Mmmm one of my favorite scenes from EOS. A little rough Sunday afternoon sketching ~ I have so many plans for this piece!!

“I was a slave once. You didn’t really think I’d allow myself to be so once again, did you?” 

!!! this moment when Dorian completely turns the tables on Maeve...this was originally planned as an epic scene with Dorian in it too, but it sat in my WIP files forever, so here’s just the bit that I have complete, not sure if I will return to it again. 

~ Elain Cauldron-blessed, Elain Truth-Teller, Elain Kingslayer ~

Some Queen of Shadows-era Rowan Whitethorn (because for some reason, I really like drawing him in cloaks). My husband thinks I made him look too scary, but let’s be honest...Rowan never wastes an opportunity to look badass. 

I LOVED it. I tried to read slow because you only read a book for the first time once, but it was so suspenseful that despite the length I read it in one sitting! It was such a good ending to the series and most things got wrapped up appropriate to the character’s development and the overall storyline!

-Aelin really hit her stride in this book, she finally became the queen she was destined to be, she opened up to her friends and included them on her plans, she became true to her heart and her magic didn’t define her.

-Rowan (!!) was so supportive and caring and he knew exactly what Aelin needed. All the Rowaelin fluff, and their typical banter, their battle couple scene, the way he saved her with the Wyrdmarks…ah I could go on. Rowan is my favorite character. 

-Chapter 37 and all the underground cave scenes were one of my favorite parts of the book. Post-rescue Aelin and how SJM deftly handled her trauma, the exchanging of rings in the barrow, the whole Lorcan’s “why does she go to these lengths” and Gavriel’s reply “because she is their Queen too” with the Crown of Mab and Aelin’s reply “Yes” was so haunting it gave me chills. 

-Fenrys!! And Aelin. Need I say more?

-I loved Dorian’s calculating mind and his character in this book. The whole Dorian-Maeve-Morath sequence was so unexpected and I love how he took her down.

-Manon was killer in this book. You could see her arc come full circle. But there is still enough unanswered questions with her and Dorian that I could see SJM writing their spin off in the future. 

-Yrene killing Erawan and Fenrys/the cadre taking down Maeve. Both their deaths were satisfactory and I actually like that it wasn’t Aelin who directly killed them. 

-All the war sequences and the threat of war looming over the entire book…totally different from ACOWAR. This series has always been darker and grittier than ACOTAR because much more is at stake. And killing off major characters…Connall, the Thirteen, Gavriel…so sad but also realistic given all that occurred. 

-Where’s Vaughn? There’s a theory floating around here than him and Fenrys are mates and if SJM ever wrote that book, I am here for it.

I can’t believe the series is over!! It will always mean SO much to me, but there’s always going to be time for re-reads. Also, I’m very excited for Sarah’s new adult series and her Nessian book. My husband is halfway through listening to the KOA audiobook and is peppering me with questions, so I’m reliving KOA through that. 

“Prince Rowan Whitethorn Galathynius, consort, husband, and mate of the Queen of Terrasen, knew he was dreaming...”

She took his hand, and he tried not to shudder in relief, tried not to fall to his knees as she slid the ruby ring onto his finger. It fit him perfectly, the ring no doubt forged for the king lying in this barrow. Silently, Rowan grasped her own hand and eased on the emerald ring.

“To whatever end,” he whispered.  

Silver lined her eyes. “To whatever end.”

A reminder - and a vow, more sacred than the wedding oaths they’d sworn on that ship. 

Just finished KoA!! And still picking up my jaw from the floor from the sheer genius that is SJM. Literally her finest work....I’m still processing it all.

In the meantime, here’s Aelin, as I started working on her weeks prior to the release, and how I picture her in my head still...

The Faerie Queen of the West.

Her journey began with a blade. Her destiny will end with a crown. 

Here’s what I want from KOA: When Aelin has slain all her enemies, her and Rowan disappear somewhere on a nice, long vacation...

One of my favorite, most underrated scene in Heir of Fire is when Celaena is burning the woman’s corpse in the woods, staring out with dead eyes at the fire she made with her hands, not with her power... she’s still dark and depressed! Celaena but she lets (for the first time) Rowan’s presence comfort and strengthen her.

Elaine, who are you looking at? ;) 

Edited with new update of WIP. 

Rowaelin, stalking the streets of Adarlan.

Really liking the sketchy-ness of this, so probably not going to paint it. Sometimes I think things look better when they appear a little unfinished?

“But if it was death separating us...I would find you. I don't care how many rules it would break. Even if I had to get all three keys myself and open a gate, I would find you again. Always.” 

- Rowan, QoS

A sneak peek of my next project, my favorite SJM character, Rowan Whitethorn.