This series just blew my mind. I feel like SJM has made me more humble. Do not judge a book by its cover or by its characters. Unknowingly, she helped me become an improved version of myself.
*CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS*
“To whatever end?” she breathed. Rowan followed her, as he had his entire life, long before they had ever met, before their souls had sparked into existence. “To whatever end, Fireheart.”
–Sarah J. Maas
What Is It About?
Aelin Galathynius has vowed to save her people ― but at a tremendous cost. Locked within an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. The knowledge that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, but her resolve is unraveling with each passing day…
With Aelin captured, friends and allies are scattered to different fates. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever. As destinies weave together at last, all must fight if Erilea is to have any hope of salvation.
My Opinion
10/5⭐
What. An. Emotional. Roller. Coaster. This. Book. Was.
I am speechless. Heartbroken and with a mix of emotions because these books are now over. No more Terrasen. No more magic or battles. No more Fleetfoot or Abraxos. No more Rowaelin, Elorcan, Manorian, Lysaedion, Chaorene, and Nestaq.
I finished reading this series over a year ago, and it has taken me a whole year to be able to write its review. Because damn, it was hard. It was hard to relive everything and just write a "simple" review. I want to sob and reread this series, even if it gave me heartache and destroyed me.
At the end of EoS, Aelin was taken as a prisoner by Maeve with only one goal: to break her down. And even though we know Aelin is strong and does not yield, everyone has a breaking point. And I feared for her. Because our Fire-breathing bitch-queen is being tortured over and over again. Maeve took away what Aelin loved more (her fire magic) and transformed it into a weapon against her.
Meanwhile, Rowan, Lorcan, and Elide are searching desperately for her. Lysandra and Aedion are surviving and struggling to fight and save Terrasen. Dorian and Manon are trying to gather allies with the witches.
Everyone is scattered trying to fight, rescue, save one another, and/or gather allies. This 992-page book has been the most intense, sad, chaotic, exhilarating, and beautiful I have read in my 25 years. SJM is an excellent writer, and the way she writes is just spotless and impressive. Well done! Now you have ruined my expectations in books and guys…
KoA had me on the edge of anxiety and tears. I have never cried so much with a book like this one. It had a much darker vibe than in the previous books, but this one is focused on mental health and the afterward struggle of dealing with our traumas. None of the characters was spared from having traumas. I will not mention all to take care of your mental health and own traumas with this book. Every single one of these characters had a major and significant development. I'm amazed by how much the characters grew and matured and even more impressed by how much I grew ALONGSIDE them. As they grew, I evolved and changed too. I started to see the world from a new perspective. And that is only thanks to the magic books have and give us.
This book has taught me so much. I know I must sound like a broken record saying this over and over again. But if books have given me something is this: to learn, explore and unfold my mind and myself to new perspectives. To realize what friendship and love mean. Aelin and Fenrys' friendship enlighten me on how friends should act and behave towards one another. Manon just blew my mind by how much she changed. At the beginning of the book, she was repulsed by the idea of love and friendship, but she ends up fighting with iron claws to protect Elide and her friends. Lysandra showed me that we cannot judge a person just by their looks. She suffered a lot and concealed it all behind her mask of a mean girl when, in reality, she was just a broken girl struggling for safety and companionship.
And don't get me started on how Rowan was there for Aelin. How he acted after saving her, how respectful and patient he was. Never demanding. He was there for her, and he gave her what she needed. Never asked for more because he knew how bad Maeve could be.
The relationship these two had meant everything to me. The slow burn was *chef's kiss*. They went from enemies to best friends –> fireheart & buzzard –> Carranam –> blood sworn –> lovers –> husband and wife –> queen and king –> to mates!
It was until the end of the books that we got to see them as mates, and that is so meaningful to me as I commonly see that the OTP fall in love with each other way too quickly for my liking. They taught me what a relationship is and, more importantly, what a friendship should mean.
Could we talk about how Dorian survived and became a formidable opponent?! I just adored seeing him be so unyielding and unwavering! I was so pleased with his character arc. He developed into a strong and brave king who used his talents to save and defend the people he loved and cared about!
This book is filled with suffering and injustice. Sadly, as we didn't have enough deaths in this book, SJM decided to give us a massive amount of it in only a few pages. How rude. The death of the 13th was so painful and so meaningful at the same time. The 13th gave away their lives so Manon could live. They gave their lives for her friendship. Because that's right, even if Manon didn't feel they were her friends, they were more than that: they were her family. Another reason why I love Found Family trope so much.
The death of Gavriel was just as painful. And if you ask me, unnecessary. He had time to close the doors and run for his life! He didn't have to sacrifice himself. He deserves to get to know his son, have time with Aedion and form a bond with him. He deserves so much more, and that's what hurts the most.
The last few chapters on KoA made anxiety go through the roof. I struggled a great deal when Aelin went to forge the new Lock. I hated that she had to give up her power and was left with only an ember. WTH?! THAT IS NOT FAIR. If there is something I don't like about SJM is that. She tends to take away the power of our heroic girls (she did the same with Nesta). Aelin had nearly limitless power, turning battles in her favor. But to leave her to only an ember? She pushed and hid her powers for so long, only to end up with little time to enjoy and learn to control and master them.
Although I did love the tiny little crossover SJM gave us. When Aelin was passing through the worlds, she glimpsed Lunathion and Rhys helped her slow down her speed. How fricking amazing was that?!
I could go on and on about so much in this book, but that would just make this review endless haha. The ending to KoA was good. I thought they deserved a better and happier ending.
I did enjoy how Erawan was destroyed by the badass Yrene and how Aelin, even though defeated and tired, stabbed Maeve with Goldryn and burned her to death. Those two are the epitome of boldness and bravery.
Nevertheless, the ending was bland. None of the characters had a somewhat happy ending. I wanted to see how Aelin restored Terrasen her queendom and how Rowan was alongside, helping her. I wanted to see how she, Dorian, and Manon joined their kingdoms and became strong allies. I wanted more, period.
But in the end, SJM gave us something only a few authors have achieved. She gave us characters with incredible arcs and managed to tie up all her loose ends.
So even when you turn to the last page, savor it, cry over it, laugh, mourn, and love your favorite characters, and know they will always be in your heart.
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