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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
Overall opinion: i was dreading this book a bit because i never really liked chaol, and i think looking back now i didn't like him because he was celeanas love interest and they weren't meant to be. This whole book is Chaols 'happy ending/beginning' and it made me love him. It made me realize that he had a normal reaction to the stuff going on around him. Hes a human, unlike the others around him (Aelin, Dorian) and he reacted as such. Love love love this book. Never thought i would like Chaol as a book boyfriend but here we are. With Nesryn, i wasn't as interested. To be honest i feel like you don't learn enough to spend enough time with her character or Sartaqs to love them in the way you do Chaol and Yrene, it felt a bit like SJM changed her mind and had to move Nesryn into someone else. I still think they're super cute together tho and i like that Nesryn is gonna be able to go home to her people if Sartaq and her stay together
Fav characters:
YRENE
Chaol
Hafiza
Hasar
Shen
Falkon
Borge
Best relationships:
Yrene and Chaol
Hafiza and Yrene
Shen and Chaol
Borte and Nesryn
Borte and Sartaq
---------------------------------------------------------
Plot overview
In Tower of Dawn, Chaol and Nesryn travel to Antica to find a healer for Chaol’s spine, which was shattered during the events of Queen of Shadows, and to gain potential allies for Terrasen in the war against the Valg. Upon their arrival, they notice white cloths hanging in the windows of the city, indicating a period of mourning. Nesryn explains that someone important has died, and soon, they make their way to the palace to meet with the khagan, the ruler of the southern continent.
The khagan and his family greet Chaol and Nesryn, and Chaol offers gold and jewels as a gift to sway the khagan in favor of their cause. However, the khagan is not immediately convinced to join the war against the Valg, despite being aware of Aelin’s efforts in the north. The khagan’s son, Prince Sartaq, reveals that one of the khagan’s children, Tumelun, has recently died after falling from a balcony, and due to the family’s mourning, the political discussions are postponed. Instead, they focus on Chaol’s healing, and the khagan permits him to enter the Torre Cesme, the best healing facility in the world.
As Chaol and Nesryn head to their rooms, Prince Kashin, finds them and reassures Chaol of the Torre's abilities, sharing that he has witnessed similar injuries being healed before. Kashin also tells Chaol that he believes his sister was murdered, possibly by the Valg, and Chaol agrees to stay alert for any signs of their presence.
Yrene Towers, a healer introduced in The Assassin’s Blade, works at the Torre Cesme. She is the deputy to Hafiza, the healer on high. Yrene is eager to return to Adarlan to help those wounded in the war, but Hafiza encourages her to finish her training as she is a powerful healer and heir to Hafiza’s position. Hafiza asks Yrene to heal Chaol as a test, given that Chaol is a former Adarlian guard and Yrene is a child of Fenharrow, whose mother was killed by Adarlian guards for being a healer. Despite her resentment, Yrene agrees to help Chaol. Upon inspecting his injury, she finds that dark magic is present in his spine, and she warns him that it will take a long time to heal.
It is revealed that Adarlan has fallen by prince Arughn, Chaol seeks more information but Arughn refuses to share details. Both Chaol and Nesryn are very distressed by this. Chaol worried about Dorian and Nesryn about her father and sister.
While Yrene begins her work, Nesryn decides to visit her cousins in Antica. Prince Sartaq takes her to see
them, he had spoken with her previously and caught her leaving the royal grounds. That evening, the group attends a royal dinner, where Chaol and Yrene converse. Kashin acts possessively toward Yrene, though she shows no romantic interest in him.
The next day, Yrene agrees to heal Chaol further after battling her own prejudice. They discuss the differences between Antica and Adarlan, and Chaol opens up about Perrington and the dangers they face. Yrene tells Chaol that her healing will be free of charge. Chaol asks the khagan for a private meeting, but the khagan and his wife are still grieving Tumelun. At this point i was already rooting for Chaol and Yrene, i feel like you could feel the tension from and mile away and i loved that Yrene didn't make Chaol feel less than for his injury.
