Sarah J. Maas’ fifth Throne of Glass book finally comes out tomorrow! But before you dive headfirst into Empire of Storms, here’s a quick catch-up on where everyone left off in Queen of Shadows, along with Hypable’s original review of the fourth Throne of Glass book.
Aelin Galathynius
After deftly defeating both the King of the Assassins and the King of Adarlan in Queen of Shadows, Aelin has finally announced her presence to the world. Now the comeback queen and her menagerie of elven super friends are headed home to Terrasen for the first time since her family’s slaughter, as she builds her new court and prepares to take back the continent from the princes of darkness.
Chaol Westfall
At the start of Empire of Storms, Chaol is still not an elf. Appointed both Ambassador for Terrasen to the Southern Continent by Aelin and Adarlan’s King’s Hand by Dorian, Chaol finds himself preparing to travel to the South Continent to meet with healers that will hopefully be able to help him through his newfound paralyzation. Nesryn — who is miraculously still alive despite being book four’s token WOC — will be traveling with him, since she is the only woman smart enough to realize he is hands down the best catch around.
Dorian Havilliard
Now that he’s free from both the Valg and his father, the new king of Adarlan is left recovering from the horrors of his collar and contemplating his new responsibilities as king. He’s allied himself with Aelin and Terrasen against the forces of darkness overwhelming the continent, and his subconscious is still swooning over Manon, who was the only being able to break through to him while he was trapped by the Valg.
Manon Blackbeak
After rescuing Elide and breaking all of the Blackbeak rules by disobeying her grandmother, Manon flies away with her Thirteen, only to find herself kind of stalking down Dorian in his castle. Oh yeah, she’s got the hots for him bad… even if she isn’t really ready to admit it yet.
Rowan Whitehorn
Still very old and very muscular, Rowan is also still very obsessed with Aelin, who is a teenager. In terms of consummating their relationship, at the end of Queen of Shadows, they were still in the all talk and no action phase. He is traveling with her to Terrasen in Empire of Storms. His Animagus form is a hawk.
Lysandra
The newest member of Aelin’s magical court, Lysandra’s shape-shifting powers are back along with the rest of the continent’s magic. Now that her debts are finally paid, she’s chosen to join the crew in Terrasen, finally free to be whomever and whatever she wishes to be as a central member of Aelin’s squad.
Aedion Ashryver
Now that he knows his biological dad is Rowan’s fairy buddy, Terrasen’s leading man is finally going home again after a decade as Adarlan’s double agent.
Elide Lochan
After finding out she’s got some Blackbeak blood and managing to escape from Duke Perrington with the help of Kaltain and Manon, Aelin’s childhood friend is also headed North in Empire of Storms.