SPOILERS! Also, keep an eye out at the end for my take on Aelin's Chocolate Hazelnut Cake!
Once upon a time, in a land long since burned to ash, there lived a young princess who loved her kingdom.
In the final book of the Throne of Glass Series, every second counts. Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius is trapped in an iron coffin by a Valg queen, while Rowan, Lorcan, Elide, and Gavriel scour the continent to find and rescue her. Aedion and Lysandra attempt to protect Terrasen from Morath soldiers threatening to destroy them every day. Chaol, Yrene, and Nesryn travel north with the Khagan’s army to aid their allies. Dorian and Manon search tirelessly for the lost Crochans, in the hopes of creating an aerial legion fit to take on the Ironteeth witches Manon herself trained. With war raging throughout the world, any minute could be their last.
One blink for yes. Two for no. Three for Are you all right? Four for I am here, I am with you. Five for This is real, you are awake.
GUYS, WE DID IT! WE’RE HERE! AT THE END! I’m so proud to have finished this series, partially because of its length but also because of the emotional rollercoaster it took me on. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved this series in nearly every way, but I was ready for it to be over. I mean that in the best possible way-- these characters deserve peace, and Maas grants them that.
Bold-- this messenger was bold, and arrogant, for someone at Darrow's beck and call. "What's your name?" "Nox Owen." The messenger bowed at the waist. "From Perranth."
First thing I would like to discuss: NOX OWEN COMES BACK, BABY!! Can anyone believe it?!? He was my favorite character in Throne of Glass and I nearly peed my pants with joy when he showed up in Kingdom of Ash. I was really happy to see that he had a cute little backstory and that he wasn’t actually a thief, but a spy for Terrasen this whole time! I was a little sad to see that rather than being a piece of the puzzle, his arrival was just more of a call-back. This was especially evident when he completely disappeared again. He didn’t even get a reunion with Aeiln at the end! To be honest, that’s my biggest complaint about the ending. Where’s my boy?? Sarah!! Where is he???
"I have been degraded and humiliated in so many ways, for so many years," she said, voice shaking. Not from fear, but from the tidal wave that swept up everything inside her, burning alongside the wound in her leg. "But I have never felt as humiliated as I did when you threw me into the snow. When you called me a lying bitch in front of our friends and allies. Never."
Now onto the war that lasted what felt like seven years! Over in Terrasen, Aedion and Lysandra are living what seems to be the plot of Groundhog Day. By that I mean that each day appears to be a replica of the one before it. They wake up in the morning thinking “today is the day we all die” and then someone important gets gravely injured, they think it’s all about to end, but then suddenly boom bam, an ally shows up and saves the day! But literally, just the day. Because the next day, the same thing happens!! I’m not sure if the author was just running out of stuff to do or what, but I kind of dreaded the chapters about that battle. I was also biased because I truly, truly do not ship Lysandra and Aedion. I think she is so, so wonderful and powerful and probably the most valuable warrior, and Aedion in no way deserves her. He treats Aelin like filth in previous books and so when she’s not around, apparently he turns to Lysandra for his insults! He’s mad at her because she made a secret promise to Aelin in case anything bad happened, and oh boy something bad DID happen, so Lysandra was forced to keep to her word. And because of that, Aedion thinks it’s okay to call her a lying bitch and throw her out in the snow! But oh, he says a few nice words to Evangeline so I’m supposed to forgive him? I know I sound extremely grumpy right now and that’s because I am! I don’t forgive him for his actions so I’m angry that Lysandra does. She owes herself more than that.
"How did you do it?" he whispered. "How did you break free of its control?" He had to know. If he was walking into hell itself, if it was more than likely he'd wind up with a new collar around his throat, he had to know. Kaltain studied his neck before she met his stare. "Because I raged against it. Because I did not feel that I deserved the collar." The truth of her words slammed into him as surely as if she'd shoved his chest.
