THEME
Kingdom of Ashby Sarah J. Maas

Found Family and Loyalty

Found Family and Loyalty

What This Theme Explores: Kingdom of Ash deeply explores the theme of found family and loyalty, suggesting that the strongest bonds are built not on blood, but on shared experiences, mutual respect, and unwavering devotion. The novel examines how individuals, often scarred by trauma or betrayed by their biological kin, forge new familial structures based on choice and loyalty. This chosen family becomes a primary source of strength, motivation, and hope, fueling the characters' fight for a better world. Ultimately, their loyalty transcends oaths and allegiances, becoming a sacred, unbreakable force that defines their identities and drives their most profound sacrifices.

How It Develops

The theme of found family and loyalty evolves throughout Kingdom of Ash, growing from a source of individual motivation to the collective force that ultimately wins the war. Initially, the characters are physically and emotionally fractured, scattered across continents. However, their loyalty to one another acts as a beacon, guiding them back together to form a united front.

As the war escalates, these disparate families converge, and their loyalties are tested in the crucible of battle. The ruse of Lysandra impersonating Aelin forces the court to rely on absolute trust, highlighting the depth of their commitment. Manon's discovery of her ancestral family only reinforces her loyalty to the Thirteen, culminating in their ultimate sacrifice for her. The arrival of Chaol's army introduces a new family forged with the khaganate, their loyalty to the cause proving crucial. Ultimately, individual loyalties merge into a collective allegiance to the cause and to each other, creating an army bound by more than just strategy.

In the aftermath of the war, the theme comes to full fruition as the surviving characters solidify their found families, choosing to build a new world together. Aelin's court is formally established, not by bloodright alone, but by the bonds forged in war. New families are created through marriage and alliance, promising a future where loyalty and love, not birth, define one's place. The final scenes of the book celebrate these chosen families, who now form the bedrock of a rebuilt kingdom.

Key Examples

The concept of found family and loyalty is illustrated through numerous character dynamics and pivotal moments that underscore the power of chosen bonds over biological ties.

  • Aelin's Court: The court Aelin assembles embodies this theme, comprising outcasts, former enemies, and survivors bound by fierce loyalty to her and each other. Their desperation to free her from Maeve drives the first half of the book, demonstrating the strength of their chosen connection.

    Once upon a time, in a land long since burned to ash, there lived a young princess who loved her kingdom …

    This refrain, which Aelin clings to during her torture, represents not just Terrasen, but the kingdom of people she has built—her found family.

  • Manon and the Thirteen: The bond between Manon Blackbeak and her Thirteen is a poignant example. They defy their clans, Matrons, and way of life to follow Manon, their chosen leader. Their loyalty culminates in their sacrifice during the Battle of Orynth, solidifying their familial bond.

    "We are the Thirteen," Manon said. "From now until the Darkness claims us."

    This declaration solidifies their identity as a family unit, independent of the brutal clan structure they were raised in. Asterin's final words to Manon, "Live, Manon," encapsulate a love and loyalty deeper than any blood relation.

  • The Cadre's Unspoken Vow: Initially bound by Maeve's blood oath, Rowan, Gavriel, and Lorcan choose to fight together, their loyalty shifting to Aelin and each other. Fenrys's decision to break his oath to Maeve—an act that should have killed him—out of loyalty to Aelin demonstrates the power of a chosen bond over an enforced one.

  • Gavriel's Sacrifice: Gavriel's final act exemplifies familial loyalty. He sacrifices himself to save the western gate of Orynth and, more importantly, his son, Aedion. This moment transcends their years of estrangement, proving that the bond of family, whether found or biological, is defined by selfless action, as detailed in the Chapter 86-90 Summary.

Character Connections

Nearly every major character grapples with the meaning of family and loyalty, often finding solace and strength in the bonds they forge.

  • Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius: As an orphan who has been repeatedly betrayed, Aelin is the central figure around whom found families coalesce. Her court is her anchor, and her loyalty to them gives her the strength to endure unimaginable pain. She inspires fierce devotion, creating a family from those who choose to stand by her.

  • Aedion Ashryver: Aedion's identity is intrinsically linked to his loyalty to Aelin and Terrasen. His conflict with Lysandra tests his loyalty to the entire found family, not just its queen. His eventual acceptance of Gavriel as his father, and his grief at his loss, completes his arc of understanding family in all its forms.

  • Lysandra: Having lost her own family, Lysandra finds a new one in Aelin and Evangeline. Her willingness to impersonate Aelin is an act of profound loyalty, risking her identity and life for her friend and the kingdom they are fighting for. Her eventual reunion with her uncle, Falkan Ennar, brings her story full circle, blending found family with rediscovered biological kin.

  • Manon Blackbeak: Manon's journey is a rejection of the toxic family she was born into in favor of the one she created with the Thirteen. She learns that true leadership is built on loyalty and love, not fear, a lesson that allows her to unite the Ironteeth and Crochan peoples. This transformation highlights the power of chosen bonds over inherited ones.

Symbolism

Maas uses several powerful symbols to represent the theme of found family and loyalty.

  • Aedion's Terrasen Knot Tattoo: Inked over his heart, this tattoo bears the names of Aelin and the members of her fledgling court. It is a permanent, physical manifestation of his sworn loyalty to the family he has chosen to serve and protect. The placement over his heart emphasizes the emotional depth of his commitment.

  • The Coronation: Aelin's coronation is not just a political ceremony; it is the formal establishment of her found family as the ruling body of Terrasen. The presence of her court—Aedion, Rowan, Fenrys, Lorcan, Lysandra, and Elide—on the dais signifies that her reign will be built on these chosen bonds, redefining what it means to be a royal court.

  • Shared Burdens and Battles: The many scenes of characters fighting back-to-back, sharing meager meals around a campfire, or tending to each other's wounds serve as recurring symbols of their familial intimacy. The act of the Thirteen digging a mass grave together in the Chapter 111-115 Summary is a silent, powerful ritual that affirms their bond in the face of shared loss and duty.

Contemporary Relevance

The theme of found family and loyalty holds significant contemporary relevance. In a world where traditional family structures are evolving and many individuals feel isolated, the idea of creating one's own support system resonates deeply. It reflects the modern search for community, whether through friendships, online groups, or shared causes. The novel's emphasis on loyalty, trust, and mutual sacrifice speaks to the universal human need for connection and a sense of belonging, reminding readers that family is ultimately defined by love and commitment, not genetics. This theme offers a hopeful message about the power of choice and the importance of building meaningful relationships in a rapidly changing world.