This series is massive and complicated, but I’m all in! Instead of live reading each book, I decided to write notes when inspiration struck.
These notes were sent directly to my bestie. I hope you enjoy.
As always, this will be full of SPOILERS!
I read the series in the “Romantic Order”.
THRONE OF GLASS
I know these names! SJM wastes no time introducing you to the love interests of Chaol and Dorian. I think. Right? Stupid book-tok.
If I didn’t know Dorian was a love interest for Celaena, him “feeling different,” I would assume he’s gay.
Oh Shit! Cain knows who she is? But that’s okay, she’s kicked Vernin’s ASS! on that sparring test.
Can I also say, these ‘tests’ are nowhere near as challenging as I expected. Then again, I’ve read Fourth Wing, so my challenges threshold is skewed.
Wait, is Kaltain the beast?
I can’t tell if I like Dorian or he’s a douche. So, you know….my type.
I hope we see Nox again, I like him.
And Kaltain def isn’t the beast.
Zod, does everyone know about magic even though magic isn’t around anymore?
Okay, so I know I should be all about Chaol. He’s honorable and a good man….But the arrogance and cocky sweetness of Dorian is my weakness.
Crown of Midnight
Dammit Chaol, you’re making yourself attractive. “Chaol wasn’t a fool. He knew some of her smiles and blushing hadn’t. been acted. And though he had no claim on her—though making a claim would be the stupidest thing he could ever do—the thought of her being susceptible to Archer’s charms made him want to have a little chat with the courtesan.“
I’m not complaining. I need stupid romantasy gittiness in my life.
And you’re looking like an ass, Dorian. “Nothing. Not a hint of emotion. Dorrian’s temper flared so fast that he found himself struggling for control. Especially as she looked away again—and her focus returned to the captain. And stayed there. Enough.“
Oh damn. Okay, Dorian, you weasled your way back. “He would move on. Because he would not be like the ancient kings in the song and keep her for himself. She deserved a loyal, brave knight who saw her for what she was and did not fear her. And he deserved someone who would look at him like that, even if the love wouldn’t be the same, even if the girl wouldn’t be her. So Dorian closed his eyes, and took another long breath. And when he opened his eyes, he let her go.“
THE KING KILLED THE FUCKING SINGER!!!! Oh, you done fucked up. Magic is coming for your ass.
I think I dig Nehemia and Dorian together.
Holy shit, Dorian has power! Not surprised, but also surprised. I figured Celaena did.
Fuck it! I’m in. Let’s do this!
Girl please! You have a casual dinner for Chao'l’s birthday, but you make it a FUCKING LEGENDARY FAE FOREST FROM A FUCKING SONG!!!! You are in love with that man!
(PS: when my mystery man finally shows up, I want THIS as my next bday dinner.)
About fucking time her and Chaol got together. Is it bad I’m upset it wasn’t more descriptive?
Shit’s about to go down: “One of them has to break, the queen said to the princess, only then can it begin.”
FUCK SJM for killing Nehemia!
Fuck! Roland is getting headaches. The king is trying to control him with black obsidian ring magic.
The clocktower!!!! That fucking thing.
Really? She told Dorian, the prince, about the secret passageway. I know you got no friends now, but I’m not sure THAT was the best idea.
Oh, haha, I jumped the gun. I should read more than one opening chapter line.
I shouldn’t stop mid-intense beast in the library chasing Celaena scene, but I had to throw my prediction out. She’s going to bump/ran into Dorian. She’s gonna try to protect him from the beast man, but his power is going to save the day. Alllies Unlocked.
Okay, so not exactly how I imagined it, but close enough.
Girl, come on. You are just NOW realizing one of the Wyrdkeys was in Elena’s crown? That was the easiest part of the riddle.
And the obsidian rings? SJM isn’t that great at riddles. The ACOTAR one was so easy.
Chaol, YOU ASSHOLE! Don’t go into the fucking portal! I love my animals, but come the fuck on.
Okay, Wasn’t expecting her to be Fae, or sorta fae.
Ugh, I don’t want her and Chaol to be over. He was just beginning to be a great book boyfriend.
HOLY SHIT!
CELAENA IS AELIN!!!
AELIN IS CELAENA!!!
and here I thought we were going to get two badass females.
Heir of Fire
Rowan has entered the chat.
Oh, we do get another badass female in Manon, right?
Rowan and Manon give ZERO FUCKS.
I would think Witch Manon would be the villain, but there’s no way we would follow that. much a POV of evil.
Uh…..maybe? I need to read more before making proclamations.
Haha. Damn, Celaena has a mouth on her! I’m glad Rowan can dish it back.
Okay, 2 things: 1. I know it’ll change, but Rowan is a DICK!!!!! 2. They can mind chat!!
Oof, Chaol. That better have been a good gamble to tell Aedion about Aelin.
Rowan and Celaena have opposite powers. That’s hot.
