Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

“Empire of Storms” by Sarah J. Maas is the fifth book in the “Throne of Glass” series. In this novel, there are flashbacks to Elena Galathynius and Gavin Havilliard, which is a new element. It continues with Elide Lochan trying to find Aelin and Celaena, as Kaltain Rompier has sent a stone and a message to her when helping Elide escape Morath. Aelin and her court have travelled to Terrasen to find allies so they can battle Erawan with some sort of fighting chance as Lord Darrow of Terrasen has not recognized her as Queen. Aelin is also trying to find how to destroy the three wyrdkeys. During this journey, the court crosses paths with Rowan’s cadre, Elide, and even Manon. But before that, Manon is faced with some hard choices regarding Dorian and Astrein and her loyalty to her grandmother. Aelin and her court have faced so many battles, all terrifying, but the one against Maeve is the worst one yet. 

This novel truly brought tears to my eyes and from the five books I have read, this novel is the best one yet. Although it had heartbreaking parts it made me want to continue to see what happened next. All I have to say is that Manon and Aelin are so strong and they should be recognized for their bravery. I love how the novel is connecting some aspects from the previous novels which makes you sit down and say “ohhhh”. I definitely recommend this book for teens and young adults as well as anyone who is interested in fantasy regarding battle, kings, queens, Fae’s, Valg demons – the bad guys, and their pain, their truth, and their ambitions to protect their own, to fight for their lands, for their people.

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

The novel, “Crown of Midnight” written by Sarah J. Maas is the second book to the series, “Throne of Glass”. In the previous novel, Celaena Sardothien miraculously became the King’s Champion after defeating Cain, even though she was drugged. With this accomplishment she now has to bear the task of killing the King’s unfavorable companions/citizens. But she has a secret that she does not tell even Dorian, the Prince of Adarlan, or Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; She is not assassinating these people. How she brings proof of this is for you to find out once you read this book. She is given the name of Archer Finn, a guy she had past relations with, and decides to find out what he could have possibly done to anger the King and discovers that he is a part of a rebel movement. The rebel movement’s purpose is attempting to locate the missing princess Aelin Galathynius, Terrasen’s heir, as they believe she is alive and think that she is the key to the kingdom’s restoration to its former greatness. Along with this, Celeana and Chaol start to get close after Celeana breaks things off with Dorian in the last novel. What can I say? This book is very interesting, I couldn’t put it down and like before I read it in one day. 

I would recommend this novel to anyone, mostly teens and young adults who enjoy hard-core fantasy. I do have to warn that this novel has an increase in death that is very personal to Celeana, leading her to act in a very sadistic manner. She has a very good reason to act this way as the people causing her pain aren’t nice at all and their actions are just horrible. As you read the novel it just gets better and better because there are so many aspects of this novel that you start to see parallels and start to understand something that may have been in a previous book and then go “ohhhhh I get it”. I just have to say the plot twists are amazing, so unexpected that I quite literally screamed at the ending!

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

The novel, “Heir of Fire” by Sarah J. Maas is the third book in the “Throne of Glass” series. In the previous novel we find out that Celaena Sardothien is in fact Aelin Galathynius, Terrasen’s lost heir. I actually screamed at this part because it was so unexpected but now in this novel we know Celaena as Aelin, which is crazy! Aelin is devastated from Nehima’s assasination. It was horrible; her body was cut up in such a gruesome way meaning her death was not easy. She died through struggle, torment, and pain because that is the style of the assassin. In this book Aelin is in Wendlyn after Chaol sends her there for her protection without her permission. This makes her mad because she has to find answers regarding the wyrdkeys, wyrdgates, who the terrorizing creatures are, etc. after Elena Galathynius Havilliard helped guide Aelin to the knowledge of evil lurking about in the glass castle as well as keep her promise to Nehima. What Chaol doesn’t realize is that he is sending her to a place that contains her demons of the past. Now in Wendlyn, Rowan Whitethorn brings her to her aunt Maeve, the Fae Queen and Aelin have questions she wants answered about wyrdkeys since Maeve has the wisdom of age. Mind you, Maeve is cunning and wicked so she and Aelin don’t really see eye to eye, especially with the distrust her late parents showed around the Queen. Maeve is the type of person that wants something in return for information, so she wants Aelin to show her fire powers but she doesn’t know how to because the King of Adarlan banned magic in Erilea when she was a young girl. So Maeve makes a deal and says that Aelin won’t get her answers until she can master her powers with the help of Rowan and then she can enter Doranelle and get answers to her questions.

