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A review by d_iris
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I have so much to say about this book but is it even worth it? By now my critiques are more about how SJM can improve her overall story, because at this point it feels more like it's falling apart than heading towards a satisfying ending. This ENTIRE book could have been cut in half and shoe-horned into her last book (by effectively shaving off half of that nonsense as well.) for a more succinct and, while not wholly satisfying, complete tale.
The problem with this book is that it doesn't actually advance the plot. More than half of this story takes place during the last book, but we're these characters now, who don't know anything. Everything they're learning, we already know, so what is keeping my interest? This literally only appeals to the five people out there who actually like Chaol; who care about his "growth." Now, Chaol isn't a bad character--he changes the most (second only to Aelin, who literally transplants personalities when she goes from Celaena to Aelin.) but I wouldn't say he grows, which is the issue at large with the entire series. SJM doesn't know how to grow a character, she just changes/morphs them into who she wants them to be. The resulting affect is more than a little jarring and upsetting; Your favorite characters are suddenly going against the very core of who they are (or so it can seem.) but I'll drop that topic as I've already hashed that out in my review of Empire of Storms.
I think the worst part about this book is how good it could have been. Chaol in a wheelchair trying to regain his manhood/ discover what it really means is something that could have been so compelling, but SJM didn't know how to write it. Chaol is whiny, petulant and possessive the whole book through. He says he changes at the end, but it doesn't feel that way. It feels like the fake journey that she takes ALL of her characters on; they see things differently at the end because of twue lurve! It was all they needed! All anyone needs to not be manipulative, entitled, abrasive, vindictive, reductive, and petty! Except...no. This story could have yielded so much more had Yrene and Chaol NOT been romantically linked. Yrene's journey of forgiveness could have been more touching had she NOT fallen in love with Chaol (spoiler alert... I guess? It's a pretty obvious plot point...)
Oh and absolutely EVERYTHING is linked for no other reason than SJM thinks it's incredibly clever to do so. I swear she thinks it makes it look more like a fully crafted, well plotted series rather than the fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants, moment to moment series it actually is.
I'm ranting at this point...I'll return to fix it at a later date, when my ire has died down. Suffice to say that this is the 3rd, possibly 2nd worst book in the series.
2/5
The problem with this book is that it doesn't actually advance the plot. More than half of this story takes place during the last book, but we're these characters now, who don't know anything. Everything they're learning, we already know, so what is keeping my interest? This literally only appeals to the five people out there who actually like Chaol; who care about his "growth." Now, Chaol isn't a bad character--he changes the most (second only to Aelin, who literally transplants personalities when she goes from Celaena to Aelin.) but I wouldn't say he grows, which is the issue at large with the entire series. SJM doesn't know how to grow a character, she just changes/morphs them into who she wants them to be. The resulting affect is more than a little jarring and upsetting; Your favorite characters are suddenly going against the very core of who they are (or so it can seem.) but I'll drop that topic as I've already hashed that out in my review of Empire of Storms.
I think the worst part about this book is how good it could have been. Chaol in a wheelchair trying to regain his manhood/ discover what it really means is something that could have been so compelling, but SJM didn't know how to write it. Chaol is whiny, petulant and possessive the whole book through. He says he changes at the end, but it doesn't feel that way. It feels like the fake journey that she takes ALL of her characters on; they see things differently at the end because of twue lurve! It was all they needed! All anyone needs to not be manipulative, entitled, abrasive, vindictive, reductive, and petty! Except...no. This story could have yielded so much more had Yrene and Chaol NOT been romantically linked. Yrene's journey of forgiveness could have been more touching had she NOT fallen in love with Chaol (spoiler alert... I guess? It's a pretty obvious plot point...)
Oh and absolutely EVERYTHING is linked for no other reason than SJM thinks it's incredibly clever to do so. I swear she thinks it makes it look more like a fully crafted, well plotted series rather than the fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants, moment to moment series it actually is.
I'm ranting at this point...I'll return to fix it at a later date, when my ire has died down. Suffice to say that this is the 3rd, possibly 2nd worst book in the series.
2/5
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism