#tog koa commentary

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SPOILERS - Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass book 7)

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It took a lot longer for me to process everything that happened in this book than I thought it would and then Christmas happened so here are some of my final commentary/thoughts on this book.

Aedion talking to Evangeline and Lysandra 💔

Manon showing up with the Thirteen and the Crochans, I felt like I was watching the scene from LOTR when they’re at Helms Deep and the Elves show up, and I’m not mad about it. That’s one of my favorite things. ❤️❤️❤️

😭😭😭😭😭 It was sad enough when I thought Abraxos was going to die, but then the Thirteen went and sacrificed themselves. My heart is broken for Manon. But it does sound like the wastes are coming alive again. So suffering, but we’re happy about it?

Okay now that my emotions have settled after that rollercoaster of Lock forging. I was hoping the same thing Rowan was. That if Aelin and Dorian did it together it would only take half their magic, but of course there’s a loop hole kind of. She lied to Rowan 🥺 but she did it. With a little help from Mala of course, but had she not asked about Elena that may not have happened. I think it’s sad that her power is basically gone now though. She’s permanently Fae which isn’t a bad thing. How are they going to destroy all the valg without her fire though? Not to mention Erawan and Maeve? I feel like we took one step forward and two steps back.

Evangeline and Darrow were adorable, and that he gave Aedion back the sword and reconciled with Lysandra AND asking Evangeline to be his heir ❤️❤️❤️

THIS IS SO INTENSE!!!!

NOOOOO!!! GAVRIEL!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

I had to put down the book after that and I wasn’t entirely sure I was going to be able to pick it back up.

Aelin spilling all of Maeves secrets and plans to Erawan was hilarious!

THEY DID IT!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳 THAT WAS SO INTENSE!!! 

I love that Fenrys got to stab Maeve, and that Aelin told her to go to hell.

I don’t know what the right word to describe it is, but the fact that Aelin doesn’t set foot inside the city, her home, until the final battle is over, just...I don’t know how to describe it. It just gets to me, like it fits, it’s right. And that conversation between her and Darrow when she reaches him. That Aelin told Evangeline to win her back her throne and she kind of did. It was all very well thought out.

Aelin and Aedion’s reunion 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️

Aelin giving Gabriel the blood oath even in death 😭😭💔💔

Lorcan and Elides conversation, and Lorcan saying he’ll bind his life to hers so neither will have to live without the other!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I love that Aelin keeps her word to Aedion and she gives him the blood oath in front of everyone at her coronation just like he wanted 🤣 and the Little Folk give her Mabs crown again. Which fits perfectly with her other crown. ❤️

Everyone gets to go home, including the witches who received proof the lands are no longer dying. Lorcan and Elide get married. Aedion and Lysandra engaged, and Yrene promises to return when Aelin is pregnant ❤️

And of course one thing I’ve been waiting to see since it was first mentioned. Aelin looks out her balcony one morning to see everything covered in blooming Kingsflame. All her hard work and everything they’ve all been through, she gets confirmation that the better world she was working toward is theirs.

This book, this whole series was just amazing. I can’t believe it took me so long to read it. Now all I want is to read it again, but it’s so long and I have other books I want to read as well. Including A Court of Thorns and Roses and Crescent City. I don’t know how anything can compare to Throne of Glass though. I’m almost afraid to read anything else. Although my TBR list has exploded recently, thanks booktok. Now that I’ve semi recovered from Throne of Glass I guess it’s time to start ACOTAR. Crossing my fingers it’s as good as people have said.

[talkfantasytome]

Hi!! I love your writing ❤️

I was wondering if you’d be willing to write a Lysaedion fic?

Prompts:

“I’ve never been… not alone”

“I wish we didn’t have to keep this a secret”

Thank you so much!

Okay, this was tricky for me! I haven't really written them yet. I love them, I cannot express to you the emotions I was dealing with because of them throughout QoS, EoS, and KoA. My friends had to deal with a loooooot of commentary from me, and a steady fear Aedion wouldn't make it through the books. (Like, seriously, he fucking told her he was going to marry her - stated it out right - what was I supposed to think? The author would actually let that happen?!)

