“‘The final battle is here.’ Aelin Galathynius has risked everything to save her people – but at a tremendous cost. Locked in an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must use all her fiery will to endure the torture inflicted on her. If she yields to Maeve she will doom everyone she loves, but her resolve is beginning to unravel… With Aelin imprisoned, her friends must go on without her. Some bonds will deepen, while others will be severed forever. But as destinies weave together at last, all must unite as Aelin fights to save herself – and the promise of a better world.”
What is the book about?
Aelin Galathynius has risked everything, her whole life, for her kingdom and the people she loves. She cashed in every debt owed to her to get the allies she needed so that Terrasen could win this war and did everything she could with no intention in being there in the end. Even though she didn't mean for it to end like this, she has still ended up alone. Maeve has taken her, locked her in an iron coffin that she had had prepared for her years before she had even met Maeve. Now Aelin must use every bit of strength and determination she has left to endure the torture that Cairn, one of Marvel's blood sworn and a sadist, inflicts on her. If she gives in she will doom everyone back in Terrasen and destroy every person she loves, but she is starting to lose hope and lose strength. While she is imprisoned, Aelin's friends must continue to fight and work together to ensure there is a Terrasen for her when she is finally saved. As everyone reunites to save the world, it will either end or begin after this battle.
What were your initial thoughts on the book?
Honestly I had very mixed feelings about this book and was both dreading and desperate to read it. My initial thoughts on it was that it was going to be absolutely incredible and that I would really enjoy reading it. However, I also knew from a friend of mine that it was going to be an emotional rollercoaster and that I would probably have my heart broken so I wasa little bit skeptical about reading it. Ever since finishing Empire of Storms I have been so desperate to start reading this book, so desperate to find out what happened after the cliffhanger ending that left me screaming. Tower of Dawn at first just felt like a massive obstacle keeping me from finding out what happens next (however I did end up really enjoying it). Although I wanted to find out the ending and finish the series, I also didn't as I didn't want the series to end after I basically dedicated the past month or so to reading the books. I was dreading finally finishing it but that wasn't enough for me to delay reading it. I knew it was going to be an epic read and that I would love it just as much as the other books in the series, and my thoughts were quickly supported once I started reading it as I was already falling in love with the last novel in this incredible series.
Who was your favourite character and why?
For this book I cannot and will not choose a favourite character because every single character that I could chose from is my favourite and I cannot chose between them. In this book every one of the badass girls that I have loved and I wish I could be like was amazing and developed in her own way in this book and I refuse to pick between all these girls. Elide and the horse, Yrene and the ending scene, Lysandra and how she risked everything for Aelin and Terrasen, Manon and the character development and obviously Aelin for everything she has done since taking back her title. Every single one of these grew so much since I was first introduced to them and became better than I could have ever imagined. I loved all of these characters and I cannot chose between them and once you read the book and understand what I mean by the characters above you will agree with me.
What was your favourite part of the book and why?
The whole of Kingdom of Ash was absolutely amazing and I really had to think about it before answering this question and even after that I couldn't quite pick one part as quite a few stood out to me. One of those was when Manon told Abraxos she loved him when there was a chance that she wouldn't make it. I loved this part because of how it showed Manon's character development from a witch who didn't have feelings or refused to feel them to one who loved and who cared, which was later proven even more. Another part that I also enjoyed was when Elide took that horse and rode to save Lorcan. I loved how she didn't even think about herself and just rode. She came such a long way from the little girl who didn't do much and felt like her whole personality was just her injury. There were also quite a few other parts that I enjoyed so I definitely don't think I could chose just one. This whole book was just an emotional wreck of a journey and I loved it.
What was your overall impression of the book?
Overall, Kingdom of Ash was amazing and I think the perfect finale for the incredible fantasy series that has been the centre of my world for quite some time. I loved practically everything about the book and, even though it practically destroyed me and I now am in this void that I have no idea how to get out of, it was amazing and I wish I could read it all again for the first time. One thing that I really enjoyed about the book was (strangely) how it destroyed me and had me on the brink of tears throughout basically the whole book. It is a books job to make you feel something and this one certainly made me feel everything. It was so well written and I was easily able to connect to the characters and feel what they felt while they reached the final battle. The fact that I had spent 7 novels and 1 prequel getting to know the characters definitely helped to get me attached to them and the character development that I saw in this book had me dying the whole time. Another thing that I really loved about Kingdom of Ash was how finally all the couples that I had been rooting for, all the couples that I wanted together and needed together, got their own happy ending. At the end of Empire of Storms everything had gotten ruined and I was honestly so worried that after this whole series these couples would stay mad at each other. There were also certain points in Kingdom of Ash where I thought everything was going to end and where I didn't know if they would come back from it but I gladly got what I wanted and I couldn't be more grateful. One small thing that I didn't quite like about the book and found a little annoying was the beginning when everyone was separated and had their own point of view and story to tell. Although I appreciated getting all the details, it was so annoying when it would take at least 4 chapters and different perspectives before it got back to the character that I had been waiting for and when the chapters ended in cliffhangers I honestly would lose it as it would be a while before I got the next part. Luckily, gradually characters started coming together and there were less and less separate chapters (though still multiple POVs) until everyone came together. Although I didn't like it, this didn't stop me from liking the book and I'm so sad to say goodbye to these characters.
Which was your favourite book in the Throne of Glass series? (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7)
Now that I have finished reading all the books I can honestly say that my favourite book in this series has got to be the fourth book, Queen of Shadows. I won't go into the details as to why I chose this as my favourite as it is clear in the previous reviews where I explained why it was my favourite, however the main reason is because its the first book where everyone came together and the start of the real series and not just the world building introduction (which I couldn't tell was the case with the first 3 books at the time but looking back now it is quite clear). Although this final book also had all the characters come together and was absolutely incredible I cannot say it is my favourite book for one main reason: it was the last book. Although I was desperate to read it, I was also dreading it because of this exact reason as it would mean that everything would end. I slightly hate the last book of all series because it means stopping reading, it means leaving this world and these characters that I have grown to love. After the last book finishes, I will no longer get to learn anything more about the characters and will never get to experience the stuff that I did again (unless I reread it and it still won't be the same that way). I loved Kingdom of Ash and I loved this whole series but it's over now and I hate that so Queen of Shadows will have to remain my favourite book in the series.
Would you recommend this book?
I 100% recommend Kingdom of Ash and I will never stop recommending it and the whole entire Throne of Glass series. It is an amazing book for a fantasy lover with the perfect amount of romance and adventure and magic. I think it's best for over 17 year olds due to the more explicit scenes but it is not that spicy or detailed so slightly younger readers may enjoy it.
Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)
The perfect final novel in a series that will rip out your heart and have a lasting impact on you for the rest of your life.
Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego
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