deena_'s review against another edition
5.0
5 stars ★
How did I go from wanting to skip this book to laying my heart and soul at its feet? Sarah J. Mass worked her magic on this yet again. I never thought I could read almost 700 pages about the most annoying character in the whole series and live to tell the tale.
I didn't find Chaol and Nesryn to be interesting individuals. I mooned over Chaol at some point in between the first two books, yes, but he was quick to get on my bad side and drop out of favor as quick as he made it up on it. Back then, Chaol seemed like the safest choice for Celeana, a scarred knight in shining armor, ready to pluck the moon out of the sky for her. That all-perfect 'can't do anything wrong' guy was gone as soon as tragedy struck. I have no complaints on that until he decided to play Celeana like a scapegoat, and dump all his mess-ups on her. By the end of the first book, he was done and dusted and I was too eager to slap an 'I don't like you' card on him. After the events that led to the ending of 'Empire of Storms', I thought the idea of another book, anything other than the continuation of the storyline, to be impossible.
Thank the lucky stars I didn't cave in without giving this book a chance. I held the 5 stars off for far too long but somewhere right in the middle, I was like- screw it, it's the one for me. I was completely floored, mesmerised by every twist and turn, utterly speechless and unprepared for how beautiful it turned out, from the beginning until the very end.
Sypnosis: Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq have arrived in the shining city of Antica to forge an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, whose vast armies are Erilea's last hope. A journey that can be their salvation or their doom, with war rising on the horizon and their friends and families lives on the line, as their desperation for finding answers leads them to discover great secrets left buried for ages; one that can bring down the darkness infesting them from within.
I’m not sure what I was expecting but it was not that at all! I didn't just love it; I enjoyed every second of it. I loved the gorgeously described southern continent, its people, and rich culture. I loved the glittering castle and the royal kids. I loved Torre Casme with all its secrets, knowledge, and lights hidden beneath and the esteemed healers who shared those with the people all around. I loved the Rukhin people and their magnificent ruks. I cried, and I smiled, and I felt myself soaring on those ruks with Sartaq and Nesryn while galloping into the desert with Chaol and Yrene.
Chaol was so much more bearable that got me thinking why I ever hated him, I had so much admiration for his journey as well as Nesryn's in 'Tower of Dawn'. I was happy with Chaol’s achievements and over-comings in this book as he needed a dose of significant personal growth. I loved how his tale played out. I was also happy for Nesryn and her own journey of finding home and safety in her homeland considering I didn’t quite care for Chaol's treatment of her. I knew for the start they were not for each other.
A huge part of this book centers around healing physical wounds as well as wounds from within, personal growth and retribution. Their main purpose for journeying to the southern continent was to receive the best possible help in healing Chaol's grave injury that left his life in shambles. I think this book does a good job in representing this kind of disability in Chaol’s constant struggle to come to terms with navigating the world from a wheelchair. With his body betraying him, his inability to walk and do and act as he used to, to do what his instincts call to him, Chaol has to place his pride and self-sufficiency aside to navigate the world not being in his complete physical faculties. This book goes into detail about the struggle of physically moving for Chaol, things people take for granted. His physical healing is tied to his emotional struggle, in that he has to learn his value and importance to accept himself in every way, in every condition. Chaol has a rough ride with his body in 'Tower of Dawn' but soon comes to truly understand that living in a chair doesn’t make him any less of a man, and that he is just as capable.
Honestly, I'd crawl for Yrene if she asked me to. Meeting her made me realize how glad I am that Chaol faced those heartbreaks; he loved and lost, and in the process, he found something he was looking for all his life when he wasn't even looking. I would put no one beside Yrene and the same goes for Chaol himself. I like that Yrene only helps Chaol when necessary, and propels his independence by not stepping in to help because she knows he is perfectly proficient. She was the first one who looked at him and truly saw him and didn't walk away, who understood his worth and made sure he did so in every regard. Yrene, despite being someone used to the shadows, possesses a strong heart and keen mind. I loved to see her at work and some more. Her unrelenting kindness and the way she provided Chaol the guidance he needed but never dared ask, since he's so used to having everything under control, it tugged at my heartstrings. I swear, I nearly wept when he stood on his own two feet and took his first steps towards her, the need to hold her close overruling his body's protests.
Nesyrn was another interesting and complex character, who in the previous books I liked but didn’t feel a connection toward. I felt like something was missing in her character, this book helped fill the void and made me really love her. Her story is equally interesting here. I find Nesryn an incredibly strong character. She has been through so much during her life and it is never going to get easier for her, especially with this war approaching. She is strong, both physically and mentally, and very admirable. She is also very caring and dedicated to her family, her only thing she truly cares about is her family and every scene that featured her family gave me goosebumps. Those scenes were so beautifully executed I couldn’t help but shed a tear.
