⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 Stars
I feel like this book has taken the general plot of the series to a new level. It was amazing to read how all the stories are connecting, new characters are introduced to the series and relationships and character dynamics are setting in.
The first half was slow, it was a bit harder to read and there were some pages where nothing happens that just adds to the page count but not to the story. It was not awful or badly written but since it’s a heavy book with lots of information it felt really unnecessary. I think it’s mostly Aelin letting go of Caleana, closing chapters of her old life, while it’s important maybe it didn’t need 300 pages.
I definitely loved to read about Lysandra (she’s one of my favorite characters now) , Asterin, Manon and her coven, Nesryn, Aedion, Rowan, Elide and all of the amazing characters that are growing on me.
But the second half was truly amazing. I would put this book in my favorites shelf just for the second half of this book. The ending was epic, the fight, the reunions, Aelin vs Manon, OMG DORIAN (
Spoiler
King Dorian now! ).
I don’t think I noticed how much Aelin has improved as a person and as a character until she had to fake being her old self and it made me appreciate her a lot, even though it still bothers me that everyone loves her and everyone is enchanted with her the moment they meet her.
I think it took me several books to like the series but I’m finally there! I’m really excited for Empire of Storms, but I don’t know how I feel about Tower of Dawn. With the ending I finally tolerate Chaol but not enough to read a whole book from his pov.