Sarah J. Maas

Tower of Dawn

Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq have arrived in the shining city of Antica to forge an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, whose vast armies are Erilea's last hope. But they have also come to Antica for another purpose: to seek healing at the famed Torre Cesme for the wounds Chaol received in Rifthold.

After enduring unspeakable horrors as a child, Yrene Towers has no desire to help the young lord from Adarlan, let alone heal him. Yet she has sworn an oath to assist those in need—and will honor it. But Lord Westfall carries shadows from his own past, and Yrene soon comes to realize they could engulf them both.

In this sweeping parallel novel to the New York Times bestselling Empire of Storms, Chaol, Nesryn, and Yrene will have to draw on every scrap of their resilience if they wish to save their friends. But while they become entangled in the political webs of the khaganate, deep in the shadows of mighty mountains where warriors soar on legendary ruks, long-awaited answers slumber. Answers that might offer their world a chance at survival—or doom them all . . .

A Throne Of Glass Novel

AELIN MY QUEEN. ERILEA LOVES YOU. TERRASEN LOVES YOU. 

khwaiish 

Turns out," Hasar mused, as if it were a passing thought, "there are quite a few people who think highly of her. And who believe in what she's selling. Which is what?" Yrene whispered. Hasar shrugged. "I assume it's what she tried to sell to me, when she wrote me a message weekS ago, asking for my aid. From one princess to another." Chaol took a shuddering breath. *What did Aelin promise you?"" Hasar smiled to herself. *A better world."

Mab and Mora. Holy gods- "And using her powers, she ripped into their minds. Made them believe they had a sister, an eldest sister to rule with them. Three queens for the three kings that might one day come. When they returned to their palace, she tore into the minds of all those who dwelled there, too. And any who came. Planting the thought that a third queen had always evisted alwavs uled If they somehow resisted her power, she found

That’s his queen don’t play with him 

think so. There is no one else that I would trust to handle this war. No one else I would trust to take on all of Morath but Aelin. Even Dorian. If there's some way to win, she'll find it. The costs might be high, but she'll do it." He shook his head. "And it's your birthday. We should obabl talk of nicer things.

I’m finding it very hard to give a shit about nesryn and sartaqs story like….

Isabelle

Yrene said quietly, “The darkness belongs to you. To shape as you will. To give it power or render it harmless.”

“Was it ever the Valg’s to begin with?” His words echoed into nothing.

“Yes. But it is yours to keep now. This place, this final kernel of it.” It would remain in him, a scar and a reminder. “Will it grow again?”

“Only if you let it. Only if you do not fill it with better things. Only if you do not forgive.” He knew she didn’t just mean others. “But if you are kind to yourself, if you—if you love yourself …” Yrene’s mouth trembled. “If you love yourself as much as I love you …”

Something began to pound in his chest. A drumbeat that had gone silent down here.

Yrene held a hand toward him, her iridescence rippling into the darkness.

Karen

Ch22 I can feel the tension building up between Irene and Chaol 👀

Not Irene treating Kashin like a “where my hug at” lol

Reagan

He wished he'd been able to walk. So she could see him crawl toward her.

A man used to being obeyed, yes, but a man also inclined to care for others. Look after them. Driven to do it by a compulsion he couldn't leash, couldn't train out of him. Couldn't have broken out of him.

In the next installment of the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series, follow Chaol on his sweeping journey to a distant empire. Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken. His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica--the stronghold of the southern continent's mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them. But what they discover in Antica will change them both--and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined.

Paige Leitner

“But while he did not guess correctly about our queen’s origins, he still knew that his fire … She greatly feared his fire. As all true Valg do.” Nesryn tucked away that kernel.

He fiddled with the cane beside him, running his hands over the smooth wood. “She knew it, too, I think. Long before I did. But she still … She left, at one point. It’s a long story, but she went off to Wendlyn alone. And that was where she met Prince Rowan. And out of respect to me, because we had not truly ended it, she waited. For him. They both did. And when she came back to Rifthold, it ended. Between us, I mean. Officially. Badly. I handled it badly, and she did, too, and it just … We made our peace, before we parted ways months ago. And they left together. As it should be. They are … If you ever meet them, you’ll get it. Like Hasar, she isn’t an easy person to be with, to understand. Aelin frightens everyone.” He snorted. “But not him. I think that’s why she fell in love with him, against her best intentions. Rowan beheld all Aelin was and is, and he was not afraid.”

Inés García Piñeiro

Sí, era un hombre acostumbrado a que le obedecieran, pero también un hombre que tendía a ser quien cuidaba de los demás; quien protegía. 

Haley Paluszak

He was Lord of Nothing, Lord of Oath-Breakers. Lord of Liars.

alexys <3

He peered over Yrene's shoulder, down to their interlaced fingers. To the twin rings now gracing both of their hands.

she fell in love with him, against her best intentions. Rowan beheld all Aelin was and is, and he was not afraid."

The witch was tricking him into walking. Coaxing him to move. To follow.

She paused, meeting his state, not a trace of that hurt in them, as if to say, it took you long enough to figure it out. A little smile bloomed on her mouth.

Fantasy. Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed. Now he and Nesryn sail for Antica. It's Chaol's one shot at recovery, and with war looming back home, Dorian and Aelin's survival could depend on Chaol and Nesryn convincing Antica's rulers to ally with them. But what they discover there will change them both

Ellie 

“He had fallen apart. Had let himself lose sight of it.

And he had found some glimmer of peace in Rifthold, even after the injury, and yet.

It was like applying a patch over a knife wound to the gut.

He had not healed. Unmoored and raging, he had not wanted to heal.

Not really. His body, yes, but even that . ..

Some part of him had whispered it was deserved.

And the soul-wound ... He had been content to let it fester.

The darkness swarmed, a wind stirring it.

He could stay here forever. In the ageless dark.

He could remain, and rage and hate and curl into nothing but shadow.

But Dorian remained before him, still smiling faintly. Waiting.

He had made one promise. He had not broken it yet.

Even here at the bottom of this dark hell, he still had that.

And the road that he had traveled so far . .. No, he would not look back.

What if we go on, only to more pain and despair?”

Aelin had smiled at his question, posed on that rooftop in Rifthold.

As if she had understood, long before he did, that he would find this pit.

"But stories... I have always loved stories--of these lands especially. Wind-seeker, my mother called me, because I was always drifting where the wind tugged me, always dreaming of those stories. And here ... here the wind has taken me. So I would hear one last tale, if you allow it. Before I meet my end."

“"I know I am not an easy person to care for, or an easy friend to have," she said, her dark eyes meeting Yrene's at last. "But you have never once made me feel that way"”

“Yrene was smiling, and then she was laughing, as if she could not contain it inside her.

Chaol thought it was the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard.

And that this moment, flying together over the sands, devouring the desert wind, her hair a golden-brown banner behind her.

Chaol felt, perhaps for the first time, as if he was awake.

And he was grateful, right down to his very bones, for it.”

"I have learned that true wealth is not all glittering gold and jewels."

“Wind-seeker, her mother had once called her. Unable to keep still, always wandering where the wind calls you. Where shall it beckon you to journey one day, my rose?“

Chase Leitner

"Yrene had never known her father, never learned anything about who he was other than a traveler who had stopped at her mother's cottage for the night, seeking shelter from a wild storm that swept over the grassy plain."

It would remain in him, a scar and a reminder. "Will it grow again?" "Only if you let it. Only if you do not fill it with better things. Only if you do not forgive." He knew she didn't just mean others. "But if you are kind to yourself, if you -- if you love yourself..." Yrene's mouth trembled. "If you love yourself as much as I love you..."

Michele

"Yrene had never known her father, never learned anything about who he was other than a traveler who had stopped at her mother's cottage for the night, seeking shelter from a wild storm that swept over the grassy plain."

It would remain in him, a scar and a reminder. "Will it grow again?" "Only if you let it. Only if you do not fill it with better things. Only if you do not forgive." He knew she didn't just mean others. "But if you are kind to yourself, if you -- if you love yourself..." Yrene's mouth trembled. "If you love yourself as much as I love you..."

