Review: Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas

*Warning: This review will include a lot of capital letters and exclamation signs, because I’m still not over that ending.*

I don't even know what to say. This book. THIS BOOK! I won't even try to write a review right now, because I will just yell (aka use capital letters and lots of exclamation signs) if I were to express my feelings right now. My heart is absolutely broken. I am so scared of the last book (THE LAST BOOK!!!).

Title: Empire of Storms

Author: Sarah J. Maas

My rating: Why, why, WHY cant I give it more than 5 hearts?

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pub. date: September 6th 2016

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Synopsis: The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those don't.

As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

Aelin's journey from assassin to queen has entranced millions across the globe, and this fifth installment will leave fans breathless. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down? (synopsis from Goodreads)

Now that I’ve composed myself a bit (but only a little), let me just say how AWESOMELY AWESOME THIS BOOK WAS. Okay, I might not be quite composed yet, but I’ll try. I’m not sure how I’m going to survive the last book, because I’m just about ready to die after Empire of Storms.

   I LOVE Aelin.

   That might’ve been obvious in my previous reviews, but I truly LOVE her. I cannot tell you how much I love her. She’s just the perfect heroine; independent, smart, and totally badass. And she’s really changed from book one. She is no longer Celeana Sardothien, but Aelin Ashryver Galathynius. Now, I loved Celeana, like, a lot, but, believe it or not, I might love Aelin more.

   Can we just take a moment to appreciate the awesomeness that is Rowan?

   I love him. I am not sure how to explain how much I love Rowan. I really don’t. What we found out at the end of the book (if you’ve read it, you know what I mean. If not, WHY HAVEN’T YOU READ IT YET?) would’ve made me really super happy in other circumstances, but now it just broke my heart. HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THIS? I’m still crying, almost a week later. How does life go on after that?

   Let’s go on to the plot then.

   I don’t know how Maas still manages to make these books better and better. I seriously don’t. I also don’t know how it is possible to love a book this much. I mean, seriously, this is getting a bit ridiculous. The amount of fangirling, crying, laughing and just freaking out I did through this book is ridiculous. Let’s just say I was happy I was in my room reading, and not in public.

   I can’t forget the ending.

   I CANNOT DEAL WITH THAT ENDING!!! I need 2017 to come, like, yesterday, so I can read the last book (THE LAST BOOK!) now! I haven’t cried that much since the end of Allegiant. I’m not even joking. The ending was horrible. I can’t. I just can’t.

   There are not enough stars in this universe to show how much I loved this book. I don’t know why I waited so long to read it, because it’s so awesome. If you for some reason have been putting off reading it like me, STOP. My only regret is that I put it off for so long. But, a small word of advice: don’t read it in public. The feels through the whole book will make people wonder what is wrong with you. You will be a complete mess. The emotional roller-coaster that was Empire of Storms will leave you wondering what to do with your life.

Sarah J. Maas is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series (Queen of Shadows, Book 4, will be out in September 2015), as well as the A Court of Thorns and Roses series (out 5/5/15).

Sarah lives in Bucks County, PA, and over the years, she has developed an unhealthy appreciation for Disney movies and bad pop music. She adores fairy tales and ballet, drinks too much tea, and watches an ungodly amount of TV. When she's not busy writing, she can be found exploring the historic and beautiful Pennsylvania countryside with her husband and canine companion.