MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE BOOK: I am not a fan of Chaol, except whenever something makes him sad. Then I crumble and I feel bad for the guy. So I didn't think I would enjoy this. DO I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE ALMOST 700 PAGES- Nah m8. 90% of Nesryns story should have been cut. It was boring. But I enjoyed watching the most Tropey Trope Couple of All Time: Yrene and Chaol.
Also, SJM fans know that SJM kinda gets hooked on sayings and then uses them 10000× in her new instalment. Phrase for ToD was: “piss-poor”. Do American's say that btw– I've only heard my mum and I say it, and we are Aussie.
Here were my updates (see where I go from meh to WOW I FEEL SO ATTACKED THIS BOOK IS IN MY SOUL NOW): (view spoiler)
CHARACTERS/DYNAMICS: Chaol: so much happens to Chaol in this book. IF YOU DON'T WANNA READ THE WHOLE THING: READ THE FIRST FEW CHAPTERS, AND THEN SKIP TO PAGE 450. That's pretty much all you need. Although I'm not quadraplegic, I questioned some of the representation in this novel. Chaol goes through a lot of self-loathing, being in the god-damn chair. AND OF COURSE, (view spoiler) Again, I love these cliches. So I'm cool with it. But if I had ever experienced any form of long-term injury, I think I'd like to pull my hair out and gauge my eyes. So although I can be like WOW AW CUTIES AW SO HAPPY FOR CHAOL… I want anyone who feels like this book and Chaol's character was cheapening your experience of being permanently “disabled”: you are heard. You are understood. You do not deserve to be represented in such a shallow way. Nesryn: What a waste of her character. All that build up… Just to fall flat. It's cool. I'm glad she inspired Chaol to realise what it's like to feel duty-bound to another person, and then having the "paths change:. Chaol's revelation of what Aelin went through in Heir of Fire was astounding, and it's all thanks to Nesryn's ghost of a character haunting Chaol throughout this book. Yrene: I think anybody who hates Aelin and finds her arrogant will enjoy Yrene. She's a perfected, nice, soft version of Aelin. So yay perfect for Chaol. I LOVED HOW HER STORY WAS TIED IN WITH THE NOVELLAS. It made me cry. Also, if Yrene gets hurt in ANY way in the finale book, I WILL BE VERY MAD AND SEND SJM HATE MAIL. I will continue to do so until SJM resurrects the series and makes another book where it's just about Yrene and she's serene and safe and happy. Sartaq: Hey this guy is Nesryn's love interst. He likes rutkins, which a giant ass griffons (basically). That's about it. Hasar: Queen B, which stands for Being a little Bitch. But she's a big ol' lesbian. So that's great. But why, God, why, do all gays have to be evil--- WHY- Kashin: Seriously what was the point of his character. WHAT. Was it to get Chaol to feel jealous, so Chaol can progress and realise his love for Yrene---------
PLOT: Nesryn and Chaol just completely go on different adventures. Nesryn explores her home. Chaol goes on the road to recovery. 500 pass and they have fallen in love with different people. The last 100 pages deal with the Valg. That's abt it.
STRUCTURE: There are two parts to this giant instalment. It also rotates between Nesryn and Chaol's storylines.
THEMES:
- disability!!!
- peace and power
- THIS BOOK IS JUST ONE GIANT INSIGHT INTO CHAOL'S BACKSTORY. THE END.
THE ENDING: All I care about is: (view spoiler)
IMPACT: I won't skip this whenever I reread the series, but I'll skim pages 100–450 easily.