Tower of Dawn
Ratings447
Average rating4.2
This is the 6th book in this series so if you haven't read the previous books you should probably skip this review because there will probably be spoilers for the previous books.
This is probably my least favorite book out of the entire series but saying that I did still enjoy it. I was informed that this was initially going to be a novella but the author decided to make it a full length novel. I get why she decided to make it a novella because it wouldn't have really fit with the other novellas however I feel like this one ended up being to long for what it was.
This book starts by Chaol and Nesryn arriving in Antica which is where they headed at the end of book 4 I believe because Chaol was seriously injured and he needed to be healed. This book slowed the pace of this series down so much and a lot of it really wasn't needed and it was kind of repetitive at points. I get why this book was needed and like I said I did still really enjoy it but I think it would have been better if it would have been a little bit shorter.
I wasn't totally on board with the possibility of Chaol being able to be healed because it just isn't realistic but by the end I was on board plus I did truly want him to be healed. I loved the representation in this book. Because of Chaol's injury he has to use a wheelchair. He goes from hating being in a wheelchair to actually realizing he's just as much a man in the chair as he is in the chair. He has a lot of growth throughout this book and while I've always loved Chaol this made me love him even more.
I loved the relationships that bloom in this book and I loved how we meet new characters but also have some characters pop back up from the novellas. Because we have characters from the novellas popping up throughout the entirety of this series I would definitely recommend you read the novella bind up before starting the series. I'm so glad Destiny recommended we read them first because it's like everything comes full circle that way.
I hate Chaol. So naturally, this book was rough for me. I can't root for him. I would rather Yrene be with anyone else. Chaol literally blew up at her and said terrible things to her over and over and then his whole ailment is him feeling sorry for himself? He ruined his relationship with Celaena. He ran out and abandoned Dorian. And he knowingly kept stringing Nesryn along. Thank god she got away from him. He deserves nothing and I hate that now he can't even die without affecting Yrene. I did the tandem read of this and EoS together because I knew I would never get through this book unless there was incentive to get back to the book I actually was enjoying. I'm not ready for this series to be over. It might take me a while before I pick up the last one.
I would have given this 3.5 stars if half stars were allowed.
Chaol is a character who I believe was given the short end of the stick in previous books. Used by Celeana and Aelin as a punching bag and to be blamed for a multitude of things that they both had also done.
I liked this book. Though I thought there were parts of the ending that were too cheesy and cringey. It was an interesting study in PTSD and the anguish of the many forms of grief. How a person can take what happens to them and lose themselves in it. What it takes to be able to face that and try to heal.
It's a shame he Chaol had to find new friends to help him. Because the ones he was supposed to have weren't there for him at all.
I was also glad of a reprieve from all the Aelin and Aelin/Rowan nonsense which has grown significantly irritating in my view.
Can definitely see the influences of Game of Thrones and particularly The Lord of the Rings.
2022 review
Yeah okay I still really loved this book. Don't get the hate, because I really liked it. Still haven't read the last TOG book, so that is up next. I can already tell that both Nesryn and Yrene are going to be maaaaajor in the next book. Really looking forward to it!
2019 review
uhm hello new favourite Throne of Glass book, how are ya?
I LOVED this book. Yrene is fantastic and I also really loved the fact that Nesryn got her own chapters. Didn't know that I needed it until I got it.
I've always loved Chaol even trough his ‘being an ass' period because he was a big ass. But still, I loved Chaol. Also, all the ships in this book are endgame pretty please okat thanks
For more of my reviews, check out my blog.
Not going to lie – I finished Empire of Storms, I metaphorically ran to the next book, dying to know what was going to happen to Aelin and Rowan, and the whole group of them. Weeeeeeeeelll. This book isn't about them, it's about Chaol and Nesryn and what they get up to in the South. I was SO DISAPPOINTED at first. Like, almost angry amounts of disappointed. Who cared about Chaol or Nesryn? STUFF HAD GONE DOWN IN EMPIRE OF STORMS. IMPORTANT, PLOT-DRIVING STUFF.