Anyway, that being said, sometimes I just feel like we didn't get enough of them for me to feel like I can really portray them right together. It's probably just an excuse to avoid writing them, out of fear, but yeah. Hurdle I had to jump.

Other hurdle: I mayyyyy have read that first prompt wrong. And then mayyyyy have had to delete about 400 words and start over again because of it. 😂

But I did it!

TW: Brief mention of an unhealthy, emotionally abusive/controlling parental-ish relationship.

Word Count: 717 | Read on AO3 | ToG Masterlist

Other warning: The order is fluff then angst, right? 👀

The couple collapsed on the bed, panting heavily, their bodies glistening as they lay on their backs.

Aedion's lips were curved upward in a tiny smile, as they had been since the first kiss that night. He turned his head to look at her, taking in every line of her profile.

She was staring up at the ceiling, her pink lips parted slightly, her eyes wide. Her cheeks were flushed against her porcelain skin and her dark brown hair was ruffled and spread out against the pillow.

Lysandra was breathtaking, as always. Even more beautiful now, after a year of flirting and suggestive conversations. A year of him telling her he loved her every way he could, except with words. A year of him waiting until she was finally ready to give him a chance.

He never thought he'd see anything more exquisite than seeing Lysandra for the first time.

It wasn't the first time Aedion was wrong. It wouldn't be the last.

She looked over at him, her bright green eyes meeting his, full of wonder and awe. He reached his arm over the bed, sliding it beneath her back and pulling her tight to him.

Lysandra's brow furrowed slightly. "Are you staying?"

The question cut through the haze of pleasure he'd been wrapped in, chilling his very bones.

"I-I," he started, stuttering slightly. "I was going to…unless you don't want me to?"

"No!" she practically shrieked, suddenly pushing herself completely against his body. "I…I do…" She wrapped an arm around his waist, nestling her head into the crook of his shoulder, but Aedion could sense something was wrong.

Especially when he suddenly felt a wetness against his skin where Lysandra lay.

"Hey," he said softly, brushing his fingers against her back in gentle circles. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she muttered into his chest.

Bringing his other hand up, he cupped her chin and lifted her face to look at him. "Talk to me."

It wasn't the first time she'd clamed up around him. It had taken a lot to get her to be comfortable enough to really let him see her, as if she thought doing so would scare him away.

Turns out Lysandra could be wrong too, at times. Everything he learned only ever made him love her more.

"It's just," she started slowly, fumbling a bit as she spoke. "I've never been…not alone. Even when I was with others, I felt alone. But, with you…" She trailed off, the unspoken words warming his heart as much as the spoken ones had broken it.

Aedion turned himself slightly, wrapping his other arm around her and holding her as close as he could. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, her contented sigh a caress of joy he'd never felt before.

"I'm here, Lys," he whispered into her hair, cherishing ever point where their skin made contact. "I'll always be here for you."

They continued to lay there, Lysandra's breathing slowly becoming more even, her body relaxing in his arms. She was asleep within minutes, but Aedion remained awake, unable to will himself into unconsciousness. Unwilling to lose out on a moment of holding her.

Because too soon it would be over. Too soon she would have to go back to her place, where he would be. The foster father who had managed to take control of her life well past her eighteenth birthday. Acting the husband of a woman who wanted nothing to do with him, but couldn't go anywhere. Not until she found a way to take back control of her money, and then prove to the state she was capable to care for her sister.

In the morning she'd leave. Early enough to ensure she got back to the house before he woke, but far too early for Aedion's liking. So Aedion held her tight, basking in the moment, getting lost in fantasies of a world where this could be his every night.

And as he finally started to drift off to sleep, just before his dreams overtook him, he breathed a truth he'd never share. Not out of fear of rejection, but to avoid putting extra pressure on the girl who was constantly being weighed down by the world.

"I wish we didn't have to keep this a secret."

