Ranking the Maasverse
Finally completed the Maasverse! 1-8 are masterpieces and are the absolute best of Sarah J. Maas in my opinion and it was really hard to rank. Throne of Glass as a collective work is my absolute favorite of SJM but, but Mist and Fury, Silver Flames, and CC1 are extremely well done and are standouts for me in their respective series. I’m also in the minority and really enjoy Frost and Starlight as a big Christmas fan.
Kingdom of Ash
I have never liked the last book in a series before. I usually have way too high of expectations and also don’t like saying goodbye. This one is the exception, it really sticks the landing. It’s the longest book I’ve ever read and I still wanted more. Full review here
Queen of Shadows
Aelin Ashryver Galathynius: breaker of glass ceilings, thrones, castles, and male egos. This book really brought everything and everyone together and became essentially Game of Thrones light. And I LOVE IT! Queen of Shadows is epic. SO MUCH HAPPENS! Full review here
A Court of Mist and Fury
The slow burn of Feyre and Rhysand’s romance is stunning. I also really appreciate that Feyre didn’t just end up with the first guy she ever fell for. Because that’s not realistic for most people. We usually have to search a little to find our person. She had us all thinking Feyre and Tamlin were endgame and then dropped this masterpiece of a book and PSYCHED us all! SJM really did that! Rhysand is a feminist king and we love that. And the reveal that they’re mates by that gossip of a Suriel?! Chefs kiss!! Everything felt earned and not rushed. is probably the most romantic book of SJM and certainly the craziest cliff hanger ending. Full review here
Empire of Storms
Everyone’s POVs come together in this book and it’s epic. Empire of Storms is Game of Thrones- light but it’s the Arya, Daenerys, Sansa (season 5+), Brienne show without incest and everyone does things that make sense within their characters. Basically, no one burns an entire city of innocents out of nowhere. This is where we see what an MVP Lysandra is. Full review here
House of Earth and Blood, Crescent City Book 1
This is definitely one of the longest books I’ve ever read and I enjoyed every second of it. Urban fantasy and mystery are not normally my forte but this was amazing. I’m not only in awe of the extensive world and character and politics SJM has imagined but also expertly weaved together in an amazing story. I could not put this down! Full review here
Heir of Fire
We get new characters and a beautiful story of healing for Aelin and Rowan. Full review here
A Court of Silver Flames
This story was stunning. Such a wonderful and unexpected story about mental health, depression, anger, grief and forgiveness. I’ve really enjoyed the other books in this series, but this book is different. It’s deeper than the others. The light shone on trauma and the unconditional love between friends that accepts the good and bad parts of you was beautiful. The friendships between Nesta, Gwyn, and Emerie were lovely. Even outside of the relationships and emotional aspects, the action parts of the plot were so cool! Loved the Valkyrie women’s army formation and the Deathly Hallows- like Dread Trove items. Nesta’s story will stick with me. Full review here
The Assassin’s Blade
I’ve never been so devastated by a death in a book before this one. That includes Dobby the Elf. I SO hope Celaena gets revenge on Arobynn for the worst betrayal and years of abuse and being a garbage person in general. And this is a prequel so I knew it was coming and it STILL got me! SJM time and again makes us fall in love with characters and then devastates us. I usually feel frustrated when she does her classic death fakeout and then a resurrection but this was a time that I wished we got that because I loved the character so much! Full review here
A Court of Wings and Ruin
It was so much fun getting to have all Archeron sisters in this book! We got a little bit in the first book but this one gave us more insight into their personalities. One of my favorite reveals is that Elain is a seer. We haven’t seen anything like that in this series! Really interested to see how that plays out later on. I also really felt for her when her fiance was extremely cruel to her for no longer being human and cast her out. Poor thing had so much happening all at once. Everyone is always saying how hot she is though so I’m really hoping she owns that eventually and steps into herself with confidence. Also.. I ship her with Lucien. I’m SORRY Elriel fans! I’d love to see her with Lucien and Azriel with either Gwyn or Eris and Azriel and Elain have a friendship! Full review here
A Court of Frost and Starlight
This one is short and not a lot happens! People are really hard on this book in their Goodreads reviews, but I enjoyed it! It was a drama- free snippet of their lives around the holidays. I personally love slice of life books. The conflict doesn’t need to be epic for me to enjoy it. I also love Christmas and the holiday season so that was an extra boost of serotonin for me. I also really loved getting everyone’s point of view. Full review here
Crown of Midnight
The loss of Nehemia was SO sad! I did love the learning more about Celaena and Dorian having powers. This book felt like a transition from YA to new adult.
Throne of Glass
This book is more YA and took me reading The Assassin’s Blade to appreciate it but it’s fun. I loved getting Fleetfoot!
A Court of Thorns and Roses
I don’t think this book stands on its own. As the beginning of the series, it sets it up well as the books just get better and better. I didn’t fully appreciate this book until I finished book 2. You’ve probably heard that book 2 makes it all worth it, and it really does. And the rest of the series is amazing. Full review here
Tower of Dawn
Listen- I like Chaol! But this was a slog and a miss for me. Full review here
House of Flame and Shadow
The first half of this book was AMAZING! I couldn’t put it down. But then the second half felt like “who can be the biggest martyr?!” If you’re friends with a Danaan, you can say goodbye to your automony because you won’t get a choice, they’re going to decide what’s best and then you’ll have to deal! See: Bryce’s parents and Lidia’s bullet in the leg. Full review here
House of Sky and Breath
This was honestly so boring until the last chapter and the big cliffhanger ending. Full review here