Well, what happens to Chaol and Nesryn is equally important, even if it took almost half the book to get there. No matter how much you don't want to read this book, no matter how much you do not care about Chaol or Nesryn going in, you CANNOT SKIP THIS BOOK. You cannot. You will miss out on VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION that I absolutely am not going to spoil anywhere near this review.
The romantic relationships in this book are actually adorable. It was also nice to see a new culture, a new way lives are lived outside of Adarlan and the Fae. The ruk riders were SO COOL.
It took me a long time to care about any of the characters in this book, but once I did I was hooked.
ON TO THE LAST BOOK. AHHHHHHHH.
“The heart he'd offered and had been left to drop on the wooden planks of the river docks. An assassin who had sailed away and a queen who had returned.”
4.5 - That was so good. Probably the best book in the series in terms of writing. I have been desperate for Chaol's healing journey, especially after everything he went through. I was delighted to see him get the story he deserved. I love what Maas did with his characterization. He's definitely her most complex character and she handled his character growth very well. The parts where he acknowledges and accepts his disability were very emotional, leave it to Chaol to break my heart in every book he has been in. We also see a lot of depth in his characterization, from his mixed and bitter feelings towards Aelin (which were so realistic in my opinion) and his reasons behind his loyalty to Dorian and the kingdom. This book should provide enough context for those who claim that Chaol should've handled things better during Queen of Shadows. I loved the journey he took and the resolution of it. My only complaint is about the direction of Chaol's romantic life. I really thought it was unnecessary for every character to end up with someone. But the heroine of this was a wonderful character and I love her and Chaol individually so it didn't bother me that much.
There are side stories and intersecting plots being told in this book. And I loved everything from the new characters (the Khagan family dynamic is both funny and heartwarming) to the shocking twists and reveals.
Also, I never thought I would actually care for Nesryn as a character but her adventure with Sartaq was amazing and boosted my enjoyment of this book.
One of my favorite things about ‘Tower of Dawn' is the southern continent settings. It was refreshing to read the story from another kingdom and different culture. The gorgeous details show how beautifully the author envisioned this place.
“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.”
I freaking LOVED Tower of Dawn. I'm certainly greatful this book didn't have SO MANY POVs.
I could focus more on the story and the characters.
I fell in love with Chaol all over again hahaha
I love Yrene, Sartaq and Nesryn so much too ♥ Even Hasar lol ♥
Can't wait for Kingdom of Ash to arrive!
Chaol was probably my favourite character, but it still pains me a little of what become of him after Queen of Shadows. Just because the author needed someone to blame for her plot holes. The great thing is that Chaol finally got some happiness in the end.
I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, so first I didn't start off super hyped up about this book because of the way Empire of Storms ended. I mean, come on! Who goes from all that to Chaol in Antica?! I'm sorry Chaol but Aelin is my absolute favorite! I'm a sucker for witty, sarcastic women who get me laughing so hard I can't breathe.
Anyway, once I managed to finally find a way to actually read the book (my e-reader broke :'() and told myself I had to get through it before Kingdom of Ash I found out that Tower of Dawn really isn't that bad (like that's a surprise...). The whole journey Chaol went through is something that I can relate to so well in my own way since I'm going through a why-am-I-such-a-failure phase in my life as well. I kinda wish I had a Yrene Towers to kindly and sternly push me through it because I can make it through if I wasn't so stubborn :D. His whole restoration at the end really touched me and helped me see my situation in a different light (kinda). This whole series really has been a comfort for me and has helped me see a bit of the person I want to be.
About one-third of the way there (I think, who pays attention to where they are in a book? I forget chapter numbers most of the time), I got hooked and couldn't put it down, again! I loved the little “fights” that Chaol and Yrene had and enjoyed the whole adventure Nesryn, Sartuk, Borte, and the ruk riders had (if dragons, phoenixes, or ruks were real...).
I can't wait to start Kingdom of Ash!
And to Sarah J. Maas: you really shouldn't spoil me so, you are wayyyyy too good at it.
3.25.21 update:
It only took three almost four years but I finally ready this book, who still has the fugliest cover in existence. I just couldn't be seen in public with this cover. Who can blame me? Nobody can.
