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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
I just finished Empire of Storms and leaped into Tower of Dawn in the same day, and I am so glad I did. Originally, I had looked at Tower of Dawn with dread, because I barely remembered much of Empire of Storms, and I certainly didn't remember the majority of events in Queen of Shadows. It as strange at first, being back into Chaol's point of view after essentially three years of meeting new characters. I honestly did not remember Nesryn, so whenever other characters brought up events from QoS, I always had to ask myself wait is she supposed to remember or know this??
Regardless, I really loved her and Yrene. I've always loved the way Sarah J Maas can take multiple characters, and make each one feel different and unique. Although she is very good at writing complex plot (and boy, does the plot get even more complex after this novel), the characters are the reason that I've stayed into this series for so long. Out of all the characters in the novel, I believe Yrene is my favorite. I vaguely remember her from Assassin's Blade, and it amazes me how far back Sarah J Maas has been planning this series if she brought back a character from a novella. I loved Yrene's resilience, I loved how she used her healing gift for good, I loved the connection she had with Silba and her culture, and most of all, I loved her relationship with Chaol. I loved how they got through Chaol's trauma together, and I was cheering right alongside them when he gradually made improvements. Similarly, I loved Nesryn, even though I didn't connect with her as much. I loved how close she felt to her culture, and how at home she felt as she explored the Southern Continent. I felt so happy that she finally found a place to belong, a place with her people.
I've always liked Chaol as a character, and in my QoS review I had stated that I felt Chaol was very OOC to me. Well, I don't really remember if he was or wasn't, but I do remember agreeing with him that Aelin needed checks in her power. After all this time I'm still not the biggest fan of "She is the Fireheart, she is ash and embers, she is the most powerful assassin in all the world, she is stunning, and she can do no wrong ever in her life." Like, we get it. She's amazing. We've been told multiple times. Which is why it's refreshing to read Chaol's point of view, who doesn't hold Aelin in godlike esteem and calls her out when necessary. At the same time, though, it was refreshing to read his point of view and watch him call himself out on the relationships he fractured or the events he could have done better. Some events and fractured relationships were not solely his fault, but what matters is that he recognized the events in QoS in tandem with his emotional and physical trauma, and was attempting to move forward.
The world-building was amazing this novel. Before I started reading, for some reason I assumed they were going to Anielle, Chaol's childhood home. So I was very surprised when I discovered they were going to an entire different continent, but she created a place that was very much familiar and yet unknown. The political structure is different to what we are used to, but it is almost refreshing considering the lack of corruption and the vibrant culture we are exposed to. The Khagan is the ruler that Chaol and Nesryn must convince to aid in Aelin's cause, at the same time as the Khagan is going to name his heir out of his six children. I loved the relationship between Sartaq and Nesryn, and even though Hasar is a bitch, I understood that backstabbing is the life that she is used to. I even felt bad for Kashin. There was also some really interesting plot points that were brought up in this novel, which made me even more hype for Kingdom of Ash. I honestly cannot wait for Chaol, Nesryn, and Yrene to meet all of Aelin's crew, and specifically see his reaction when he re-meets Manon Blackbeak.
My favorite part was seeing the events from Empire of Storms from other perspectives. Skull's Bay is a prime example. I knew what Aelin was trying to accomplish, but since Chaol was separated by an entire continent (and is frequently wary of Aelin's diplomatic tactics), he couldn't be sure to believe what the khagan's children were spinning to their father. It added a new layer of stress for me and for the novel.
Additionally, there was an air of horror-esque suspense throughout the novel that I throughly enjoyed. You could feel the clock ticking as Chaol and Nesryn attempted to win the khagun's favor as well as hunt out suspicious creatures lurking in the vibrant continent, all within a specific time span. It was a slower sort of suspense than the "Erawan is lurking around every corner" version that frequently pops up in Aelin's point of view, and I liked how it slowed the pace of the novel slightly, enough to make me enjoy reading the novel because I wasn't expecting constant fight scenes. I'm always down for some good political intrigue, and the fraught relationships between each of the Khagan's children satisfied me. I appreciated that the problems and issues that Chaol faced were still no less daunting than Aelin's, and the lack of fighting made the battles that did happen that much greater.
Some favorite quotes:
“A gift. A gift from a queen who had seen another woman in hell and thought to reach back a hand. With no thought of it ever being returned. A moment of kindness, a tug on a thread.”
“This was not the end. This crack in him, this bottom, was not the end. He had one promise left.”
“She would have an adventure. For herself. This one time. She would see her homeland, and smell it and breathe it in. See it from high above, see it racing as fast as the wind. She owed herself that much.”
“The darkness belongs to you. To shape as you will. To give it power or render it harmless.”
"You may look at me with resentment Yrene Towers, and I will not blame you for it. But believe me when I say there is no one in Erilea who loathes me more than I do myself.”
Regardless, I really loved her and Yrene. I've always loved the way Sarah J Maas can take multiple characters, and make each one feel different and unique. Although she is very good at writing complex plot (and boy, does the plot get even more complex after this novel), the characters are the reason that I've stayed into this series for so long. Out of all the characters in the novel, I believe Yrene is my favorite. I vaguely remember her from Assassin's Blade, and it amazes me how far back Sarah J Maas has been planning this series if she brought back a character from a novella. I loved Yrene's resilience, I loved how she used her healing gift for good, I loved the connection she had with Silba and her culture, and most of all, I loved her relationship with Chaol. I loved how they got through Chaol's trauma together, and I was cheering right alongside them when he gradually made improvements. Similarly, I loved Nesryn, even though I didn't connect with her as much. I loved how close she felt to her culture, and how at home she felt as she explored the Southern Continent. I felt so happy that she finally found a place to belong, a place with her people.
I've always liked Chaol as a character, and in my QoS review I had stated that I felt Chaol was very OOC to me. Well, I don't really remember if he was or wasn't, but I do remember agreeing with him that Aelin needed checks in her power. After all this time I'm still not the biggest fan of "She is the Fireheart, she is ash and embers, she is the most powerful assassin in all the world, she is stunning, and she can do no wrong ever in her life." Like, we get it. She's amazing. We've been told multiple times. Which is why it's refreshing to read Chaol's point of view, who doesn't hold Aelin in godlike esteem and calls her out when necessary. At the same time, though, it was refreshing to read his point of view and watch him call himself out on the relationships he fractured or the events he could have done better. Some events and fractured relationships were not solely his fault, but what matters is that he recognized the events in QoS in tandem with his emotional and physical trauma, and was attempting to move forward.
The world-building was amazing this novel. Before I started reading, for some reason I assumed they were going to Anielle, Chaol's childhood home. So I was very surprised when I discovered they were going to an entire different continent, but she created a place that was very much familiar and yet unknown. The political structure is different to what we are used to, but it is almost refreshing considering the lack of corruption and the vibrant culture we are exposed to. The Khagan is the ruler that Chaol and Nesryn must convince to aid in Aelin's cause, at the same time as the Khagan is going to name his heir out of his six children. I loved the relationship between Sartaq and Nesryn, and even though Hasar is a bitch, I understood that backstabbing is the life that she is used to. I even felt bad for Kashin. There was also some really interesting plot points
Spoiler
the kharankui was a really interesting new point, as well as Maeve's new origins. And Falkan!My favorite part was seeing the events from Empire of Storms from other perspectives. Skull's Bay is a prime example. I knew what Aelin was trying to accomplish, but since Chaol was separated by an entire continent (and is frequently wary of Aelin's diplomatic tactics), he couldn't be sure to believe what the khagan's children were spinning to their father. It added a new layer of stress for me and for the novel.
Additionally, there was an air of horror-esque suspense throughout the novel that I throughly enjoyed. You could feel the clock ticking as Chaol and Nesryn attempted to win the khagun's favor as well as hunt out suspicious creatures lurking in the vibrant continent, all within a specific time span. It was a slower sort of suspense than the "Erawan is lurking around every corner" version that frequently pops up in Aelin's point of view, and I liked how it slowed the pace of the novel slightly, enough to make me enjoy reading the novel because I wasn't expecting constant fight scenes. I'm always down for some good political intrigue, and the fraught relationships between each of the Khagan's children satisfied me. I appreciated that the problems and issues that Chaol faced were still no less daunting than Aelin's, and the lack of fighting made the battles that did happen that much greater.
Some favorite quotes:
“A gift. A gift from a queen who had seen another woman in hell and thought to reach back a hand. With no thought of it ever being returned. A moment of kindness, a tug on a thread.”
“This was not the end. This crack in him, this bottom, was not the end. He had one promise left.”
“She would have an adventure. For herself. This one time. She would see her homeland, and smell it and breathe it in. See it from high above, see it racing as fast as the wind. She owed herself that much.”
“The darkness belongs to you. To shape as you will. To give it power or render it harmless.”
"You may look at me with resentment Yrene Towers, and I will not blame you for it. But believe me when I say there is no one in Erilea who loathes me more than I do myself.”
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-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
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
A lot of people said this one was boring but I really enjoyed it tbh
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
I loveeee the love relationships and there are a few plottwist. Would read on his own.