Empire of Storms

If you aren't already reading this series, this will mean nothing to you. All I can say is go to the beginning and read Assassin's Blade and you begin the adventure of your reading life. I cannot tell you how fast you will fall in love with these characters. I cannot tell you how your heart will ache at the end of each book. What I can say about Sarah Maas's book is that they are wholly addicting. They revolve around Aelin/ Celaena. (Stop reading if you haven't read this series) She is the lost Queen of Terranes. She is surrounded by her court. Rowan- Fae Prince, Aedion, her cousin, Dorian,her dearest friend, Lysandra, the shape shifter, Manon the witch. They, who should be foes, must team up to defeat the ancient evil Erawen and the Fae Queen Maeve. They are undermanned, undersupplied and even though they have massive powers, they may not have enough to lock Erawen away. But Aelin has many tricks up her Fireheart sleeves. She will do anything to save her people as well as her family of friends. The cost, however, will be more that this reader can bear. I could tell you all the horrible things that happen. I could tell you that this is a love story at it's core. I could tell you that it won't stay with you after the last page. But that my friends, is not true. I love the world that exists in these stories. I love the characters that she has created. I am terrified how this will all end- can they all survive the war they are in? The odds are not favorable. Until then, if you read this series, you know what I am talking about, if you aren't you should have already stopped reading. Either way, what a ride! Happy reading my friends!

A Torch Against the Night

The first book in this series became one of my favorites last summer. This sequel doesn't disappoint. Laia, Elias, Helene, Izzy, Keris, Keenan and a new cast of characters pick up where we left off. Elias and Laia on the run to save her brother Darin who is wasting away in Kauf prison. Helene on the hunt as Blood Shrike on a mission to kill her best friend at the behest of the new Emperor. No one is safe, everyone is in peril. Not all survive.  This is a society where no one can be trusted and sacrifices are the way of life. Keris, Elias's evil mother is on a  mission to kill all Scholars, which include Laia. She is determined to end Darin as he has the secret to making the kind of steel that can help kill the Masks, of which Elias was formerly a part of. Keris has a diabolical plan that will crush Laia and her son. But all is not lost. Helene is halfheartedly searching for Elias to protect her family. When it comes down to it, will she be able to capture him to save her family? Will Elias be able to defy fate and make a deal for his life? Will Laia be able to choose who she loves without breaking the heart of the other? Can Darin stay alive until help arrives? This is a fast paced story told from three points of view. I love all the characters and hate that we lose some of them in this sequel. If you love Sarah Maas's books, you will love this series that starts with An Ember in the Ashes. I couldn't put it down, except when I had to grade an ever growing pile of papers. I look forward to the next as I jump into Empire of Storms, which I am told will destroy me. Don't know if I'm ready for that, but I miss Rowan, Celaena and the gang so I guess I'll take my chances. Happy reading my friends!