I was quite surprised by how much I liked reading about Nesryn and her budding romance with the prince of Antica, Sartaq. While it was instant love and attraction that drew Sartaq towards her, it took Nesryn a while to grow and adapt to her feelings for him during many of their epic adventures together which followed soon after. Their adventure in question entails flying over the continent on the back of a ruk and hunting secrets to hunting demonic spiders in the ruins of the fae, hidden far beyond dangerous mountains, with a shifter friend in tow. Perfect situations that can bring even the worst enemies to lean onto each other and if we're talking about already-existent feelings, you can only guess.
Sarah J. Mass has a bad habit of not putting us on her character's infamous wedding guest list. She better keep us tuned in for Nesryn and Sartaq's wedding, or I'm rioting. Not to mention the big reveal; I never saw it coming. All the clues were perfectly aligned against the culprit, but I walked by it just like Sarah expected us to. It made reading it all the more enjoyable. Other than that, there were some other characters and ships I'd like to see more of; in fact, I'd like for the storyline to take us right back to this glorious heaven of a kingdom, in the heart of Torre Casme, the mountains, and the deserts when their world is freed once again. I'll miss this journey the most among everything else.
“He realized that here, amongst the dunes and stars … Here, in the heart of a foreign land … Here, with her, he was home.”
How did I go from wanting to skip this book to laying my heart and soul at its feet? Sarah J. Mass worked her magic on this yet again. I never thought I could read almost 700 pages about the most annoying character in the whole series and live to tell the tale.
I didn't find Chaol and Nesryn to be interesting individuals. I mooned over Chaol at some point in between the first two books, yes, but he was quick to get on my bad side and drop out of favor as quick as he made it up on it. Back then, Chaol seemed like the safest choice for Celeana, a scarred knight in shining armor, ready to pluck the moon out of the sky for her. That all-perfect 'can't do anything wrong' guy was gone as soon as tragedy struck. I have no complaints on that until he decided to play Celeana like a scapegoat, and dump all his mess-ups on her. By the end of the first book, he was done and dusted and I was too eager to slap an 'I don't like you' card on him. After the events that led to the ending of 'Empire of Storms', I thought the idea of another book, anything other than the continuation of the storyline, to be impossible.
Thank the lucky stars I didn't cave in without giving this book a chance. I held the 5 stars off for far too long but somewhere right in the middle, I was like- screw it, it's the one for me. I was completely floored, mesmerised by every twist and turn, utterly speechless and unprepared for how beautiful it turned out, from the beginning until the very end.
Sypnosis: Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq have arrived in the shining city of Antica to forge an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, whose vast armies are Erilea's last hope. A journey that can be their salvation or their doom, with war rising on the horizon and their friends and families lives on the line, as their desperation for finding answers leads them to discover great secrets left buried for ages; one that can bring down the darkness infesting them from within.
I’m not sure what I was expecting but it was not that at all! I didn't just love it; I enjoyed every second of it. I loved the gorgeously described southern continent, its people, and rich culture. I loved the glittering castle and the royal kids. I loved Torre Casme with all its secrets, knowledge, and lights hidden beneath and the esteemed healers who shared those with the people all around. I loved the Rukhin people and their magnificent ruks. I cried, and I smiled, and I felt myself soaring on those ruks with Sartaq and Nesryn while galloping into the desert with Chaol and Yrene.
“You may look at me with resentment, Yrene Towers, and I will not blame you for it. But believe me when I say that there is no one in Erilea who loathes me more than I do myself.”
Chaol was so much more bearable that got me thinking why I ever hated him, I had so much admiration for his journey as well as Nesryn's in 'Tower of Dawn'. I was happy with Chaol’s achievements and over-comings in this book as he needed a dose of significant personal growth. I loved how his tale played out. I was also happy for Nesryn and her own journey of finding home and safety in her homeland considering I didn’t quite care for Chaol's treatment of her. I knew for the start they were not for each other.
A huge part of this book centers around healing physical wounds as well as wounds from within, personal growth and retribution. Their main purpose for journeying to the southern continent was to receive the best possible help in healing Chaol's grave injury that left his life in shambles. I think this book does a good job in representing this kind of disability in Chaol’s constant struggle to come to terms with navigating the world from a wheelchair. With his body betraying him, his inability to walk and do and act as he used to, to do what his instincts call to him, Chaol has to place his pride and self-sufficiency aside to navigate the world not being in his complete physical faculties. This book goes into detail about the struggle of physically moving for Chaol, things people take for granted. His physical healing is tied to his emotional struggle, in that he has to learn his value and importance to accept himself in every way, in every condition. Chaol has a rough ride with his body in 'Tower of Dawn' but soon comes to truly understand that living in a chair doesn’t make him any less of a man, and that he is just as capable.