Yrene spends time in the Torre Cesme’s library, searching for information about the dark magic in Chaol’s spine. While there, she senses someone watching her and quickly leaves, finding a dead girl on the ground who looks eerily similar to her. Yrene runs after hearing someone approach, and she becomes more suspicious of the Valg’s presence. She and Chaol discuss the possibility that the Valg are already in Antica, with Chaol wondering if they followed him from Adarlan or if they were involved in Tumelun’s death.
Yrene works on Chaol’s injury, which proves to be an agonizing process. Chaol struggles with the pain and is resistant to the idea that part of his injury may be psychological, a suggestion that Yrene makes but he rejects. Meanwhile, Nesryn continues bonding with Sartaq, who offers her a ride on Kadar, his rukh, and they talk about Sartaq’s siblings and the complexities of the royal family’s succession.
Sartaq and Nesryn, along with some of the royal guards, begin searching for the Valg demon that seems to be haunting the city. Chaol, meanwhile, holds a self-defense class for the healers at the Torre, though he feels uncomfortable being the center of attention. Yrene arrives and talks to the healers about Chaol’s injury, but the focus remains on the class itself. Yrene and Chaol return to the palace, where Kashin informs them that guards have been stationed at the Torre for protection.
As Yrene continues her work on Chaol’s spine, he experiences vivid memories of his father, and Yrene sees visions of Morath and the Valg armies. Miraculously, Chaol’s toes begin to move, a significant sign of progress. Nesryn, feeling increasingly concerned about the Valg, returns to visit her aunt and uncle but is reassured that her family is safe for now.
Hasar, a member of the royal family, and Yrene have a conversation about Chaol, Kashin, and the ongoing war. Hasar wonders whether Chaol orchestrated the healer’s murder as a way to force the khagan into supporting the war. Yrene, growing increasingly wary of the situation, gives Chaol a tour of the city. They attend a party where Hasar orders Nesryn to move, and Sartaq invites her to sit with him. Chaol and Yrene talk at the party, and she asks him for a hint about Aelin’s location, information Hasar has threatened her to find out, which Chaol provides, suggesting she might be in Skull’s Bay.
After returning to their rooms, Chaol and Nesryn have a late-night conversation, and Yrene finds them asleep together the next morning. Chaol explains that nothing happened between them, and Yrene brings a scroll containing Wyrdmarks to Chaol, asking him to keep it hidden. Yrene also shares her discovery of two additional Valg kings—Orcus and Mantyx—and the fact that they were sent back to their realm, leaving Erawan behind.
As Yrene continues her healing work, she starts to see memories of Chaol’s past, including the tragic death of his mother. Chaol’s foot begins to move, and Yrene opens up about her own history, including her mother’s death and the healer who taught her self-defense. With Yrene’s healing, Chaol’s condition continues to improve, but their relationship also deepens. Chaol begins to realize that he no longer has romantic feelings for Aelin and that his love for her was always platonic, driven by friendship and respect.
Nesryn leaves a note for Chaol before heading off with Sartaq. Chaol struggles with the idea that he may have pushed Nesryn away, but he respects her choice. Sartaq and Nesryn continue their journey, and Nesryn begins to bond with Borte, Sartaq’s sister. While camping in the mountains, they hear disturbing stories of evil creatures and spiders, and Borte challenges Nesryn to an archery contest, which she wins.
Meanwhile, Chaol’s room is searched, and Yrene’s investigation into the Wyrdmarks continues. As they confront Duva, who is infected by a Valg demon, a major battle ensues. Chaol shields Yrene from an attack, suffering further injury, and Yrene fights to heal him despite her own exhaustion. In the process, Yrene binds their lives together, allowing Chaol’s spine to heal when she is not too tired. With this bond, Chaol’s mobility begins to improve.
Kashin reveals that Captain Rolfe ordered firelances from Antica, further linking the region to the war against the Valg. Eventually, Antica agrees to join the war effort, and Nesryn’s family arrives in the city, where they will be safe. Sartaq is appointed heir, and Nesryn supports him in his new role.
