Blog #24: Kingdom of Ash

SPOILER WARNINGS

     So mentioned above: this Blog will have some spoilers in it, not a ton, I don’t spoil the entire book. But if you haven’t read Kingdom of Ash before this, definitely read it first.

     The big thing I want to address is Cairn physically torturing Aelin. And then Maeve was torturing her mentally, destroying her mind. She had her confused as to where she was, who she was, and just overall trying to get her to break and spill information. Cairn was ruthless, whipping her, breaking her phone, and burning her through the metal contraption that kept her stuck and unable to move or get away. Such as burning the metal mask so it slowly burned her face. But Aelin never faltered, and kept repeating to herself:

     You Do Not Yield

     You Do Not Yield

     You Do Not Yield.

     If you didn’t love Aelin before, you will now. Her goading at Cairn as he tortured her. Insinuating that he can only get it up by torturing and how no one will ever want to sleep with him without being coerced. 

     I really liked how they showed Aelin being tortured, and how she has PTSD. She has trouble believing she survived, can’t believe someone came for her. I also really liked her mantra, “You Do Not Yield”, it gives her something to hang on to. Part of that PTSD is her struggling with her own fire magic, and using it on people now that she’s free from her torture.

     But Aelin would not be able to escape if it wasn’t for Fenrys breaking his blood bond. He’s able to attack Cairn and get her out, and then follows her to make sure she gets out safely. Thankfully they are far enough away that as he starts to die, that Aelin is able to cut her own arm, and offer it to him as a new blood oath and save him.

     So, I really liked Manon and Dorian together, but I think him leaving her and talking about not being able to trap her in marriage, was very insightful. He know she could never have her sit and bow like a queen, when she was rugged and wanted to fly.

     Honestly, I’m not sure how I feel about this turn of events. And how did Aelin know

how  to try this, it kind of cheapens the bond, since you can just break it with a new bond. 

    About half of the book is dedicated to war and battle. It was a bit much, reading battle after battle after battle. But the battles do get very descriptive, and the use of magic is used a lot. I personally think it could’ve been maybe 300 instead of 600 pages of battle. But that’s just my opinion.

     Now on to some happy moments!

     Yrene and Chaol are not just married, but she is pregnant! It was a bit soon if you ask me, but overall I was glad for them, it gave them some happiness in their future. 

     Elide and Lorcan become a couple. She wants nothing to do with him, but then he gets lost on the battlefield and she goes out looking for him, and drags his ass home. I just love how Elide bosses Lorcan around.

     So overall I loved this book, and I’m glad I got to read it.It took me about a week, but total worth it.

     Signing Off,

     Fenisha Estes