[read-watch-listen-17]

SPOILERS - Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass book 7)

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😭😭😭😭😭😭

My poor heart. Those first pages were like pouring salt into an open wound.

One blink: Yes

Two blinks: No

Three blinks: Are you alright?

Four blinks: I am here, I am with you.

Five blinks: This is real, you are awake.

Break my heart. Poor Fenrys has to just sit there and watch 😭💔💔💔

Lorcan trying to reason with himself that he chose to fall for Elide. No dude. I’m pretty sure you had no choice in the matter, but nice try 🤣🤣🤣

I don’t know if I can take my heart being stabbed repeatedly like this. I’ve only made it to chapter 6, but the hits just keep on coming. 💔💔💔

Ummmmm ‘scuse me. ‘Scuse me, ummmm, is Yrene pregnant? There was very specific description of her touching her stomach, and I would ask already? but it’s been over a month since she and Chaol got together so I’m not surprised. However, if it’s true that’s really gong to muck things up.🤔🤔

What exactly are the chances that Manon and Falkan got spider silk from the same spider? Will Dorian really be able to learn to shape shift? How come he has so many powers? Ice, wind, fire, invisible power? Aelin’s only got the two. And now he’s going to get shape shifting too? I feel like this is going to be really good and then really bad. Like he’s going to be too powerful and it’s going to cause problems. 🤔🤔🤔

Holy crap! I though Fenrys was going to die for a minute there, but Connall stabbed himself instead. He was really devoted enough and hated his brother enough that he didn’t even fight it when Maeve told him to kill himself? That’s messed up. Poor Fenrys 😭😭

And the sliver of hope Aelin had that Rowan would indeed come for her is gone now. Thanks Maeve.

Aedion I love you, but why do you have to be such a stubborn ass of a jerk about Lysandra and Aelin's plan? Was it the smartest or the best plan to come up with? No, not really, but it was all they had at the time.

NOX!!! 🥳🥳🥳 I totally spaced on who he was for a minute, but then I remembered. Last time we saw him he was running from the Glass castle after Celaena told him things were about to get really bad. That seems sooo long ago.

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SPOILERS - Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass book 7)

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Yay!🥳 Thank you Sartaq for being willing to go save Anielle with Chaol!

Holy. Shit. Is she going to free herself? Is she going to manage to do it? Will she be able to free Fenrys too?

Nope, at least not yet.

Oh Manon, I hope that choice doesn’t come back to haunt you, and if it does I hope it was worth it.

The spider is dead! Wait?! Does that mean Falkan gets his 20 years back?!

Damn! Elide is brave for going into Doranelle without access to any magic. Be still my heart she gets what she needs by running into Essar who knows Lorcan and Rowan.

And Dorian can shift. Not well or controlled yet, but he has potential. By finally learning to let go a little, and telling Manon that he cares 🥰🥰🥰

OH. MY. GOD. Those 40 or so pages were brutal. I think I was tearing up from the moment Aelin said “Wait” until she passed out in the cave. She’s safe though. They found her. And Fenrys is NOT dead thank god, and he’s now got the blood oath with Aelin. I really wanted that to happen. Like I wanted him to be free of Maeve, but it did NOT have to be that BRUTAL. 

Aedion, why do you have to be such an asshole sometimes. Glad you haven’t died in battle though, but when Aelin gets back and finds out how you’re treating Lysandra, she’s going to kill you.

Fake it till you make it is not one of favorite sayings, but if Aelin has to fake it while she heals and finds herself again I guess it’s okay

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SPOILERS - Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass book 7)

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I’m getting major Lord of the Rings Two Towers vibes here in Anielle. 🤔

If any of the witches will side with Manon or at least hear her out it will be Petrah.

Aelin offering Lorcan the blood oath gave him two choices. Either be loyal to Terrasen and take the chance at winning Elide back, or be banished and never see her again. I’m glad he chose wisely 🥰🥰

Every time Aelin and Fenrys do the blink code it hurts my heart 💔 I’m glad they have each other though. Better than going through it completely alone.

Rowan spotted something in the sky! I bet it’s ruk riders. The rest of the fleet has arrived. Which means that Aelin’s group might be heading to Anielle with Hasar to help Chaol! 🥳🥳

Oh Aedion. You can’t take it back. It’s too late. I’m glad you realized you were a stupid asshole for what you said, but it’s too late. I just hope Lysandra doesn’t pay for it.

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SPOILERS - Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass book 6)

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Okay this might be a long one.

The world is suffering because she got BORED?! And the Kings were just out destroying worlds while trying to find her. Wow. Random question, but does Maeve actually have any descendants? 🤔🤔🤔

They almost succeeded in saving themselves. Yay for Kadara getting help! Also I hope Falkan survives because the way he was talking to Nesryn about his niece, I think his niece is Lysandra. Which would be cool because it sounds like she’ll have a title. One that even the Lords of Terrasen couldn’t deny her.

Did Maeve have Fae warriors plant all of these books and clues to help her build defenses for when the Valg came back looking for her? Or were there Fae who figured out who she was and hid the information so future generations would figure it out and defeat her?

I’m still so torn about my feelings for Chaol. Like I’m glad he’s all better now, but going through his memories and thoughts like that just reminded me of how much of a stubborn, clueless, can’t make a damn decision to save his life, asshat he is. But then he and Yrene are so adorable ❤️ i just can’t fully hate him. It’s like a god damn yo-yo or rollercoaster. Anyway, he’s all better and set to raise an army to save Dorian so lets see how that unfolds shall we?

I knew it! I knew Yrene magic was going to be able to defeat the Valg. Yes! Damn parasites you’re going down once and for all!

Am I alone in finding it weird that Hasar seemed to go out of her way to give Chaol GOOD NEWS about Aelin winning a battle against Maeve? Even though we all know it came at great cost. That she had gathered Galan and his armada along with the Silent Assassins. That she herself had received the same request and promise of a better world. It almost seemed like she was ready to believe him, but not quite.

Of course it was Duva! The least suspect. But WHY did Chaol's spine have to break again? After all that work 😭😭 Oh well, as long as he’s not being his woe is me self pitying self again we’re good.

Yrene proved twice that she can destroy the Valg inside the hosts which is great if the can get them to hold still long enough for the healers to work on them. In doing so she earns a favor with the Khagan and of course we all know what she’s going to ask for. His army to go with Chaol and fight with Aelin.

Nesryn family arrived and are safe, yay! 🥳 She picked Salkhi as her ruk! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

I’m gonna be honest I didn’t think the Khagan was going to name his Heir ever, but I’m glad he named Sartaq, and I hope he ends the whole kill your siblings thing, and they can’t have kids thing. But when she went to bow and he immediately stoped her and said ‘never from you.’ 😍🥰😍🥰😍🥰😍🥰😍🥰😍💞💞💞💞💞💞

Chaol and Yrene GOT MARRIED!!!! I guess when your lives are already tied together and you love each other it’s really the only logical thing to do. 🤷‍♀️

OH MY GOD Chaol finally looks at the note Yrene has been carrying around. I was holding my breath hoping he would recognize the handwriting and HE DID! I’m so proud. Out of all her planning and scheming she did not count on this one act of kindness to cause such a ripple. When she finds out, when Yrene finally finds out, because Chaol didn’t tell her anything except she might want to hold onto it for a while as someone else might want to see it, it’s going to be fantastic.

I know this is already super long, but I just have to say I was super reluctant to read this book because it felt like taking a step backward in the story, but I feel like it’s on the same level as The Assassins Blade. Where I’m glad I read it because I’ll understand more in the next book. Also I went into it thinking it was going to be all about Chaol, but it wasn’t. Yes he was a big part of it, but there was also Nesryn, and Yrene who both had their own stories. I can’t wait for them to meet up with Aedion and Lysandra/Aelin. That’s going to be interesting.

Alright I’m off to read Kingdom of Ash. Though I don’t know if my heart is ready.