In the end, Chaol and Yrene marry, and Chaol, realizing that Aelin’s handwriting was on the note in Yrene’s locket, reflects on how Aelin had helped Yrene years ago. This final realization ties their paths together, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Chaol and Yrene as they prepare to join Aelin’s forces in the fight against the Valg.
Fav characters:
YRENE
Chaol
Hafiza
Hasar
Shen
Falkon
Borge
Best relationships:
Yrene and Chaol
Hafiza and Yrene
Shen and Chaol
Borte and Nesryn
Borte and Sartaq
---------------------------------------------------------
Plot overview
In Tower of Dawn, Chaol and Nesryn travel to Antica to find a healer for Chaol’s spine, which was shattered during the events of Queen of Shadows, and to gain potential allies for Terrasen in the war against the Valg. Upon their arrival, they notice white cloths hanging in the windows of the city, indicating a period of mourning. Nesryn explains that someone important has died, and soon, they make their way to the palace to meet with the khagan, the ruler of the southern continent.
The khagan and his family greet Chaol and Nesryn, and Chaol offers gold and jewels as a gift to sway the khagan in favor of their cause. However, the khagan is not immediately convinced to join the war against the Valg, despite being aware of Aelin’s efforts in the north. The khagan’s son, Prince Sartaq, reveals that one of the khagan’s children, Tumelun, has recently died after falling from a balcony, and due to the family’s mourning, the political discussions are postponed. Instead, they focus on Chaol’s healing, and the khagan permits him to enter the Torre Cesme, the best healing facility in the world.
As Chaol and Nesryn head to their rooms, Prince Kashin, finds them and reassures Chaol of the Torre's abilities, sharing that he has witnessed similar injuries being healed before. Kashin also tells Chaol that he believes his sister was murdered, possibly by the Valg, and Chaol agrees to stay alert for any signs of their presence.
Yrene Towers, a healer introduced in The Assassin’s Blade, works at the Torre Cesme. She is the deputy to Hafiza, the healer on high. Yrene is eager to return to Adarlan to help those wounded in the war, but Hafiza encourages her to finish her training as she is a powerful healer and heir to Hafiza’s position. Hafiza asks Yrene to heal Chaol as a test, given that Chaol is a former Adarlian guard and Yrene is a child of Fenharrow, whose mother was killed by Adarlian guards for being a healer. Despite her resentment, Yrene agrees to help Chaol. Upon inspecting his injury, she finds that dark magic is present in his spine, and she warns him that it will take a long time to heal.
It is revealed that Adarlan has fallen by prince Arughn, Chaol seeks more information but Arughn refuses to share details. Both Chaol and Nesryn are very distressed by this. Chaol worried about Dorian and Nesryn about her father and sister.
While Yrene begins her work, Nesryn decides to visit her cousins in Antica. Prince Sartaq takes her to see
them, he had spoken with her previously and caught her leaving the royal grounds. That evening, the group attends a royal dinner, where Chaol and Yrene converse. Kashin acts possessively toward Yrene, though she shows no romantic interest in him.
The next day, Yrene agrees to heal Chaol further after battling her own prejudice. They discuss the differences between Antica and Adarlan, and Chaol opens up about Perrington and the dangers they face. Yrene tells Chaol that her healing will be free of charge. Chaol asks the khagan for a private meeting, but the khagan and his wife are still grieving Tumelun. At this point i was already rooting for Chaol and Yrene, i feel like you could feel the tension from and mile away and i loved that Yrene didn't make Chaol feel less than for his injury.
Yrene spends time in the Torre Cesme’s library, searching for information about the dark magic in Chaol’s spine. While there, she senses someone watching her and quickly leaves, finding a dead girl on the ground who looks eerily similar to her. Yrene runs after hearing someone approach, and she becomes more suspicious of the Valg’s presence. She and Chaol discuss the possibility that the Valg are already in Antica, with Chaol wondering if they followed him from Adarlan or if they were involved in Tumelun’s death.
Yrene works on Chaol’s injury, which proves to be an agonizing process. Chaol struggles with the pain and is resistant to the idea that part of his injury may be psychological, a suggestion that Yrene makes but he rejects. Meanwhile, Nesryn continues bonding with Sartaq, who offers her a ride on Kadar, his rukh, and they talk about Sartaq’s siblings and the complexities of the royal family’s succession.