Janice Walker

It’s good but not at all like the other books in the series. Had a wonderful ending and had some wonderful character development for all involved

Madeleine Rose

i strongly believe chaol is in love with dorian, but him and yrene work too i guess. 

neele

You would be surprised by how closely the healing of physical wounds is tied to the healing of emotional ones. 

I feel like I’ve been possessed by the Throne of Glass series—I can’t stop until I finish every last book. And even then, I’ll probably be left yearning for more. Out of all the books so far, this one might just be my favorite, mainly because I finally got to meet Yrene Towers—the girl once saved by an assassin and now grown into a powerful healer.

I still have mixed feelings about Chaol Westfall. Much like Feyre from the ACOTAR series, he often strikes me as emotionally fragile, someone who needs to lean on a stronger figure just to keep from breaking. Sorry, Chaol. I do love Nesryn and Yrene though—such compelling characters, both in strength and in heart.The setting in this book, particularly the Khagan’s empire, felt like an overly blended mix of real-world cultures—Ottoman Empire, Egypt, Morocco, and even echoes of the early Turkish Khaganates, like those of Bilge Khagan—from whom, interestingly, one of my own names hails. But instead of adding richness and depth, the mix sometimes came off as a confusing mash-up. It lacked the clarity and cohesion I was hoping for. Antica, where Nesryn’s family comes from and where the legendary healers are trained, had so much potential, but the worldbuilding felt more like a patchwork of loosely borrowed elements than a fully realized, original culture. Although I was very enjoyed to be there, I also kept getting pulled out by how forced or surface-level the cultural inspirations felt.

One of my favorite takeaways from this book is the reminder that small kindnesses can echo in powerful ways. There’s a Turkish proverb that came to mind while reading: “Do good and throw it into the sea. If the fish don’t know, God will.” That spirit is beautifully reflected in Yrene's journey.

It was also satisfying to witness the personal growth of both Nesryn and Chaol, especially as their paths and purposes evolve. This installment reveals secrets and insights that cast new light on everything that’s come before—and brings a spark of hope to what’s otherwise felt like an impossible war looming over Aelin and her allies.That said, something continues to bug me about the SJM universe—why does every character need to find a romantic pairing to be whole? Can’t someone just be their own person without needing to be bound to a partner or to Aelin’s ever-expanding crew?

Bilge Ince

You would be surprised by how closely the healing of physical wounds is tied to the healing of emotional ones. 

I feel like I’ve been possessed by the Throne of Glass series—I can’t stop until I finish every last book. And even then, I’ll probably be left yearning for more. Out of all the books so far, this one might just be my favorite, mainly because I finally got to meet Yrene Towers—the girl once saved by an assassin and now grown into a powerful healer.

I still have mixed feelings about Chaol Westfall. Much like Feyre from the ACOTAR series, he often strikes me as emotionally fragile, someone who needs to lean on a stronger figure just to keep from breaking. Sorry, Chaol. I do love Nesryn and Yrene though—such compelling characters, both in strength and in heart.The setting in this book, particularly the Khagan’s empire, felt like an overly blended mix of real-world cultures—Ottoman Empire, Egypt, Morocco, and even echoes of the early Turkish Khaganates, like those of Bilge Khagan—from whom, interestingly, one of my own names hails. But instead of adding richness and depth, the mix sometimes came off as a confusing mash-up. It lacked the clarity and cohesion I was hoping for. Antica, where Nesryn’s family comes from and where the legendary healers are trained, had so much potential, but the worldbuilding felt more like a patchwork of loosely borrowed elements than a fully realized, original culture. Although I was very enjoyed to be there, I also kept getting pulled out by how forced or surface-level the cultural inspirations felt.

One of my favorite takeaways from this book is the reminder that small kindnesses can echo in powerful ways. There’s a Turkish proverb that came to mind while reading: “Do good and throw it into the sea. If the fish don’t know, God will.” That spirit is beautifully reflected in Yrene's journey.

