Review: Empire of Storms

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Action/Adventure, Fiction
Maturity Level: 5+
View on Goodreads
Rating: ⋆⋆

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The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius as war looms on the horizon. 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.

With her heart sworn to the warrior-prince by her side, and her fealty pledged to the people she is determined to save, Aelin will delve into the depths of her power to protect those she loves. But as monsters emerge from the horrors of the past, and dark forces become poised to claim her world, the only chance for salvation will lie in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

In this breathtaking fifth installment of the New York Timesbestselling Throne of Glass series, Aelin will have to choose what—and who—to sacrifice if she’s to keep the world of Erilea from breaking apart. 

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HOW IS THIS STUPID SERIES NOT OVER YET?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Seriously, this series did not even have five books worth of material, and now it is not even over? Ugh!

Everything is so long and drawn out at this point. This entire book was like one huge detour. The plot twist in the first few chapters felt so unplanned, like Maas had planned on wrapping everything up, but then decided she wanted to stretch out the ending so she could squeeze in a few more sex scenes.

SO. MANY. SEX. SCENES.

Like, who even approved this as a YA novel? At this point it’s basically erotica. I don’t think there were any characters in this book that didn’t have graphically depicted sex or almost sex. Seriously, none. Even with all the bazillion POVs, which have now started switching within chapters, so we can make sure we know just how much both characters are enjoying the very graphic sex.

Like, is it just me or should this not be happening in YA books? Not that there shouldn’t be sex, but there definitely shouldn’t be SIX PAGES WORTH just for one scene. Especially if it’s not going to be so unrealistic. I feel like the way Maas handled sex in Crown of Midnight was much more age appropriate.

And despite (because of?) all of the sex, nothing seemed to really happen. I mean, I guess things happened, but very little of what went on seemed to drive the plot forward in any way. It was basically just a lot of boss battles and … *hem* frolicking.

I’ve even stopped caring about characters I used to like. Everyone but Manon has grown so one-dimensional. And there are just too many characters (still many with multiple names) to keep up with. Just in the last chapter TWO new characters were introduced! Characters are introduced, fought with, and then disappear for the rest of the book. Other characters are mentioned once, often dead, then again 200 pages later, then again at key moments. At one point at the end I just yelled at the screen “Who the heck is Evalin Ashryver?!?!?!?!” I’m sure they told me at some point, but I just can’t keep up with all these names that are only mentioned once or twice in the entire book.

The shockers? Not shockers. This entire book is so predictable.

Aelin: “We’re leaving in the morning.”
Aedion: “I have a bad feeling about not leaving until morning.”
Elide: “Something feels … off.”
Rowan: “I’m nervous just sitting here.”
In the morning: ENORMOUS EFFING GIANT ATTACK!!!!!!!

What a surprise.

But somehow I still want to find out what happens. Why? I know what’s going to happen. Erawen is going to be destroyed and none of the main characters are going to die so they can continue to have glorious sex for the rest of their immortal existences. Yet. Yet, I want to know how they get out of it. Heaven help me. Tower of Dawn is probably going to get read, and I’ve never really liked Chaol.

I must hate myself.