Celaena Sardothien finds herself in a downward spiral in Wendlyn, two weeks after being sent by the King of Adarlan. Instead of assassinating the royal family, she is consumed by grief and guilt, spending her days in a haze of cheap wine and reckless brawls. Her vow to Nehemia to seek answers from Queen Maeve about the Wyrdkeys is forgotten, a testament to the heavy toll of her trauma.
Chapter 1: A Coward in Wendlyn
Celaena's paralysis began when she saw Prince Galan Ashryver, her target, being cheered by the people of Varese for his resistance against Adarlan. This display of nobility makes her own mission feel pointless. Overwhelmed by self-loathing, she is haunted by memories of killing Archer Finn and Chaol Westfall's horrified reaction to her Fae heritage. The only tie to her past is the amethyst ring from Chaol, which she repeatedly gambles away and reclaims, unable to fully let go.
The chapter culminates in Celaena hitting rock bottom. After running out of wine, she finds herself disheveled and drunk in an alley, mistaken for a vagrant. In this moment of utter degradation, she recognizes how far she has fallen. A deep male voice then chuckles from the shadows, signaling a potential end to her self-imposed exile.
Chapter 2: The Fae Warrior
A pure-blooded Fae warrior emerges from the shadows, his appearance terrifying. The sudden threat snaps Celaena Sardothien / Aelin Ashryver Galathynius out of her drunken stupor. She immediately knows he has been sent by Queen Maeve.
Attempting to regain control, Celaena adopts her former arrogant persona, but the Fae warrior is unimpressed. He introduces himself as Rowan Whitethorn and informs her that he is there to take her where she has been "summoned." Despite her apathy, this aligns with her original plan to seek answers from Maeve.
Drained but seeing no other option, Celaena agrees to go with him. The interaction is brief and tense, with Rowan displaying a disdainful attitude. They ride out of Varese, his silent presence making it clear that this journey will not be pleasant, but for Celaena, it is a step away from the abyss and toward a purpose.
Chapter 3: The Wolf of the North
The perspective shifts to Rifthold, where Chaol Westfall is tormented by nightmares of Celaena Sardothien / Aelin Ashryver Galathynius killing Archer Finn, a vision that morphs into her murdering Dorian Havilliard. Chaol is burdened by the knowledge of Celaena's true identity as Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, the rightful Queen of Terrasen, which makes her his kingdom's mortal enemy. His Loyalty and Oaths are now conflicted. His friendship with Dorian is also strained.
During dinner, Aedion Ashryver, Celaena's cousin, known as the "Wolf of the North," arrives. Aedion is a general in the King of Adarlan's army, infamous for his brutality in crushing rebellions in Terrasen. His resemblance to Celaena is striking, yet Chaol spots a Wyrdstone-like ring on his finger, suggesting Aedion is magically bound to the king's will.
Aedion joins Chaol and Dorian, creating immediate tension. He taunts them and inquires about the "King's Champion," expressing a desire to meet her. He wields the Sword of Orynth, a sacred heirloom of Terrasen's royal family, now used to slaughter its own people. The conversation grows heated, and Dorian's magic begins to chill the air. Chaol intervenes, pulling Dorian away. The chapter ends with Chaol burdened by the knowledge that Celaena's cousin has become a tool for their enemy.
Chapter 4: The Blackbeak Heir
A new narrative begins, introducing Manon Blackbeak, an Ironteeth witch and heir to the Blackbeak clan. She is living in a cottage in Fenharrow, pretending to be a Crochan witch. Three local men break into her home, intending to harm her.
Manon reveals her true nature: retractable iron teeth and long, sharp iron claws. She brutally slaughters two of the men. The third man flees in terror. Manon gives him a head start before pursuing him, revealing that she is over a century old and has been a killer since birth. Her mission, assigned by Mother Blackbeak, is to hunt and exterminate Crochan witches. She wears a bloodred cloak as a trophy. Manon finds the terrified farmer and lets him scream as she moves in for the kill. This chapter establishes Manon as a ruthless and powerful force.
