Empire of Storms (Miniature Character Collection) (Throne of Glass) Flexibound – 5 Nov. 2019

’But there was no such thing as a better world – no such thing as a happy end.’‘Empire of Storms’ is the first book in the ‘Throne Of Glass’ series that wasn’t a re-read for me so naturally I was highly excited to discover exactly what would happen next. Especially given just how extreme the danger consistently is within this devastatingly brutal yet enchanting world. Needless to say I was hooked on this novel and didn’t want to put it down. Every moment spent lost within its pages was a delight and I can’t wait to discover exactly how this series will end.Like the previous books in the series this book is jam packed with action, adventure, danger, romance and intrigue. There’s so much darkness and devastation yet all of the romances that you also get to watch play out sizzle with heat. There were times, I admit, where I was left wandering is this series truly is YA due to how heated some of the scenes became. The romance and depth of feeling behind all these pairings never ceases to amaze me though. Every connection seems to crackle with chemistry which is a wonder to behold.There are lots of twists, turns and dramatic showdowns. Aelin kept me on my toes, as ever, the way that her scheming mind manages to work leaving me breathless on occasion. There were revelations that left me staggered, a dive into the past that revealed mountains of information, and many shape-shifting dynamics that left me breathless with anticipation. So much happens in this book. It’s awe-inspiring to watch everything continue to slot into place. Although how this series will end I simply do not know. This is certainly one fantasy series that keeps you in constant suspense.Oh and that ending? How on earth did readers wait for the next two books to release after that? Needless to say I’m itching to dive into the final (I’m writing this review after reading ‘Tower Of Dawn’ too as time got away from me) now. Personally I think ‘Queen Of Shadows’ is still my favourite of these books to date – due mainly to the staggering number of twists, turns and some of the showdowns that I’d been waiting for – but I still adored this book regardless. The whole of this series is undeniably a ‘must read’ for all fantasy fans.

If you have read my reviews from the start you will know that so far Mass has me hooked in for this series is no laughing matter.The series continues with the action and danger involved the adventure of determination continues along with the romance and intrigue of each character.This story kept me gripped from beginning to end. Just when I though I had everything figured out it changed again. Also every character/member of "the court" had a chance to shine.To whatever end.Manon is still becoming my second favourite character in this series with her badass Abraxos.These characters are becoming to have a place in my heart now. I think the sheer scope of the world Maas has created and the investment required of a reader to go on a journey of 650-odd pages at a time, over so many volumes, means that the world she creates and the people in it really do get under your skin, with their developments and how you imagine them to be.

This is an awesome series of books and leaves you enthralled and wanting more , even when the book ends... I can never wait to pick up the next and continue the journey with the characters. A must read for Fantasy/romance readers and I can see why everyone loves this series and continues to reread them. Reread to come

I honestly don’t even know where to start with this review. I’m still reeling after finishing EoS and now I have to wait a year for the next instalment. I hate myself for reading this so quickly, less than 2 days, and I’m just sitting here like “CURSE YOU SJM”.Once again Sarah J. Maas proves why she’s a force to be reckoned with in young adult fantasy, though there’s so much sex in this that it’s not exactly YA anymore (this isn’t a spoiler there’s a bloody warning on the back of it, even ACOMAF doesn’t have a warning on the back of it.)One thing I wanted to talk about was how a week or so ago a bunch of people found some spoilers and were absolutely fizzing about it on twitter and how “omg Chaol isn’t in the book, Sarah hates him, first she makes him disabled now he’s not even in it, she’s trash” etc etc etc. I love how they were saying all that nonsense without even reading the bloody book. Chaol isn’t in the book but that doesn’t mean Celaena doesn’t think about him, it doesn’t mean that Dorian isn’t missing him. He’s mentioned a fair amount and come on, he’s in another country getting healed after all the crap that happened to him in QoS.So if you’re a regular reader of fantasy fiction you’ll be aware that periods aren’t something that’s spoken about. Women just continue on as if they don’t bleed every month, they can go on very long quests and have no mention of bleeding or pain or anything. THIS HAS PERIODS IN IT. Well, one, but it was an important part of the book, because the character hadn’t had one for a while due to being malnourished she had to go to a town to get supplies for it leading to some action happening.I was honestly so happy when I read this part because it’s just not a thing in fantasy, and it’s as if it’s taboo, despite most people who have a womb have a period.I really loved getting to see more of Erilea as in previous novels we’ve only really being in Adarlan and Wendlyn. Yeah I know that there’s more in The Assassin’s Blade but I haven’t read them yet, I’m leaving it until I get really antsy waiting for the next one. On top of that everyone is back together for this one, after being all split up for the past 2 books all my faves are in the same place and bonding and I was just so happy and squealed a couple of times.Aelin is her classic arrogant self but every now and then insecurities show through and you can tell at times that she’s just stumbling through it and getting lucky and it’s really nice to see her letting her guard down and showing that she’s not always powerful and mighty. GOOD CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.Now there is a lot of sex in this as I said, if sex in books makes you uncomfortable, do not read this. I’ve read a lot of sex in book and in fanfiction so it didn’t bother me but some of the language was a bit dodgy, though nothing compared to that of romance novels. My personal favourite was describing a penis as “velvet-wrapped steel” I could not stop laughing about it.There’s so many big reveals as per standard in a SJM book, she always keeps you guessing. I often compare her to JKR in terms of everything being planned and foreshadowing things that you didn’t even think of in previous books and they suddenly are so important. I love it, it keeps me on my toes when reading which I both love and hate.I don’t really know what I’m going to do with myself for the next year, I mean at least the next ACOTAR is out in May but man I don’t know if I can hack waiting. Especially the way this book ends, like I was literally sitting here in shock and nearly started crying, I only stopped myself because my dad was sitting next to me. Speaking of my dad he’s now reading it, which I’m not exactly thrilled about because of all the sex but oh well.

So many twist and turns! I really didn’t expect the last few chapters, can’t wait to start the next book!