Queen of Shadows is the fifth book chronologically in the eight-book Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. Shortly after the events of Heir of Fire, Celaena Sardothien has finally shed her fake cover and embraced her true identity as Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, the Lost Princess and Queen of Terrasen. Fully embracing her true identity and reclaiming her heritage, she is no longer an assassin, but a queen on a mission. Aelin returns to Rifthold to save her cousin Aedion and to face the King of Adarlan. As whispers of rebellion continue to grow, Chaol Westfall and his Royal Guard struggle with the changing politics and loyalties of a city divided, all while Prince Dorian Havilliard battles an inner demon that has trapped his mind under dark magic. As Aelin enters the spotlight, shady figures from her past reappear, hoping to leverage her power for their own purposes. Down in Morath, Duke Perrington works to amass a dark army, the likes of which Erilea has never seen before. As Aelin juggles multiple rescue missions, she must prepare for the upcoming war and reckon with the sacrifices required to truly lead.
NOTE: Major spoilers ahead for earlier installments and minor spoilers ahead for the current book.
Table of Contents
What is the world in Queen of Shadows?
The Throne of Glass series takes place in Erilea, a land rich in history and magic. To the far east of Erilea and beyond the Great Ocean lies the continent Wendlyn and to the south the Southern Continent. Over time, Erilea has seen the rise and fall of powerful kingdoms alongside the ebb and flow of magic. Originally, the first inhabitants were the immortal Fae and they coexisted peacefully with lesser faeries and humans for centuries. However, ten years ago the King of Adarlan banned magic and all magical beings. In one fell swoop, magic disappeared from the continent. No one knows how, but folks whisper that the gods must have cursed them. The King began a campaign of destruction unlike anything the continent had ever seen, destroying and burning ancient texts, sacred sites, and anyone associated with magic, including magical beings and any mortals with magic in their blood. Many Fae and magical creatures fled the continent and went into hiding as the continent fell under the oppressive rule of the King of Adarlan. The fall of magic in Erilea was a catastrophic and devastating tragedy with the loss of countless lives and priceless knowledge.
Who are the main characters in Queen of Shadows?
Celaena Sardothien / Aelin Ashryver Galathynius
Once the feared assassin Celaena Sardothien, she has now embraced her true identity as Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, the long-lost Princess and true Queen of Terrasen. Driven by vengeance and a desire to free her people, she returns to Adarlan to face her destiny with her reawakened magic.
Rowan Whitethorn
Rowan Whitethorn is a legendary warrior and the most powerful full-blooded Fae in the realm. He was once part of Queen Maeve’s elite Cadre but has now sworn allegiance to Celaena/Aelin’s Court. He is also a prince of House Whitethorn, a noble house of Doranelle that possesses elemental wind and ice magic.
Chaol Westfall
Chaol Westfall was the former Captain of the Royal Adarlan Guard, but has finally aligned himself with the rebel forces against the King of Adarlan. Hiding in the slums with the rebels, he is frustrated with Celaena/Aelin’s tactics and must rescue his best friend, Prince Dorian from the clutches of the Valg.
Aedion Ashryver
Aedion Ashryver is Celaena/Aelin's fiercely loyal cousin and a brilliant military general. He is known as the Wolf of the North and his army is called the Bane, which are the remnants of the Terrasen army. He is held captive by the King of Adarlan.
Lysandra
Lysandra is a highly sought-after courtesan who was sold to Madame Clarisse DuVency by Arobynn Hamel. She and Celaena/Aelin had a difficult relationship in the past, stemming from an adolescent rivalry between the two of them.
Dorian Havilliard
Dorian Havilliard is the Crown Prince of Adarlan and has reawakened his latent raw magic. However, he has been stripped of his free will and put under the control of a Valg demon by his own father, the King of Adarlan.
Lorcan Salvaterre
Lorcan Salvaterre is the most powerful Demi-Fae warrior in the realm and possesses a form of dark magic, he is also the de facto commander of Maeve’s Cadre. Operating in the shadows, he goes after Celaena/Aelin according to his own agenda.
Elide Lochan
Elide Lochan is a crippled and seemingly meek human girl from the fallen House of Lochan in Perranth, a noble Terrasen family. Orphaned and now under the care of her cruel Uncle Vernon, she is brought to Morath to be a servant and pawn in his schemes.
Manon Blackbeak
Manon Blackbeak is heir of the Blackbeak clan, leader of the Thirteen, and now Wing Leader of the Ironteeth Witches. Manon and her clan are sent to Morath to assist Duke Perrington with his twisted experiments but she chafes at his orders.
