Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas REVIEW

Throne of Glass series: Book Five

Summary:

The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius as war looms on the horizon. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't.

With her heart sworn to the warrior-prince by her side, and her fealty pledged to the people she is determined to save, Aelin will delve into the depths of her power to protect those she loves. But as monsters emerge from the horrors of the past, and dark forces become poised to claim her world, the only chance for salvation will lie in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

My Thoughts:

It's been a while since I've read Aelin/the assassin's story, so my memories of the previous battles/conflicts are small. However, I was able to remember the things I needed in order to be able to actually read this book without going back and rereading the previous books.

This book, as I anticipated, was very well written. Aelin must save her people, but by doing that she also ends up saving her world. She tries to recruit old friends(?) to help who were in her debt. Those who were once trying to kill her end up helping her, but (spoiler) she realizes that to save her people/the world she must sacrifice herself (there's nothing else she can do). At the end she is beaten and taken by an enemy who isn't her REAL enemy, but her companions strive to rescue her/finish what she needed done. Then it ends. Right there. With the most annoying cliffhanger.

Another annoying thing was the inappropriate-ness. But the rest of the book was great. And I'll try to wait for the next book, although it'll kill me.

My Rating: 4 stars

To the Farthest Shores by Elizabeth Camden REVIEW

Summary:

The unpredictability of her upbringing prepared army nurse Jenny Bennett to face any challenge at the Presido Army base, but the sudden reappearance in her life of the dashing naval officer who broke her heart six years ago is enough to rattle even her.

Lieutenant Ryan Gallagher is one of the few men in the world qualified to carry out a daring government mission overseas--an assignment that destroyed his reputation and broke the heart of the only woman he ever loved. Honor- bound never to reveal where he was during those years, he can't tell Jenny the truth, or it will endanger an ongoing mission and put thousands of lives at risk.

Ryan thinks he may have finally found a solution to his impossible situation, but he needs Jenny's help. While her loyalty to her country compels her to agree, she was too badly hurt to fall for Ryan again despite his determination to win her back. When an unknown threat from Ryan's past puts everything at risk--including his life--can they overcome the seemingly insurmountable odds stacked against them in time?

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book a lot more than the other book I read by Elizabeth Camden.

I feel really bad for Jenny, Ryan broke her heart in a very short letter--not even in person. Not to mention that before he did that, he married or at least fell in love with, someone else. I feel especially bad for her since he promised to marry her when he came back from his assignment (that he was leaving for). Plus, he knew her well enough to know she probably wouldn't trust him again, since when she grew up, she had horrible experiences with people. I honestly wish that she didn't go back with him at the end, because I certainly wouldn't if I was her. Not to mention the fact that he's lied to her face many times, despite knowing that it wouldn't help him get her back. The book was kind of an emotional rollarcoaster, but it was also really good.

My Rating: 4 stars

**I received this book from Bethany House Publishers for free to review. Thank you!**