SPOILERS... Oh man, we got some spoilers.
Aelin said, "I promise you that no matter how far I go, no matter the cost, when you call for my aid, I will come. I promise you on my blood, on my family's name, that I will not turn my back on Terrasen as you have turned your back on me. I promise you, Darrow, that when the day comes and you crawl for my help, I will put my kingdom before my pride and not kill you for this."
Though she may be back in her homeland, Aelin's road to the throne is anything but smooth. Because of her past, she must prove to the Lords of Terrasen that she is worthy of becoming their queen. But it may just be the demons of her past who can band together and help her forge a future for her people.
With a warrior-prince, her favorite cousin, a shapeshifting beauty, a lost king, the last Crochan queen, and a cadre full of powerful Fae males at her side, Aelin has never had more to lose in the oncoming war. With so many friendships and loyalties straining from the pressure, Aelin will give everything she has to ensure her loved ones make it out alive.
She looked over her shoulder. "To call in old debts and promises. To raise an army of assassins and thieves and exiles and commoners. To finish what was started long, long ago."
REVIEW
Anyone who has ever said a bad thing about Aelin Galathynius: you're wrong, you're wrong, you're incorrect, and you're also wrong.
There are only so many ways for me to say that a book destroyed me, and I know I say that about most books, but please understand when I say that this book destroyed me. Maas really likes to jerk us around in her novels because we experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in Empire of Storms. I honestly am dreading writing this review because it's all become such a blur and I can't remember the plot as well as I can remember the emotion. I'm gonna see if I can go character by character as that will probably be the easiest way to keep track of everything.
She was indeed a bit terrified of the icy rage rippling from him as Dorian said, "Because she died. And even before she did, this world saw to it that she suffered, and was afraid, and alone. And even though no one will remember who she was, I do. I will never forget the color of her eyes, or the way she smiled. And I will never forgive them for taking it away."
We all know I love Dorian, it's not a secret. I was afraid to see what would become of him after the last book, but I was happy to see that he wasn't going to be left all alone the whole time. Very quickly, Rifthold is destroyed by witches and Rowan arrives to rescue our little king. It was nice to see him learn how to use his powers. However, I feel like we didn't really get to see much of him in this book. Or maybe he was just much more... subdued? He has obviously just come out of a traumatic experience, so I was hoping to see more of his new mentality. Whenever we got glimpses into his mind, he was extremely observant, but almost not fully there-- not fully himself. Whether that was intentional or not on Maas's part, I hope that his character development continues and doesn't just leave him stranded here as a quieter, lesser version of who he used to be. I will admit, though, that he is one of the few characters who continues to defend Aelin from the people who continue to doubt her. Their friendship is one of my favorites in the whole series.
Manon met Sorrel's eyes, then Asterin's. And Manon gave the Thirteen her final order. "Run." Then Manon Blackbeak whirled and brought Wind-Cleaver down upon her grandmother.
Okay, I actually have mixed feelings about Manon in this book... Again, I feel like it was hard to understand her character whenever we got glimpses into her mind. Her thoughts and actions felt disconnected at times and part of me was afraid that I wasn't going to like her after I finished the book. In the beginning I was like YES GIRL KILL YOUR GRANDMA, but then the Matron told us all those secrets and that was a lot of information to take in. After that, Manon seemed a bit wishy washy-- which I suppose is understandable for someone in her given situation. During the last scene on the beach, however, I was very quick to decide I didn't like her anymore. THEN, grumpily, I realized what she had done for Aelin. Powerful women pretending to turn on each other just to hide their true intentions from their enemies really does trip me up every time, no matter how many times it happens in these books. Manon was really the only person who could have or would have done such a thing for Aelin because everyone else she knows would have sacrificed themself for her and then the whole world would have been doomed. Despite that, she's really gotta give up on this whole "I refuse to share the Wastes" thing cause girlie, you haven't lived there for hundreds of years, of COURSE other people have moved in!! If her and Ansel don't find any resolution to that problem, I'll be annoyed.
And Manon understood in that moment that there were forces greater than obedience, and discipline, and brutality. Understood that she had not been born soulless; she had not been born without a heart.
