A review by siesssie
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

4.0

"Using the chair is not a punishment. It is not a prison," he said.
"It never was. And I am as much of a man in that chair, or with that cane, as I am standing on my feet."

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, which I honestly did not think was going to happen. I even skipped it the first time I read this series. Tandem reading was the encouragement I thought I needed, which very early on, stopped being the case at all.

Chaol finally grew on me. I've had such a layered relationship with him, stemming from his discrimination towards those with magic and the values he holds, well, used to hold, blindly.

“...the man he was becoming, turning into, after all of it.”

I think this quote best describes what it felt like reading Chaol’s healing journey, one he desperately needed, well before his injury. I've said it once and I'll say it again, Maas is a master at writing about overcoming one's inner struggles and fears. Learning to heal from them. She did it with Feyre, with Nesta, and I'm very glad to have read it through Chaol’s eyes.

“Your bravery, your cleverness, your unfaltering will... I do not have words for it, Yrene."

Yrene Towers was an absolute delight to rediscover. She's thunder and earth. Her temper was one of my favorite parts to read. Her fierceness, combined with her selflessness, her calling to help and heal those in need, despite, or perhaps because of her past, made her such a compelling character. Chaol certainly has a type, and I'm really happy they found each other. Their banter and bickering brought the story alive. Just like Aelin and Rowan, together they healed each other and came out stronger because of it.

“She would have an adventure. For herself.”

Nesryn is a gem. THANK FUCK she fought for herself and stopped accepting second-rate treatment from Chaol. She deserves to know her value and be the first choice, romantically and in all other aspects. Her and Sartaq’s relationship being more tame in comparison was a good tactic, a slower, quieter, but not weaker, joining of the souls. Her last chapter put a huge smile on my face, I was so happy for her.

I really liked Borte, she was so fun to read. And her dynamic with Yeran made me giggle with my feet in the air. That boy is so whipped.

Lastly, Arghun was disappointing. I expected more cunning and wickedness from him. Regardless, I still hope he chokes on a sandstorm.