Empire of Storms is the fifth novel in the Throne of Glass series. Once again, the novel follows a young woman named Aelin Galathynius (also known as Celaena Sardothien, a fierce huntress with tremendous powers). For much of the novel, Aelin gathers allies and resources to prepare for her fight against Erawan, a dark and incredibly powerful Valg king. As she journeys across the continent in search of allies and resources, Aelin is forced to deal with betrayal from those she thought were closest to her. However, she also forms unexpected alliances.
The novel also features several side plots, including Manon Blackbeak, who is a witch leader caught between her loyalty to her fellow witches and a sense of impending doom because of the war against Erawan. Eventually, Manon bands together with Aelin to fight Erawan while still trying to maintain her duties to her fellow witches. At the end of the novel, though, Aelin is captured, showing the grave nature of the threat they are facing.
Aelin's transformation from a dreaded assassin in earlier novels to a beacon of hope and royal leader in later novels shows that roles as significant as Aelin's often come with additional burdens of responsibility. This is not just about a personal journey for Aelin; her struggles are common for those who are thrust into a position of power and are subsequently forced to contend with expectations and sacrifices. In that sense, it is ultimately a novel about the costs of being a leader (especially in difficult times).
Parallel narratives, like that of Manon, offer additional layers of complexity to the story. Manon's internal conflict over where her loyalties lie symbolizes the struggle that many people face between their personal loyalties and the greater good. Even though she has profound power, Manon still faces the same decisions that everyone else does in their daily lives. In the end, her decision to help in the war against Erawan shows the importance of collective action against a threat that is greater than a single person could handle.
