Ratings358
Average rating4.5
I don't give five-star ratings often, and my reasons for this one may not be the same as everyone else's. This series isn't my typical fare, and unfortunately I can't say it's my favorite of all time...
BUT
Kingdom of Ash is an absolute beast of a book, capping off a wonderfully imaginative saga. I was invested in and captivated by every character and plot thread, even the ones that it seems many other readers weren't. Maas has a flair for translating grand sprawling fantasy to the page in epic and cinematic fashion, while not losing the intimacy and heartfelt emotion befitting a romantic drama. Every resolution is hard-earned and painful, yet ultimately fulfilling if bittersweet. This is surely a fitting end to an ambitious and lovingly-crafted series.
I have relatively few complaints about this series as a whole. I wish it delved deeper into the mysteries of the world instead of offering just tantalizing hints at what might lie below the surface. I wish some mid-level villains got some more page time, instead of mostly hordes of mooks to cut down on the quest for a big bad. I wish it hadn't happened quite so fast that rarely did the story have a chance to simmer before breathlessly rushing forward.
I greatly enjoyed my time with these books. I started them on a whim because my wife kept sharing memes I didn't get. Ended up getting way more engaged than I had planned to. I'm gonna finish ACOTAR next and then on to Crescent City. After a long dry spell of reading, these are kick-starting my desire to spend my afternoons with the printed page instead of a screen.
I might have a hard time calling myself a “fan”, but Maas has certainly made an appreciator out of a skeptic.