** I think reading the Assassins Blade before Empire of Storms will make your reading experience so much better. I'd recommend doing that first. ** 
 "The world will be saved and remade by the dreamers." 
 Also, please note that my feelings are still all over the place because I just finished it last night. As time goes by, i'm sure i'll come back and edit or add anything I feel necessary. 
 I've been waiting for this book to release since I finished Queen of Shadows the day after it released. I've grown to love this series over the years despite the small issues I have with it. I've heard some spoilers that were quite disappointing but of course, i'm going to read this book anyway. I was never a big Rowan fan but I grew to like him in this book. I'm glad to say I wasn't one of those people on social media acting childish because they didn't like the end game or decisions Sarah J. Maas decided to make in this book. You're entitled to your own opinion, but for the love of Gods, please share it mannerly. Besides that, it took me about 4 days to get through this book but I loved every single bit of it for several different reasons. 
 Empire of Storms was definitely more well put together than the last four. Being the second to last book, it provides so much back story and foreshadowing for book 5. Her master plan for the series is finally coming together, including several old and new characters. There were several things that finally tied together in this book i.e. the Elena's eye, the witch clan, Aedion's father, etc. It was so interesting and satisfying to get more information regarding the story. As I said earlier, a lot of the old characters do make more appearances, friends and foes. Empire of Storms shares several POVs such as Elide, Manon, Lorcan, Aelin, Dorian, etc. Sarah J. Maas has a knack for writing so many lively characters. I think that's one of the greatest elements about this book - the character interaction. 
 I wasn't too obsessed with the witch clan chapters in the recent books. But, I found those to be some of my favorites in this book. It even starts off with Elide's POV, which ended up being my favorite all together. I feel like the witches' characters grow incredibly between this book and the others, along with Manon and her thirteen. We get to experience what happened to Elide when she was imprisoned with Vernon, as well as Manon's family history. Not only that, but Elide and Lorcan grow this wonderful relationship throughout the novel so, these became my favorite chapters. Weirdly enough, I don't quite remember Lorcan from the older books because I haven't read them in so long. But, so many people hated him before but now, I love him. His ultimate care for Elide and his sudden need to take care of her was ADORABLE. Throughout the entire novel, Lorcan was there for her and I was living. 
 Lorcan wasn't the only fae brought back from the earlier books. Gavriel and Fenrys were also a part of Aelin's court despite being sworn to Maeve. Fae play a huge part in this book, especially because they make Aelin's court 10x stronger. I loved seeing Rowan get to interact with the people from his past, before he had fallen in love with Aelin. I think it showed a better side to him and that's why he seemed a bit different in this book. It wasn't a bad different, I actually grew to like Rowan a lot more. The last chapter absolutely broke my heart. I'm pretty sure Rowan is end game and within this novel, Rowan and Aelin's relationship becomes a lot stronger and definitely more supportive. If you haven't heard, (view spoiler)[ I had so many predictions about this novel i.e. the marriage, Ansel (this one made me so excited) and Rolfe. I felt the marriage one coming though. (hide spoiler)] 
 Girl power is half the reason I picked up Throne of Glass in the first place. Throughout Celaena (Aelin), Nehemia, Elena, Manon, Lysandra, Elide, Asterin... I was so proud to see Lysandra and Aelin have such a close friendship. I need a friendship like theirs honestly. Lysandra played a huge part in Empire of Storms, especially with her shapeshifting abilities. One of my favorite scenes is when they're on Skulls Bay and she shapeshifts into Aelin. I wasn't expecting that one, to be honest. Not only did Lysandra play a big part, but one of my otps came to life! Aedion and Lysandra have such a slow-going, precious relationship throughout this book. Aedion, especially, shows so much compassion despite the stress that's put on him in this book. His personal input on Lysandra made me swoon. I'm so glad I have the url Lysaedion on tumblr. I believed in this ship so long ago! 
 As for the original three, I'm really disappointed about not seeing Chaol in the regular editions. He is hands down one of my favorite characters, despite the awkward character development in the recent books. I was devastated at the end of Queen of Shadows and I had a feeling he wouldn't show up in this book. He and Nesyrn are gone up North during this war but nonetheless, Chaol is still mentioned. Dorian obviously misses Chaol so he comes up in his thoughts every now and then. I feel like Chaol and Nesryn are going to play a huge part in book five, though. Near the end of the book, it's stated about Chaol bringing allies from up North and leading a group of people to help Aelin's Court. So, he better have a POV in the next book. I'll be waiting. 
 Dorian Havilliard has gone through so much in this series. I wonder why Sarah J. Maas does this to him, honestly. In Throne of Glass, he had to be the most pure character and prince I've ever experienced. But, as you might know, Queen of Shadows was literal hell for him. A lot of people have been complaining about his character development and how he's changed significantly, but there's obviously a reason for that. Dorian brought up Sorscha numerous times in this book. It made me so happy to see that Sarah J. Maas didn't forget about her. It would ruin anyone to see a person you love be killed by your own father. Speaking of, Dorian feels so ashamed about leaving his people and how his father was towards them. He is probably one of the most emotional characters in this book and it made my heart hurt. I think everything that has happened to Dorian is going to make him an extremely strong character in the last book. He's totally going to get his shit together. Especially if Chaol is able to be at his side in the last book. 
 As for Aelin, my Gods. She has much going on whether it's her relationship with Rowan or her attempting to get allies. I feel like you're finally able to see how all this fighting is finally getting to her but that doesn't stop the kick-ass. I mean, she's sassier than ever in this book. I loved seeing her with Ansel, Manon, and Rolfe. I'm glad her relationship with Manon is going to play a big part in the next book. Aelin does so much for her people and I'm overjoyed that it's being shown within her actions now. Near the end of the book, her decision makes complete sense. It was an excellent ending to this book, leading up to the next one. She's still sneaky because half this book, she's doing things behind their backs in order to go by her plans. She's obviously figuring out her magic and her background from Elena in this book and it's executed really well. 
 She's an overall badass and you see deeper into her character and how much she's willing to sacrifice for her people. Long live Aelin Ashryver, people. 
 SMALL PREDICTIONS I HAD THAT CAME TRUE 
 (view spoiler)[ - Rolfe and Skull's Bay. When I read that Dorian and Rowan were being sent over there, I squealed. Celaena's last interaction with Rolfe lead them to be on pretty bad terms. The entire scene when Celaena is trying to get him to become an ally was hilarious. Definitely one of my favorites. 
 - The marriage. How did anyone not see this coming? Especially in the beginning of the novel when they basically tell Aelin she's no where near being a queen. I'm happy that this happened though. Rowan and Aelin are definitely meant to be together, to whatever end. 
 - ANSEL! This was one of my biggest hopes for this book. When Sarah J. Maas said that people from Assassin's Blade were going to be introduced once again, I knew Ansel was going to be one of them. But, it took awhile for Ansel to show up. But, oh my Gods! Her entrance was absolutely wonderful. 
 "Hello, bitch," I loved the Assassin in the Desert. She was one of my favorites and I was heart broken when she betrayed Celaena. The scene in Empire of Storms when she told Aelin how she knew she'd given her an extra minute. *fangirling* I can't wait to see them interact again and get closer as time goes by in the next novel. 
 - Chaol playing a bigger part in book five. It was mentioned as least three times? I think? Anyways, I miss him. I cannot wait to see him again, though. I hope his allies are badass. Captain of the Guard deserves his life back. (hide spoiler)] 
 Overall, Empire of Storms was wrapped up perfectly. As some may of found the ending sad, I felt like I was back reading Throne of Glass (probably because of Elena's appearance.) I feel like Aelin is more Celaena than ever in this book, as well. I love each and every character so much now and I can't wait to see them again. Sarah J. Maas did an excellent job executing this plot in order for it to build up and leave you waiting for the next book. This world feels so ultimately real now despite it being fantasy. To be able to read this book and understand each and every reference was so amusing. This series is so close to home for me and I'm glad this didn't drag like I thought it would. I feel closer to these characters more than ever after reading this book, too. To whatever end, Throne of Glass! 
 "Aelin Galathynius had raised an army not just to challenge Morath, but to rattle the stars." 
 view this review on my Tumblr as well!