So... Aedion. A lot of stuff that he did in Empire of Storms made me angry, mostly because he was constantly doubting Aelin and making her feel bad for her schemes when she's the one saving everyone's butts all the time! And you know what, when he was awful and rude to her about not building an army-- MEANWHILE, she WAS-- she just sat there and allowed him to get it all out of his system. The fact that he continues to believe she's useless after everything she's proven literally makes me sick. Not to mention the fact that he's always bugging her to let other people fight for her and then the MINUTE she does, he flips his shit on her. What do you WANT, my dude??? Also, his concern for Lysandra was sweet for a minute but she can seriously take care of herself, buddy. Quit being patronizing and get a grip. What happens to Aelin, however, and what Aedion realizes about his behavior in the end was probably more than enough punishment for his words and actions, though.
Tears slid own Aedion's face as he silently sobbed. Where are our allies, Aelin? Where are our armies? She had taken the criticism-- taken it, because he knew she hadn't wanted to disappoint them if she failed. Rowan put a hand on Aedion's shoulder.
Elide and Lorcan-- I actually really loved reading about these two. There's just somethin' about a mega powerful, grumpy dude who hates everyone being put in his place by the first cute girl who tells him to shut up. I'm sure that says a lot about me as a person, but let's not discuss that. I also realized that I often get bored of a couple after they finally become official-- I really like all the uncertainty and confusion of two people falling for each other and being unable to admit it. Once they admit it, I'm like okay... time to find another two people who haven't found love yet! Regardless-- I love Elide. I didn't think I would like her as much as I do but she's developed SO much as a character and it was lovely to see across the pages. Part of me thinks she's gonna be the one to save them all in some way, but I don't yet know how. She's come so far, I find it difficult to believe that she was just there to give the second wyrdstone to Aelin. As for how they end up in the last chapter, I don't blame Elide for hating Lorcan after he summoned Maeve to them. AND AGAIN, he did it because he wanted to keep Elide safe-- AS IF SHE ISN'T FULLY CAPABLE HERSELF. Why do all of these men think they're so much smarter and stronger than the badass women they love??? And what's even WORSE: Elide would have been perfectly safe if he hadn't called in reinforcements-- because, get this, the reinforcements are the ones who put her in danger!
Lorcan's onyx eyes were unreadable as he scanned her face. And then he said quietly, "I wanted to go to Perranth with you." Lorcan dropped the shield.
Quickly, wanna throw in some stuff about Gavriel and Fenrys. Uhhh, is anyone else thinking that Gavriel got out of the blood oath with Maeve, like... super easily??? I'm not saying that I think it was a trick or anything, I just thought it was pretty weird that she just dropped it. Then he fell over and now I'm not sure exactly what's going on with him... so... uh, yeah. Fenrys, however, I love with my whole heart and I know bad things are going to happen to him and I'm so so scared because he just deserves to be happy. He's barely spent any time with them but already has such an intense love for the court and Aelin. He even asks Rowan to kill him if he's ever ordered to kill her. I want him and Aelin to be best friends and never suffer again. But because I'm saying this, the exact opposite is going to happen. My whole body is incredibly tense while I type this. Yikes.
Rowan pushed off the wall, more than ready to join his queen. But he found Fenrys staring at her as well, his face tight and drawn. Fenrys's voice was a broken whisper as he said, "Kill me. If that order is given. Kill me, Rowan, before I have to do it." "You'll be dead before you can get within a foot of her." Not a threat-- a promise and a plain statement of fact. Fenrys's shoulders slumped in thanks.
Lysandra is next on my list because she might be one of the coolest characters ever created AND she's genuinely the only person Aelin trusts with her secret plans. I feel bad because everyone gets mad at her when she knows the secrets but it's just because they're grumpy that they got left out. Not only is her shapeshifting power wildly useful, she's also wickedly good at everything she does. She has saved everyone's butts a multitude of times and gets little to no credit for it. Also, again, her frienship with Aelin is so beautiful and makes me so happy that the two of them have each other. To be honest, I think she might be the toughest character (mentally) in this whole series.
Dorian's face had revealed the same thoughts as he clasped his hands with him and said quietly, "It is not such a hard thing, is it-- to die for your friends."
I've been dreading this moment and I have dragged this review out all day to avoid writing it. I have to talk about Rowan. I love him so much and my heart hurts eternally for him-- what he has gone through and what is still yet to come. I can't even figure out how to put everything into words. He falls in love with Aelin, the only person able to help heal him after his mate died, only to find out that Aelin is his real mate and falling for the other woman was just a trick that Maeve played on him to make him miserable. Not only that, but Aelin knew about their bond and didn't tell him because she knew he wasn't emotionally ready to know. And NOW, his mate/wife has been locked in an iron coffin by his worst enemy and taken far away from him to be tortured. The saddest part is that while Maeve was on the beach with Aelin, we knew that Rowan was on his way to save her, but he was just a minute too late. I cannot even begin to explain how devastating this ending was. My heart is gone.
