Throne of Glass Hardcover Box Set: Sarah J. Maas Hardcover – 29 Jun. 2023

Like a lot of other readers, I originally read this series (in ebook) without bothering with the prequel novellas and I even skipped Tower of Dawn. Shocking, I know! But on my re-read, since this is the full boxed set, I read everything in chronological order.The context provided in the prequels is important because later on in the plot, Aelin calls in many favours and in these novellas, you not only get a picture of her character prior to her breaking at Endovier, but the reasons as to why so many people owe her a life debt. These novellas along with ToG and Crown of Midnight are highly YA in tone and language, with people described as cursing or swearing, and the words never spelt out on the page!You jump from these short reads to Heir of Fire which feels like quite a stodgy and depressing read at times. Rowan is insufferable in the beginning and it takes ages to warm to him. However, there's some really good action at the end of this book. I never really understood why one of Rowan's cadre, Vaughan is never used in any of these books apart from a short appearance in this one.Queen of Shadows and Empire of Storms are where the books start to grow up a little. But there's also a lot of oppression hanging over the characters and it's only the intrinsic relationships that keep you reading, because this world of Maas' is really dystopian, more so than ACOTAR or CC. Empire of Storms has quite a horrific ending that makes you sit up and go "oh no she didn't" and I think this is why a lot of people skip Tower of Dawn. Because you're left on a cliff hanger and because there are so many questions that you know only the finale will answer. It's trauma upon trauma and you're awaiting the redemption Aelin so badly yearns for. She's the one you're invested in.However, if anything Tower of Dawn is a palate cleanser following the nastiness of EoS. SJM allows herself for once to take her time describing a new setting in marvellous detail. It was definitely a story with a tonal shift and gave the same push and pull as other novels, but was also a gentler read on the whole. Plot wise you can read the series without ToD but context and character wise, it adds layers. I also think that perhaps SJM with her soft spot for Chaol felt like she owed him his own story.The finale, Kingdom of Ash is a hugely complex, sprawling novel full of complexity and layers. The plot is seamless, the battle scenes written so you really feel like you're there. The only negative was that sometimes, because of the many POVs, I wasn't sure which character we were with. I also personally felt Aelin's torture was uncalled for; her masochism kind of grated on me at times throughout this series at various points. I felt it was too much, on too-young shoulders, considering other characters in the series are 100s of years old - like Manon and the witches, Rowan and his cadre. It felt slightly perverted for such a young person to be put through so much, when she's got all these older characters around her. Even the elderly humans hate on her and it stinks.But the reason why this series is better than any of Sarah's others in my opinion (despite the imperfections on occasion) is that this is a pearl of true individuality. SJM's genuine fervour for this genre shines in ToG (this was before she added heaps of sex to appeal to the masses). These books develop and grow alongside the teenage Aelin and it truly is a ride that you feel yourself being carried along as if these are real people.Highlights of the series:Lorcan and Elide, the epitome of less is more. Their attraction was palpable despite them never having sex on the page! Elide truly becomes his equal and more.Manon and her Thirteen had one of the greatest arcs and I bought in the most and cried the most over them. Manon with Abroxos, then her and Dorian. Perfection. A total turnaround character and a full arc indeed.And when Celaena or Aelin is on top form with arrogant sass, quips, surprise gestures, intelligent guesswork and general badassery, that's when the story really sings + Rowan is her perfect counterpoint in everything.What was missing from the series finale in particular:An epilogue set further in the future, plus a more appropriate punishment for Maeve (like sending her back to her husband).We're told about a couple of weddings, but what about Manon and Dorian? Nesryn and Sartaq? Yrene and Chaol's baby and the sort of life they make together. Also, does Elide finally get healed?I feel like there could easily be an adult fantasy series one day that moves all the characters on and demonstrates SJM's development as a writer. Perhaps a reality in which conquerors once more threaten Erilea... and it's not all on one princess's shoulders next time.A truly great first series from an author, with a few cracks that are easily forgiven due to all the magical characters and their quirks, comedic bickering, endearing foibles, relentless fight and determination to push back evil.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I originally started reading this series as ebooks but caved and had to buy the box set! This series does not disappoint!!I haven’t finished them all yet (i’m 30% into kingdom of ash) but i can’t say enough good things about this series! It is full of twists and turns and had me audibly gasping! Ive spent more time crying over these books than anything else because Sarah J Maas really knows how to pull on your heart strings!!**potential spoilers**I love that the prequel is actually important to the story further on when Aelin calls in former debts owed to her! My friend recommended that i read Assassins blade after Heir of Fire and i have no regrets. Although i knew what was going to happen to Sam, i absolutely sobbed and had to put the book down and read something else before being able to continue with the series, (you may want to buy a couple boxes of tissues before reading it!!)I also loved how Tower of Dawn, although still action packed, took the time to fully introduce this new continent and world to us while still keeping to the usual ToG plot twists! I decided to read EoS and ToD as a tandem read and i couldn’t recommend it enough!!Sarah J Maas has real talent!! if you’re looking for your next fantasy read (romance aswell of course!!) then i can’t recommend this series enough and im so excited to finish the last book!! (im already excited to reread them!!!)

Arrived this morning which was great as didn’t order until 11:30 last night. Well packaged and in perfect condition. Good value for money really pleased with buy

The story sucked me in and I can’t wait to read the next instalment in the series - love the characters!

A doorstopper of a book brings to an end the the Throne of Glass saga, even if the name stopped having any link to the story several books ago. A strong conclusion, if a little overlong. There were genuine moments of emotion that brought a tear to the eye, and others that felt just tacked on. The conclusion to the story of the keys which had occupied so much of the story in past books seemed an afterthought in a hurry to get to the big battles at the end. I understand the urge to have a more “human” conclusion but it left a somewhat bitter taste in the mouth. While some of the characters leap off the page others are more elements of convenience than anything else. The various powers held by the characters also tend to vary based on the needs of the moment. Overall a good read.As a series, the books remain somewhat uneven, and while I would recommend it to readers, you definitely need to have a fair amount of time and no little amount of patience to get through the full story.

Perfect!Couldn't resist buying these in the sale.

Incredible series - one of the best i've read for a long time!

With the popularity of ACOTAR, I had to read this, I started with Assassin's Blade and done the tandem read method and it was a journey, every possible emotion was pulled from me. I didnt want to leave this world, amazing character woven together with a beautiful world.My only complaint is the "sticker" design if they were stickers we could remove the pack would be perfection.