Summary
Empire of Storms, the fifth book in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, follows Aelin Galathynius as she encounters external threats and addresses personal challenges while striving to reclaim Terrasen's throne. The storyline unfolds in a world nearing war, and explores loyalty, sacrifice, and leadership challenges. Aelin's mission involves battling dark forces and reuniting a fragmented realm. The narrative presents complex plots and character development within an elaborate universe.
Plot
Sarah J. Maas's Empire of Storms centers on Aelin Galathynius, the rightful queen of Terrasen, as she seeks alliances to combat the growing threat of Erawan in Erilea. Aelin, joined by Rowan Whitethorn, Aedion Ashryver, Lysandra, and Dorian Havilliard, navigates political tensions and resistance from Terrasen’s lords who challenge her authority and suggest alliances through marriage.
Simultaneously, Elide Lochan undertakes a perilous mission to find Aelin and encounters Lorcan Salvaterre, leading to a complex relationship built on mutual survival. Manon Blackbeak faces dilemmas about her heritage and loyalties, defying her grandmother to connect with her Crochan lineage, aligning her path with Aelin’s.
Aelin secures support from figures like pirate lord Rolfe, while Dorian's powers and connection with Manon grow. Her quest for a legendary lock to restrain Erawan involves sacrifices and confrontations with Maeve. A climactic battle results in Aelin being captured by Maeve.
Aelin sacrifices her freedom to save her companions, transferring the Wyrdkeys to Manon. This act ignites hope amid chaos. The allies commit to rescuing Aelin, as her foresight lays the foundation for potential resurgence, emphasizing perseverance in the face of adversity.
Characters
Aelin Galathynius: A warrior queen seeking to reclaim her throne. Aelin faces challenges as she deals with love, betrayal, and her emerging magical powers.
Rowan Whitethorn: Aelin’s ally and partner, Rowan deals with past personal issues while staying committed to Aelin's mission.
Dorian Havilliard: As King of Adarlan, Dorian handles his newfound magic and leadership duties, forming alliances to influence power dynamics.
Manon Blackbeak: An Ironteeth witch, Manon becomes a pivotal figure in balancing alliances between conflicting factions.
Elide Lochan: On a mission to locate Aelin, Elide navigates obstacles using her resourcefulness, despite her complex past.
Lorcan Salvaterre: Caught between loyalty to Queen Maeve and growing friendships, Lorcan experiences internal conflict affecting his allegiances.
Lysandra: A shape-shifter loyal to Aelin, Lysandra uses her abilities in the battle against formidable foes.
Aedion Ashryver: Aelin’s cousin, Aedion focuses on Terrasen’s future, demonstrating loyalty to his family in navigating political challenges.
Rolfe: The Pirate Lord of Skull’s Bay, Rolfe becomes an ally due to shifting power dynamics and shared objectives.
Gavriel: Supporting the group while handling complex family relationships, Gavriel's loyalties face tests within Maeve's cadre.
Fenrys Moonbeam: Under a blood oath to Maeve, Fenrys quietly assists Aelin’s efforts.
Asterin: As Manon’s Second, Asterin’s ambitions are linked to the political turmoil within the witch covens.
Ansel of Briarcliff: Reentering from Aelin’s past, Ansel provides unexpected support, surprising key players in the conflict.
Vernon Lochan: Elide’s uncle, Vernon represents a threat due to his ambition and schemes.
In Empire of Storms, these characters drive the narrative around themes of ambition, loyalty, and redemption.
World-building
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas creates a detailed world centered on the continent of Erilea, which includes various kingdoms with distinct cultures and political systems. The story follows Aelin's journey through diverse landscapes, including the forests of Oakwald and Skull’s Bay, which feature pirates and the Little Folk.
The world-building in Empire of Storms includes a complex magic system integral to the storyline. Characters like Aelin and Dorian deal with their elemental powers and face threats from the Valg and their dark magic. Sea dragons and wyverns add to the fantasy elements.
Maas constructs a fantasy setting that combines vivid environments and mystical components, allowing for an immersive experience.
Themes
Power and leadership
Empire of Storms explores power through magic and political strategies as Aelin seeks her throne. Aelin faces leadership challenges, building alliances and managing conflicts to protect her kingdom. She emphasizes visionary leadership and responsibility with her remark, “The world will be saved and remade by the dreamers, Rolfe.”
Loyalty and betrayal
Loyalty and betrayal drive the narrative, as characters grapple with allegiance. Aelin's secrecy strains bonds with allies such as Aedion and Lysandra. Past betrayals, like Lorcan’s ties to Maeve, enhance tension and highlight the fragility of trust in personal and political realms.
Sacrifice
Sacrifice is central, with Aelin considering self-sacrifice to forge the Lock. This theme underscores a key message: significant personal loss is often necessary for victory. Aelin's contemplation of sacrifice highlights the emotional and strategic significance of her decisions.
Love and redemption
Romantic and platonic relationships promote character development as individuals face adversity. Aelin and Rowan's relationship illustrates love's redemptive and strengthening effects. Their shared experiences show love’s potential to enable healing and growth amid challenges.
Political intrigue
In Empire of Storms, Sarah J. Maas presents a tale of political maneuvering, featuring tenuous yet essential alliances. Aelin Galathynius faces political obstacles when Terrasen’s lords deny her claim to the throne and insist she build a court and explore marriage alliances. This indicates the complex power struggles Aelin navigates in her quest for legitimacy.
Meanwhile, Manon Blackbeak challenges clan loyalty by opposing her grandmother. This demonstrates the political dynamics among the Ironteeth witches. Dorian forms unpredicted alliances, including one with Manon, showing interconnected paths driven by power. Lysandra uses shapeshifting to assist Aelin in strategic deceptions against threats like Maeve and Erawan. The political landscape, with its dynamic allegiances and concealed agendas, underscores the ongoing power struggle where alliances carry the risk of betrayal.
Quick facts
Empire of Storms is the fifth book in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, published on September 6, 2016.
The book marks a genre shift from Young Adult to New Adult, featuring more explicit and mature content.
The story directly continues after the events of Queen of Shadows.
Character development is prominent, especially for Aelin, Manon, Lysandra, Elide, and Lorcan.
The book contains 75 chapters and immediately starts with action and suspense.
The narrative includes multiple perspectives, offering diverse views from characters like Aelin, Rowan, Manon, Elide, and Dorian.
Manon Blackbeak is revealed as the Queen of the Crochans and experiences significant character growth and shifts in allegiance.
Aelin secretly marries Rowan and strategically gathers allies to reclaim her throne and confront rising threats.
Lysandra transforms into a sea dragon symbolizing hope and showcasing her abilities.
Empire of Storms was nominated for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction at the 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards.
In 2024, the book was banned from Utah public schools for containing sensitive material.
The novel ends with a dramatic cliffhanger, with Aelin captured, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the series finale.
About the author
Sarah J. Maas is a prominent figure in the young adult fantasy genre. She began her career with the Throne of Glass series. Her work features world-building and complex characters. She often creates intricate plots with diverse protagonists and antagonists. Her A Court of Thorns and Roses series incorporates fairy-tale elements with mature themes. Maas explores various themes and has gained critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.
