A Rollercoaster That Left Me Empty
I’ll be honest, Kingdom of Ash was a rollercoaster of emotions for me, but the ending left me empty and disappointed. I found myself kicking my feet, crying, smiling until my jaw hurt, my body tense and unable to move. Not only was I sad to say goodbye to a world I loved, but I also found myself angry with the ending of the book. I don’t know what SJM was thinking, and I thought I missed something. I felt blindsided. Honestly, I felt betrayed.
Eight Books of Aelin, Undermined
I spent eight books reading about Aelin struggling to find her identity, learning to control her power, watching the relationships she formed along the way grow, and enduring ENDLESS trauma — all to not even deliver the killing blow on Erawan. I mean seriously, it felt like someone slapped me in the face. Every battle, every sacrifice, every moment of doubt and triumph mattered. She literally bled for her crown, endured unimaginable loss, and mastered powers that she not only thought she would ever see again but powers that could bend the world. On top of this, we were there with her every step of the way — and that hurt.
Yrene Gets the Final Credit
I always knew Yrene’s character was introduced for a reason, but I had zero clue that she would get the final blow and essentially receive all the credit for defeating Erawan. I completely understand her arc and that she was helping, but c’mon SJM — you could have made it so they both ended him together or something similar. I mean, why? Just why!
After watching Aelin spend eight books rising from trauma to power… it just felt anticlimactic. Not because she lost, but because I did not feel that the final victory fully honored the journey she spent years building. I am glad she at least got the final blow on Maeve, but it would have been nice to see her end the man who orphaned her, took her home away, forced her to change who she is, and conceal anything about her childhood or past. It just felt wrong.
Borrowed Triumph
Personally? I think if Yrene had not been included in the series at all, it would not have made a single difference in what played out. Personally, it felt like SJM just wanted to give us one last surprise, not caring who she hurt in the process (I still love her ).
Also, I don’t think I can forgive SJM for taking away Aelin’s powers. I mean, I guess it’s unknown if they are completely gone besides that speck of power or if it’s just “normal,” but I wish it had been explained better.
I think what really bothered me wasn’t the fact that Yrene alone made the final blow to Erawan, but because the reaction of everyone afterward completely disregards Aelin’s sacrifice that made it possible for Yrene to make the final blow. They all celebrated and cheered for Yrene, which had my jaw on the floor again, my knuckles white from gripping my Kindle too hard. I swore there was smoke coming out of my ears.
It just all feels wrong. And the ending of the book left me feeling anxious and unfulfilled. It felt like I had trained for years to run a marathon — through scorching heat, freezing cold, pouring rain, and every possible obstacle — just to watch someone else cross the finish line first. That’s how it felt seeing someone else get the ultimate victory after all Aelin had endured.
Still Loving Aelin
That said, I loved watching Aelin grow. I loved meeting and connecting with each and every character. I loved watching her become the queen she was always meant to be, but I can’t help but feel as though the ending left a bitter taste in my mouth because her triumph felt… borrowed.
Aelin is and will always be my favorite female main character, but it’s hard not to feel the frustration I felt at the end of Kingdom of Ash. It could just be me, but after living through her for eight books, I felt as though her victory should have been fully hers… not anyone else’s.
Your Thoughts
Does anyone else feel this way?
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