Onto a character who I love and cherish above all else: Dorian Havilliard. I love looking at where he is now as opposed to where he used to be. My boy grew the heck up! I mentioned in a previous review that I was afraid he would change for the worse after Sorscha’s death and his imprisonment in the collar. He seemed to be a quieter, more subdued version of himself. Almost, more contemplative? But the time he spent in this novel working on himself, his magic, and deciding what he wanted for himself, the more he became a true king. Dorian has always been charming and confident, but where he used to live only for pleasure and unbothered by politics, he is now poised, strategic and knows how to play the game.
Who do you wish to be? "Someone worthy of my friends," he said into the quiet night. "A king worthy of his kingdom." For a heartbeat, snow-white hair and golden eyes flashed into his mind. "Happy," he whispered, and wrapped a hand around Damaris's hilt. Let go of that lingering scrap of terror.
On a similar note, Manon has come a long way as well. I didn’t know how I felt about her relationship with Dorian at the beginning of this novel. Mostly it was because I was worried that they were just using each other as outlets. I think Dorian deserves someone who really loves him and can give their whole heart to him, and Manon is incapable of that. I understand why-- she was literally raised to be a monster, so I don’t blame her for being unable to express her feelings. I was just worried that the two of them would be… settling for each other, I guess? But again, overtime, as she learned more about herself and who she wanted to be, it became easier for her to tell him how she felt, even if it wasn’t super obvious. I loved loved loved that bit at the end of the book when her and Dorian are parting ways and Yrene suggests the two of them just get married and Manon simply says, “We’ll see,” before flying off. WILD!
She was struggling to get a breath down, to get up, when Asterin reached Narene and mounted the blue mare, gathering the reins. "Bring our people home, Manon." Manon knew then. What they were going to do. Her legs failed her, her body failed her, as she tried to get to her feet. As she rasped, "No." But Asterin and the Thirteen were already in the skies.
The Thirteen deserve their own space of honor for their sacrifice. In order to destroy the final witch tower, capable of wiping out thousands of soldiers, the twelve witches agree behind Manon’s back that they will yield to save everyone. As they die, they fulfill the prophecy and break the Ironteeth curse, allowing the witches to finally go home. It was heartbreaking and beautiful, and I hated seeing what it did to Manon. I hope that this is not the last we see of her.
Lorcan nodded, as if in answer, and his smile was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. "Ask me to marry you." Elide began crying, even as she laughed. "Will you marry me, Lorcan Salvaterre?" He swept her up in his arms, raining kisses over her face. As if some final, chained part of him had been freed. "I'll think about it."
Elide and Lorcan have their reconciliation in this novel, and I have to say, I ship the hell out of these two. I understand why Elide was angry at him, but I do think that Lorcan’s actions were more understandable when you think about why he did what he did. He just wants to protect Elide, and how could I blame him for that? Literally everyone else ALSO wants to protect her. And for good reason-- she’s the one who comes up with the plan for destroying Erawan (but we’ll talk about that more later). These two are so cute together and make my heart feel so warm. I love polar opposite couples, and Elide and Lorcan are as opposite as it gets. I don’t really have much more to say about them other than the fact that when they got married and Lorcan took her name, he became Lord Lorcan Lochan. And I think that’s genius.
And twisting, she swung it into the final siege tower. Sending it crashing to the ground. Right onto the horde of Morath soldiers trying to batter their way through the southern gate. Wide-eyed, the three Fae warriors blinked. "That's where Aelin is," was all Fenrys said.