Who are the minor characters in Queen of Shadows?
Arobynn Hamel
Arobynn Hamel is King of the Assassins and head of the Assassin’s Guild, he is ambitious and willing to take advantage of every situation. He found Celaena/Aelin near death on the banks of a frozen river and trained her as an assassin.
Ioan Jayne
Ioan Jayne was at one time the biggest crime lord in Rifthold. He was immensely wealthy and well connected with a vast network of spies throughout the city.
Rourke Farran
Rourke Farran was a sadistic crime lord from Celaena/Aelin’s past, he served as Ioan Jayne’s second-in-command and gained notoriety for his brutal torture methods.
Sam Cortland
Sam Cortland was a skilled assassin and Celaena/Aelin’s first love. Loyal, brave, and deeply caring, he was killed during their time with the Assassin’s Guild. His memory continues to shape her emotional journey.
Wesley
Wesley was Arobynn Hamel's personal bodyguard and Sam Cortland's best friend. He was also dearly loved by Lysandra.
The Master of the Bank
The Master of the Bank works at the Royal Bank of Adarlan and manages many of its high net worth clientele. He does not pry into the nature of his clients' work, but simply manages their wealth.
Tern
Tern is Arobynn’s second-in-command and a lethal assassin. He often uses poisons.
Mullin
Mullin is another one of Arobynn’s assassins and a sycophant.
Harding
Harding is another one of Arobynn's assassins and blindly follows his lead.
Ress
Ress is one of Chaol’s most trusted men and a member of the Royal Guard. He helps gather information for Chaol about the Glass Palace.
Theodus Brullo
Theodus Brullo is Chaol’s Weapons Master and trusted advisor, he helped train Chaol to become the Captain of the Guard. He now spies on the Glass Palace on behalf of Chaol.
Nesryn Faliq
Nesryn Faliq is a skilled city guard with a sharp aim with the bow and arrow. She has a calm, focused demeanor and often steps beyond her duties to help Chaol. They were involved in the past.
Lithaen
Lithaen was a former maid in the Glass Castle and Chaol’s first love interest. She cheated on him with Roland Havilliard and departed with him to Meah.
Sorscha
Sorscha was a quiet and skilled healer in the Glass Palace. She and Dorian loved each other but she was executed by the King of Adarlan for sending information to the rebels.
Remelle
Remelle is a Fae noblewoman and was Rowan's former lover. She is a member of Maeve's Court and is very gifted at learning languages but has a jealous and mean streak.
Ren Allsbrook
Ren Allsbrook is the heir of the Allsbrook House, a noble Terrasen family. He is also a rash young leader in the rebellion against Adarlan.
Murtaugh Allsbrook
Murtaugh Allsbrook is the patriarch of the Allsbrook House and Ren's grandfather. He is deeply devoted to Terrasen and has been instrumental in organizing the rebellion against Adarlan.
Stevan
Stevan is a Commander in the King of Adarlan's new guard. He is originally from Melisande and does not have any living family.
Galan Ashryver
Galan Ashryver is the beloved Crown Prince of Wendlyn and cousin to both Celaena/ Aelin and Aedion. He opposes the King of Adarlan, but his kingdom did not come to Terrasen's aid during the Conquest of Terrasen.
Prince Hollin Havilliard
Hollin Havilliard is the much younger and spoiled brother of Crown Prince Dorian. Indulged by his mother and quick to tantrum, he was shipped to boarding school after an incident with a servant.
Queen Georgina Havilliard
Queen Georgina is a refined and image-conscious figure focused on court appearances and her sons' reputations. Though she holds little political power, she remains a background presence within the palace’s social sphere.
Nehemia Ytger
Nehemia Ytger was the Princess of Eyllwe and one of Celaena/ Aelin's closest friends in Rifthold. She was known for her deep commitment to her people but always had a secret agenda. She allowed herself to be sacrificed to catalyze Celaena/Aelin into taking action.
The King of Eyllwe
The King of Eyllwe is Nehemia's father and the leading monarch of Eyllwe. He works to protect his kingdom from Adarlan's forces.
The Queen of Eyllwe
The Queen of Eyllwe is Nehemia's mother, she never saw her daughter again after Nehemia went to Rifthold.
Madame Clarisse DuVency
Madame Clarisse DuVency manages a prestigious brothel in Rifthold and is known for her influence in the city’s elite circles. She is business partners with Arobynn Hamel.
Evangeline
Evangeline is a young girl owned by Madame Clarisse DuVency’s brothel. Assigned to be Lysandra’s acolyte, she was saved from a life of prostitution when Lysandra offered to scar her face.
Misty
Misty is one of the many laundresses employed at Morath.
The Head Cook
The Head Cook at Morath is sometimes grumpy but most days he is loud and kind. He is constantly busy churning out food that goes too quickly at Morath.
The Mute Blacksmith
The Mute Blacksmith works tirelessly in his forge day and night to create weapons for the army at Morath and customized items for the Witches. His tongue was cut out to prevent him from sharing trade secrets.
The Head Laundress
The Head Laundress at Morath is overworked and tired, since there is an endless pile of clothing and sheets that need to be washed.
Madame Florine
Madame Florine is a retired dancer and now an esteemed dance teacher. She was once Celaena/Aelin’s dance instructor and gave her free lessons.
Pytor
Pytor was a talented and brave conductor with the Adarlan Royal Theater in Rifthold. He was executed for playing the songs of the other nations, an act deemed rebellious.
Athril
Athril was a Fae warrior from long ago. He was close companion to Brannon Galathynius and together they battled the Valg. He was also Queen Maeve's beloved at one point.
Quinn
Quinn was the Captain of the Terrasen Royal Guard under King Orlon Galathynius. He was always kind to Celaena/Aelin and Aedion.
Aedion's Mother
Aedion's Mother was an Ashryver Princess from Wendlyn and first cousins with Evalin Ashryver. She died due to a wasting illness and her son was later sent to Terrasen to be raised by Evalin's family.
Gavriel
Gavriel is a member of Queen Maeve’s Cadre of legendary Fae warriors. He has protection and healing magic and can shift into a massive lion, hence his nickname the Lion of Doranelle.
Sayed Faliq
Sayed Faliq is Nesryn’s father, he owns and operates several popular bakeries in Rifthold and is known for his pear tarts.
Nelly
Nelly is a baker who works in one of Sayed Faliq’s bakeries. She has a small opium addiction problem but bakes good bread.
Luca
Luca is a young and eager Demi-Fae servant at Mistward, full of curiosity and admiration for the warriors he serves.
Marion Lochan
Marion Lochan was the late Lady of Perranth and mother to Elide. She began life as a laundress in the Terrasen palace before marrying Cal Lochan. She was close friends to Evalin Ashryver and sacrificed her life to save young Celaena/Aelin during the Conquest of Terrasen.
Cal Lochan
Cal Lochan was the late Lord of Perranth and father to Elide. He was head of House Lochan, one of the noble houses of Terrasen. He entrusted his daughter into the care of his younger brother, Vernon Lochan.
Finnula
Finnula was Elide’s childhood nursemaid, she cared deeply for Elide and taught her to always have her wits about her. She believed that Anneith, the goddess of wise things, had blessed Elide with skills to flatter and charm people.
Marta
Marta is a midwife at the country house owned by Nesryn's father, Sayed Faliq.
Philippa
Philippa was Celaena/Aelin's sharp and practical maidservant when she first arrived at the Glass Palace.
Amithy
Amithy is a strict and rigid healer working in the Glass Palace. She was Sorscha's supervisor and turned her in to the King of Adarlan.
Lyria
Lyria was Rowan’s former wife, she was a Fae commoner and flower seller from Doranelle. She died while pregnant with their first child and he carries deep shame and guilt over not being able to protect them.
The Little Folk
The Little Folk are mysterious and ancient Fae, who dwell deep in the forests, watching from the shadows and guarding their secrets.
Ansel of Briarcliff
Ansel of Briarcliff was an ambitious assassin-in-training who Celaena/Aelin met during her time with the Silent Assassins in the Red Desert.
Orlon Galathynius
Orlon Galathynius was the former King of Terrasen and Celaena/Aelin's great-uncle. He was murdered in his sleep and his empire was conquered by the King of Adarlan. His lover was Weylan Darrow and the two of them had no children.
Evalin Ashryver
Evalin Ashryver was Celaena/ Aelin’s mother. Originally a Princess of Wendlyn, she later became the Princess of Terrasen when she married Rhoe Galathynius. Queen Maeve opposed the mixing of Ashryver and Galathynius bloodlines, forcing Evalin to elope with Rhoe. Her nickname for her daughter was Fireheart.
Rhoe Galathynius
Rhoe Galathynius was Celaena/ Aelin’s father and former Crown Prince of Terrasen. He did not want his daughter to live such a highly sheltered life, but his wife Evalin Ashryver feared Queen Maeve’s retribution.
Brannon Galathynius
Brannon Galathynius was a Fae King and progenitor of House Galathynius. He was father to Elena Galathynius and established the Kingdom of Terrasen over 2,000 years ago. He was also a mighty warrior with powerful fire magic.
Elena Galathynius Havilliard
Elena Galathynius Havilliard was a Demi-Fae Princess of Terrasen. She was the daughter of King Brannon and played a vital role in banishing the dark forces of the past. She was Gavin Havilliard's mate and became the first Queen of Adarlan.
Gavin Havilliard
Gavin Havilliard was a mortal King and founder of the Kingdom of Adarlan and progenitor of House Havilliard. He was Elena Galathynius' mate and a legendary warrior, famed for defeating the Dark Lord Erawan from long ago.
Fleetfoot
Fleetfoot is Celaena/Aelin's loyal and protective dog, who provides comfort and companionship. Dorian gifted her to Celaena/ Aelin as a Yulemas present.
Mort
Mort is the sarcastic, talking door knocker to Elena Galathynius’ tomb, he offers cryptic wisdom with a sharp tongue. He is made from ancient magic, and was thus unaffected by the King of Adarlan’s recent magical ban.
The Lord of the North
The Lord of the North is the spirit of Terrasen, often depicted as a white sun stag with flames between its antlers, it lives in the Oakwald Forest. Sun stags were sacred to Mala Fire-Bringer and were later brought to Terrasen by Brannon Galathynius. The name also refers to a stag constellation that always points toward Terrasen.
The Kingsflame
The Kingsflame is a small flame-like flower that symbolizes Brannon Galathynius and Terrasen. It is said to only bloom when the realm is at peace and under the reign of a good king. When Orlon Galathynius became king, a single kingsflame bloomed, which he plucked and preserved in crystal.
Who are the Witches in Queen of Shadows?
The Ironteeth and Crochan Witches are two rival witch clans with a deep history of betrayal and bloodshed. The Ironteeth Witches—made up of the Blackbeak, Yellowlegs, and Blueblood clans—are belligerent and fearsome warriors with retractable iron claws and teeth. In contrast, the Crochans are a more peace-loving and gentle community with connections to healing and nature magic. Despite their differences they belong to the same race and are more similar than they realize, with all witches having blue blood. They were once united and had lived together in the Western Wastes but that peace was broken when the Ironteeth Witches betrayed the Crochans in a devastating civil war 500 years ago. In her dying breath, Queen Rhiannon Crochan cursed the land: “Blood to blood and soul to soul, together this was done, and only together can it be undone. Be the bridge, be the light. When iron melts, when flowers spring from fields of blood—let the land be witness, and return home.”Since then the Ironteeth have struggled, their cattle shrivel up and die, the wild game have fled, their witchlings are stillborn, and the rivers have turned poisonous. The curse left the Witch Kingdom in the Western Wastes desolate and barren, and it is said that only a united witch heir can break the curse. The Ironteeth Witches hunt the Crochan Witches to this day looking for the one who can break the curse and restore the land.
The Blackbeak Matron
The Blackbeak Matron is the brutal and tyrannical leader of the Blackbeak Clan, ruling through fear and merciless discipline. She is Manon’s grandmother and raised her to be a weapon of war and values obedience over all else, even at great personal cost.
Petrah Blueblood
Petrah Blueblood is heir to the Blueblood Clan, she is a calm, intelligent leader, who stands apart for her fairness and restraint. Unlike many of her kin, she shows respect to others and becomes an unexpected contrast to the brutality exhibited by the other clans.
Iskra Yellowlegs
Iskra Yellowlegs is the heir to the Yellowlegs Clan, she is a brutal and aggressive witch with erratic behavior. Her cruelty and thirst for power put her in direct conflict with Manon and her leadership.
Ninya
Ninya is the leader of a group of Yellowlegs Witches who volunteer to go to Morath to aid Duke Perrington in his grotesque experiments.
Baba Yellowlegs
Baba Yellowlegs was a formidable Ironteeth Witch and former Matron of the Yellowlegs Clan. She acted as a fortune teller to gather information and had an unfortunate run in with Aelin. Like her clan’s namesake, she had distinctly saffron-colored ankles.
Narene
Narene is a highly intelligent and friendly female Wyvern ridden by Asterin. She was specifically bred to be a daytime scout.
The Last Crochan Queen
The Last Crochan Queen was known for her deep compassion and belief in uniting the Ironteeth and Crochan clans. Betrayed and murdered by those she sought to bring together, she cursed the Ironteeth Witches and their ancestral homeland.
The Crochan Witch
An unnamed Crochan Witch was caught spying on the Ironteeth Witches earlier in the series and was executed by Manon.
Abraxos
Abraxos is Manon’s Wyvern, despite his small size, his intelligence and tenacity prove invaluable. He was named after the primordial serpent that held the world within its coils at the command of the Three-Faced Goddess.
Who are the Thirteen in Queen of Shadows?
The Thirteen are an elite and tight-knit band of Blackbeak Witches under Manon Blackbeak’s leadership. They are thought to be the fiercest and most disciplined of all the Ironteeth Witches and have fought alongside each other for over a hundred years.
Asterin
Asterin is Manon’s fiercely loyal second-in-command and cousin, she is known for her fiery spirit and unshakable devotion to the Thirteen. Although she is Manon’s staunch supporter in public, she often challenges Manon in private, revealing a deep conscience beneath her ruthless exterior.
Sorrel
Sorrel is Manon’s third-in-command and a fierce and loyal member of the Thirteen. She is often referred to as the stone to Manon’s ice and Asterin’s fire, she helps keep her two superiors grounded.
Vesta
Vesta is Manon’s unofficial fourth-in-command, she is a powerful yet also light hearted witch, who is a shameless flirt that toys with the men they encounter.
Faline
Faline, along with her twin Fallon, are known as the Green Eyed Demon Twins for their ruthlessness and often thought to be more demon than witch. They particularly enjoy knife throwing training.
Lin (Linnea)
Lin is a particularly violent witch, who is prone to lashing out at those who call her by her full name.
Fallon
Fallon, along with her twin Faline, are known as the Green Eyed Demon Twins for their ruthlessness and often thought to be more demon than witch. They particularly enjoy knife throwing training.
Edda
Edda is cousin to Briar, both are known to rarely speak and act as Manon’s Shadows, gathering intelligence. They were trained from infancy to blend into darkness and love sneaking up on people, but they do not dare sneak up on Manon.
Ghislaine
Ghislaine is the eldest and cleverest of the Thirteen, she is noted for her incredible intelligence because her mother had sent her to Terrasen to study. She is a great source of knowledge for Manon.
Briar
Briar is cousin to Edda, both are known to rarely speak and act as Manon’s Shadows, gathering intelligence. They were trained from infancy to blend into darkness and love sneaking up on people, but they do not dare sneak up on Manon.
Kaya
Kaya is a loyal member of the Thirteen and in a relationship with Thea.
Thea
Thea is a fierce member of the Thirteen and in a relationship with Kaya.
Imogen
Imogen is a more reserved member of the Thirteen, who keeps to herself most of the time and never smiles.
Who are the gods and goddesses in Queen of Shadows?
“Beings of a higher, different existence. For whom time was fluid, and bodies were things to be shifted and molded. Who could exist in multiple places, spread themselves wide like nets being thrown. They were as mighty and vast and eternal as a human was to a mayfly. They had not been born in this world.” – Elena Galathynius in Empire of Storms
Deanna
Deanna is Goddess of the Moon and sister to Mala Fire-Bringer, she is associated with hunting, maidenhood, and protection of the young. She is one of the main deities of Erilea and the later Fae Queen Mab was syncretized into Deanna.
Mala Fire-Bringer
Mala Fire-Bringer or Light-Bringer is Goddess of the Sun and sister to Deanna, she is associated with the sun, light, learning, and fire. She is one of the main deities of Erilea and had favored the Fae Warrior King Brannon Galathynius.
Silba
Silba is the Goddess of Healing and Gentle Deaths, she is symbolized by the color lavender, the owl, and water. Many healers from the Southern Continent are descended from her and she is the de facto main goddess of the "god-city," Milas Agia or Antica.
Anneith
Anneith, Lady of Wise Things, is the Goddess of Knowledge and Slow Deaths. At times benevolent and other times stony-hearted, she guides Elide through difficult times. She reveals hard truths only to those with the strength to bear them. She is also consort to Hellas.
The God of Truth
The God of Truth is also known as the Sin-Eater and the All-Seeing One. He is an obscure god, whose followers erected a temple made up almost entirely of human bones under the Shadow Market in Rifthold, so that vendors and thieves would stay honest.
Hellas
Hellas is the God of Darkness and Violent Deaths, ruler of the underworld, and consort of Anneith. Feared by mortals and revered by those who deal in death, he judges the souls of those claimed by bloodshed. The Demi-Fae warrior Lorcan is a direct descendant of Hellas.
