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“Using the chair is not a punishment. It is not a prison," he said softly. "It never was. And I am as much of a man in that chair, or with that cane, as I am standing on my feet."

Spoilers in this review will be hidden behind the spoiler link.

I very much enjoyed this book. I don't know if it was because I got 660 pages of Chaol, or because I got a book where I didn't have to deal with Rowaelin every other chapter. From what I have seen, if you enjoyed Heir of Fire, then you will most likely enjoy this book. It is more about the emotional journey rather than the action.

Even though this series had amazing people of color like Nehemia, Sorsha, and Nesryn, it is still completely and utterly white-washed. I mean how does an author manage to do that? We FINALLY got a book by Maas that is culturally diverse, a book take place in the southern continent. Which means witnessing Nesryn’s home country and culture. You will see more people of color, and are going to get a completely new culture from the one we got before ToD. In fact, Chaol is the only white character in this book, so it was nice to see some more representation. I genuinely get excited when I read a book that is dominated by the minority (i.e. different cultures, race, disabled characters, lgbtqa+ characters, etc.)

I fell in love with ALL the characters in this book. That's right. Every single one of them. Sarah really focused on the character development in this one. And with Aelin and Rowan out of the picture, it was easy for her to do so. Because when I read any Throne of Glass book, potential character development for the side characters is dwindled due to the excessive attention she give towards the romances. Now, these characters:

Nesryn

edits done by @its-a-matter-of-heart.tumblr.com

I love this chick. All her character meant to me before was someone for Chaol to have. It seemed obvious she was thrown in there to fill a spot for angry Chaolena fans so they don't have to worry about Chaol ending up alone. Sorry Maas, but no one fell for that ish. Therefore, I am so happy I connected with her character in this one. Nesryn thinks shes a nobody, thinks there really isn't anything interesting for people to remember about her. But she plays a huge role in this book. Not to mention the whole time she was away from her native home, there have been legends told about her. This girl...this girl is one with her people, and I love how praised and welcomed she felt at home. Nesryn finding happiness warmed my heart so much. She finally did things for herself. She got up and said, "you know what, fuck it, I'm gonna make something of myself" and she proceeded to get the adventure that was promised to her.

Yrene

GAH! MY HEALER WOMAN! I was happy to meet her again. Yrene became something huge since we last saw her in the Assassin and the Healer. She took Celaena's advise, and became someone. And she did it all on her own. This woman is strong, and whenever Chaol got insecure about his legs, she made sure to set him straight and remind him that his disability didn't define him.

He clenched the arms of his chair. "You need legs to ride," he said.
"So it's a good thing you still have both of them."

This woman deserves the world. Her dream is to become one of the best healers, and then use her intellectual knowledge to aide people for the huge war that is looming back home with Dorian and Aelin. I'm glad this woman found her happiness as well.

Sartaq

UGH THIS BOI! He is a completely new character and everyone will LOVE him. He is the prince/heir to become the Khagan. DAS RIGHT. A PRINCE. SWOON! He probably has the most romantic one liners. Not to mention he KNOWS how to make a girl feel special. And he doesn't even exaggerate or lie about it. He the boy everyone wants. I hope Maas makes him a prominent character in the last book. I know there are so many characters, but this book can't be the most we get of him. I will literally sue if I don't get more Sartaq. Btw, we get introduced to a new set of flying creatures called the ruks. So now we have wyverns and ruks riding the skies. YAAASSS THESE ANIMALS LITERALLY SAVE THE BOOKS!

Chaol

I've always loved this boy and have always been loyal to him. I didn't fall for the destruction of his character just for the sake of another ship. And as much as others try to tell me Maas didn't destroy him to make room for Rowan, I won't believe them. The Chaol novella, let alone this entire full length novel was not supposed to happen. It was a decision she made during EoS. So everything we got in this book about Chaol's past with his father, and all the blame he placed on himself for multiple things should've been mentioned when he was being a dick to Aelin. We should've gotten a reason as to why he behaved that way. But we didn't get it, because that's what Maas wanted us to think of him. A dick. After Rowan came in, any character growth for Chaol just stopped. It seems Maas is blind to everything else where Rowaelin is involved. So this book was much needed for Chaol.

We finally get his side of things. And this isn't a book about him feeling sorry for himself, it is a book about his past, and all the guilt and blame past actions make him feel responsible for. I really felt for him. As a man whose entire life was built on holding a sword and fighting, his disability made him really insecure. I felt Maas did her research about the emotional healing and process it takes to accept one's own disability. However: (view spoiler)[the fact that he accepted everything, and then magically got healed made no sense to me. Why make him go through such a huge and emotional journey, to only give him the use of his legs back? I have a feeling that he will be disabled again in the last book. Yrene will have to heal a lot of people affected by magic, and as we have seen in this book, her magic becomes weak every time she uses it against large forces (i.e. the Valg). This also means Maas is using his disability as a plot devise. The same way she used the idea of slavery with Nehemia as a plot devise to further the development of a white character. Not okay Maas, not okay. (hide spoiler)]

The Romance
I LOVED all the ships in this book. Even the ones that aren't too present, such as Hasar and Reina, Borte and Yeran etc. As for the two main ships. Well...I SHIP IT! I'm happy Nesryn and Chaol both found happiness. I know they'll both be okay by the end of the series. (view spoiler)[I do wish Nesryn and Chaol had a proper conversation though. I never got their romance. It felt forced, so I am happy they didn't end up together. (hide spoiler)]


The Writing
Lets just say, the entire series would be so much better if she wrote all the books the same way she wrote Heir of Fire and Tower of Dawn. I'm not even talking about the story line or the plot. It's the way she structures her sentences and phrases her words. It felt very sophisticated and proper. These two book are the best in the series. Every other book was built around the romance. It was either all about Chaol and Celaena, or Aelin and Rowan. No thanks. I could have done without the extra Rowan and Aelin praising again. It's not as much as previous books, obviously. But they weren't even in this. I wish they were only mentioned when needed to be. But it seems Maas wanted to remind us how amazeballs they are. *side eye* However, whenever Dorian was mentioned, I wanted to squeeeee with glee! It just makes the anticipation for the Chaol and Dorian reunion all the more exciting.

Also, can we just appreciate this fanart of Chaol and Dorian because OH EM GEE ADORABLE!