Have you seen the Gentlemen episode from Buffy the Vampire Slayer? That’s how I see the Skinwalkers.
And I see Abraxos as Ferdinand the Bull.
Jesus, Rowan! “There’s nothing that I can give you. Nothing I want to give you. You are not owed an explanation for what I do outside of training. I don’t care what you have been through or what you want to do with your life. The sooner you can sort out your whining and self-pity, the sooner I can be ride of you. You are nothing to me, and I do not care.“
Ugh, I wasn’t expecting tears after that. You just want to give her a hug.
Rowan’s story! Now I want to give HIM a hug. (Maybe something more, but that’s for later.)
Why do all fantasy stories have to have fucking spiders in them!
Fuck, Chaol, grow a backbone. Pick a side. You are sucking as a book boyfriend right now.
Also, I get she’s got a lot going on, but COME ON!!! She’s supposed to be on a mission, one that, if she fails, people will die. And she has said nothing about it. Wasn’t it supposed to be 2 months between sailing there and the assassination? It feels like 5. But the King hasn’t said anything either. Unless I missed something. I’m usually really bad about finding plot holes.
There it is!!! “Curled as she was against her knees, he could see the whole expanse of ruined flesh, each scar from the lashings. ‘Who did that to you?’”
Okay, I’m totally a sucker for that line.
I know this line doesn’t mean what I want it to mean, but damn, Momma like! “and then, Princess, he said with a wild grin, we are going to have some fun.”
Oh fuck. Celaena/Aelin is the reason magic was snuffed out.
If SJM fucking kills Aedion.
Chaol!!!!
DORIAN!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t believe I finished this book in two days.
So. Much. I’m emotionally drained.
(Bestie talking about how things came to a point for me to read Assassin’s Blade")
Some FUCKING POINT! Chaol is on the run. Aedion is imprisoned. Aelin is seeking out the man who I’m sure is the one who betrayed her. Rowan is across the fucking sea. AND Dorian is evil necklace man. At least Manon is waking the fuck up to be a power play.
Which, I’m predicting there will be 3 rulers, the three points, at the end of the series. Dorian. Aelin. Manon.
assassin’s blade
I'm excited to get enemies to lovers with her and Sam
I also kinda like that it's stories, more digestible.
THE ASSASSIN AND THE PIRATE LORD
Okay, the pirate story was fun.
I like how they got together.
I bet the slaves were why Arobryn set her up.
THE ASSASSIN AND THE HEALER
I feel like I should remember Nolan.
THE ASSASSIN AND THE DESERT
I like that she's being put in her place, making her humble. I think Arobyrn is still a dick, but this is probs good for her.
And I'm digging seeing her fall in love with Sam while she's away. Even if I want some hot smut with Ilias.
This trip to Xandria better not end with Ansel's death. Oh, thank goodness.
Ugh, girl, Illias is Right There! Have a night with him.
Stupid Sam. Even though I’m getting gitty AF that she's falling for him.
I didn't want Celaena to be a dick to Ansel, that was fucked up. At least I'm a little less worried about Ansel dying and that's why Celaena doesn't have friends.
WTF Ansel! Drugging Celaena!
Double WTF, Ansel! A spy! You should have killed her!
Damn, Silent Master, "...tell him that in the Red Desert, we do not abuse our disciples"
THE ASSASSIN AND THE UNDERWORLD
Are we supposed to be wishy-washy about Arobynn, cause I am. Morally charcoal
Can Celaena and Sam just kiss!
Ugh, they just need to get together already!
I'm fully on board with the swooning and gittiness of those two.
Ugh, fuckers!
I still think Arobynn betrayed her. Now I think it's because "if he couldn't have her, no one would."
About FUCKING TIME they got together!!
But Zod dammit it hurts, knowing what's coming for Sam.
I'm regretting this reading order a bit.
I don't like it. But it makes you understand her so much more. Ugh, and memory cry at parts, like when she's playing music and Dorian comes in.
THE ASSASSIN AND THE EMPIRE
I'm not ready for this.
The first chapter into the last story, and I know I'm going to be emotional devastated at the end.
Fuck me, okay, let's get this over with.
I can't. They have been together a year!
I'm going to end up crying myself to sleep tonight, aren't I.
If I do, I blame you!!!!
OH. Maybe not. I really need to read more than one sentence with these books.
But still think the crying tonight is coming
I'm really starting to loathe Arobynn, and I know we haven't even gotten to the worst part yet.
I don't like all the "all time in the world." I'm about to cry.
WTF, why is Arobynn there? Fuck, this is when it starts.
Mother fucker. She say "I will not be afraid" bc of Sam! I AM NOT OKAY.
Dammit. Sam is THE book boyfriend.
Rowan better be fucking fantastic!
Her pain.
Zod dammit! I HATE Arobynn. I have no doubt he betrayed them. How the F are you going to "happen" to talk about plans in front of Celaena's door. You asshole.
Fuck, and Wesley was trying to warn her, and she killed him.
Wait, she didn't kill Wesley? Oh man, I hope we see him again.
She has to know it was Arobynn who betrayed her, she has too.
She's just too broken to tell herself the truth.
I fucking LOATHE you Arobynn.
I'm not okay.
Queen of Shadows
Well, I wasn't expecting a meeting between Aelin and Arobryn so early in the book. Fuck, that means this book will be nothing but intensity.
Girl, he's right there! Go to CHAOL !
No! Not Wesley. I wanted him to still be alive.
Damn, Arobryn is good. He has style.
THE LINE! I want this. ”...no matter what shattered her, the Fae warrior would be there to help put the pieces back together.”
Damn. Aelin and Choal are verbally tearing each other apart. This is devastating.
Choal, you are an idiot. You hire an assassin to become Champion. Then, fall in love with said Champion. Then get mad when YOU remember that the Champion was and is indeed an assassin. WTF bro.
Yeah, Dorian knew what was up, “You don't get to pick and choose which parts of her to love.”
Dammit! I wanted to know what was in Wesley's letter. I don't like being robbed of that. I like Wesley.
I like that Aelin and Lysandra seem to be friends, everyone needs her girl. I just hope this doesn't bite Aelin in the ass later.
Well shit. Florine's speech made me tear up.
Yea boi, let's go!!!
Ah, fuck. Not Dorian at the very end.
Wait. Dark wind. That means something… Ah, Nehemiah. Protection.
Ahhhh! I mean, I'm not mad they saved Dorian, but. Ahhh
OMG, I love these cousins together again!
I fucking hate you, Arobryn. Using Sam's grave as a bargaining chip, you douche.
Aedion Knows of Rowan!!!
Wait, I'm confused on the blood oath. Is Aedion supposed to be King to Aelin's queen? That's weird. Or if Aelin is queen then Aedion get to blood oath?
I'm sure This will come up again.
Oh…..okay. Aedion is supposed to be the one to blood oath to Aelin. NOT Rowan. So much more sense. Oops
Fuck yeah! Rowan is back!
Come on. I don't remember what happened in Heir of Fire, I WAS DESTROYED BY ASSASSIN'S BLADE after that.
Yep, okay. Thank you for the recap of who Gavriel is.
Aelin, you're being a bitch. Aedion deserves your respect and compassion regarding the oath. You're not my favorite person right now.
See, even Rowan gets it.
Glad it's settled, double oath. Dramatic
I like Manon, but for some reason, I'm not excited about her chapters. Maybe I just need her in the mix more.
Okay, it's starting to move in a good direction. I can dig this.
Awe, Aedion and Rowan are becoming friends.
Wait, what did Aelin do? She trapped Lorcan AND Valg? Damn girl, you've got balls
WTF! Lysandra has magic. Oh, I like her even more now.
Oh shit, he's going to ser Sam. Fuck, I'm gonna ball. Yep. Not okay. But I'll be glad when Arobryn is dead.
Damn, Slide. You've got balls!
Dinner and Demons. Let's go.
Mother fucking Arobryn!
Oh, thank goodness. However, that would have been a fun plot twist.
Ding Dong Arobryn is Dead!
Damn, she is calculating, isn't she.
PART TWO: QUEEN OF LIGHT
The magic sentence, “Yes, you can do most things on your own. That doesn't mean you have to.”
Shits about to break loose. And Manon is right in the center of it.
Finally, the team up.
Oof, a lot happened in those chapters. But Holy hell, it's about time Rowan and Aelin got “close.” That was hott.
Dammit. I knew Arobryn's death was too easy. Shits about to really go down.
Okay. Our heroes have scouted, the villains have arrived, the plot is moving forward. Which means I'm stopping for now. The avalanche is about to happen, and I need time to let it barrel into me and cover me with dread.
Oh shit! The Valg fear the witches. Interesting.
Fuck you Choal, you idiot.
Oooo, shit. That was intense. About time they came together, and a reason to team up.
About fucking time Manon woke up. I've been waiting for this!
Ugh, pre-100 pages and it's already starting. I don't know if I'm ready.
Ugh, I'm barely into Chapter 68, Lysandra leaving, the Fae males prepping, Chaol and Aelin walking and my anxiety is fucked.
Fuck me, the Kings KNOWS!!!
ZOD DAMN YOU LORCAN!
YOU BETTER NOT KILL AEDION!
not Chaol, 😭
Fuck, who was the leopard?
Oh shit, what!!! LYSANDRA!
Fuck me, what just happened? The King is good? Choal is alive? They fucked themselves with freeing magic?
The Witches!!!! Damn. There are powerful women in this section. Kaltain, love.
Ugh, they just need to bang and get it over with.
You paralyzed Chaol! You asshole. But glad he and Nesryn are finally together.
No, I want Elide and Manon together.
These fucking guys, the Duke and Vernon. Of course, things were too good.
But things did end well. About to blow up, but good.
At least this time it's happy tears at the end of a book.