The Three-Faced Goddess
The Three-Faced Goddess rules witchcraft and magic and is the patron goddess of the Ironteeth Witches. She is said to have three physical manifestations: the maiden, the mother, and the crone. Each of her faces is said to represent one of the three Ironteeth Witch Covens.
The Sea God
The Sea God is at once both tempestuous and calm. He is as unpredictable as the tides and as relentless as the fiercest storm. Revered and feared in equal measure, his power can bring calm waters and safe passage—or unleash devastating waves upon those who earn his wrath.
Temis
Temis is the Goddess of Wild Things and protector of caged animals. She is said to hear the cries of every creature denied its freedom. Hunters and animal keepers alike leave offerings in her honor, hoping to earn her favor and avoid her wrath. Lysandra often prays to her.
Who are the antagonists in Queen of Shadows?
The King of Adarlan
The King of Adarlan is the tyrannical ruler of the Adarlan empire, a man driven by a hunger for control and conquest. He is responsible for the brutal subjugation of both humans and Fae across Erilea through some form of dark magic.
Duke Perrington
Duke Perrington is cousin to the King of Adarlan and a powerful noble helping him build a dark Valg army in Morath. From his fortress, he oversees secret operations and conducts strange experiments in the dungeons beneath his Keep.
Queen Maeve
Queen Maeve is one of the three Fae sister-queens, along with Mora and Mab, and the only one who did not give up her immortality and remains Queen of Doranelle. She helped banish the dark forces millennia ago and is powerful and manipulative. She is also a distant aunt of Celaena/Aelin.
The Valg
The Valg are ancient demons from another realm drawn to Erilea by a hunger for power. There were two Valg wars at the dawn of time. They were first defeated by Queen Maeve and Brannon Galathynius, and later a second time by Elena Galathynius and Gavin Havilliard. They have returned to Erilea under the King of Adarlan.
General Narrok
General Narrok was a high ranking general in the Adarlan army and a devout follower of the King of Adarlan. He was possessed by a Valg Prince and sent to Mistward to find suitable Demi-Fae hosts for the Valg and to also capture Celaena/Aelin but was destroyed by her newly awakened wildfire.
The Valg Princes
Three Valg Princes occupied the bodies of three beautiful men and were part of General Narrok's army sent to Mistward. They hunted the Demi-Fae in Wendlyn in their search for more suitable hosts for their brethren and left the victims as dry husks. They nearly defeated Celaena/Aelin but were defeated by her wildfire.
Roland Havilliard
Second cousin to Prince Dorian and Prince Hollin, Roland was a charming and notorious womanizer with little care for court politics. He was sent to Morath to work under Duke Perrington.
Kaltain Rompier
Kaltain Rompier was once a woman of status with her eyes set on Prince Dorian, but she fell from grace and is now enslaved at Morath under Duke Perrington’s dark influence.
Hinsol Cormac
Hinsol Cormac was a former business parter of Arobynn Hamel's but fled Ritfhold due to Celaena/Aelin's antics. He later became Vernon Lochan’s henchman at Morath.
Vernon Lochan
Vernon Lochan is Elide’s cruel and opportunistic uncle, after the Conquest of Terrasen he seized Perranth and aligned himself with the King of Adarlan for his personal gain.
Archer Finn
Archer Finn was a well-known courtesan and a former acquaintance of Celaena/Aelin from her time in the Assassin’s Keep. He became entangled in rebel affairs and orchestrated Nehemia's death, causing Celaena/Aelin to kill him in retribution.
Cain
Cain was a former competitor in the King’s Champion Tournament sponsored by Duke Perrington. He was sadistic and cruel, and unbeknownst to the other competitors, he was using dark magic. He was later killed by Chaol in order to protect Celaena/Aelin.
The Wyrdhounds
The Wyrdhounds are monstrous Valg creatures used by the King of Adarlan as hunters and guardians.
Where does Queen of Shadows take place?
The Kingdom of Adarlan
Adarlan is the dominant empire on the continent of Erilea. It is a militaristic and expansionist kingdom ruled by House Havilliard. Over the last 10 years, the King of Adarlan embarked on an aggressive conquest to take over the other kingdoms on the continent.
Rifthold
Rifthold is the glittering capital of Adarlan, it was built on the banks of the Avery River and has a large harbor opening into the Great Ocean to the east. Despite its beauty, the city is a center of oppression.
The Glass Palace
The Glass Palace is a dazzling, magical structure rising atop the original stone castle in Rifthold. Made of tempered glass and crystalline spires, it is home to House Havilliard and has 600 rooms, three gardens, a wildlife game park, and two stables.
