Book Recap: Empire of Storms

Already finished Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire and Queen of Shadows and wondering what comes next? Let’s dive into Empire of Storms — the fifth installment in Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series. If you thought the last book was intense, you’re not ready for the sheer chaos, heartbreak, and jaw-dropping revelations that unfold in this one. Aelin’s journey to reclaim her throne and face Erawan’s rising power reaches new levels of danger, and the alliances she builds (and the sacrifices she makes) will change everything. Buckle up — things are about to get wild.

Fair warning: This is a FULL SPOILER RECAP of the third book. If you haven’t read it yet, turn back now unless you’re ready for all the major twists and reveals!

Empire of Storms Book Recap – Book 5 in Throne of Glass Series

The Road to Terrasen

Aelin Galathynius stands on the edge of everything. Her kingdom lies in ruins, her people scattered — and now, even the lords of Terrasen refuse to recognize her as queen. After everything she’s endured — Endovier, the glass castle, Nehemia’s death, losing Sam, freeing Dorian — this rejection cuts deep. But Aelin isn’t the girl they sent to Endovier anymore. She’s a queen — whether they want her or not.

Lord Darrow’s cold dismissal makes it clear: Aelin will have to fight for her crown. The future of Terrasen isn’t something they’ll hand over — she’ll have to take it. And so Aelin sets out with Rowan, Aedion, Lysandra, and Evangelina to gather allies. She’s not just fighting for a throne anymore — she’s fighting to save her people from Erawan’s growing darkness.

But war is coming. And time is running out.

Skull’s Bay and the Promise of Fire

Aelin leads her court to Skull’s Bay to recruit Captain Rolfe and his fleet of Mycenians. But Rolfe is no fool — he demands to know why he should risk his ships for her. Aelin, in typical Aelin fashion, forces his hand by revealing his hidden Wyrdmark map using her magic. She offers him a choice: join her fight — or burn beneath her flames.

Rolfe agrees to a dangerous alliance — but not before the Valg arrive with a massive fleet. In the first true test of her strength as queen, Aelin leads the Mycenians into battle. Lysandra shifts into a sea dragon — breathtaking and terrifying — and tears through the Valg ships. Rowan’s wind magic fuels Aelin’s fire, and together they unleash devastation on the Valg fleet.

Rolfe, awed by Aelin’s strength, swears loyalty to her cause. The queen has her fleet — but the cost of victory is already weighing on her.

Manon’s Betrayal

Far from the sea, Manon Blackbeak faces a different battle. Her grandmother, the High Witch of the Blackbeak Clan, orders her to lead the Ironteeth witches in an attack on Rifthold. Manon knows what this means — they’ll be killing civilians, destroying a kingdom already on the brink of collapse.

But the final order comes when Dorian appears in the chaos. Manon’s grandmother orders her to kill him.

Instead, Manon saves him.

It’s a betrayal her grandmother won’t forgive. The other witches attack her — and Manon barely survives. Wounded and broken, Manon flees with Dorian, knowing that her life as an Ironteeth heir is over.

In saving Dorian, Manon has chosen a side. And it’s not the one her grandmother expected.

Elide and Lorcan

Meanwhile, Elide Lochan — with her injured ankle and quiet strength — is navigating her own dangerous path. She’s joined by Lorcan Salvaterre, Maeve’s coldest and most ruthless warrior. At first, Lorcan only sees Elide as a tool to find the Wyrdkeys — but Elide’s quiet resilience begins to unsettle him.

Elide trusts no one — but Lorcan protects her. He shields her from Valg attacks, carries her when she’s too weak to walk, and kills for her without hesitation.

When they finally reach Aelin’s court, Lorcan stands between Elide and the threat of death. He knows what he’s becoming — and it terrifies him. But Elide’s trust changes something in Lorcan, something even Maeve’s centuries of training couldn’t touch.

Aelin and Rowan

Aelin and Rowan grow closer as the war looms. Rowan proposes to Aelin, and they perform the blood oath, binding their lives together. It’s a quiet, intimate moment in the storm of war — a promise that no matter what happens, they are bound.

Rowan’s protectiveness toward Aelin borders on obsession — but Aelin knows this isn’t about dominance. Rowan sees her strength, her cunning, her fire — and he’s chosen to stand beside her, not in front of her.

The Lock and the Final Wyrdkey

Aelin’s court travels to the Stone Marshes to retrieve the final Wyrdkey. Aelin knows the truth now — the only way to seal the Wyrdkeys is through the Lock. And the Lock requires a sacrifice.

Aelin will have to die to banish the Valg.

Rowan and Aedion refuse to accept it — but Aelin is already preparing for it. She knows this is the only way to save Terrasen.

Lorcan’s Betrayal

Lorcan senses Maeve’s forces approaching — and he calls for help. He thinks he’s protecting Elide and Aelin. He’s wrong.

Maeve’s army arrives — led by her most vicious warriors. Aelin and Rowan fight with everything they have, but Maeve is too strong. Aelin’s fire magic can’t match the dark, ancient magic Maeve commands.

Maeve captures Aelin, binding her in iron chains. Lorcan realizes too late what he’s done — his call for help has led to Aelin’s downfall.

Maeve orders her guards to strip Aelin of her weapons and clothes. She places a mask of submission over Aelin’s face and chains her inside an iron coffin.

Rowan’s screams shake the battlefield. He begs Maeve to take him instead. But Maeve only smiles as her ship disappears over the horizon.

Aelin’s last sight is Rowan standing in the storm — screaming her name.

Lysandra’s Sacrifice

Before being taken, Aelin gives Lysandra a final command: “Pretend to be me.”

Lysandra, horrified but determined, agrees. She shifts into Aelin’s form and stands before the Terrasen lords. To protect Terrasen — to keep the illusion of strength alive — Lysandra will become Aelin.

Even if it means marrying a foreign king. Even if it means dying for Terrasen. Lysandra steps into the role of queen — knowing that Aelin may never return.

Manon’s Destiny

After fleeing her grandmother, Manon learns the truth: she is the last Crochan Queen — heir to the witches’ lost legacy.

For centuries, the Ironteeth and Crochan witches have warred. But now, Manon holds the power to unite them.

Manon chooses to follow Aelin — to fight for Terrasen and destroy Erawan.

Lorcan’s Grief

Lorcan is left shattered after Aelin’s capture. He begs Elide for forgiveness — but Elide walks away from him.
“You betrayed her,” she says.
Lorcan’s guilt is a wound that won’t heal. He swears to Elide that he will find Aelin — and that he will give his life to bring her back.

Rowan’s Vow

Rowan stands on the shore, watching Maeve’s ship disappear.
He falls to his knees.
And then he rises.
Rowan Whitethorn swears to the gods that he will find Aelin. That he will kill Maeve. That he will burn the world to bring her home.

The Final Scene

Aelin is locked inside the iron coffin, the cold cutting into her bones. She is alone.
She knows Maeve will torture her.
But Aelin’s last thought is not of fear.
It’s of Rowan.
And the fire burning deep within her heart.

Interested what happened next? Check our book recap for Tower of Dawn.

Where the key characters are at the end of Empire of Storms: