Calendar Girls: Not Quite the End (Favorite Middle Book in a Series)

Happy November Calendar Girls Participants! The air is becoming cool and crisp. The leaves are changing colors (for some lucky people, lol). Pumpkin Spice and Chai flavors are in the world. It’s a magical season, Fall. But, we have one more season, and one more month left of 2018, which means that November is Not Quite the End, thus showing us that those middle things can be just as good as the beginning or end. So, which book falls under that category for you?

~Not Quite the End (Favorite Middle Book in a Series)~

There was only one choice, and it was FIRE.

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Synopsis: The queen has returned.

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.

“Fire-breathing bitch-queen!”

Oh my stars! Queen of Shadows was insane! This one has moved to my favorite spot for the series. There was action. There was adventure. There was intense emotion, and there was laughter! It was addictive, and oh so GOOD!

I don’t have to even tell you about the events that occurred in this one. I could talk about how I felt all day long! It was such a rush reading it! Talk about a heart pounding story! I couldn’t put it down, and now I’m left with feelings of desire and anxiety. I am craving the next one, but I’m also so nervous that the feel of the next one won’t match this one.

This one was perfection, though. Aelin kicked ASS!!! Dorian was a GOD!!! Rowan and Aedion were protective BADASSES! Aelin made new alliances that spoke to my heart and soul, and she formed an incredible family relationship that made me smile. I even fell for Rowan, and I was not a fan during Heir of Fire. This one made my disappointment of HoF so worth it! And, Aelin truly shined bright and earned her title of Fire-breathing bitch-queen in this one!

“She was Aelin Fireheart, and she bowed for no one and nothing, save the crown that was hers by blood and survival and triumph.”

Can we talk about Aelin and her female positivity for a minute? This woman knows she’s hot shit, but she is also able to recognize other women for their positives and accomplishments. Her character continues to touch my heart. She is one of the few that I know that can forgive past transgressions and make friends with another woman based on their merit and character. She is constantly trying to help other women and can even understand why they sometimes act catty and petty. For someone who knows her own worth, and continues to fight for herself, those she loves, and everything she believes in, she also continues to fight for women in general, even if they don’t always fight for themselves.

“How can I take away somebody who means the world to someone else? Even if she’s my enemy….Falling in to a ravine seemed like a pretty shitty way to die for someone who fights that spectacularly.”

And, Manon? I would not want to cross her. I loved her involvement in this one. I was anticipating her meeting Aelin, and I was not disappointed! She’s been one of my favorite new additions, along with quirky Abraxos, and I have been dying to see her come up against her grandmother! I really loved getting know her and seeing a human side to her.

I loved the dynamic of the story. I loved how all our characters seemed to change, but held on to all the characteristics that I fell in love with! I loved all the new friendships formed, and I loved the emotional ending!

Now its spoiler time because I have to talk about what I loved the most. Aelin and Lysandra’s friendship was the most beautiful thing of the series so far. This was my example of Aelin and her character. She HATED Lysandra for the longest time, but grew to love her like a sister when she found out how hard she had struggled in the past, and how deep her character and strength ran. I loved the dynamic between Manon and Aelin too. There was such a deep level of respect between the two, and I am hoping they join forces to kick the Duke’s ass in the next one.

“Let’s go rattle the stars.”

(Theme image created by Katie @ Never Not Reading.)

(All other images found on google and twitter gifs.)

November Calendar Girls Participants:

Katie @ Never Not Reading – The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan	Deanna @ Deanna Writes About It – Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty
Flavia @ Flavia the Bibliophile – A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas	Teri Polen – This Cruel Design by Emily Suvada
Lucinda @ Lucinda is Reading- The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden	Samantha @ Modern Witch’s Bookshelf – Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
MDW @ Plot Monster – A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas	Dani @ Mousai Books – The Heart Forger by Rin Chupeco
Sophie @ Beware the Reader – A Court of Mist and Fury and Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas	Dawlyn & Krista @ Little Blind Book Finds – Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
Lindsey @ Lindsey Reads – A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

For those who are new to Calendar Girls, it is a monthly blog event, created by Melanie at MNBernard Books, and Flavia at Flavia the Bibliophile, that was inspired by the Neil Sedaka song Calendar Girl. Just like the song, each month has a specific theme, voted on by the participants, where we get to talk about a particular book we love or think fits the theme the best. The blog event was created to incite fun bookish discussions and to spread the blogger love by introducing us to new bloggers and/or books that we have not come across before.

If this sounds like something you would enjoy, make sure to head to my Calendar Girls info page! Drop a comment and let me know if you are interested in joining us, and sign up for the newsletter if you would like monthly updates on the chosen themes and blogger picks! We’d love to have you join us!

If you are joining on the fun today, make sure to link back to this post AND Katie’s post so we can add your name and choice to the list of participants for all to enjoy!

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Darque Dreamer

Blogger/ Punk Rocker / Quirky Housewife

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