“I might not have battled kings and shattered castles, but I am the heir apparent to the Healer on High. Through my own work and suffering and sacrifice. And you’re standing right now because of that. People are alive because of that. So I may not be a warrior waving a sword about, may not be worthy of your glorious tales, but at least I save lives—not end them.”
Honestly, I'd crawl for Yrene if she asked me to. Meeting her made me realize how glad I am that Chaol faced those heartbreaks; he loved and lost, and in the process, he found something he was looking for all his life when he wasn't even looking. I would put no one beside Yrene and the same goes for Chaol himself. I like that Yrene only helps Chaol when necessary, and propels his independence by not stepping in to help because she knows he is perfectly proficient. She was the first one who looked at him and truly saw him and didn't walk away, who understood his worth and made sure he did so in every regard. Yrene, despite being someone used to the shadows, possesses a strong heart and keen mind. I loved to see her at work and some more. Her unrelenting kindness and the way she provided Chaol the guidance he needed but never dared ask, since he's so used to having everything under control, it tugged at my heartstrings. I swear, I nearly wept when he stood on his own two feet and took his first steps towards her, the need to hold her close overruling his body's protests.
“I heard the spies’ stories of you. The fearless Balruhni woman in Adarlan’s empire. Neith’s Arrow. And I knew…I loved you before I ever set eyes on you.”
Nesyrn was another interesting and complex character, who in the previous books I liked but didn’t feel a connection toward. I felt like something was missing in her character, this book helped fill the void and made me really love her. Her story is equally interesting here. I find Nesryn an incredibly strong character. She has been through so much during her life and it is never going to get easier for her, especially with this war approaching. She is strong, both physically and mentally, and very admirable. She is also very caring and dedicated to her family, her only thing she truly cares about is her family and every scene that featured her family gave me goosebumps. Those scenes were so beautifully executed I couldn’t help but shed a tear.
“We fly to war. Much is uncertain ahead. Save for this. Save for what I feel for you. No demon army, no dark queen or king, will change that.”
I was quite surprised by how much I liked reading about Nesryn and her budding romance with the prince of Antica, Sartaq. While it was instant love and attraction that drew Sartaq towards her, it took Nesryn a while to grow and adapt to her feelings for him during many of their epic adventures together which followed soon after. Their adventure in question entails flying over the continent on the back of a ruk and hunting secrets to hunting demonic spiders in the ruins of the fae, hidden far beyond dangerous mountains, with a shifter friend in tow. Perfect situations that can bring even the worst enemies to lean onto each other and if we're talking about already-existent feelings, you can only guess.
Sarah J. Mass has a bad habit of not putting us on her character's infamous wedding guest list. She better keep us tuned in for Nesryn and Sartaq's wedding, or I'm rioting. Not to mention the big reveal; I never saw it coming. All the clues were perfectly aligned against the culprit, but I walked by it just like Sarah expected us to. It made reading it all the more enjoyable. Other than that, there were some other characters and ships I'd like to see more of; in fact, I'd like for the storyline to take us right back to this glorious heaven of a kingdom, in the heart of Torre Casme, the mountains, and the deserts when their world is freed once again. I'll miss this journey the most among everything else.
caitlinhersh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
itsjojo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“I wanted to heal you,” she breathed. “You did,” he said, smiling. “Yrene, in every way that truly matters … You did.” 🫶🏽
bribrihood's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
caszriel's review against another edition
5.0
Initial thoughts: I'm overwhelmed. So many emotions, much internal screaming on my part, and heaps of shocking revelations! Is this book optional? I think not. You'd miss out on some vital information and amazing characters if you skipped reading this one, so I really suggest that you just read it instead of sulking that TOG7 is coming out in 2018 rather than right now. There's nothing much to say until I post my review, which I'm in the process of writing right now. But while you wait: pick up that book, and read it. Read it. Read it until your eyes hurt, until you're almost falling asleep, until you've finally finished it.
——————————————————————
Chaol Westfall may never walk again. Suffering a crippling spine injury, him and new Adarlan Captain of the Guard Nesryn Faliq are heading down to Antica, where Chaol's last hope lies in the legendary healers of Torre Cesme. They're also there to try and broker an alliance with the Khagan, a man who commands the might of massive, sprawling armies which may be crucial to turning the tide in their war of impending doom.
Tower of Dawn is a beautiful, utterly personal recount of Chaol, and also Nesryn and Yrene. Told from the perspectives of those three, the book really is a story of self discovery and development for them. They must face their worst fears, and accept some realities which they do not like. This is the main reason I love this book so much: we see a lot of character growth. I'm not saying the main Throne of Glass series lacks it, simply that Tower of Dawn has more because of its perfect setting for this. Tower of Dawn is super addicting, and while I found the first part not all that interesting, the dramatics were greatly increased in part two.
