YA Book Review: Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Empire of Storms

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass #5

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s

Pub Date: September 6, 2016

Pages: 704

My Copy: Hardcover that I Bought 

Book Summary:

The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't.

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.

Book Review:

This was an awesome book. Empire of Storms definitely leaves you wanting even more with each page. All of our characters find themselves in very new positions and some have to take different directions.

I totally love how all our characters find themselves in very different roles and positions than what you expect. The relationships keep changing and they make it far more interesting. Everyone has to make choices in this novel and some of them are necessary and hard for people to digest. I totally love how in this book that Aelin and Rowan along with a few other people that they are trying to defend and retake her kingdom. She also has to soothe a certain far prince. We learn that the world and other kingdoms are starting to be under attack by a horrible force.

The other thing that happens is that both Manon and Dorian both face some horrible reversal of fortunes and have some not so great things happen to them. Both Dorian and Manon really find themselves having to run and join Aelin despite not wanting to, but it’s their only chance. I really like how Dorian and Manon are learning things about themselves that no one really told them about until they were forced to. I also like how Dorian starts to become much more interesting as he really wants to learn how to use his magic. Not to mention there seems to be an attraction towards Manon in a way that neither of them expected.

The other thing that happens with the relationships is that both of our Fae males are in love with two very different woman. Rowan and Lorcan love lives are kind of running parallel as they are in different parts of the world, but both men find themselves attached to noble, royal woman. The relationships are definitely different. I totally found myself enjoying the Aelin and Rowan relationship in a way that I hadn’t thought possible. Even though at times Aelin can be a little bit cold at people. Yet there is a lot of respect there. I also like how Lorcan tries to help Elide when she gets into some major trouble, and finds that this young women is a fighter despite her handicaps. There also seems to be something that draws them together. He gets to know Elide on a deeper level. Yet Elide is the one who seems to be a lot tougher and has a deep empathy in her for others. These two relationships developed so well and naturally. I really found myself invested in these two couples.

There are major things happening. We also learn that everybody is going to have to take a side. Battles are going to be fought and lets just say that this book delivered big time on that front. I also like how different people have different reactions to things being done. Also the fact Aelin keeps things from her advisors because she doesn’t really trust a lot of people. I guess this because of everything she has to had to endure. Now comes the time to take the fight to those who have  their own plans for conquest. Plus her magic gets stronger in this book like Dorian who is coming to grasp control of his abilities as well. 

This book took a lot of crazy twists and turns. I also didn’t like the way this book ended quite frankly. I thought that there was so many things happening. Yet the final confrontation with one of her enemies, left you stunned to say the least and put Aelin in quite a position that one never expected. I must say that at least Aelin didn’t let her enemy win. Her enemy thinks they have won, not realizing that Aelin didn’t have the keys on her person. These keys unlock something big, and we get our answers. I like how the past plays a big part of this book. Also Rowan is going to look & try to free her.

I can’t wait to see how book six goes in this series.

Rating:

4.5 Hearts