Empire of Storms

 Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas Bk 5 733 pages

Synopsis: The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius as war looms on the horizon. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't.

With her heart sworn to the warrior-prince by her side, and her fealty pledged to the people she is determined to save, Aelin will delve into the depths of her power to protect those she loves. But as monsters emerge from the horrors of the past and dark forces become poised to claim her world, the only chance for salvation will lie in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

My Thoughts: This book really sets Aelin in stone as a major character who wants to save her kingdom and ultimately the world. She's the anti-hero you didn't know you needed to read about. The choices each character has to make are heart-wrenching, and all of these choices are leading up to the big war. 

Queen of Shadows

 Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas 672 pages bk 4

Synopsis: Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

Everyone Aelin loves has been taken from her. Everything she holds dear is in danger. But she has the heart of a queen-and that heart beats for vengeance.

My Thoughts: I love Throne of Glass. I haven't read this series in a long long time, and I began it again, and I forgot how much I love book 4. The pacing, the plot, the characters. I love that this is the first series she wrote, and she wrote it more plot-driven than the other series she's created. I always cry at the end; Aelin is the most 3-dimensional character I have ever witnessed, and she is one of my favorites. 

The Hurricane Wars

 The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon 472 pages Book 1

Synopsis: All Talasyn has ever known is the Hurricane Wars. Growing up an orphan in a nation under siege by the ruthless Night Emperor, Talasyn has found her family among the soldiers who fight for freedom. But she is hiding a deadly secret: light magic courses through her veins, a blazing power believed to have been wiped out years ago that can cut through the Night Empire's shadows.

Prince Alaric, the emperor's only son and heir, has been forged into a weapon by his father. Tasked with obliterating any threats to the Night Empire's rule with the strength of his armies and mighty Shadow magic, Alaric has never been bested. That is until he sees Talasyn burning brightly on the battlefield with the magic that killed his grandfather, turned his father into a monster, and ignited the Hurricane Wars. In a clash of light and dark, their powers merge and create a force the likes of which has never been seen.

Talasyn and Alaric both know this war can only end with them. But a greater threat is coming, and the strange new magic they can create together could be the only way to overcome it. Thrust into an uneasy alliance, they will confront the secrets at the heart of the war and find, in each other, a searing passion--one that could save their world...or destroy it.

My Thoughts: We read this book in Cedar Hill's Romantasy Book Club. This book was amazing, it was definitely a slow start. The world building was wonderful and the map in the book was actually accurate! Two fun facts I learned about this book are as follows:

1. it's inspired by Southeast Asian mythology, specifically Philippine mythology. 

2. This book started as a Star Wars Fan Fiction book, in which Kylo Ren and Rey are forced into an arranged marriage.