Book Review: Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

*Warning! This review contains Spoilers*

Synopsis 

Years in the making, Sarah J. Maas’s #1 New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series
draws to an epic, unforgettable conclusion. Aelin Galathynius’s journey from slave to king’s assassin to the queen of a once-great kingdom reaches its heart-rending finale as war erupts across her world. . .

Aelin has risked everything to save her people―but at a tremendous cost. Locked within an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. Aware that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, though her resolve begins to unravel with each passing day…

With Aelin captured, Aedion and Lysandra remain the last line of defense to protect Terrasen from utter destruction. Yet they soon realize that the many allies they’ve gathered to battle Erawan’s hordes might not be enough to save them. Scattered across the continent and racing against time, Chaol, Manon, and Dorian are forced to forge their own paths to meet their fates. Hanging in the balance is any hope of salvation―and a better world.
And across the sea, his companions unwavering beside him, Rowan hunts to find his captured wife and queen―before she is lost to him forever.

As the threads of fate weave together, at last, all must fight, if they are to have a chance at a future. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever in the explosive final chapter of the Throne of Glass series.

Review 

This book broke me… I can’t believe it’s over. It was everything I could have hoped for and more. ALL OF THE FEELS! ALL OF THEM! I don’t think I’ve cried so much reading before! Sarah really has outdone herself! I’m pretty sure this whole review is going to consist of lots word vomit because I have too many feelings but I’ll give it a go:

This story was like a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I really like how the story played out. Each character went on their own journeys and had their roles to play, it made the story feel so whole. The first quarter of the book was really hard to read, the Aelin torture scenes, I can’t even begin, Cairn is such a bastard, the things he does to her and he makes Fenrys watch helplessly! I wanted her to escape so bad, it was awful but Aelin’s strength was pretty darn awe-inspiring, she did not yield! So, of course, one of my favorite parts was her rescue/escape. Fenrys snapping the blood oath to stop Cairn,  and Rowan was such a badass, I felt his rage when he reached the camp where Aelin was being kept it was tangent! I wish I could have read exactly what he did to Cairn.

The rage in Rowan’s eyes could devour the world. And that rage was about to extract the sort of vengeance only a mated male could command.

Dorian really impressed me in this one, I’ve never been his biggest fan but he really shone, the way he deceived Maeve was epicness! I loved it was such an awesome moment.

All the battle scenes felt really realistic, it was everything that ACOWAR should have been. The bleakness and desperation, I felt like I was on the battlefield too. These are the parts of the story that broke me the most,  which brings me to the Thirteens sacrifice, I’m tearing up just thinking about it again. Asterin’s final words to Manon will stay with me for a while:

Live, Manon.
Bring our people home 

The whole of chapter 89 is just a crying fest! I literally had to put the book down and take a break. Every moment with Manon after that was utterly heartbreaking I could really feel her grief through the pages.

Ok.. other moments that I loved:

• Dorian being able to shapeshift
• Manon bringing the witches together and becoming queen
• Elide saving Lorcan
• Aelin unleashing her full power
• Dorian and Chaol reunion
• Aelin falling through worlds after forging the keys and seeing two very familiar faces!
• Fenrys! I just love him!
• Aelin’s new tattoo! and Rowan’s secret map hidden in it!
• The final battle
• Erwan and Maeve take down
• Aelin’s coronation!

I’m sure that there is a more that I have missed but I feel like I have waffled on for long enough now.

I’m not sure what to do now… I’m still not over it! My book hangover is so real right now, please send help! 😭

My Rating: 5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