Chapter 5: The Little Folk
The story returns to Celaena Sardothien / Aelin Ashryver Galathynius and Rowan Whitethorn as they travel toward the Cambrian Mountains. The journey is silent and arduous. Rowan remains a stoic guide. As they enter a dense forest, the air seems to hum with magic.
They make camp without a fire, as Rowan warns of threats that are "not from mortals." Celaena notices small, glowing eyes watching them from the surrounding woods. She recognizes them as the Little Folk, or faeries.
In a moment that surprises even herself, Celaena feels a flicker of connection to her heritage and her lost home. She whispers to the faeries, "They still live," informing them that their brethren in the West survived Adarlan's conquest. This small act is the first sign of her beginning to move past her grief and acknowledge her identity, a step toward the Acceptance of Identity and Power.
Key Events
- Celaena's Descent: Celaena is at her lowest, consumed by trauma and self-destruction.
- Rowan's Intervention: Rowan Whitethorn finds Celaena and recruits her to meet Queen Maeve.
- Aedion's Arrival: Aedion Ashryver arrives at court, revealing himself as a general for the King of Adarlan.
- Manon's Hunt: Manon Blackbeak, a ruthless Ironteeth witch, hunts her enemies.
- A Glimmer of Hope: Celaena interacts with faeries, showing the first sign of her true identity re-emerging.
Character Development
- Celaena Sardothien / Aelin Ashryver Galathynius: Introduced at her lowest, defined by trauma. Rowan's arrival forces her out of her stupor. Her whisper to the faeries is the first sign that the Queen of Terrasen still exists.
- Chaol Westfall: Paralyzed by guilt and secrets. His relationships with Celaena and Dorian are broken. Aedion's arrival complicates his position.
- Dorian Havilliard: Struggling to control his magic while feeling betrayed by Chaol. He is isolated and on edge.
- Rowan Whitethorn: Introduced as a powerful, ancient Fae warrior. He is stoic and displeased with his assignment.
- Aedion Ashryver: Debuts as a dangerous figure. His loyalty to the king appears absolute, positioning him as a traitor.
- Manon Blackbeak: Introduced as a predator who embraces her violent nature.
Themes & Symbols
- Healing and Recovery from Trauma: Celaena's self-destructive behavior is a result of her unprocessed grief. Her journey with Rowan is the beginning of healing.
- Acceptance of Identity and Power: Celaena is rejecting her identity as Aelin. Her acknowledgment of the faeries is the first step toward accepting who she is.
- Loyalty and Oaths: Chaol's loyalties are torn. Aedion introduces a twisted version of loyalty.
- Symbol: Chaol's Ring: Symbolizes Celaena's unresolved connection to Chaol and the life she left behind.
- Symbol: The Sword of Orynth: Symbolizes corrupted legacy, used by a traitor to kill his own people.
Key Quotes
"She was a prisoner, a slave. Not anymore."
Celaena's realization in the alley marks a turning point. She recognizes the depths of her despair and the need to escape her self-imposed prison, setting the stage for her journey with Rowan.
"They still live."
This simple whisper to the faeries is a powerful moment of reconnection for Celaena. It signifies the reawakening of her identity as Aelin and her acknowledgment of her heritage, offering a glimmer of hope amidst her grief.
Significance
These chapters establish the distinct storylines that define the novel: Celaena's healing journey, the political intrigue in Rifthold, and the introduction of the witches. Maas begins with her protagonists at their lowest points, setting the stage for character growth. The introduction of new characters expands the scope of the world and introduces new conflicts. This section transitions the story from a personal tale to an epic fantasy.
Maas employs a multi-perspective narrative to broaden the world and deepen the conflicts. By shifting perspectives, the narrative explores different facets of power, trauma, and duty. The introduction of Manon acts as a foil to Celaena, highlighting Celaena's humanity. The somber pacing conveys the emotional weight of the previous book's climax.