheltered Rapunzel receives another marriage proposal, her controlling and over-protective mother moves them to a new city, one where she hopes to better hide Rapunzel from unwelcome suitors. Rapunzel and her mother meet some trouble on the road, and are rescued by a knight – Sir Gerek – who is later rescued by Rapunzel, who knows a thing or two about knife throwing.

Wanting nothing better than to learn to read and write, Rapunzel begs Sir Gerek to teach her. Reluctantly, Sir Gerek agrees to educate her, despite the fact that they each find the other to be difficult. That is, until they realize that their feelings for each other are beginning to deepen. But will Rapunzel’s mother once again get in the way of her daughter’s happiness?

I loved this book. It’s definitely an imaginative retelling of Rapunzel that felt new and fresh. If you are a fan of fairytales, this one is a must-read!

Click on the links below to get your copy of this book and the others in its series: