After that shocking revelation at the end of Queen of Shadows, Empire of storms pretty much picks up the story from where book 4 left off. 
 Aelin Galathynius and her court are now on their way to gather their allies and prepare for war. But it isn't going to be easy... Her own people need proof that she is capable of protecting her kingdom while very few are hopeful that Aelin of the Wildfire can take on the Valg and live to tell the tale. From Dorian, the new king of Adarlan to Rolfe, the pirate prince, to Manon, the Blackbeak witch with her own set of secrets - Aelin seems to find both eager and reluctant allies at the oddest places. But the question that remains the center of focus is how can one defeat the Valgs? Will Aelin, with Rowan, Aedion and Dorian in tow, be able to rise up to all the challenges that are thrown her way? 
 Okay, let's talk about Rowalin first to just get it out of the way. I loved the mutual love and respect that they have. I must admit that I did enjoy their platonic relationship more but the romance angle has been building up for quite some time and this was bound to happen. With what Maeve reveals about them, I guess it kind of makes sense that they would end up together in one way or the other. End of the day, their relationship brings a twist to the story that I wasn't expecting, so I guess (whether I like it or not) it is a welcome thing for the plot in the long run. 
 A lot of the history of the world setting is revealed in this book. While that too had been building up over the rest of the books, the ultimate twist is revealed in this one, or at least I think that it is the ultimate twist. Now we do know how the Valgs can be defeated, but the cost may be a bit too much for the ToG fandom to handle. I do hope that Aelin and her court will come up with an alternate solution to what seems to be the only way. I dearly do. We also see a lot more of the Cadre here. Lorcan is still on his mission for Maeve while Gavriel and Fenrys show up too. I think I am starting to love Fenrys and Lorcan! Towards the beginning, I used to like Gavriel. But with more of their characters revealed, these two have my full attention. I have this feeling that Fenrys will turn out to be very helpful to Aelin and her court irrespective of his oath to Maeve. 
 Sarah J. Maas is the queen of cliffhangers! When the book ended, it almost broke my heart knowing that I would have to wait for another year to find out what happened. And I have no idea how I will survive will then! 
 http://www.ddsreviews.in/2016/09/Empi...