Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

83 reviews

maggies's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional reflective tense 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

5.0

I read Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn in tandem, so I can’t separate them. I was less interested in TOD than EOS, but Chaol and Nesryn’s growth won me over. The introduction of the southern continent was so beautiful, and the development of this new cast of characters and villains within the overarching story was fantastic. Honestly, sometimes it was a nice break from Aelin’s shenanigans in EOS lol

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ashleynp24's review against another edition

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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.

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amanda_reads13's review against another edition

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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.

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that_awkwardpart's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75


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britwalsh16's review against another edition

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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!

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kathrynok's review against another edition

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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


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erafact's review against another edition

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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.

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val_theburrowofstories's review against another edition

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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


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emmagf's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious sad 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


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itsebrumutlu's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

4.25

I'm so angry that Tower of Dawn was the best book of this series because I truly detested Chaol. Correct, past tense. I no longer detest Chaol. He's an obedient chucklehead who had to realize so many things, especially about Aelin, until this book but I'm glad that he finally did. 

The reason I loved this book was actually other characters. First, Yrene. She and Chaol made sense, sure. But she's still too good for that chucklehead. 

I knew that Nesryn was too good for Chaol even before and this book ensured me. And Sartaq. My lovely, brave, stupidly in love with Nesryn Sartaq. I freakin' love him. His crush on Nesryn long before meeting her was heartbreakingly good. I went "Aw" so many times. 

Borte and Hasar just HAVE TO meet Aelin. Especially Hasar would love Aelin (at least, after a while). I think Borte would stress Aedion all the time like Aelin does. And I think Aedion and Sartaq would like each other very much.

I already cannot wait for Falkan and Lysandra to meet. When I realized that Falkan was related to Lysandra, I was so happy. Damn you, Maas for getting me all invested in all these characters. And making Chaol bearable. 

I'm already anxious about the Kingdom of Ash. But I'm starting the book immediately at the same time. 

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