Aelin had known, though. That he was her mate. And she had not pushed it, or demanded he face it, because she loved him and he knew she'd rather carve out her own heart than cause him pain or distress. His Fireheart. His equal, his friend, his lover. His wife. His mate. That gods-damned bitch had put her in an iron box.
I wanna talk about this plot for a second-- first of all, it's absolutely, brilliantly planned out. There are so many pieces of the puzzle that fell into place in this novel that I hadn't even realized were set out for me to put together. Secondly, what a genius way to give us all of the information we need: a magic mirror that transports us through time! Thirdly, I still hate Elena. She knew she was damning a future generation and she still locked Erawan away. If she had simply spoken to her father, he could have told her everything and the world would have been saved right there. I understand that she has done what she could to make up for it, but that doesn't mean I have to forgive her. Finding out that Aelin needs to die to get rid of the wyrdkeys shouldn't have been much of a shock, but it still hurt my heart to find out. I'm not sure how we're gonna get around that, but I know I won't be able to take it if she dies. We've come too far for it to end like that.
"But I sent you to Wendlyn for the healing. And so you would... find him. The one who had been waiting so long for you." Aelin's heart cracked. "Rowan."
What happens to Aelin in this book is far beyond unfair. It's awful, horrifying, devastating, and breaks my heart to think about. After learning that she must die to lock the wyrdkeys away, Maeve arrives to take her away. The worst part is that Aelin knows and accepts this fate. She walks in to save Elide and sacrifice herself. She stands there as they whip her and refuses to count the lashes as Maeve tries to force her to do so. She allows them to chain her up and shove her into an iron box. She has known for a long time that no one can save her from this and so everything she's done from the minute she stepped back into Rifthold was to ensure that Terrasen could go on without her. She made sure that Aedion would have an army to lead into battle, convinced Lysandra to impersonate her so that her people wouldn't know she was gone, and she married Rowan so that Terrasen would have a king. Aelin knew about and prepared for the worst without showing a single drop of dread. She sacrificed everything for the people and country she loves.
"And tell Rowan," Aelin said, fighting her own sob, "that I'm sorry I lied. But tell him it was all borrowed time anyway. Even before today, I knew it was all just borrowed time, but I still wish we'd had more if it."
I've felt this whole time that perhaps I've let Aelin get away with a lot of bad behavior simply because I like her and don't want to admit her faults. When people come at her angrily for not saving Terrasen sooner, or putting herself or others in danger, or not doing what is advised of her, I usually get angry and immediately take her side. Even when she doesn't have a good excuse for what she's done, I trust her. For a long time I couldn't figure out if I was just blinded by my admiration. As it turns out, I wasn't blinded by anything. I was able to see that every single movement she made, word she uttered, and thought in her mind was a deliberate choice. Aelin was weaving a very dangerous web and no one in her cadre ever noticed. People seem to find it easy to wave off her actions as selfish, but she doesn't have a selfish bone in her body. Everything she has done has been to help Erilea in some way or another, and no one is more skilled at scheming than she is. Aedion tried to rip her apart for not gathering an army in Terrasen, but little did he know that Aelin for months had been calling in favors from every person she had ever helped. Behind everyone's backs, she organized for all of those allies to meet in the same place at the same time: the beach where Maeve whipped her and stole her away barely five minutes prior. She told everyone where to meet knowing what circumstances the meeting would be under and where she would inevitably be when it happened.
For Terrasen. For them. For a better world. Aelin Galathynius had raised an army not just to challenge Morath... but to rattle the stars.
My heart hurts, my heart hurts, my heart hurts. There is too much to say and I can't even put it all into words.
Time-- she was grateful Elena had given her that stolen time. Grateful she had met them all, that she had seen some small part of the world, had heard such lovely music, had danced and laughed and known true friendship. Grateful that she had found Rowan. She was grateful. So Aelin Galathynius dried her tears. And did not fight when Maeve strapped that beautiful iron mask over her face.
I need to finish this series. I need a happy ending.
Unleashing a cry that set the world trembling, Prince Rowan Whitethorn Galathynius, Consort of the Queen of Terrasen, began the hunt to find his wife.
NEXT READ: Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
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