I recommend this book to 13 year olds and up who have interests in stories with enemies-to-lovers storylines, magic, plots dealing with the loss of a close friend, characters learning how to love and fight again, and fantasy. I really enjoyed Aelin finding herself as a Fae and digging into her heritage so we could explore some aspects of that, as well as her discovering her true magical strength and her vigilance to learn how to master her fire. She trains with Rowan like she trained with Chaol and she just keeps on becoming stronger and stronger but that doesn’t stop the Valg beasts from attacking so we learn about that too. Overall I loved the new features that were talked about in this novel!

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

The novel, “Kingdom of Ash” written by Sarah J. Maas is the last book in the series “Throne of Glass”. Aelin is imprisoned in an iron box by Maeve and must rely on the reason why she endures these tortures; Terrasen. Though her willpower continues to fray with each session of abuse, whether it’s Maeve’s illusions or Carin’s physical torment, knowing that surrendering to Maeve will doom those she loves stops her from breaking. Fortunately Fenrys is there with Aelin, but unfortunately he hates having to watch her suffer and not be able to do anything about it. But while Aelin is no longer there, the others must fight for their queen. Aedion and Lysandra are Terrasen’s last line of defense against total devastation. They quickly learn, however, that the large number of allies they’ve recruited to fight Erawan’s armies may not be enough to save them. Chaol, Manon, and Dorian are all trying to complete different sets of tasks all over Erilea and finding that they don’t have the time. Rowan and his cadre and Elide are desperately searching for Aelin. 

This novel definitely broke my heart, especially close to the end. So much happens; the last and final battle determine everything and so much is lost but the finale is something that cannot be missed. The emotion and passion put into this last novel is impressive, and because this book ending is so amazing you will have to read it yourself to fully understand the extent of my enthusiasm. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy around the teenage phase to the young adult phase.

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

The novel, “Queen of Shadows” written by Sarah J. Maas is the fourth book in the “Throne of Glass” series. In the previous novel we find out that Maeve is truly evil and after the wyrdkeys herself. We also know that Aelin freed Rowan from Maeve’s blood oath, and surprisingly he pledges a blood oath to her right there and then. Aelin now embarks on a journey back to Rifthold, accepting her title as Queen of Terrasen so she can fight for her people. She seeks out Arobynn Hamel, her former master during her time as an assassin to use his forces and knowledge to delay the King of Adarlan’s cruelty and his demonic Valg minions. She also finds Chaol, but he is upset with her and won’t tell her how to restore magic. Additionally, Aelin’s cousin Aedion Ashryver has been captured for treason and will be executed, so Aelin crafts a plan to rescue him and tries to help Dorian who has a Valg Prince in his body, and not by choice. Lorcan Salvaterre comes hunting for Aelin under the command of Maeve. Lysandra, once a rival with Aelin, begins to develop a friendship with her. Also returning is Manon Blackbeak, a witch with her own point of view in Morath where she is a commander of the thirteen and heir to the Blackbeak line. Her grandmother, the Blackbeak Matron, has been offered a deal of wyverns to take back to the Wastes in exchange for fighting alongside the King of Adarlan and his army of Valg demons. This book introduces Elide Lochan, a crippled servant who is trying to escape Morath and find Aelin, her queen. 

