Why Aelin Sacrificed Her Powers to Save Erilea

Sarah J. Maas’ debut fantasy series, titled “Throne of Glass“, revolves around the main character, Celaena Sardothien (who possesses god-like powers), whose significant loss of magic in the climax adds emotional depth and stirs debate among readers. In this narrative, Celaena seeks to reclaim her birthright as Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, the lost heir, and save her kingdom from impending doom, while navigating a continent called Erilea populated by other royals also vying for power. Notably, Aelin’s journey is enhanced by her extraordinary control over fire magic.

In the novel “Throne of Glass,” Aelin stands out as an exceptionally powerful character, capable of annihilating entire fleets of ships and dissipating a massive tidal wave. This power is woven into various aspects of the narrative, causing her to grapple with her role as a leader, instill fear in both friends and foes, and find a partner who matches her magical prowess. However, some readers have expressed concerns that Aelin’s power is overly dominant. Nevertheless, the conclusion of “Kingdom of Ash” effectively resolves the story and its themes in an appropriate manner.

Why Aelin Loses Her Powers In Throne Of Glass: Kingdom Of Ash’s Ending Twist Explained

Aelin Sacrifices Her Powers Instead Of Her Life To Close The Wyrdgate

Simultaneously with the looming danger of the Valg armies conquering Erilea, Aelin and her companions are on a quest to locate the three Wyrdkeys. Their goal is to shut the Wyrdgate, thereby preventing malevolent beings such as the Valg kings and other deities from traversing different dimensions. The gods had anticipated that one of Elena’s offspring would banish them back to their own realm and craft the Lock, a task that would be fatal for this chosen heir. Initially, Aelin and Dorian endeavor to accomplish this jointly to protect each other, but Aelin eventually compels him to depart and continue on her own.

When Aelin appeals to the divine for Elena’s rescue, she unfortunately is unsuccessful. Yet, Mala, Elena’s mother, expresses gratitude and bestows upon Aelin a small portion of her own power. Subsequently, Aelin employs this additional strength along with her own considerable abilities to pull through, traveling across multiple dimensions before returning home. However, the taxing journey drains much of her magic, reducing her potency significantly, and also eradicates her human aspect, transforming her completely into Fae.

Aelin Had To Lose Her Magic In Kingdom Of Ash, Even If It’s Disappointing

Aelin Didn’t Need Her Power Anymore

In Throne of Glass, there are suggestions that Aelin could be perceived as a potential danger to Erilea in the long run due to her immense power, which rivals that of a deity and allows her to destroy anyone who opposes her. This raises the debate about whether she should possess such power if it’s not essential for saving the world. Her situation as queen may have complicated matters when it came to forming alliances and preserving friendships, given the nature of her power and the potential threat it presents.

She manages to earn respect from some individuals by standing up against Maeve without her powers, displaying a unique kind of bravery. Notably, when Aelin confronts Maeve, she famously declares “I am a god.” This statement has made Aelin legendary due to her unrelenting tenacity, an aspect that her friends and loved ones continue to recognize in her even without the full extent of her magical abilities. The fact that Aelin loses most of her magic at the end of “Throne of Glass” suggests that peace will be truly achieved in the aftermath, while also serving as a reminder that this character’s power is all we should focus on now.

Book Release Date
Throne of Glass 2012
Crown of Midnight 2013
The Assassin’s Blade (prequel) 2014
Heir of Fire 2014
Queen of Shadows 2015
Empire of Storms 2016
Tower of Dawn 2017
Kingdom of Ash 2018

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2025-04-21 17:40