This is my favourite book in the series (so far). 
 There comes a time, near the end and final conflict of s book that you know isn't the end of a series, when you might stop yourself and realise that the ending, as satisfying as you want it to be, can't possibly give you what you want yet. This does not happen in Queen of Shadows. Deftly, Maas delivered a huge, intense ending, that made me feel triumphant and exhilarated, that checked off all of the things that I hoped would happen but didn't expect for books to come. I waited for things to fail, to be disappointed, and at the very last minute, it switched, and everything was beautiful. 
 The ending isn't the only reason I enjoyed this book so much. Perhaps it's just the comparison from the last book, where things were developing but it felt slow and unsatisfying, but every chapter if this book made me want more. I'm especially impressed with the Manon chapters, which dragged the last book, and were some of the best parts of this book. The character development is thrilling, the plot line engaging, and I can't wait to see how they progress next book. 
 I didn't want to give Queen of Shadows five stars to begin with. I've only just finished the book, and those last chapters settled my hype so that I was happy with a four, but I have to be honest about the way I wanted to devour this book, and how it evoked such strong feelings in me. For the first time in this series, plot twists actually surprised me, and though I certainly took issues with some of the character development in the beginning (I'm looking at you, Chaol, you asshat), the book honoured the characters by giving them time to develop, to seethe and hate and forgive and love, and it was so compelling to read. Not only that, but this book gave *answers*, it *solved* issues, and it didn't feel like just another loss to push us forward to an eventual win. In an age of Game of Thrones-type setbacks, it was an absolute joy to read. 
 Here's to the next one. May it be just as gripping, and as honourable.