Who Dies In 'Kingdom Of Ash' And How Does It Impact The Plot?

I just finished 'Kingdom of Ash' and the deaths hit hard. Aedion’s father, Gavriel, sacrifices himself to save his son during the final battle. His death ripples through Aedion, who finally gets closure but also a lifetime of regret for never knowing him properly. Then there’s the Thirteen—Manon’s witch coven. Asterin’s death wrecks Manon, forcing her to confront her humanity and leadership. The most brutal is Elide’s uncle, Vernon, whose scheming ends when he’s executed. Each death forces characters to grow—Aedion becomes less reckless, Manon softens yet strengthens, and Elide gains freedom from her toxic family.

These losses aren’t just shock value. They anchor the story’s theme: war demands sacrifice, but it also forges resilience. Gavriel’s death specifically binds Aedion to his heritage, while the Thirteen’s fall cements Manon as a queen who values loyalty over bloodline. Vernon’s demise ends political subplots, letting Elide step into her power unshackled. The book doesn’t glorify death; it shows how grief can be a catalyst for change.

As someone who’s read the entire Throne of Glass series twice, the deaths in 'Kingdom of Ash' are masterfully brutal. Let’s start with Gavriel—his sacrifice is quiet but profound. He dies protecting Aedion during the siege, and it’s heartbreaking because they only just reconciled. This loss strips Aedion of his arrogance; he spends the rest of the book grappling with guilt and stepping up as a leader. The way Maas writes his grief is raw—no grand speeches, just silent moments where he stares at his father’s belongings.

Then there’s the Thirteen. Their kamikaze flight into the tower is one of the series’ most iconic scenes. Asterin’s last words to Manon—“Live, Manon. Live.”—destroyed me. This isn’t just about losing fighters; it’s Manon’s entire found family obliterated. Her subsequent breakdown and slow rebuild show how deeply love can hurt. The witches’ deaths also shift the power dynamics in the witch clans permanently.

Vernon’s execution is more satisfying than tragic. Elide watches him die without pity, symbolizing her break from her abusive past. His death ties up loose ends in Perranth’s politics, allowing Elide to claim her birthright without interference. Lesser discussed but equally impactful is the Crochan deaths—their sacrifice to hold the gate buys time for the armies, reinforcing the theme that victory requires collective loss.

The deaths in 'Kingdom of Ash' aren’t just plot devices—they redefine characters. Take Gavriel: his off-screen death hits differently because it’s not dramatic. He falls in battle like any soldier, underscoring how war doesn’t care about nobility. Aedion’s reaction is subtle but gutting—he starts wearing his father’s scent, a detail that speaks louder than any monologue.

Manon’s Thirteen die in a blaze of glory, but the aftermath is what sticks. Their loss forces her to abandon the Blackbeak cruelty she was raised with. When she weeps over Asterin’s body, it’s the first time she truly cries—a turning point for someone who once saw emotions as weakness. Even minor deaths, like the Crochan witches, matter. Their last stand at the gate isn’t just heroic; it’s a silent rebuke to the centuries-old hatred between witch factions.

Vernon’s execution is quick but significant. Elide doesn’t celebrate—she just turns away, done with his toxicity. It’s a quiet moment that says more about her growth than any victory speech could. These deaths aren’t about shock value; they’re about consequences. Gavriel’s absence lingers in Aedion’s decisions, the Thirteen’s sacrifice echoes in Manon’s new laws, and Vernon’s death finally lets Elide breathe.