Relationships. I don't want to get into too much depth here for those of you who haven't read the book yet, but let's just say a lot changes. At first I resisted the urge to follow Sarah J Maas' beckoning with the direction certain relationships were headed, but as time passed and I read more I saw how much planning had gone into the move, and the amount of sense it made, for the characters weren't shoved together, they fit well. As characters were more at ease with themselves, their relationships changed too.
Another reason you should read Tower of Dawn: new characters! You'll love them, hate them, all of the above. But it doesn't matter, because they make everything enjoyable. Hasar is cunning and while I don't love her, I respect her ambition. Kashin, I felt a little sorry for, but the man is awesome and deeply loyal. Arghun? Don't like him at all. Sartaq? My king! He's so perfectly flawed, I love that he feels at home with the Rukhin. We don't see so much of Duva, Urus or the empress, but I'd love another story involving them and also Tumelun.
Mention of our main Throne of Glass storyline is scarce, mostly coming in rumours, but Tower of Dawn is a crucial addition to the series, featuring a lot of information Sarah J Maas may otherwise have held back until TOG7. The new characters introduced are already my favourites... Antica may be a place Sarah J Maas hasn't explored until this book, but she details the place with breathtaking descriptions. All her writing is well though out and executed perfectly, the way Aelin's plans always seem to end up.
I love them. Feel slightly sorry for Kashin, but not really. Hasar, can't decide if I love or hate her.
Arghun? Hate him. Can we get a story about Tumelun?
Okay and I'm not going to forget, MAEVE IS A VALG QUEEN?!! What a revelation. That last chapter though, Fireheart... TOG7, here I come. SJM, please don't kill me.
——————————————————————
Chaol Westfall may never walk again. Suffering a crippling spine injury, him and new Adarlan Captain of the Guard Nesryn Faliq are heading down to Antica, where Chaol's last hope lies in the legendary healers of Torre Cesme. They're also there to try and broker an alliance with the Khagan, a man who commands the might of massive, sprawling armies which may be crucial to turning the tide in their war of impending doom.
Tower of Dawn is a beautiful, utterly personal recount of Chaol, and also Nesryn and Yrene. Told from the perspectives of those three, the book really is a story of self discovery and development for them. They must face their worst fears, and accept some realities which they do not like. This is the main reason I love this book so much: we see a lot of character growth. I'm not saying the main Throne of Glass series lacks it, simply that Tower of Dawn has more because of its perfect setting for this. Tower of Dawn is super addicting, and while I found the first part not all that interesting, the dramatics were greatly increased in part two.
Relationships. I don't want to get into too much depth here for those of you who haven't read the book yet, but let's just say a lot changes. At first I resisted the urge to follow Sarah J Maas' beckoning with the direction certain relationships were headed, but as time passed and I read more I saw how much planning had gone into the move, and the amount of sense it made, for the characters weren't shoved together, they fit well. As characters were more at ease with themselves, their relationships changed too.
Another reason you should read Tower of Dawn: new characters! You'll love them, hate them, all of the above. But it doesn't matter, because they make everything enjoyable. Hasar is cunning and while I don't love her, I respect her ambition. Kashin, I felt a little sorry for, but the man is awesome and deeply loyal. Arghun? Don't like him at all. Sartaq? My king! He's so perfectly flawed, I love that he feels at home with the Rukhin. We don't see so much of Duva, Urus or the empress, but I'd love another story involving them and also Tumelun.
Mention of our main Throne of Glass storyline is scarce, mostly coming in rumours, but Tower of Dawn is a crucial addition to the series, featuring a lot of information Sarah J Maas may otherwise have held back until TOG7. The new characters introduced are already my favourites... Antica may be a place Sarah J Maas hasn't explored until this book, but she details the place with breathtaking descriptions. All her writing is well though out and executed perfectly, the way Aelin's plans always seem to end up.
Spoiler
Okay so I highkey love Nesryn and Sartaq, okay? They are the cutest couple ever. I saw Chaol and Yrene coming from a mile away but still, beautiful! I saw a theory once about Yrene being the one who would heal Chaol, so however wrote that: well done. The khagan's children are so awesome?!I love them. Feel slightly sorry for Kashin, but not really. Hasar, can't decide if I love or hate her.
Arghun? Hate him. Can we get a story about Tumelun?
Okay and I'm not going to forget, MAEVE IS A VALG QUEEN?!! What a revelation. That last chapter though, Fireheart... TOG7, here I come. SJM, please don't kill me.
write_fright's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
katyduncan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sarahnreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
gretab13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0