My Opinion on TOG Series
While I enjoyed the series very much it is waaaaay too much! The last three books did not need to be as long as they were.
My heart ached for the FMC who was a child the entire series, she was 20 when everything was said and done. My heart ached for her lost innocence and how everyone just “tries” to shit on her even her love interest treats her like garbage when they first meet. Yes, she is a bad ass and can defend herself and got put in situations that made her more mature, but still where was the Lysandra in her life!
Oh well, I’ll probably still reread.
Dorian is my favorite, I hope he gets a spin off novella with his love interest because she becomes one of my favorites too. Not at first but she does grow on me.
I read it in the most recommended order with Assassins Blade 4th and tandem read EOS (Empire of Storms) and TOD (Tower of Dawn) and that was very enjoyable. Assassins Blade has no business being read first, and I would have been so pissed had I read EOS first and then had to go back in time to read TOD.
Finally, just for funzies here is how I pronounced some of the names:
Selena
Cole
Eye-lean
Man-in
Row-in
Lorc-in
Mave
A-D-N
Ear-won
Arrow-bin
Liz-and-ruh
Nez-rin
I totally get what you mean about the TOG series feeling long, especially those later books like *Kingdom of Ash*! But honestly, Sarah J. Maas has a way of drawing you into her worlds that makes every page, even the drawn-out ones, feel essential to the grand tapestry she's weaving. Her character development is just *chef's kiss*. Thinking about Celaena's journey from the snarky assassin in Throne of Glass to the powerful, broken, yet resilient queen in Kingdom of Ash gives me chills. The emotional depth she brings to her heroines, showing their vulnerabilities alongside their fierce strength, is what makes her books so addicting. It’s not just about the action; it’s about watching these characters, especially Celaena, grapple with immense trauma and loss, yet continuously find their inner fire. The way she loses her innocence throughout the series, from the early days in Crown of Midnight to the devastating revelations in Heir of Fire and *Queen of Shadows*, is heartbreakingly real and resonates deeply. And speaking of character arcs, Dorian Havilliard truly shines, doesn't he? I'm totally with you on hoping for a spin-off! His growth throughout the series, from a prince navigating court politics to a powerful leader who truly understands sacrifice, is just incredible. It's characters like him, and the incredible supporting cast introduced in books like Heir of Fire and *Queen of Shadows*, that make the series so rich. SJM excels at building diverse, complex relationships, be it friendship, rivalry, or romance, which keeps you invested chapter after chapter. The magic system and world-building, expanding from the initial setting of Rifthold to encompass entire continents and other realms, are also a huge part of the appeal. It's incredible how she manages to keep track of all the intricate details, prophecies, and ancient lore that tie everything together, especially when you consider the sheer scope of books like Empire of Storms and *Tower of Dawn*. Your point about the reading order is spot on! I also found that placing The Assassin's Blade as the fourth book, after *Heir of Fire*, gave me so much more context for Celaena's past without ruining the initial mystery. It hit differently when you understood the stakes and her emotional baggage – why she was so guarded, what she had truly lost. And the tandem read for Empire of Storms and *Tower of Dawn*? Absolutely genius! It kept the momentum going and allowed me to experience both perspectives simultaneously, making the build-up to Kingdom of Ash even more impactful. I can't imagine reading Empire of Storms then going back for Tower of Dawn – that would be such a vibe killer! It truly enhances the reading experience and shows why so many of us are utterly captivated by Sarah J. Maas's storytelling. Every reread reveals new layers, and you appreciate the foreshadowing even more. What other SJM theories or favorite moments do you have?
