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ashleynp24's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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? Yes
5.0
This is by far one of my favorite books in the series. I was skeptical because I haven’t been a Chaol fan and even after, he’s still not my favorite. But, I loved getting to meet so many new characters I did enjoy.
Big surprise Chaol treated Nesryn like crap, but her relationship with Sartaq and her storyline was really great and a fun read.
I liked Yrene’s character a lot too, and her story intertwining with the others after her encounter with Aelin so many books ago.
I felt everything was wrapped up really nicely heading into the final book.
Big surprise Chaol treated Nesryn like crap, but her relationship with Sartaq and her storyline was really great and a fun read.
I liked Yrene’s character a lot too, and her story intertwining with the others after her encounter with Aelin so many books ago.
I felt everything was wrapped up really nicely heading into the final book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Kidnapping, Violence, Sexual content, Murder, Torture, Grief, Death, Blood, and Pregnancy
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Chaol and Nesryn head to the Southern Continent in search of allies and healers.
Honestly, I struggled to get through 75% of this book. It was mostly Chaol journey to heal and their inability to get an audience with the Khagan.
Finally around 75%, the book picked up when Nesryn journeys with Sartaq to the Tavan Mountains and they come in contact with the Stygian Spiders. We learn A LOT in the interaction (see spoiler below).
We learn that there is an entity hunting Yrene, but they cannot figure out who or why.A Valg has been sent to capture her before she can find out the truth to her powers. All healing powers actually come from a legion of Fae who escaped Maeve. Healers, we find out, can vanquish Valg from their host bodies, much like one does to a parasite.
I highly recommend reading this in Tandem with Empire of Storms as the two stories overlap! Reading this will help you understand Maeve's backstory more when reading Empire of Storms.
Maeve's story:Maeve is not really Queen of the Fae, but the Valg Queen and was married to Erawan's brother. While trying to escape the demon kings, she pierced the veil between worlds and managed to came to this world. Her husband, learning that his wife left him, found a way to control the gates between worlds and made keys to control them, three of them, one for each brother.
Knowing her husband would search for her, she used her powers to make Mab and Mora believed they had an elder sister. She took up a role of power, disguised as Queen of the Fae, and has been slowly bidding her time.
Eventually her husband and his brother demon kings found the right world, but Maeve was disguised and they did not recognize her. She stole the keys from them and managed to send two of the demon kings back. Before she could send Erawan back, the keys were taken by Brannon. He build a lock to send the Gods back to their world and bind the keys' power. But Elena used the lock to capture Erawan, thus trapping Maeve and Erawan in this world.
Honestly, I struggled to get through 75% of this book. It was mostly Chaol journey to heal and their inability to get an audience with the Khagan.
Finally around 75%, the book picked up when Nesryn journeys with Sartaq to the Tavan Mountains and they come in contact with the Stygian Spiders. We learn A LOT in the interaction (see spoiler below).
We learn that there is an entity hunting Yrene, but they cannot figure out who or why.
I highly recommend reading this in Tandem with Empire of Storms as the two stories overlap! Reading this will help you understand Maeve's backstory more when reading Empire of Storms.
Maeve's story:
Knowing her husband would search for her, she used her powers to make Mab and Mora believed they had an elder sister. She took up a role of power, disguised as Queen of the Fae, and has been slowly bidding her time.
Eventually her husband and his brother demon kings found the right world, but Maeve was disguised and they did not recognize her. She stole the keys from them and managed to send two of the demon kings back. Before she could send Erawan back, the keys were taken by Brannon. He build a lock to send the Gods back to their world and bind the keys' power. But Elena used the lock to capture Erawan, thus trapping Maeve and Erawan in this world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Animal death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
lisavandonselaar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: War and Sexual content
meredith_williams_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I am first and foremost a Chaol apologist and I love that he gets his own book in this series because his character arc deserves all 600+ pages. Honorable mention to Nesryn, because to be honest, she does most of the actual emissary work in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, and Gore
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy and Vomit
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Sexual content
britwalsh16's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
I read this in Tandem with Empire of Storm. And I am SOOO glad I did! If I had to read this book between EOS & KOA, I would have died! & not enjoyed this book at all, I would have been obsessing over what’s gonna happen with the characters from EOS, & not able to take in all this book had to offer.
Chaol & Yrene are so sweet, & I think Yrene is exactly what Chaol needed. & though I rooted for them throughout the book, I felt bad for Nesryn. But when Sartaq came in, I was fully on board with that ship! And Nesryn deserves happiness with Sartaq, instead of being Chaol’s second choice. She was his rebound twice, & I think that just states how much they were not meant to be.
I enjoyed seeing the Southern Continent, & how they treat their people, & I hope that transfers over to the Northern Continent whenever this war ends & the good guys come out on top!
Chaol & Yrene are so sweet, & I think Yrene is exactly what Chaol needed. & though I rooted for them throughout the book, I felt bad for Nesryn. But when Sartaq came in, I was fully on board with that ship! And Nesryn deserves happiness with Sartaq, instead of being Chaol’s second choice. She was his rebound twice, & I think that just states how much they were not meant to be.
I enjoyed seeing the Southern Continent, & how they treat their people, & I hope that transfers over to the Northern Continent whenever this war ends & the good guys come out on top!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexual content, Vomit, Murder, Animal death, Grief, Medical trauma, and Death
Moderate: War and Stalking
Minor: Pregnancy and Child death
kathrynok's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Ableism, Grief, Sexual content, Vomit, Death of parent, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, War, and Blood
erafact's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Did a Tandem read which i highly recommend because "tower of dawn" is alittle slow the first 3/4's of the book. so this might contain content from "Empire of Storms" or "tower of dawn". Long time with angst and sassy-ness. Semi pointless plot until halfway through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Murder
Minor: Blood, Bullying, Kidnapping, War, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Man is left paralyzed, and story contains the mental and physical healing from that injury. Daughter commits suicidejijina's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Violence, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Sexual content, Slavery, and Cursing
Minor: Pregnancy
val_theburrowofstories's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content