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A review by aldoregan
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
2.0
"The world will be saved and remade by the dreamers."
After reading QoS, everything just went a little downhill for me. There were so many things that went wrong in the fourth book , SO MANY THINGS, and it was a huge disappointment. After that book, my love for this series just started to falter. Going into Empire of Storms, I didn't have that same excitement that I had when I started books one to three. At the same time, I didn't have any expectations at all because if I did, I would've just disappointed the fuck outta myself.
I honestly didn't know where this story is going anymore. I had no idea what shenanigan Maas was going to throw into it, but surprisingly it was a bit better than the previous book. At least, right?
The pacing was great and everything that was happening, everything important that is (disregard all the piece of shit smut that comprised 30% of this book), was a really clever way to build up a finale. The fight scenes were the highlight of this book. Every fight scene was amazing, and it's what I truly enjoyed. The plot was very intensifying. I was afraid Maas was going to take another 360-turn but, fortunately, she didn't. I think I kinda understand why people love this series so much that they'd go as far as to turn a blind eye to all the flaws that this series has. And this series has hundreds of flaws. From romanticizing possessive, controlling men to a problematic, annoying, bitchy protagonist who is deemed as a feminist heroine. (I MEAN, WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK RIGHT?)
I can't say I care much about the majority of the characters here, all I really seem to care about are Manon, Dorian, Chaol, and Elide. Everyone else was just a piece of shit and idgaf what happens to them. They can all just die for all I care.
One of the things that I was absolutely irritated at was all of the characters were in pairs. It's really annoying. Was that really necessary? I would've loved to see some of the characters as independent individuals, not needing any love interest or whatsoever. Preferably, I would've loved to see Manon end up with no one but Maas just had to throw Dorian in. Am I the only one who isn't on board this ship? But thank the stars their relationship was actually less insufferable than Rowan and Aelin's. I still skip their parts because I just can't stand it. Maybe I'm a little prejudice about it but who can blame me? If Maas justified the end of the Chaolaena ship then I would've accepted it. But she didn't, and so I'll be bitter about it even after the series ends. I love Elide and Lorcan together though.
I still love Manon and she remains as my favorite character along with her thirteen. I get so excited when I read about them. Even if I hate her relationship with Dorian, there's no denying that I absolutely love reading Manon's chapters.
That last fight scene was the best fight scene in Empire of Storms. It was insane and terrifying and exciting all at the same time. And that ending was really good. I know it ended with someone getting caught but it just builds up so so much for the finale. I honestly can't wait to see how it ends eventhough I don't even give a fuck about the majority of the characters.
"Remember who you are. Every step of the way down, and every step of the way back. Remember who you are."
After reading QoS, everything just went a little downhill for me. There were so many things that went wrong in the fourth book , SO MANY THINGS, and it was a huge disappointment. After that book, my love for this series just started to falter. Going into Empire of Storms, I didn't have that same excitement that I had when I started books one to three. At the same time, I didn't have any expectations at all because if I did, I would've just disappointed the fuck outta myself.
I honestly didn't know where this story is going anymore. I had no idea what shenanigan Maas was going to throw into it, but surprisingly it was a bit better than the previous book. At least, right?
The pacing was great and everything that was happening, everything important that is (disregard all the piece of shit smut that comprised 30% of this book), was a really clever way to build up a finale. The fight scenes were the highlight of this book. Every fight scene was amazing, and it's what I truly enjoyed. The plot was very intensifying. I was afraid Maas was going to take another 360-turn but, fortunately, she didn't. I think I kinda understand why people love this series so much that they'd go as far as to turn a blind eye to all the flaws that this series has. And this series has hundreds of flaws. From romanticizing possessive, controlling men to a problematic, annoying, bitchy protagonist who is deemed as a feminist heroine. (I MEAN, WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK RIGHT?)
I can't say I care much about the majority of the characters here, all I really seem to care about are Manon, Dorian, Chaol, and Elide. Everyone else was just a piece of shit and idgaf what happens to them. They can all just die for all I care.
One of the things that I was absolutely irritated at was all of the characters were in pairs. It's really annoying. Was that really necessary? I would've loved to see some of the characters as independent individuals, not needing any love interest or whatsoever. Preferably, I would've loved to see Manon end up with no one but Maas just had to throw Dorian in. Am I the only one who isn't on board this ship? But thank the stars their relationship was actually less insufferable than Rowan and Aelin's. I still skip their parts because I just can't stand it. Maybe I'm a little prejudice about it but who can blame me? If Maas justified the end of the Chaolaena ship then I would've accepted it. But she didn't, and so I'll be bitter about it even after the series ends. I love Elide and Lorcan together though.
I still love Manon and she remains as my favorite character along with her thirteen. I get so excited when I read about them. Even if I hate her relationship with Dorian, there's no denying that I absolutely love reading Manon's chapters.
That last fight scene was the best fight scene in Empire of Storms. It was insane and terrifying and exciting all at the same time. And that ending was really good. I know it ended with someone getting caught but it just builds up so so much for the finale. I honestly can't wait to see how it ends eventhough I don't even give a fuck about the majority of the characters.
"Remember who you are. Every step of the way down, and every step of the way back. Remember who you are."