Empire of Storms was definitely action-packed. It really moved the plot along, fast paced basically throughout. There were constant twists and turns and new threats to deal with, so it was hardly a boring read. 
 Since the beginning of this series, the cast of characters has expanded so much, and while I like all the characters, it takes away from the personal story and deeper emotional connection you feel from following one main character. I miss that, but given the magnitude of the plot, it's understandable that more characters need to be introduced - and the plot was amazing. So you sacrifice the tone that was present in the first book, and gain a truly epic and exciting story. Worth it. 
 I thought the tone was very, maybe even overly in some places, dramatic. It can't be 100% intensity all the time, but it was trying to be. 
 For me, the best moments in this book were character interactions, and the different dynamics we get to see when their paths cross. It allows all their personalities to show through, and they are the reason I love these characters so much and why I'm so invested in this story, and what happens to them. 
 Considering that what happens to these characters is the only reason I'm reading this book, here are my spoilery thoughts on what actually went down: 
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 The first thing I noticed was Chaol. Where is he? I feel his absence almost constantly, especially in Dorian's chapters. I miss him so much, and I need him to come back. He was my favourite character, and it doesn't feel complete without him. I still think of him, Dorian and Aelin as the core characters even though they're not anymore. Come back soon Chaol. Thanks 
 I think Manon's character was very intriguing and probably the most interesting of them all. Her development has been so intense and exciting to see unfold (But what is happening with Dorian please you don't need to pair off every single character just let them live) and her new dimension, being a Crochan queen, is pretty cool too. 
 Lysandra is still my favourite now that Chaol has been kicked off of main character status. Also Aedion, and the dynamic between them. ALl their scenes are just nice to read, and I just love them. 
 Elide. Elide . She means so much to me. I knew I was going to like her in Queen of Shadows, but this book she has been everything I was hoping for and more. I really liked her chapters, because the stakes were very personal for her, as well as being important to the story as a whole. Her relationship with Lorcan was interesting as well Not sure how I feel about the romance, but the way she talks back to him and does not care about who he is at all is so good and they have some really funny moments travelling around with the performers. 
 Rowan. I just. I still don't like him. I don't think I ever will, he just came out of nowhere. But he's not as bad as he was. It's funny that Maas felt that he had to be Aelin's mate in order for their relationship to be valid. He acted very weirdly throughout the whole book, like biting Aelin. It's weird. They'll be having a conversation, and he'll stand behind her and 'nip' her ear. That just sounds weird. Stop. Apart from that, I feel like he's just a presence, nothing he did was super memorable to me. Maybe he'll redeem himself in the next book. 
 In terms of the overall plot, I liked the subplot of unravelling the mystery of the Eye of Elena, so that explanation in the mirror, though cheesy, did feel like a big payoff, as I've been waiting on that since Throne of Glass. The way the hints were dropped in throughout was nice as well. Kept me guessing. However there was something repetitive about what happened. Big army approaches, high stakes, Aelin 'explodes into fire' and loses control, someone is injured, battle over. By the end, this chain of events got a bit predictable. Also everything just seemed overly intense and serious, and it didn't leave much room for the humour, which is a better aspect of the series. 
 More specifically plotwise, there are three scenes that stood out for me as great. Celaena's appearance in Skull's Bay was amazing - it felt like we had the fun back - and that scene was just so much more light-hearted. 
 The second scene was Lysandra's fight as a sea dragon. I love her, so it had me one edge constantly. It was intense. 
 The final scene was on the beach with Maeve, Aelin, Elide and Manon. It was just so good; I genuinely had no idea where it was going and it was stressful. 
 Speaking of the ending, the set up for the final installment, with everyone going their separate ways, has me hyped. I think that a lot of Empire of Storms felt transitional: constantly preparing for the war coming, rather than it feeling like the present was as important. It felt like they spent the book getting ready for something that is still yet to happen, and even though a lot of stuff did actually happen, it didn't feel as consequential, because they would then just bring up the even bigger battle yet to come. That said, I'm now expecting the last book to be absolutely incredible with all the set up and all the armies converging. High expectations. 
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 Essentially, I loved the characters and the plot, but I found the style of the writing and scope of the story were just so different from Throne of Glass, and I feel like something has been lost there. 
 That being said, I'm sure the next book is going to be incredible given where Empire of Storms left us.