It could have been so much better. They could have put Chaol on this cover and they didn't. Imagine him in the wheelchair. It would have been so good. What did we do to anger the cover designers??? What should we have sacrificed in their names??
And nice try, SJM. I still wish Chaol and Celaena were end game. I will always wish they were end game. This book didn't change my opinion for shit.
1.6.19 update:
It's 2019 and I still haven't gotten around to reading this book
insert shrug emoji here
one day I'll come back to you chaol, my love.
6.28.17 update:
Apparently this book is goign to be 700 pages.
It is gonna take me so long to read this urgh
That just means more time where someone might see me with reading this hideously covered book
RIP this book is going to be the death of me. I don't wanna be associated with something so ugly.
6.20.17 update:
lol this cover is so fugly
hahhahahahhahaha
it
so
ugly
we're in 2017 not 1997 rip
i thought we as a society have progressed past ugly covers
i mean if this was a novel about that ass turd rwan then i'd understand but it's not thank god, we already have wayyyy to much rwan as it is
#ChaolWestfallDeservesBetter #OhChaolNo
(also who the eff is Nesryn I don't remember her at all)(no one is answering this question properly I am still lost who the eff is Nesryn?????)(haha I give up. I'm never gonna remember her)
SJM proves once again she is QUEEN!!!!
Chaol and Nesryn travel to Antica to find the healers of Antica living in the Torre. The healer assigned to him is named Yrenne.
While, in Antica they also discover more than anticipated, they discover things that will change their lives. Chaol fights thru the pain of healing his body and spirit.
Now on to Kindom of Ash. I don't think I am ready for this series to end. I know I am late to ballgame on this one, but better late than never.
No words. I am absolutely OBSESSED with the Throne of Glass series and Tower of Dawn really solidified my love for Chaol and Nesryn. Ever since Heir of Fire, I was always a little bummed that Celaena became Aelin and in turn, was no longer Chaol's love interest, so when Nesryn was paired up with Chaol, I was slightly happy he'd get a chance at happiness. However, with the way things turned out, I am over the moon about how Chaol's life turned out, and I even began to love Nesryn who was a really minor character until now.
All I can say is that you must read this book. Although it may sound cumbersome/irritating considering how Empire of Storms ended (still broken from reading that), Tower of Dawn is a fresh, more lighthearted book in comparison to the others. The closest I'd relate it to in terms of how much of an emotional roller coaster it is would be with Throne of Glass - intriguing and addicting but not as climactic as Queen of Shadows or Empire of Storms.
My fair warning/advice would be to purchase Kingdom of Ash ASAP especially if you're a fast reader like me, because as soon as you finish, you will be DYING to read the final book in this series.
Here's what I learned - the most wonderful thing you can do for yourself in the series is give yourself a break between books 5 and 6. The ending of 5 is so intense and we've just spent our time learning and getting attached to so many characters that redirecting to Chaol's journey just seems impossible, even if you're not suffering from Chaol Hating Syndrome. I gave myself 6 months off between these reads mostly due to life, but it was a chance for the emotions to fade a bit and for me to regain perspective. I approached Chaol as a familiar but not triggering character - and it paid off so much. A tale of redemption, grief, perspective, and adjusting to love and loss - it was everything that Maas is so good at - character building, revelations, forgiveness, and attaching to a higher idea that we can get everything we need even if it doesn't come delivered in the package we expect, that we can make choices to forge a better world, a better self. Surprising bonus - Nesryn's journey! I loved everything about this parallel world, and now we're prepared for one epic reunion. 5 healing stars!! ⭐️
Man oh man this series just gets better and better. I really enjoyed this side trip with Chaol and Nesryn and being introduced to Yrene. One book left and I'm feeling a bit dejected. It's been a long road BUT one I don't want to see end just yet. I absolutely love this series and can't recommend it enough!
My initial reaction to this after finishing Empire Of Storms was how much I was dreading 660 pages of Chaol's POV. But turns out it was kinda worth it! I love how everyone from Assassin's Blade is coming together for this last battle! And Nesryn and Sartaq make me so happy!
How much was I disapponted when I understood we will not see Aelin for a full book ??? ... I have no words for that.
This book was nice but I was seriously waiting only to know more about Aelin.