The Great Hall
As the heart of the royal court, the Great Hall hosts grand feasts, ceremonies, and public audiences, where displays of the king's wealth and power are staged before nobles and subjects alike.
The King's Council Room
The King's Council Room is a dazzling chamber of stunning glass walls and vaulted ceilings, where polished red marble floors and gilded furnishings proclaim the immense wealth of Adarlan's crown.
Sayed Faliq's Bakery
Sayed Faliq owns several successful bakeries in Rifthold that sell fresh bread and an assortment of pastries, his best-sellers are his pear tarts.
The Vaults
The Vaults are a seedy pleasure hall in Rifthold, notorious for its illicit dealings, whispered secrets, and fighting pits. Known as a subterranean warren of sin, it draws the desperate, the dangerous, and those with coin to spend on indulgences better left unnamed.
The Shadow Market
Nestled along the Avery River’s banks, the Shadow Market has existed since the founding of Rifthold. According to legend, it was built on top of the God of Truth’s bones to deter lying merchants and pick-pockets. One can purchase anything from spices to flesh.
The Assassin's Keep
The Assassin's Keep is an elegant manor located in the upper-class neighborhood of Rifthold. It is used by Arobynn Hamel as the central meeting place for his group of henchmen and assassins and is commonly referred to as the Keep.
The Sewers
Deep beneath the city of Rifthold lies an extensive network of ancient sewers, winding beneath every street, district, and landmark. Though foul and damp, these underground tunnels provide hidden access to almost any location within the great city.
The Pits
The Pits are the tavern that emerged after the destruction of the Vaults. Occupying the same space, it reeks of stale ale and piss, serving as the city's premier venue for pit fights. A haven for criminals and lowlifes, it's perpetually shrouded in vice.
The Royal Theater
The Royal Theater use to be a grand and opulent venue in Rifthold, but was shut down after a conductor performed the music of foreign nations in an act of rebellion against the King. This use to be one of Celaena/Aelin's favorite places.
The Temple of Bones
Underneath the Shadow Market and the sewers, lies a hidden catacomb that is actually a long-forgotten Temple of Bones. Made almost completely out of carved bones carrying people’s confessions, it is dedicated to the God of Truth or Sin-Eater.
The Clock Tower
The Clock Tower is made of black stone, likely obsidian, with eight gargoyles around the top perimeter. The King of Adarlan had it erected shortly after Prince Dorian’s birth. It makes a wretchedly loud booming noise.
The Kingdom of Eyllwe
Eyllwe is a kingdom in the southeast corner of Erilea and is Nehemia’s homeland. It is a wealthy kingdom with many waterways and trade routes. It is famous for its luscious Grasslands and Stone Marshes, a relic from a bygone civilization.
The Red Desert
Within the Deserted Land lies the expansive, arid landscape of the Red Desert, famed for its red sand, endless dunes, and scorching temperatures. Isolated and treacherous, it is a place of silence and survival, home to the Silent Assassins.
The Witch Kingdom
The Witch Kingdom located in the Western Wastes is the ancestral home of all the witches. After the Ironteeth Witches started the Witch Civil War, the land was cursed by Queen Rhiannon Crochan I. The Ironteeth left and have been wanderers ever since.
Temis' Temple
Temis' Temple is an ancient shrine dedicated to the Goddess Temis, protector of wild things and caged animals. It was built on an island in the middle of a ravine with bridges connecting it to the surrounding landmass.
The White Fang Mountains
The White Fang Mountains are a cold and snowy mountain range south of the Ruhnn Mountains. Like their namesake, their snow-covered peaks resemble white fangs and they are home to the Wild Men, who have a penchant for violence.
The Omega
The Omega is the last peak of the Ruhnn Mountains and base of operations for the Ironteeth Witches. It is connected to the Northern Fang, the final peak of the White Fang Mountains. Within the Omega are numerous carved stone hallways and chambers for the witches.
The Ferian Gap
The Ferian Gap is the treacherous mountain home of the witches. Carved between the Ruhnn and White Fang Mountains, it is used by the Ironteeth Witches as a training ground and base. A single stone bridge connects the two mountain ranges.
Morath
Morath is a dark fortress city located in Adarlan and ruled by Duke Perrington. It is a grim and hellish place, where the mountains occasionally spew out noxious gases and dark smoke, blocking out the sunlight.
Duke Perrington's Keep
Duke Perrington's Keep is an immense black-stone fortress built for war, with towering walls, fortified battlements, and layers of formidable defenses that make it nearly impregnable.