Okay, sad boi hours now. I wanted to put all my Fae boys in one place (except Lorcan since he already got his spotlight) because they’re a cadre and they deserve to stick together. One by one, let’s go: Gavriel! Oh boy, do I not have that much to say about him. I’d be curious to find out what he was like before he discovered he was a father, because after that it became really his only personality trait. I’m kidding, but… Am I? His death was sad and I thought there could have been other ways for his story to end, but hey, I’m not the author. Regardless, he was lovely from what I knew. Fenrys, my sweet, handsome baby. Everything that happened to him was unfair and broke my heart. He always brings such light and humor to everything, and I loved the friendship that blossomed between him and Aelin, even if it was born from pain. He always made me smile and I’m glad he got a happy ending. For some reason, the minute he got those scars across his face, I knew he would be okay… I think that something I’ve learned in this series is that scars aren’t blemishes-- they’re reminders of our survival. And once Fenrys had physical proof that he’d been hurt and come out the other end alive, he began his journey to heal emotionally. Finally, Prince Rowan. He might be one of my favorite male characters of all time. I hesitate to call him a “love interest” because it feels degrading and he’s so much more than that. He, like everyone else in these books, has been through so much shit and he’s climbed his way back up. He’s tough and grumpy, but he can also be the sweetest husband in the world. The love he has for Aelin breaks and rebuilds my heart. I’m constantly going back into each book to re-experience their best moments. I still remember reading Heir of Fire for the first time and just knowing that he was meant to be with her, despite the two of them constantly trying to pretend that their relationship was strictly a friendship. They compliment each other perfectly and their endless banter will never not be a pleasure to read.
He didn't blame her. Knew it would take time, time and distance, to heal the internal wounds. If they could ever really heal at at all. But he'd work with her, help in whatever way he could. And if she never returned to who she had been before this, he would not love her any less.
One of the best aspects of every Sarah J. Maas book is the gentleness and care used when discussing mental health. I’ve already stated how much trauma our heroes have faced a million times, but the most important thing is how they deal with it afterwards. Sarah never skips over this-- never pretends that our unpleasant feelings and emotions are things that can just be swept under the rug. The only way Aelin, Dorian, Fenrys, Chaol, etc. can move on and become who they were destined to be, is to work through their struggles. And Maas acknowledges that even with intense work, they may never get back to where they once were, and that’s okay. She also doesn’t give in to that foolish idea that our partners can cure our emotional wounds. We alone can be the ones to work through our fears and mental blockades, but our partners sure as hell can help guide us along the way. I think that’s a lovely sentiment, and I’m always in awe of the way Maas handles these themes in her novels.
No longer the Queen Who Was Promised. But the Queen Who Walked Between Worlds. She would not go quietly. She was not afraid.
Now since a LOT of really super important plot points get fixed up in this novel, I figured I’d do everyone a solid and Michelle-ify all of it for your enjoyment. By that I obviously mean my own enjoyment. Let’s start with the closing of the wyrdgate; I found it lovely and fitting that Dorian and Aelin try to close the gate together in the place they first met (though if you’ve read The Assassin’s Blade, you’d know they didn’t meet in Endovier). I don’t know why I was surprised when Aelin cast Dorian out so that she would die alone. It was genuinely shocking, though, that the king of Adarlan took his place-- since only an heir of Brannon (or someone "Nameless") can close the wyrdgate, the king of Adarlan was also a viable candidate. Not to mention the fact that we discover Erawan had erased his name from existence. It at least gave me closure, because there was clearly unfinished business between him and Dorian. However, when Aelin asked the gods to leave Erawan alone and instead give Elena her afterlife, I was like GIRL NO! Sadly, I was right. The gods killed Elena anyway and still left Erawan alive. However, because Aelin did that, Mala gave her a kernel of power which, in turn, is the only reason she survived. So I suppose the mistake she made was necessary. When Aelin dooms the gods (yay) and tries to get home after sealing the gate (double yay) she FLIES through world after world and SEES: RHYSAND AND FEYRE! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??? CAN YOU???? I CAN’T. Honestly, I may have been anticipating that crossover moment from the beginning of the series, but we're gonna pretend it was a surprise, shhh.
His father's name... Dorian. I took his name, Erawan spat, writhing as the words flowed from his tongue under Damaris's power. I wiped it away from existence. Yet he only remembered it once. Only once. The first time he beheld you. Tears slid down Dorian's face at that unbearable truth.