Sartaq and Nesryn, along with some of the royal guards, begin searching for the Valg demon that seems to be haunting the city. Chaol, meanwhile, holds a self-defense class for the healers at the Torre, though he feels uncomfortable being the center of attention. Yrene arrives and talks to the healers about Chaol’s injury, but the focus remains on the class itself. Yrene and Chaol return to the palace, where Kashin informs them that guards have been stationed at the Torre for protection.
As Yrene continues her work on Chaol’s spine, he experiences vivid memories of his father, and Yrene sees visions of Morath and the Valg armies. Miraculously, Chaol’s toes begin to move, a significant sign of progress. Nesryn, feeling increasingly concerned about the Valg, returns to visit her aunt and uncle but is reassured that her family is safe for now.
Hasar, a member of the royal family, and Yrene have a conversation about Chaol, Kashin, and the ongoing war. Hasar wonders whether Chaol orchestrated the healer’s murder as a way to force the khagan into supporting the war. Yrene, growing increasingly wary of the situation, gives Chaol a tour of the city. They attend a party where Hasar orders Nesryn to move, and Sartaq invites her to sit with him. Chaol and Yrene talk at the party, and she asks him for a hint about Aelin’s location, information Hasar has threatened her to find out, which Chaol provides, suggesting she might be in Skull’s Bay.
After returning to their rooms, Chaol and Nesryn have a late-night conversation, and Yrene finds them asleep together the next morning. Chaol explains that nothing happened between them, and Yrene brings a scroll containing Wyrdmarks to Chaol, asking him to keep it hidden. Yrene also shares her discovery of two additional Valg kings—Orcus and Mantyx—and the fact that they were sent back to their realm, leaving Erawan behind.
As Yrene continues her healing work, she starts to see memories of Chaol’s past, including the tragic death of his mother. Chaol’s foot begins to move, and Yrene opens up about her own history, including her mother’s death and the healer who taught her self-defense. With Yrene’s healing, Chaol’s condition continues to improve, but their relationship also deepens. Chaol begins to realize that he no longer has romantic feelings for Aelin and that his love for her was always platonic, driven by friendship and respect.
Nesryn leaves a note for Chaol before heading off with Sartaq. Chaol struggles with the idea that he may have pushed Nesryn away, but he respects her choice. Sartaq and Nesryn continue their journey, and Nesryn begins to bond with Borte, Sartaq’s sister. While camping in the mountains, they hear disturbing stories of evil creatures and spiders, and Borte challenges Nesryn to an archery contest, which she wins.
Meanwhile, Chaol’s room is searched, and Yrene’s investigation into the Wyrdmarks continues. As they confront Duva, who is infected by a Valg demon, a major battle ensues. Chaol shields Yrene from an attack, suffering further injury, and Yrene fights to heal him despite her own exhaustion. In the process, Yrene binds their lives together, allowing Chaol’s spine to heal when she is not too tired. With this bond, Chaol’s mobility begins to improve.
Kashin reveals that Captain Rolfe ordered firelances from Antica, further linking the region to the war against the Valg. Eventually, Antica agrees to join the war effort, and Nesryn’s family arrives in the city, where they will be safe. Sartaq is appointed heir, and Nesryn supports him in his new role.
In the end, Chaol and Yrene marry, and Chaol, realizing that Aelin’s handwriting was on the note in Yrene’s locket, reflects on how Aelin had helped Yrene years ago. This final realization ties their paths together, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Chaol and Yrene as they prepare to join Aelin’s forces in the fight against the Valg.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
🌶️/5
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
SO BORING OMG, this should have just been a novella because I swear I lost brain cells reading this
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After the multiple "plot twists" of this book, I feel like this series is trying a little too hard to be clever and deep. The reused plot elements (from the first book - searching for the killer) and the tendency to drag on lowered its rating for me. I feel kind of disappointed in this series...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, War
Minor: Pregnancy