I don't care about Choal in general... the only highlight for me was Nesryn !!! She deserved everything that happened to her and she is actually the one bringing valuable information in this books about Maeve.
Choal story was so predictable ... anyway.
I like the south continent tradition with these scary siblings and all these schemes...
doesn't deserve more than 3,5 for me !
I really hope Kingdom of Ash will be enough to fill my expectations
Dude... oh my god.
I technically started this book in November and read ten pages and put it down. Not because those ten pages bored me or anything. But because this book is so daunting. Going away from well-known lands to new lands, from well-known characters to new - or at least some we haven't seen in a while, from a novella to a nearly 700 paged book, there's nothing about this book that is not daunting. It is the SIXTH installment in a series, that alone is frightening when you know it's not the last book you're reading.
So I finally picked up the book again three or four days ago, I can't remember, and I was scared to begin because it's so long and I knew that I would go straight to Kingdom of Ash afterwards (which I am, most definitely), but I did begin again and look at me now I'm done.
It was a crazy ride. Like there were ships sinking and sailing, birds flying and spiders trapping, demons possessing, trauma healing, like what did I not encounter in this book? Seriously, what.
I was blown away. Forgot how much I love Sarah's writing, it's been years since I read a book from her, the last either being ACOMAF or Empire of Storms, again, I can't remember, but it's so easy! And as you sit there reading the sixth book in a series, it's hard to remember all the details, but this book brought me back to the first three so smoothly in Chaol's flashbacks. So many things I most definitely would have not connected as an overall arc thing if I had not been reminded in this book, and I'm sure I'll be glad to know it for the next one.
Anyway, there's nothing to say without spoiling, so just know that, yes this book is intimdating as hell but that, yes it is also completely and totally worth it. Such character developement. I honestly thought Sarah had left Chaol for the dead in this series, I'm very glad she didn't put him on the bench for the rest of the story and we got this book from it. I think we were all worried he was becoming less than even a side character in this huge story arc, so to see him with so much purpose again was truly wonderful.
Loved it. 10/10. Or, well, you know what I mean.
I finished this three months ago during my flight to Korea and back. I was invested in 50% of it, then afterwards it just got so boring with Chaol's romance with Yrene. Which, btw, is as boring as his character. I'm reading KoA right now and thank god they don't show up that much. In ToD, I just skimmed until it got to the important sections and the lore. Nesyrn and Sartaq were good though keep that coming. Still all in all a waste of time and could have been condensed into a novella or something. Or just . Idk ignored his healing? He's still a dumb idiot.
This review includes my review for Empire of Storms and refers to prior books in the series, so don't read this if you don't want any spoilers! It's also hella long, so its probably TLDR, but whatever. Maybe Sarah will read it. ;)
Pardon me, but jesus christ Sarah. I'm angry and in awe of your ability to craft these stories. I picked up Throne of Glass on a whim after it was released, because it was displayed on a "recently released" table at the library by another book I wanted to read. I've been holding onto my butt since I finished it. I didn't love ToG, but its world intrigued me. Caleana is such a fascinating character. Just her name, Caleana Sardothien, is cool. So I read Crown of Midnight when it was released, and I cried with Celaena when her friend was brutally murdered. I was also pissed about a love triangle, and I was uncertain of the ending and if I would continue on the with series. I decided to read the prequels and fell in love with Sam. I no longer cared about Chaol. Sam was the best, and I thought maybe it would be for the best if I stopped there.Heir of Fire came out, and I heard, before reading, there was *another* damn love interest, and I thought I had enough. I was already invested in Dorian and Chaol and Sam, but of course I read it. I sobbed buckets (and I have every time I've reread it) when Aelin's sitting at the cliff crying because she's so alone and just broken (*tearing up as I type this*). I fell in love with Rowan too, but there were also new characters added that I didn't really care about. I thought Aedion was interesting, but I loathed Manon. I did not give a crap about her struggles or the other witches. Yet, the emotion conveyed in that book really hit me, and I ultimately loved it, even if I only skimmed the Blackbeak sections.While I waited for Queen of Shadows, I reread HoF, and I grew to like it even