Now, defeating Erawan: sweet little Elide came through with a kickass plan and saved the day! Using Yrene to bait him, the wyrdmarks to trap him, the sword to skewer him, and Dorian and Yrene to heal him. Great plan, I truly have no idea how no one else thought of it. It worked like a charm, and Dorian got closure for his father’s death and discovered that, though Erawan erased the king of Adarlan’s name from existence, in his last fighting moments he remembered and gave it to his son. Dorian. My heart! Also, YRENE YRENE YRENE! She is so cool and Chaol is so lucky.
Maeve extended a hand before her, darkness swirling in her cupped palm. "There are no gods left to watch, I'm afraid. And there are no gods left to help you now, Aelin Galathynius." Aelin smiled, and Goldryn burned brighter. "I am a god." She unleashed herself upon them.
Now we come to the battle against Maeve, quite a bit more difficult than defeating Erawan. Her and Aelin battle one on one for a bit, she worms her way into Aelin’s head, Aelin defeats her in her thoughts and is brought back to the real world only to see that Maeve has now woven false realities inside the heads of Lorcan, Rowan, and Fenrys. Aelin throws some flames at all of the males in the hopes that it will jostle them out of their minds and back into the real world. It works and they’re back facing her four on one. And THEN, my goodness, just when it seems like they have no chance against Maeve, Aelin reveals that her and the guys have been drawing wyrdmarks all over the battlefield and a bunch of portals open up, unleashing a LOST FAE ARMY! I’m absolutely confused about that, especially because all of the questions I have about them never got answered-- but I think that might mean they’ll eventually get their own book? Who knows! Anyway, once the new warriors run onto the field and begin hacking away at the valg soldiers, Maeve realizes she done hecked up! Fenrys gets to stab his torturer in the heart, Aelin puts an anti-valg ring on the demon queen’s finger, and the evil B dies. Wow! I actually wrote that out a lot more clearly and concisely than I expected. Pat on the back for me!
Aelin kept her hand outstretched. The unspoken offer in it. "And if I choose to banish you, you will go wherever it is we decide. And never bother us again, or any other." "Yes," Maeve snapped, grimacing at the immortal blade piercing her heart. The queen bowed her head, panting, and took Aelin's outstretched hand. Aelin drew close. Just as she slid something onto Maeve's finger. And whispered in Maeve's ear, "Then go to hell."
This is the hardest part: trying to put my feelings for Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius into words. I really wish I had discovered Throne of Glass while I was a teenager, because I know damn well it would have been at the top of my list of books that got me through high school. She’s strong, funny, brave, self-aware, stubborn, strong, badass, loving, kind, chaotic, and a million other things. She’s so beautifully fleshed out and inspiring to read about. Everything she’s been forced to deal with she has fought tooth and nail to come back from. She saw her parents and boyfriend slaughtered in front of her, and then once she finally made a new family for herself, she was taken from them and locked in an iron box.
Spirit that could not be broken. You do not yield. She would endure it again, if asked. She would do it. Every brutal hour and bit of agony. And it would hurt, and she would scream, but she'd face it. Survive against it. Arobynn had not broken her. Neither had Endovier. She would not allow this waste of existence to do so now. Her shaking eased, her body going still. Waiting...She did not want it to be over. Any of it...She made herself look. To face down that place of pain and despair. It would always leave a mark, a stain on her, but she would not let it define her. Hers was not a story of darkness. This would not be the story. She would fold it into herself, this place, this fear, but it would not be the whole story. It would not be her story.
It’s the best kind of story: someone who has been put down again and again learning how to rise up and become better through all of it. Aelin literally carries the weight of the world on her shoulders: she is not only the Queen of Terrasen, but also the Faerie Queen of the West-- two titles she never asked to have, but she learns to carry them with grace and humility. I’m sick of pretending heroes can’t have flaws or that they never make mistakes. I’m also sick of pretending that our mistakes aren’t what make us who we are. I’ve spent so much of my life fearing failure and fearing the unknown, but Aelin reminds me that the bravest among us are also afraid-- it’s what they do with that fear that changes the outcome. I’ll also happily remind you that though Rowan was seconds away from getting Aelin away from her captors, SHE broke out and made it to safety on her own. She escaped, knowing very well that if she survived this breakout, she would just be forced later on to give her life to close the wyrdgate. She has been utterly and completely selfless through the entire series, even if her actions didn’t fully appear so. Aelin is my favorite book character and I will keep her tucked in my heart forever as a reminder that I will not be afraid.
