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readwithde's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
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
I've always had a soft spot for Chaol, and it was cathartic to read through his emotional and physical healing. I appreciated how his injury/disability was handled: as something to work through and around, not a problem to be solved. His "sleuthing" with Yrene to find answers was fun, and I liked that this warrior still had trouble dealing with all the politics.
But the reason I loved this book so much is Nesryn's story. It was refreshing to have a BIPOC FMC with so many connections and interesting characteristics not become the "love interest" side character for Chaol's MC. I love that she chose herself over their relationship, and she chose to fight in her own way for help and answers in this war. Also, I love her being with Sartaq. She made meaningful choices, had interesting adventure and action sequences, and came away with arguably the most important hidden information in the series: Maeve's false identity and purpose in Erilea.
I read this book in tandem with Empire of Storms, and I think both books benefited from that choice. It helped the narrative flow well, giving the reader time to react to both sides, as well as balancing the heavy action of Empire of Storms with the lore of this book.
But the reason I loved this book so much is Nesryn's story. It was refreshing to have a BIPOC FMC with so many connections and interesting characteristics not become the "love interest" side character for Chaol's MC.
I read this book in tandem with Empire of Storms, and I think both books benefited from that choice. It helped the narrative flow well, giving the reader time to react to both sides, as well as balancing the heavy action of Empire of Storms with the lore of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness, Grief, Death, Child death, Murder, Cursing, Violence, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent, Infidelity, Animal death, Ableism, Pregnancy, Stalking, and Alcohol
theoceanrose's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Blood
maggies's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder
soos14's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Murder
emmerylynn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Did a tandem read with Empire of Storms with made the reading experience so much better! Not as much action packed, but offered a deep exploration of how the mind works in the healing process. Absolutely magical! It also set up so many explanations to the lore of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Death, and Violence
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
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
that_awkwardpart's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Blood, Body horror, Death, Murder, Stalking, Grief, Gore, Death of parent, Vomit, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Fire/Fire injury
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