It was also satisfying to witness the personal growth of both Nesryn and Chaol, especially as their paths and purposes evolve. This installment reveals secrets and insights that cast new light on everything that’s come before—and brings a spark of hope to what’s otherwise felt like an impossible war looming over Aelin and her allies.That said, something continues to bug me about the SJM universe—why does every character need to find a romantic pairing to be whole? Can’t someone just be their own person without needing to be bound to a partner or to Aelin’s ever-expanding crew?

Such a happy surprise how much I loved this book xxx

Nicole Mills

Tower of Dawn took me a while to get into, mostly because I'd just finished Empire of Storms and I really wanted to continue reading from that point in time, but once I really got into it, this book was wonderful. 

Chaol's emotional and physical journey was really lovely to read, and discovering a whole different side of the ToG world was very interesting. Once again, SJM's writing was perfect, with lots of tension, new love and adventure, and made me never want to put the book down. 

After the first couple of chapters, which were very slow-paced and without much action, I sometimes wished I'd done the tandem read, but now that I finished the book I'm glad I didn't. I think both Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn are such good novels on their own, that you don't need one to support the other. I also think that for me personally it would have been too distracting to switch from one storyline to the other. Perhaps I'll try the tandem read if I ever reread the series, but for now I'm happy with my decision. 

Tower of Dawn took me a while to get into, mostly because I'd just finished Empire of Storms and I really wanted to continue reading from that point in time, but once I really got into it, this book was wonderful. 

Chaol's emotional and physical journey was really lovely to read, and discovering a whole different side of the ToG world was very interesting. Once again, SJM's writing was perfect, with lots of tension, new love and adventure, and made me never want to put the book down. 

After the first couple of chapters, which were very slow-paced and without much action, I sometimes wished I'd done the tandem read, but now that I finished the book I'm glad I didn't. I think both Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn are such good novels on their own, that you don't need one to support the other. I also think that for me personally it would have been too distracting to switch from one storyline to the other. Perhaps I'll try the tandem read if I ever reread the series, but for now I'm happy with my decision. 

Now on to Kingdom of Ash... 

rain

This one started out so slow to me, but I ended up loving it. I do think it could’ve been A LOT shorter. 

Jillian Roberts

This one started out so slow to me, but I ended up loving it. I do think it could’ve been A LOT shorter. 

KOA…here I come!! (I’m not ready)



julie reads

as a chaol girl, this book meant the world to me. he’s done so much growth and he’s so kind, my boy forever. i can’t wait for my core  to be together again

CLAUDIA VALDES

To those who said this book was boring……. whaaaaat???!!! This was anything but. I absolutely loved it. Totally advise doing it as the tandem read. And now to the finale……….

Aims

millena

4,5 ⭐️ the only flaw in this book was the number of nesryn’s chapters, otherwise i loved it!!!

A glorious empire. A desperate quest. An ancient secret. The search for allies extends to a new land in the sixth book of the #1 bestselling Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq have arrived in the shining city of Antica to forge an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, whose vast armies are Erilea's last hope. But they have also come to Antica for another purpose: to seek healing at the famed Torre Cesme for the wounds Chaol received in Rifthold. After enduring unspeakable horrors as a child at the hands of Adarlanian soldiers, Yrene Towers has no desire to help the young lord from Adarlan, let alone heal him. Yet she has sworn an oath to assist those in need, and she will honor it. But Lord Westfall carries his own dark past, and Yrene soon realizes that those shadows could engulf them both. Chaol, Nesryn, and Yrene will have to draw on every scrap of their resilience to overcome the danger that surrounds them. But while they become entangled in the political webs of the khaganate, long-awaited answers slumber deep in the mountains, where warriors soar on legendary ruks. Answers that might offer their world a chance at survival . . . or doom them all. The final battle looms in this sixth book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series.

Jennifer Gosnell

I went in with very low expectations and I would say they were surpassed!! Wasn’t sure that I needed a book this long about Chaol and Nesryn (still not sure it needed to be this long, tbh) but it was actually a really cool, interesting world in Antica. I would say Yrene was 100% the highlight of the book for me. Really enjoyed the Torre storylines and learnings. RELIEVED I didn’t do a tandem read for the first reading of this book + Empire of Storms. Too much going on with those two books to do that for first reading, in my opinion. Pumped to be jumping into Kingdom of Ash now!!

