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A review by whiskers_and_lipstick
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
4.0
After disappointment in [b:Heir of Fire|76706470|Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673566654l/76706470._SY75_.jpg|25128502] and [b:Queen of Shadows|76707900|Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673566810l/76707900._SY75_.jpg|25272067], [b:Empire of Storms|76713323|Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1676979605l/76713323._SY75_.jpg|25272004] made me fall in love with the Throne of Glass series again. So many quiet moments, unanswered questions, and were addressed in this book. The payoff was much needed and even better than I could have imagined.
The pacing of the story was impeccable - the rises and falls were perfectly timed. At no point did any movement in the story feel idled or rushed as it did in HoF and QoS. The emotional draw in EoS brought me back to how I felt reading [b:Throne of Glass|76703559|Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673566495l/76703559._SY75_.jpg|11138426] and [b:Crown of Midnight|76705490|Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673566594l/76705490._SY75_.jpg|21581860] - I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I seethed in anger, I rolled my eyes (A LOT), and the tension was so palpable that I felt legitimate fear at moments.
The parallels between Elena and Aelin were a stunning thing to watch unfold - two queens stumbling through an insurmountable conflict trying to do what they feel is right, making mistakes, and creating conflict with those they love along the way.
I LOVED the story. However, the character treatment and penultimate plot twist kept this from being a 5-star read for me. Yes, I have a tolerate/hate relationship with Aelin, and I mostly tolerated her through this book. Each time I thought that she might be turning a corner towards redemption, she fell back on old habits: lies, secrets, and schemes; the hypocrisy of her finding fault with others who have done the same (especially with just as good reason).
One of my favorite parts of the series is the large cast of principal characters, but so many of these characters' voices or presence were reduced unnecessarily (Lorcan & Elide withstanding).
- Rowan: Has a big moment in rescuing Dorian during the Ironteeth's sack of Rifthold. I was so excited to learn more about him as a character, who he is outside of his relationships with Maeve and Aelin, but he spends most of the book as a sexual object. Rowan does THE LEAST throughout most of the book until the wake of the battle against Maeve's armada. This was such an important and necessary moment for his character, and I felt what really solidified his role as Aelin's perfect match. There was no reason for his presence, what he has to offer to this court, to be dimmed so immensely through most of the story.
- Lysandra: My girl is one of the fiercest warriors in Aelin's brigade. Seeing her lean all the way in to serve (and consistently save everyone's asses) was so much fun! That said, it felt like Lysandra existed in this book primarily as Aelin's muscle or secret weapon. She was also Aelin's sole coconspirator, but it's not clear if that is due to the trust and bond between the two women or if it was because Lystandra was the only person that would blindly say 'yes' to Aelin's schemes. You don't get a sense of how much input Lysandra may have offered in these plans. Further, beyond her 2 heart-to-hearts with Aedion, she doesn't have a strong voice in the story. In the same way Lysandra is more than a courtesan; she is more than a shifter/warrior.
- Dorian: TBH, I forgot Dorian was even part of this book most of the time. I feel like Dorian's character treatment has been one of SJM's gravest offenses in this series. He has consistently been pushed to the back to create space or give other characters bigger platforms. The sad part is that Dorian's plans, intelligence, and strategy are what lend to some of the important AHA moments and give the brigade momentum as they try to build a force to face Erawan and Maeve. #DorianDeservesBetter
Also, Dorian's comment about only caring if Manon "has the right parts" will forever leave a bit of throw-up in my mouth.
- Aedion: He deserves more respect and consideration than he's been granted. He is a talented general (trained by Aelin's father and the son of one of a powerful Fae) and commander of the Bane. Let us also not forget the years he spent pretending to be under the influence of the obsidian ring while helping raise a force of rebels in Rifthold. Beyond Rowan, Aedion is the only person in the court positioned to offer guidance and strategy in the preparation for war. There were missed opportunities to see how his mind for war works and how he will aid this court as a warrior prince. His primary meaningful moments are focused on a budding romance with Lysandra. Further, despite riding for Aelin his entire life, she lies to him; she hides everything from him. He has placed so much trust in someone he has spent half his life separated from, and that trust (and respect) is not reciprocated.
- Manon: Understandably, Manon's voice is largely absent after her fight with the Matron, but her treatment as a prisoner after she is healed is UNACCEPTABLE. Yes, she attacked Aelin. However, that attack was provoked by Aelin, who boasted about having killed Baba Yellowlegs. Even after delivering the news that Dorian was not lost to the Valg prince, saving Dorian and helping him escape with Rowan, aiding Elide, and despite Dorian expressing that she is good and he trusts her, Manon is still placed in timeout or used in ploys to test/bring Dorian into the fold.
There is also the imbalanced power/political dynamic. In some cases, the significance, power, and authority of key characters are placed second to Aelin despite them being her equals. This alliance includes 1 King (Dorian) and 2 Queens. Their destinies are equally tied to any hope of winning this war. However, they are not treated as equals in this alliance. The most glaring of these disparities is between Aelin and Dorian. They are two branches descended from the same family tree, the same great power. Both are trained by Rowan and still learning the depths of their powers. The fate of the world rests on either of their shoulders and yet Manon is the only person who seems to recognize that Dorian is just as viable and necessary of a force as Aelin.
The character treatment alone put this book at a 4.5, but what I cannot get passed was the reveal of Aelin's grand plan.
And do you know who was not included in the formation of this plan? Rowan or Aedion. Lysandra drops this knowledge bomb on the whole group after Aelin is carted off by Maeve. Upon learning the news, I felt every bit of Aedion's rage and betrayal. Who does Aelin (or Lysandra, for that matter) think she is to decide something like this for the princes - especially without their consent? I don't mind the idea of Lysandra stepping in as Aelin so that the forces raised don't know Aelin is in danger and that this battle just got even harder. There was no reason to concoct this grossly offensive plan. Or if it was absolutely necessary, Rowan and Aedion should have been involved, and the reveal would have been the three of them sharing it with the rest of the group. That plot twist took the wind from my sails for the book's final reveal.
Spoiler
outstanding life debtsThe pacing of the story was impeccable - the rises and falls were perfectly timed. At no point did any movement in the story feel idled or rushed as it did in HoF and QoS. The emotional draw in EoS brought me back to how I felt reading [b:Throne of Glass|76703559|Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673566495l/76703559._SY75_.jpg|11138426] and [b:Crown of Midnight|76705490|Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)|Sarah J. Maas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673566594l/76705490._SY75_.jpg|21581860] - I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I seethed in anger, I rolled my eyes (A LOT), and the tension was so palpable that I felt legitimate fear at moments.
The parallels between Elena and Aelin were a stunning thing to watch unfold - two queens stumbling through an insurmountable conflict trying to do what they feel is right, making mistakes, and creating conflict with those they love along the way.
Spoiler
The fact that these parallels are recognized when the truth comes to light by looking through a witch mirror was absolute brilliance. Further, Aelin finally letting go of resentment of Elena and giving her ancestor grace through understanding was a character growth moment that Aelin desperately needed.I LOVED the story. However, the character treatment and penultimate plot twist kept this from being a 5-star read for me. Yes, I have a tolerate/hate relationship with Aelin, and I mostly tolerated her through this book. Each time I thought that she might be turning a corner towards redemption, she fell back on old habits: lies, secrets, and schemes; the hypocrisy of her finding fault with others who have done the same (especially with just as good reason).
One of my favorite parts of the series is the large cast of principal characters, but so many of these characters' voices or presence were reduced unnecessarily (Lorcan & Elide withstanding).
Spoiler
- Rowan: Has a big moment in rescuing Dorian during the Ironteeth's sack of Rifthold. I was so excited to learn more about him as a character, who he is outside of his relationships with Maeve and Aelin, but he spends most of the book as a sexual object. Rowan does THE LEAST throughout most of the book until the wake of the battle against Maeve's armada. This was such an important and necessary moment for his character, and I felt what really solidified his role as Aelin's perfect match. There was no reason for his presence, what he has to offer to this court, to be dimmed so immensely through most of the story.
- Lysandra: My girl is one of the fiercest warriors in Aelin's brigade. Seeing her lean all the way in to serve (and consistently save everyone's asses) was so much fun! That said, it felt like Lysandra existed in this book primarily as Aelin's muscle or secret weapon. She was also Aelin's sole coconspirator, but it's not clear if that is due to the trust and bond between the two women or if it was because Lystandra was the only person that would blindly say 'yes' to Aelin's schemes. You don't get a sense of how much input Lysandra may have offered in these plans. Further, beyond her 2 heart-to-hearts with Aedion, she doesn't have a strong voice in the story. In the same way Lysandra is more than a courtesan; she is more than a shifter/warrior.
- Dorian: TBH, I forgot Dorian was even part of this book most of the time. I feel like Dorian's character treatment has been one of SJM's gravest offenses in this series. He has consistently been pushed to the back to create space or give other characters bigger platforms. The sad part is that Dorian's plans, intelligence, and strategy are what lend to some of the important AHA moments and give the brigade momentum as they try to build a force to face Erawan and Maeve. #DorianDeservesBetter
Also, Dorian's comment about only caring if Manon "has the right parts" will forever leave a bit of throw-up in my mouth.
- Aedion: He deserves more respect and consideration than he's been granted. He is a talented general (trained by Aelin's father and the son of one of a powerful Fae) and commander of the Bane. Let us also not forget the years he spent pretending to be under the influence of the obsidian ring while helping raise a force of rebels in Rifthold. Beyond Rowan, Aedion is the only person in the court positioned to offer guidance and strategy in the preparation for war. There were missed opportunities to see how his mind for war works and how he will aid this court as a warrior prince. His primary meaningful moments are focused on a budding romance with Lysandra. Further, despite riding for Aelin his entire life, she lies to him; she hides everything from him. He has placed so much trust in someone he has spent half his life separated from, and that trust (and respect) is not reciprocated.
- Manon: Understandably, Manon's voice is largely absent after her fight with the Matron, but her treatment as a prisoner after she is healed is UNACCEPTABLE. Yes, she attacked Aelin. However, that attack was provoked by Aelin, who boasted about having killed Baba Yellowlegs. Even after delivering the news that Dorian was not lost to the Valg prince, saving Dorian and helping him escape with Rowan, aiding Elide, and despite Dorian expressing that she is good and he trusts her, Manon is still placed in timeout or used in ploys to test/bring Dorian into the fold.
There is also the imbalanced power/political dynamic. In some cases, the significance, power, and authority of key characters are placed second to Aelin despite them being her equals. This alliance includes 1 King (Dorian) and 2 Queens
Spoiler
(Aelin and Manon)The character treatment alone put this book at a 4.5, but what I cannot get passed was the reveal of Aelin's grand plan.
Spoiler
Knowing that her life is the price for saving the world, Aelin concocts a plan with Lysandra. She marries Rowan in secret - making him the legitimate King of Terrasen (we stan). However, she doesn't plan for Rowan to rule alone. Aelin accepts death as her fate but doesn't want anyone outside the brigade to know she's dead. To ensure that it appears that Aelin returns to Terrasen victorious, Lysandra will live as Aelin and rule alongside Rowan. To ensure Aelin's family line remains on the throne (and that the heirs look like Aelin), Lysandra will sire heirs with Aedion (as the cousins share such a strong resemblance to one another).And do you know who was not included in the formation of this plan? Rowan or Aedion. Lysandra drops this knowledge bomb on the whole group after Aelin is carted off by Maeve. Upon learning the news, I felt every bit of Aedion's rage and betrayal. Who does Aelin (or Lysandra, for that matter) think she is to decide something like this for the princes - especially without their consent? I don't mind the idea of Lysandra stepping in as Aelin so that the forces raised don't know Aelin is in danger and that this battle just got even harder. There was no reason to concoct this grossly offensive plan. Or if it was absolutely necessary, Rowan and Aedion should have been involved, and the reveal would have been the three of them sharing it with the rest of the group.