Empire of Storms is the fifth book in the epic Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. It’s safe to say that this series is setting a steady pace of anticipation and page-turning moments. Each book literally out-does the one before! Empire of Storms, in essence, follows Aelin’s battle to reclaim her throne but it is so, so much more than that.
Opening sentence: The bone drums had been pounding across the jagged slopes of the Black Mountains since sundown.
Throne of Glass history lesson
What I Iove about this series (all three of Sarah J. Maas’ series actually) is the way they build and layer the history and links between characters. I’ve never read such a densely-packed book series in that sense. It feels like every character has a purpose and connection.
In Empire of Storms, we get more stories of characters from TOG lore, Princess Elena Galathynius, her beau, Gavin and Brannon, who we know Aelin is a direct descendant of. This adds context to Aelin’s tale in the present storytelling.
My girl, Manon
Thrilled to say that Empire of Storms features a lot more of the best character in the world, the Ironteeth witch, Manon Blackbeak. She develops so much as a character and her plot line is genuinely, continually amazing. From secrets of her past coming to light (even to her), to showing her loyalty to The Thirteen, to her love for Abraxos and her scenes with Aelin, it’s all fantastic.
We learn more elements about the power witches have and there is a clever scene that explores the concept of a witch trial, with Manon the one on a literal witch trial.
Only when most desperate, most enraged, could a witch summon the core of magic in her – with devastating consequences.
Empire of Storms also sees more secondary characters like Elide Lochlan and Captain Rolfe get much bigger storylines. How Sarah J. Maas juggles all their stories is a mystery, but she weaves them all in so well.
Aelin and Rowan
As the book cover portrays, there is an epic sea-battle at the centre of Empire of Storms. The writing is so descriptive and lyrical, you are totally transported to those boats while Aelin, Rowan and the gang work to stop Maeve and Erawan from ruining everything.
Alongside, Dorian is trying to find the missing wyrdkey and Aelin and Rowan’s relationship ramps up a level.
I appreciate this review feels like whistle-stop tour and context is everything, it’s just that so much happens and my review is very much written as if you have read the previous books in the series and my thoughts can be summed up by saying… when I finished the previous book, Queen of Shadows, I declared it my favourite but now I have to shift that award to Empire of Storms. I feel this may be a repeating pattern as the series continues, I’m enjoying it so much!
When I say it contains the MOST EPIC last line of a book I’ve read in a long time, I’m not exaggerating. Talk about a cliffhanger.
- Get your copy of Empire of Storms here;
- Published by Bloomsbury 2016;
- 733 pages;
- My rating:
