Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, 5)

Only the greatest sacrifice can turn the tide of war.

War is brewing in the fifth book in this complete, #1 bestselling Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, author of the Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series.

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 increasingly 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, dark forces stand poised to claim her world. The only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may take more from Aelin than she has to give, a quest that forces her to choose what-and who-she's willing to sacrifice for the sake of peace.

Kingdoms collide in this fifth book in the #1 bestselling Throne of Glass series.

Other books in this series include:
Throne of Glass
Crown of Midnight
Heir of Fire
Queen of Shadows
Tower of Dawn
Kingdom of Ash
The Assassin's Blade (prequel novellas)

Sarah Janet Maas (born March 5, 1986) is a #1 New York Times bestselling American author who has fundamentally shaped the modern "romantasy" genre. Born and raised in Manhattan, Maas spent her childhood exploring museums and reading global fairy tales, though she often felt frustrated by the lack of fierce, compelling heroines in fantasy literature. Drawing inspiration from strong pop-culture figures like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sailor Moon, she began writing the stories she wanted to read.

At sixteen, Maas started drafting a dark twist on the Cinderella fairy tale—imagining her not as a servant, but as a deadly assassin. She serialized the story, originally titled Queen of Glass, on the writing platform FictionPress, where it quickly became one of the site's most popular works. She continued developing her craft at Hamilton College, graduating magna cum laude in 2008 with a degree in creative writing and religious studies.

Her debut novel, retitled Throne of Glass, was published by Bloomsbury in 2012 and became a massive international hit, ultimately spanning an eight-book epic series. In 2015, Maas launched her second major series, A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR). Initially a loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast, the series transitioned her work into the "new adult" and adult fantasy spaces. The ACOTAR series became a viral sensation, largely driven by massive popularity on TikTok. In 2020, she introduced her third ongoing adult urban fantasy series, Crescent City.

With over 75 million copies sold worldwide and translations in nearly 40 languages, Maas stands as one of the most successful contemporary authors. She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, whom she met in college, and their two children.

“Action-packed . . . What a ride!” ―Booklist on The Assassin's Blade

“A thrilling read.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Throne of Glass

“An epic fantasy readers will immerse themselves in and never want to leave.” ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on Crown of Midnight

“Celaena is as much an epic hero as Frodo or Jon Snow!” ―New York Times bestselling author Tamora Pierce on Heir of Fire

“Packed . . . with brooding glances, simmering sexual tension, twisty plot turns, lush world building, and snarky banter.” ―Booklist on Queen of Shadows

“Tightly plotted, delightful escapism.” ―Kirkus Reviews on Empire of Storms

“Turns a corner from sprawling epic to thrilling psychological fantasy.” ―HuffPost on Tower of Dawn

“A worthy finale to one of the best fantasy book series of the past decade.” ―Time on Kingdom of Ash

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas is the fifth book in the Throne of Glass series, and it follows Aelin Galathynius as she tries to reclaim her throne, unite allies, and prepare for war against the dark force threatening Erilea. The story is set in a world where kingdoms are breaking apart, magic and politics are colliding, and old loyalties are being tested at every turn.

Aelin returns to Terrasen with Rowan, Aedion, and Lysandra, hoping to win the support of the surviving lords and begin building an army. Instead of immediate acceptance, she faces resistance because of her age, her past, and the people she loves, especially Rowan. Even so, she refuses to give up on Terrasen and continues searching for allies while the threat of Erawan grows stronger.

At the same time, the book follows several parallel journeys. Elide Lochan is fleeing danger and looking for Aelin, carrying secrets and proving herself to be resourceful and brave. Her path becomes tangled with Lorcan, creating a tense and complicated alliance. Manon Blackbeak also undergoes major change as she begins to question the brutal rules of her grandmother and the witch clans, slowly moving toward her own sense of loyalty and identity.

Dorian’s storyline adds another layer of danger and hope as he struggles with the consequences of the Valg and the powers connected to him. Across the continent, battles, betrayals, and shifting alliances show that no one is safe and that victory will require sacrifice. The novel builds toward a large-scale confrontation, but instead of resolving the conflict neatly, it ends with devastating losses and a major turning point that leaves Aelin and her allies facing an even harder road ahead.

What makes Empire of Storms especially gripping is how it balances political struggle, emotional growth, romance, and high-stakes fantasy action. Aelin is not only fighting enemies in battle but also fighting to prove herself as a queen who can lead through loyalty, intelligence, and determination rather than fear. That makes the book feel like both a war story and a story about identity, responsibility, and the cost of protecting the people you love.

By the end, the novel leaves readers with a sense that everything has changed. Alliances have deepened, enemies have become more dangerous, and Aelin’s mission is no longer just about taking back a crown but about surviving a world on the edge of collapse.