Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass, 6)

A glorious empire. A desperate quest. An ancient secret.

The search for allies extends to a new land in the sixth book in this complete, #1 bestselling Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, author of the Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series.

Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq have arrived in the shining city of Antica to forge an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, whose vast armies are Erilea's last hope. But they have also come to Antica for another purpose: to seek healing at the famed Torre Cesme for the wounds Chaol received in Rifthold.

After enduring unspeakable horrors as a child at the hands of Adarlanian soldiers, Yrene Towers has no desire to help the young lord from Adarlan, let alone heal him. Yet she has sworn an oath to assist those in need, and she will honor it. But Lord Westfall carries his own dark past, and Yrene soon realizes that those shadows could engulf them both.

Chaol, Nesryn, and Yrene will have to draw on every scrap of their resilience to overcome the danger that surrounds them. But while they become entangled in the political webs of the khaganate, long-awaited answers slumber deep in the mountains, where warriors soar on legendary ruks. Answers that might offer their world a chance at survival or doom them all.

The final battle looms in this sixth 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
Empire of Storms
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

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas follows Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq on their journey to the Southern Continent as they seek both healing and an alliance during a time of war. After the devastating events that left Chaol paralyzed from the waist down, he and Nesryn sail to Antica, the capital of the mighty empire ruled by the Khagan. Their mission is twofold: to find a cure at the legendary Torre Cesme, the tower where the world’s most skilled healers train, and to convince the Khagan to send his vast armies north to fight the growing threat of the Valg. The trip is filled with uncertainty, as Chaol grapples with his new physical limitations and the guilt he carries from his past service to a cruel king.

Upon arriving in Antica, the pair is welcomed into the royal palace but quickly learns that the timing could not be worse. The Khagan’s family is in mourning after the recent death of one of his daughters, which the court claims was a suicide. The loss casts a shadow over every conversation, making it difficult for Chaol to secure an audience or press his case for an alliance. While Nesryn explores the city and begins to connect with Prince Sartaq, a skilled warrior who commands the legendary ruk riders, Chaol is assigned a healer named Yrene Towers. Yrene is brilliant and powerful, but she harbors deep resentment toward anyone from Adarlan because of the violence her homeland suffered under its rule. Despite her reluctance, she agrees to treat Chaol as part of her final training.

Their healing sessions quickly become more than simple physical therapy. Yrene discovers a lingering shadow of Valg darkness embedded in Chaol’s injury, a remnant of the magic that broke his spine. As she works to draw it out, the two are forced to confront painful memories and buried emotions. Chaol begins to open up about his past mistakes and the self-loathing he has carried for years, while Yrene shares her own story of loss and survival. Their relationship shifts from tense and guarded to something deeper and more intimate as they spend long hours together. Meanwhile, strange deaths occur around the Torre, and Yrene is stalked by an unseen presence, raising fears that the Valg have already reached the Southern Continent.

Nesryn’s path diverges as she travels with Prince Sartaq into the mountains to learn more about the ancient history of the Valg and the powerful ruks that guard the skies. Their growing connection gives her a sense of purpose and belonging she had not expected. Back in the palace, Chaol and Yrene continue their work while quietly investigating the court’s secrets, including the possibility that the princess’s death was no accident. Political tensions rise among the Khagan’s ambitious children, each with their own plans and loyalties, and Chaol must navigate delicate conversations to win support for the war effort.

As the healing progresses, Chaol regains feeling in his legs and eventually takes his first steps with the help of a cane. The process is slow and painful, but it brings him a renewed sense of hope and strength. Yrene’s magic proves capable of more than physical repair; it also helps Chaol release the darkness that has been feeding on his guilt. Their bond deepens into love, offering both of them a chance at a future neither had dared to imagine. Yet danger still lurks, and when a Valg threat reveals itself within the royal family, Chaol and Yrene must fight to protect the very people they hope to ally with.

The story builds to a powerful climax that tests everything Chaol has learned about himself. He confronts both external enemies and the last remnants of his own inner demons, while Yrene risks everything to save him. Nesryn returns from her journey with vital knowledge and a strengthened alliance of her own. Together, the group makes a final plea to the Khagan, armed with new truths about the Valg and the healers’ unique ability to fight them. By the end, Chaol stands taller in every sense, ready to return north with both physical recovery and a renewed purpose. Sarah J. Maas delivers a story of resilience, redemption, and unexpected love that expands the world of Throne of Glass while giving Chaol the space to heal and grow.