Empire of Storms Review: Maas's Most Ambitious Book Yet

Is Empire of Storms worth reading? Here's a breakdown of the reception to Sarah J. Maas's fifth Throne of Glass book — the war, Manon and Elide's arcs, and a few real criticisms too.

8/19/20263 min read

Empire of Storms Review: Maas's Most Ambitious Book Yet

Following Queen of Shadows, this fifth installment expands the series into full-scale war, with reviewers describing Maas's writing and plotting as genuinely maturing here. Here's a breakdown of what readers consistently say.

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Quick Answer

Reception is very positive, with reviewers describing this as one of the series' most emotionally devastating and ambitious entries. Several note a slower opening stretch before the plot picks up, and more than one reviewer raises genuine concerns about how some of the book's romantic relationship dynamics are portrayed, alongside real praise for its expanding cast and worldbuilding.

What It's About

With the true scope of the coming war finally revealed, Aelin, Rowan, Aedion, and Lysandra travel toward Terrasen while parallel storylines follow Dorian navigating a transformed Adarlan, Manon facing upheaval within her own witch clan, and Elide making a dangerous journey alongside Lorcan. As the threat of Erawan grows clearer and the Wyrdkeys' importance comes into full focus, alliances form, secrets unravel, and the full cast finally converges toward a devastating conclusion.

What Reviewers Consistently Praise

Manon's continued character arc. Once again, reviewers cite her as a standout — one reviewer calls her their hands-down favorite character in this installment, with her story forcing her to reconsider everything she was raised to believe about her own family and identity.

Elide finally getting room to shine. Reviewers who found her earlier chapters less engaging note a real turnaround here — her journey with Lorcan is described as a slow, realistic build that won over even skeptical readers, with more than one reviewer admitting they went from disliking Lorcan to genuinely rooting for him.

Expanding, immersive worldbuilding. Reviewers praise the deeper exploration of Erilea, from the towers of Morath to Terrasen itself, describing the world as growing more vivid and complete with each installment.

Dorian's harder, more complex characterization. After everything he endured in Queen of Shadows, reviewers appreciate that he doesn't simply revert to his earlier, lighter personality — his new edge, and his unexpected dynamic with Manon, are cited as genuinely interesting developments.

Cinematic, well-executed battle sequences. More than one reviewer specifically praises the scale and clarity of the book's action, describing it as feeling like watching a movie.

Emotionally devastating, well-earned payoffs. Reviewers consistently describe crying at the book's conclusion, with the ending frequently cited as both heartbreaking and narratively satisfying.

Answers to long-standing mysteries. Reviewers appreciate that several lingering questions about Erawan, Elena, and Gavin finally get addressed through flashbacks, after multiple books of partial information.

What Reviewers Note as Genuine Concerns

Some romantic relationship dynamics read as unhealthy, not just intense. More than one reviewer raises real concern about certain Fae relationship dynamics — territorial, possessive behavior — being portrayed in a way that could read as romantic or normalized, especially for younger readers who may not recognize it as an extreme rather than a relationship ideal.

A slow opening stretch. Reviewers note the first couple hundred pages move noticeably slower before the plot fully picks up, testing patience even among devoted fans.

Repetitive narrative device of withheld information. At least one reviewer expresses fatigue with Aelin repeatedly keeping her plans secret from both other characters and the reader — a device that felt exciting in earlier books but grows tiresome by this point in the series.

Romantic scene writing style draws mixed reactions. A reviewer specifically critiques some of the more intimate scenes as leaning into overwrought, "cheesy" language, noting a similar pattern in Maas's other series.

Reading The Assassin's Blade may be necessary for full context. Reviewers note meaningful connections to this prequel novella collection, with at least one reviewer calling it essential reading to fully appreciate certain character reunions and callbacks in this book.

What to Know Before You Start

Read Queen of Shadows first, and consider The Assassin's Blade novellas for additional context reviewers say pays off here.

The opening is slower than recent installments. Reviewers consistently note patience is rewarded once the plot picks up around the book's midpoint.

Some romantic content may warrant discussion with younger readers, given the concerns reviewers raise about certain relationship dynamics.

Who This Seems Right For

  • Anyone who finished Queen of Shadows and wants the war to finally take center stage

  • Readers who want Manon's and Elide's arcs to keep deepening

  • Fans who appreciate answers to long-running series mysteries

Amazon link: Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Final Thoughts

Based on strong reviewer consensus, Empire of Storms delivers some of the series' most ambitious worldbuilding and emotionally devastating payoffs yet, even as reviewers raise fair concerns about pacing and certain relationship portrayals. For invested fans, it's widely regarded as a genuine leap forward in scale and stakes heading into the series' final stretch.