"I love you both," she whispered. "And no matter what may happen, no matter how far we may be, that will never change." "We will see you again," Chaol said, but even his voice was thick with tears. "Together,"Dorian breathed, shaking. "We'll rebuild this world together."
In our final moments we get a sweet and sad goodbye between our golden trio: Aelin, Dorian, and Chaol. The original three! My heart broke and this was actually the first time I cried while reading Kingdom of Ash. It just really made me realize how far they’ve come from Throne of Glass. The way they’ve all changed and grown in only a year or so. And I’m so happy to say it’s all for the better, too. I love these three-- through all of their ups and downs and weird love triangle drama that has now totally fizzled out-- I’m so thankful I got to go on their journey with them. They have my heart!
They opened at last, and the roar from the gathered crowds was loud enough to rattle the stars. As one, they walked out. Into the cheering city. Into the streets, where people danced and sang, where they wept and clasped their hands to their hearts at the sight of the parade of waving, smiling rulers and warriors and heroes who had saved their kingdom, their lands. At the sight of the newly crowned queen, joy lighting her eyes. A new world. A better world.
If I leave you with nothing else, at least accept this: read these books. A lot of us have a significant amount of time on our hands right now and are in need of some inspiration and motivation. There's certainly a LOT of content to get through with 8 books and all-- trust me, I understand-- but every minute, whether happy or sad or frustrating or heartwarming, is worth it. I love these characters and I love this story. Sarah J. Maas is a wonderful writer and I'm so thankful that I've discovered her work. I will give a bit of a warning, though, (mom) that some scenes can get a little saucy. I personally didn't mind it-- it doesn't detract from the story at all and to be honest, it actually kind of fits the tone of the series. I would consider SJM books to be more New Adult content than Young Adult, so I'm not exactly sure why they're marketed as such. However, my main point is: if you like beautiful, detailed, true-to-life characters and intricately woven plots with endless twists, READ THRONE OF GLASS.
Her name was Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius. And she would not be afraid.
AELIN'S CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT CAKE
So, since Kingdom of Ash is our final book of these series, I wanted my final ToG bake to be something that encompassed all the books. The one treat that has been mentioned countless times and is well known as Aelin's favorite is chocolate hazelnut cake! She eats some with Chaol in Crown of Midnight, talks about it in nearly every novel, and even bakes one for Rowan in a deleted scene from Heir of Fire! How could I not make it? Here's how mine came out:
I don't know if I can even put into words how delicious this cake tasted. Truly, I think about it everyday and probably will continue to do so for the rest of my life. The cake was so chocolatey and moist, and the frosting was otherworldly. Since I typically find most buttercreams to be too sweet, I decided to tweak it and make it more accustomed to my tastes, so I made a chocolate hazelnut cream cheese frosting. My mouth is watering just typing this up.
Frosting recipe: Since I went rogue, I didn't really follow any recipe and therefore don't have perfect measurements. Here's a basic outline of what I did: whip up half a stick of softened unsalted butter with 12oz of softened cream cheese (about 1.5 packages) and about one jar of nutella. I probably could have whipped mine longer, but just eyeball it and stop when it gets close to a consistency you like. Then, throw in a bit of cocoa powder and then (one cup at a time) roughly 4-5 cups of powdered sugar. Honestly, just put in a bit at a time, mix it up, and then taste it. You can always add more, but you can't take away! If it ever gets too thick, toss a bit of milk in there. Mine came out pretty gooey, but once it cooled in the fridge it was nice and dense (which was good so it didn't slide off the cake!) The frosting ended up tasting like a chocolate hazelnut cheesecake, and who could hate that?!
If you didn't know, I bake something from a book every week and post live updates on my Instagram. Tune in to @picklesandpages on Wednesdays to check it out!
NEXT READ: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
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