Duke Perrington's Council Room
Duke Perrington's Council Room is a dark, foreboding chamber and beneath its dim iron chandeliers, the oppressive atmosphere reflects the ruthless ambition and cruelty of those who gather within.
The Morath Laundry Room
The Morath Laundry Room is a ceaseless hive of grim labor, where servants tirelessly scrub piles of bloodstained sheets and uniforms that never seem to diminish.
The Morath Kitchen
The Morath Kitchen struggles to feed the fortress' inhabitants, stretching its meager stores and waiting on unreliable shipments of fresh provisions.
The Witches' Aerie
The Witches' Aerie crowns one of the towers of Morath, an immense open-air platform where their wyverns may fly free and unburdened by their host's wyverns.
The Morath Dungeons
Hidden behind iron doors and shrouded in darkness, the Morath Dungeons serve as the site of grotesque experiments, where unspeakable horrors are carried out far from prying eyes.
The Morath War Camp
The Morath War Camp is alive at all hours with the relentless clang of hammers on anvils as the fortress smithy tirelessly forges swords, armor, arrowheads, and siege equipment for Morath's armies.
The Witches' Tower
The Witches' Tower stands apart from the heart of Morath, an isolated black-stone column reserved exclusively for the Thirteen.
The Southern Continent
South of Erilea lies the Southern Continent, a vast and arid landmass dominated by sandy deserts under a scorching sun. It is ruled by the Khaganate, a 300-year old empire currently led by the Great Khagan Urus, whose reign has brought in an era of peace and prosperity to its people. The continent's customs and traditions differ greatly from those of Erilea.
Antica
Antica is the largest city on the Southern Continent, a vibrant metropolis with a pantheon of 36 gods and known as Milas Agia or "god-city," it is rumored to have been built by the gods. Renowned for the Torre Cesme, a prestigious healing academy, Antica thrives as a cultural and architectural mosaic, with diverse peoples and traditions coexisting peacefully.
The Torre Cesme
The Torre Cesme or "Tower of Dawn" in the Halha language, is an ancient structure in Antica that is home to the most gifted healers. It was constructed over 1,200 years ago by an ancient Queen who was grateful to the healers for saving her child’s life. As various empires have risen and fallen on the Southern Continent, the Torre Cesme has always been left in peace.
Fenharrow
Fenharrow is the kingdom directly south of Adarlan and is a quieter, more rural region known for its beautiful plains and farms. It is home to many small hamlets and settlements. It borders the Great Ocean to the east and its capital is the wealthy port city of Bellhaven.
Oakwald Forest
Oakwald Forest is a beautiful and mighty ancient forest that runs through much of the eastern half of Erilea, it is also known as Brannon Galathynius’ forest. It was once home to many species of Fae before the King of Adarlan’s banishment of magic.
The Staghorn Mountains
The Staghorn Mountains are the principal mountain range of Terrasen, forming a towering wall along the kingdom's northern border and overlooking each of its major cities. Named for their branching ridgelines and antler-like peaks.
Anielle
Nestled between the White Fang Mountains and the Oakwald Forest, Anielle sits by the Silver Lake and is a harsh and inhospitable city ruled by Lord Westfall, Chaol’s father. The weather is perpetually cold and gray, allowing little to grow.
Melisande
Melisande is the smallest kingdom within Erilea and known for its craftsmen and tinkerers, who are famous for their clever little hands that make clever little knick knacks such as instruments, clocks, and toys.
Perranth
Perranth is the second largest city in Terrasen after Orynth and is the traditional seat of House Lochan. It is a dark-stoned, walled city nestled between a vast lake and the Perranth Mountains.
Terrasen
Terrasen was once a powerful and noble kingdom in the north of Erilea founded by Brannon Galathynius. It was overthrown by the King of Adarlan, but its people remain proud and resilient. It was famous as a center of magic and learning.
Orynth
Orynth was the capital of Terrasen and once home to House Galathynius. It was a thriving city but fell into decline after the royal family was overthrown, it is now a symbol of hope for the people of Terrasen. There use to be a famous library filled with books on magic, but that was destroyed during the Adarlan conquest.
Sam Cortland's Grave
Sam Cortland rests in a small graveyard overlooking the Avery river. Etched into the tombstone below his name is the word 'Beloved,' which was made at the request of his best friend, Wesley.
Where to Buy Queen of Shadows
Erosophony is a passion project celebrating books and stories. I do not own any characters or books mentioned here. All art on this site is my interpretation and AI-generated, all images belong to Erosophony. The links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!