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A review by gretchenplz
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
/read in tandem with Tower of Dawn & I'm sure I'll get pissed after thinking about it again and add to this review again later
Once again, I am astounded that Aelin and Rowan are the least interesting and most dislikeable characters in this book, despite being the main characters.
Am I supposed to like Aelin because she's a snarky teenager with a sword? Because she's a liar? Because she's a budding tyrant? Chaol and Darrow and Aedion (I swear to God, I cheered when he yelled at her in the marshes) (and the Khaganate in TOD) were correct in every criticism they had of her, despite SJM forcing them to assassinate their own characters and apologize for it. She's too young, too arrogant, too inexperienced to be a queen, with no checks to her absolute power.
Am I supposed to like Rowan because he's a simp? Because he's a "possessive Fae male?" Because he refuses to criticize or correct "his Queen," despite knowing better? Roan is weak. I don't care what anyone says.
Once again, Aelin is LIVID when someone dares lie to or criticize her, yet will scheme and plot and plan the most despicable things that will deeply harm those she calls friends/family/allies.
In this entire book, there were no instances where our self-centered, self-serving mair pair even thought of Chaol and Nesryn on the other continent.
And I cannot even begin to start on SJM. This is some of the worst "high fantasy" writing I have ever read. She had no idea where this series was going until she wrote it. We've gone from a Hunger Games rip-off to a BLATANT LOTR/GoT rip-off (even stealing some of the most memorable dialogue from said series'). That ending was the most fanfiction ending of all time, and somehow there is a 1000-page book to finish the series out.
And I swear to god, if SJM isn't creative enough to come up with new concepts, she should stop writing. I know this was written first, but if I have to read another series that features three mountains, a secret wedding, mates who refuse to acknowledge the bond, etc., I am going to LOSE my MIND. I will be reading CC after this, and I already know that there is overlap with ACOTAR, so I'm sure that's how this writer will justify her lack of creativity, by having all the worlds overlap.
I'm going to be raging about the destruction of Lorcan and Lyssandra's characters at the end for a while. Disgusting.
The only shining light of the book was Elide and Lorcan and Manon. The jury is still out on if Dorian is still likable at the end of this, since his whole character seems to be wanting to do BDSM with Manon.
Aelin deserves to die at the end of the series, if not simply to save the world for when she ultimately throws a temper tantrum and decides she wants absolute power. But I'm absolutely sure SJM will concoct a way to have her give up her power so she and Rowan can live HEA.
Yuck.
Once again, I am astounded that Aelin and Rowan are the least interesting and most dislikeable characters in this book, despite being the main characters.
Am I supposed to like Aelin because she's a snarky teenager with a sword? Because she's a liar? Because she's a budding tyrant? Chaol and Darrow and Aedion (I swear to God, I cheered when he yelled at her in the marshes) (and the Khaganate in TOD) were correct in every criticism they had of her, despite SJM forcing them to assassinate their own characters and apologize for it. She's too young, too arrogant, too inexperienced to be a queen, with no checks to her absolute power.
Am I supposed to like Rowan because he's a simp? Because he's a "possessive Fae male?" Because he refuses to criticize or correct "his Queen," despite knowing better? Roan is weak. I don't care what anyone says.
Once again, Aelin is LIVID when someone dares lie to or criticize her, yet will scheme and plot and plan the most despicable things that will deeply harm those she calls friends/family/allies.
In this entire book, there were no instances where our self-centered, self-serving mair pair even thought of Chaol and Nesryn on the other continent.
And I cannot even begin to start on SJM. This is some of the worst "high fantasy" writing I have ever read. She had no idea where this series was going until she wrote it. We've gone from a Hunger Games rip-off to a BLATANT LOTR/GoT rip-off (even stealing some of the most memorable dialogue from said series'). That ending was the most fanfiction ending of all time, and somehow there is a 1000-page book to finish the series out.
And I swear to god, if SJM isn't creative enough to come up with new concepts, she should stop writing. I know this was written first, but if I have to read another series that features three mountains, a secret wedding, mates who refuse to acknowledge the bond, etc., I am going to LOSE my MIND. I will be reading CC after this, and I already know that there is overlap with ACOTAR, so I'm sure that's how this writer will justify her lack of creativity, by having all the worlds overlap.
I'm going to be raging about the destruction of Lorcan and Lyssandra's characters at the end for a while. Disgusting.
The only shining light of the book was Elide and Lorcan and Manon. The jury is still out on if Dorian is still likable at the end of this, since his whole character seems to be wanting to do BDSM with Manon.
Aelin deserves to die at the end of the series, if not simply to save the world for when she ultimately throws a temper tantrum and decides she wants absolute power. But I'm absolutely sure SJM will concoct a way to have her give up her power so she and Rowan can live HEA.
Yuck.