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.