more. Then I listened to the audiobook, which made me really listen to Manon's growing story, and I was glad I had listened (though I did not regret skipping the parts on my first read where Abraxsos had been chained and tortured). I cried again. And again when I reread it.QoS finally came out, and it was amazing, even though there were MORE new characters. Lysandra--someone I had forgotten about--was great. She added so much to the story, and I fell in love with her too. The other new characters were meh. Nesryn, well, I could do with or without, but I was glad Chaol had a friend. Elide was hit or miss, but I really felt her pain as she tried to deal with her chains and injury. Lorcan was a jerk, and I wanted to punch him in the face, but he was kind of what was expected as one of Maeve's warriors. I didn't think we'd see much of him again. Then Manon and Dorian had a flirtation, Manon and Aelin fought, Manon ultimately saved Dorian by way of her message, and I was on board.Ultimately, I really loved the story in QoS. It was long, and as someone with zero patience and known to skim books as "reading" them, I continued to get annoyed at the continuous plot twists and turns, but the ride was worth it. I reached the end and, though there were still stones left uncovered, I thought I could stop here. And I did for a long time. The year between QoS and Empire of Storms had dulled the story. Knowing there were still more in the series after EoS to come made me hold back.When I finally picked up EoS and saw the story's length, I was put off. I'm fickle like that. It'd been a while since I'd read HoF and QoS, and I had been so satisfied at the end of QoS that I wasn't sure I wanted to continue, especially knowing in advance how EoS ended. How did I know? I'm a spoiler whore. I love reading but am very particular about reading for entertainment. I read all day at work, and usually unpleasant stuff, so I want to read happy and smexy stuff in my free time. Did I mention I'm fickle and singular? Life's enough of a downer, and, as someone who experiences chronic depression, I don't need any additional weight to drag me under. Thus, when deciding what to read, I want to know in advance if its what I'm in the mood for, which is usually dictated by the ending. I might read something that makes me cry, but so long as it ends on a happy note, I'll carry on. But if it doesn't, or if it's a series with cliffhangers, I can wait until I'm in the right mood or until the whole story's finished. So I skimmed EoS, read the parts I anticipated -- Aelin and Rowan, Lysandra and Aedion, and called it a day. I remember very little from that "reading."Tower of Dawn came out a year later, and, damn it all to hell, it was all about Chaol (so I thought)! Having read the Game of Thrones series, I thought Sarah was just following George RR Martin's lead, a development that I was NOT at all happy about. There are already enough damn characters in the series. Did I really want to read another 600 pages about a character that I had already put on the backburner? No. No I did not. I marked it "To Read," where it's stayed until this week.Knowing book 7 comes out soon, and being at a place where I could restart ToG, I started over with the audiobooks. Again, I LOVED HoF and QoS. I fully listened to EoS, and it was awesome, of course, just long. Finally, on to ToD. Not only did I love it (and the new additions), I didn't realize how much was added to the overall story--and the backstory of the Valg/Maeve--I had missed. Totally worth it. I kind of felt like Chaol today, when I finished the book. There was a lot of heartache to get to this point, but all of it was worth it to get here.
I don't know how Sarah has invented such an incredible world and cast of characters, along with the continuous twists to the story. Some of the story can feel a bit predictable, but there are enough, “Holy Sh!t, I did NOT see that coming,” to make it worthwhile. Ms. Maas, I bow to your talent. Do not stop ever writing
Better than I expected.
Currently at the beach so this is the best you're gonna get from me at the moment.
Okay. This book made me angry and pushed me in an almost month long reading slump.
I hated the romance. I hated the plot since I saw almost every plot twist miles away (since it is quite formulatic). It made me even hate Chaol and Yrene more.
With every redeeming thing Chaol had done, he does at least one non redeemable thing. The back and forth of the romance like a broken lightswitch got on my very nerves and didn't help my enjoyment. Also not everything needs to be a mating thing.
The writing was good as always but that doesn't help the problematic ways the story uses Chaols “disabilty” being curable through magic, love and a little bit of self reflection got over my head.
I pushed through because I had a similar feeling it would be like Queen of Shadows were I liked the ending but it would be a rocky ride there (snd almost everyone loves this book). It wasn't.