I definitely recommend this novel because it is very exciting with new points of views from several characters. I especially love Manon’s confidence, Elide’s courage, Aelin’s mind; she makes plans ahead of time and thinks of everything. I love all these women; they are so powerful and in turn make me feel all these qualities they possess. This book would be for teens and young adults, but honestly anyone could try it, especially if they enjoy reading a good book about everyone’s tales, regardless of whether they are Fae, human, shifter, etc.

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas

“The Assassin’s Blade” written by Sarah J. Maas is the prequel to the series “Throne of Glass”. This book includes five novellas; The Assassin and The Pirate Lord, The Assassin and The Healer, The Assassin and The Desert, The Assassin and The Underworld, and The Assassin and The Empire. The Assassin and The Pirate Lord is about Celaena and Sam, both assassins from Arobynn’s guild that were sent to set up a deal for their boss. However, they find that this deal required slaves and both Sam and Celaena hated that their master was getting profit from slavery. So Celaena, being who she is, puts her mind to freeing these slaves with the help of Sam, which is shocking because both these assassins have been at each other’s throats for so long. The Assassin and The Healer is about her punishment for freeing the slaves in the previous novella, which is to go to the Red Desert. But to get there, she travels through a small town, waiting for a passage which is several days late. While staying at this inn for the time being, a barmaid catches her attention, whom she saves and teaches how to fight. The girl somehow brings up memories from her past as well. The Assassin and The Desert is about her time at the Red Desert training with the Mute Master. Her punishment requires her to retrieve a letter stating that the Mute Master approves of her skills and whatnot. She also finds acquaintances, her feelings for Sam spark up, and she makes her “first real” friend who may or may not last. The Assassin and The Underworld is her arrival from the Red Desert, where she throws herself into a big mission to distract herself from Arobynn and Sam. The Assassin and The Empire is about what happens to Sam, and it’s not pretty. If you read “Throne of Glass” you would think you would be ready for this sadness, but you won’t be. 

I recommend this book to 13 years and up and that you read this before the actual series because there were so many connections that I didn’t understand. For example Celaena said “I am Celaena Sardothien and I will not be afraid” multiple times during “Throne of Glass” but it didn’t register in my head that it was Sam who said that to help himself and now she says it to help herself. She has that memory that stays with her when she says that phrase. Also there are multiple times where they talk about Sam and reading this prequel allows you to see the love she had for him. Without it, I feel like you wouldn’t be able to understand these emotions. Throughout the rest of the series, there are people from this prequel that come back later in her storyline like Ansel from The Red Desert and Yerene from The Healer. 

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

The novel “Throne of Glass” written by Sarah J. Maas is a phenomenal novel about a teenage assassin named Celaena Sardothien, who has gone through indescribable events in her life that have led her to the path of death. This first novel hones in on her sentence in the salt mines of Endovier, where she gets an opportunity of freedom from the heir of Adarlan, the Crown Prince. The opportunity is a fight to become the King’s Champion and if she succeeds she will be given a contract as an assassin for the empire she despises. Most of this novel takes place in a corrupt nation with a dictatorial monarch, The King of Adarlan. In the course of her situation, Celaena establishes unexpected relationships and uncovers old secrets from the past. She becomes friends with Princess Nehima Ytger of Eyllwe, Prince Dorian of Adarlan, and even the Captain of the Royal Guard, Chaol Westfall. There is blood, gore, and death due to her profession but without those incorporations the story would simply not be the same. There are also pieces of romance fitted into this complex storyline. 

I definitely recommend this book as it has a fantastic blend of magic, mystery, humor, romance, friendship, morals, and action. It is interesting and makes you want to read more. I have been waiting to read this series for a while and I’m not disappointed to say the least. I read this novel in a day, yes it was that intriguing. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy those elements above, YA fantasy lovers, and people who love unexpected plot twists. I feel as though this book would be for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and young adults. This novel is perfect for the summer because it is a longer series so it requires time and personally I like reading the books as close as possible so I won’t forget anything.

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer