Book Review: Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas

Blurb:

The long path to the throne has just begun for Aelin Galathynius. As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down?

My Review:

It's time for Assassin-Queen Aelin Galathynius to begin her quest to regain her throne, but the Lords of Terrasen are unwilling to let go of the past and Aelin's history as Adarlan's assassin and recognize her as the true Queen of Terrasen. 

When an imminent attack on Rifthold by the Ironteeth witches is uncovered, Aelin sends Rowan to save Dorian and bring him to Skull's Bay while Aelin, Aedion, and Lysandra set off to take back Ilium from Erawan's stolen Ardarlan forces. There her ancestor Brannon commands that she search out a lock. Pushing it aside she and her allies sail to join Rowan and Dorian in Skull's Bay where Aelin hopes to call in some debts and build up her army against Erawan. But why is the lock so important? And what does Aelin's destiny have to do with the lock?

Meanwhile,  Elide Lochan is lost within the Oakwald forest and being stalked by monstrous creatures from Morath called ilken. She must find her Queen and she's been charged with delivering a stone to someone unknown to her named Celaena Sardothian. When she's on the brink of being captured by the ilken she is saved by a Fae warrior, Lorcan. Together they tentatively forge a promise that Lorcan will take her to Terrasen under his protection as long as she tells him everything she knows of Morath. But while being hunted by the ilken and hiding amongst a traveling carnival will their search for Aelin truly take them to Terrasen? Or will their path take them somewhere else entirely? Will they be betrayed and captured before they ever reach Aelin? And is it possible that after centuries alone, the heartless warrior's heart may finally be softening towards someone?

When Manon Blackbeak kills one of Iskra Yellowlegs's Thirteen and saves Dorian Havillard from slaughter she's essentially signed her death warrant in the eyes of the Matrons. Will she or her Thirteen escape their punishment? What will happen when the secret of her heritage is revealed? 

As Aelin and her allies converge on Skull's Bay and beyond, new allies will be made, strengths will be put to the test, and new dangers will arise. Will Aelin and her court make it through unscathed? Or will everything go terribly awry? 

Empire of Storms, the fifth installment of Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series is a high-risk, heart-pounding adventure. I haven't read the first four books (except for the first 30 pages of Throne of Glass) and initially it took me a few chapters to piece everything together, but even not reading the first books I easily became engrossed in the story. Empire of Storms is a massive book and it took me ages to get through but I loved every minute of it. 

Once again Sarah J. Maas has created a world full danger and intrigue with enough unique characters to fall in love with. Throughout reading Empire of Storms, I got caught up in all the different relationships forming - from Lysandra and Aedion to Manon and Dorian to Elide and Lorcan and even the meeting of Aedion and his father and they all tugged at my heartstrings just as much as Aelin's quest and Aelin's relationship with Rowan did. Maas's excellent writing kept me turning pages, dying to find out what dangers laid ahead and how each character would make it through - if they would make it through. I have to admit, of all the sexy male character in this series, I think Lorcan might be my favorite, though. 

The ending of this book completely blew me away and I can't wait to see what's going to happen in book 6. This book is a must read for fans of the series, but prepare yourself for the heart-stopping ending! 

My Rating: 

5 of 5 Stars