Okay, so this is going to be a slightly unpopular opinion but I think this book was really really good and not just one I could ignore from lack of enjoyment. So I think the obvious reason is that I don’t hate Chaol as much as a lot of other people do and dreaded this book because of it. I think having this book was an emotional journey of love and healing. And seeing the full circle of moments and how they will all combine into the last book is one I’m looking forward to. I will say as well that I read the tandem because I was recommended to. But I think for me personally I would have been okay reading both books part of the tandem individually and would have still enjoyed the books. Let me explain. I’m a really anxious person, so while I was reading the books I was so stressed making sure I was paying attention and correctly switching between the books that I could have loved them even more than I do. I even messed up at one point and had to literally stop and work through if I messed up the whole thing but knew I was ridculous for thinking that. But that is just how my brain works so for me I needed to do them separate and since I really liked Tower of Dawn as being one of the best books in the series I feel validated with myself for thinking it too. 

Priscilla Stanfield

Maya 

Fireheart :( 

I don’t think I’m ready for Kingdom of Ash…

If there’s one thing SJM is gonna do is write a book about everyone’s least favorite character and make me fall in love.

Danielle Blandina

While I loved getting to know all these new characters and the story is phenomenal… I actually miss the people from the main story!! I can’t wait for the next book!

Jennifer Palmer

Hanna Rybchynska

'Tower of Dawn' was really good! Why? Because it's all about Chaol, baby! He's been one of my absolute favorites since book 1, so getting to hang out with him throughout this whole adventure was perfect! He's like the ultimate underdog, and watching him grow and kick butt in this book was beyond rewarding. Plus, the new characters we meet along the way? Total gems. They added so much depth and flavor to the story, I couldn't get enough of them!

Z♡ 

3.5★
i read this in tandem with Empire of Storms. 

okay, i’ve always had a soft spot for Chaol, so i was happy to read a book about him and his own adventure, and how he overcame his own struggles and new injury. [SPOILERS] → 
.
.
.
i’m so happy Chaol found his happy ending! i love him and Yrene. i think they compliment each other so well, with him being a bit rash and her calm nature. the Nesryn and Sartaq chapters bored me a little. but overall it was a fun read, now i can’t wait to see how they get back to Rowan and the rest of the crew!

i LOVE this series, but there is not a character or event in this whole book that can make up for how much i hate chaol. every time i do this tandem read i wonder why i go through this book again. knowing his inner dialogue is taking up valuable brain space. 

Alli Harper 📚⚖️🍸

aleksandra

dnf 35%

second read: dnf 15%

I decided a long time ago that life’s too short to read books you are not interested in, so I decided to read a summary of each chapter in this book. I know there’s a lot of people who like Chaol, even love him, but I just never really care about his character. Pretty sad, but true. 

I read this series over a year ago and this book was the reason I stopped. I couldn't imagine reading a seven-hundred-page book about Chaol. I know it wasn't just his point of view, but even that didn't convince me to do it. 

If Sarah had chosen to write this about Manon, I would have read it for sure. Even reread it. Many times. I love reading about powerful women. 

I don't know the person who wrote this summary, but bless him/her or whatever pronouns you have. I hope both sides of your pillow are always cold.


  Throne of Glass series

1.1. The Assassin’s Blade 3.5 stars
1. Throne of Glass 3 stars
2. Crown of Midnight 4.5 stars
3. Heir of Fire 5 stars
4. Queen of Shadows 5 stars
3. Heir of Fire 5 stars
4. Empire of Storms 5 stars
3. Towet of Dawn dnf, read the summary
4. Kingdom of Ash tbr

Sidney Schaffner

Wow. I put off this book for so long because I was not a fan of Chaol. This book changed my mind. Again and again Sarah J. Mass keeps surprising me with how things mentioned BOOKS before come into play later. Even the smallest detail comes into play later. This was a great story that honestly made me cry.

Tower of Dawn

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