I loved seeing how Celeana / Aelin met some of the characters in her past that became crucial characters in her present. Each of these stories plays a crucial role in her adventures and mission to save her country and probably the whole world. I've always been curious about how Aelin gathered all her knowledge, but also contacts and these stories provide that much appreciated extra background.

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord
- I loved this one so much. These events are hinted at (and led to the events) in Empire of Storms and I loved seeing the whole story. I had forgotten that Celeana used to wear a mask as Adarlan's Assassin and no one knew her face. And we got to see where her and Sam's relationship starts to change! I can't wait to see more of them. (And her sass is HIGH in this book and I am so here for it).

The Assassin and the Healer
- It's amazing to me that Adarlan's Assassin has so much compassion and yet has no problem murdering people right and left. That she would risk herself to save one bar maid who was a strange and help her fulfill her dreams just makes me love Aelin so much more. I'm glad I read this story AFTER Tower of Dawn so it didn't ruin the surprise reveal.

The Assassin and the Desert
I enjoyed this one and recognize that it is a huge turning point in Celeana's life and attitude. After what happened with the pirates and Arobyn, Aelin is having a lot of internal turmoil with what she should and shouldn't do. She has always been two sides of a coin and she needs to decide if she can continue to fight for someone who is clearly evil and doesn't care for her as a person. I loved meeting Ansel of Briarcliff (I'm all about female assassins). This one actually had me gasping! SJM surely knows how to shock and hit you hard with betrayal!

The Assassin and the Underworld
-Yes! I love finally getting to see Celeana in her element - when she returned home and back to her assassin life. She is embroiled in a plot for a simple assassination, but finds near death and lots of deception. Her relationship with Sam grows, even though I’m not quite sure where it all came from - earlier in this book she hated him, then didn’t see him, now she loves him?

The Assassin and the Empire
Wow this one was a doozy. I didn't know how emotional I would be about Sam because I still really don't think we got to know him all that well - I wasn't feeling the connection with him that I did with so many other characters. But when all the deception and desperation was conveyed, I felt Celeana's feelings along with her. That is the magic of this series - the emotions jump off the page and grab hold of you. I love this glimpse into a switch that turned and the rage and revenge that is awoken in her after all that happens in this story and this book.