Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)

by Sarah J. Maas

The book that started the phenomenon. Sarah J. Maas's global #1 bestselling THRONE OF GLASS series has taken the world by storm.

Meet Celaena Sardothien.
Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake. She got caught.

Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament - fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin's heart be melted?

• ISBN10: 140883233X
• ISBN13: 9781408832332
• Publish Date: 2 August 2012
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 24 April 2023
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
• Imprint: Bloomsbury YA
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 416
• Language: English

Reviews

[Katie King]

**3.5 Stars**

SO conflicted about the rating. I can easily see myself giving it a 4, but then I feel like that's too generous. Maybe a 3.9?

I went into this with a lot of expectations. Everyone knows (and has read) Throne of Glass except me. It (and the series) is supremely loved and adored. Popular books never really work for me, though. Whether that's due to a subconscious desire to go against the grain or genre preferences or hype culture, doesn't matter. Normally, not all the time, but normally I don't like popular books.

This is the exception. I really enjoyed this despite it being a book that I've heard so much about, yet knew so little of the plot. Despite the avalanche of fan support that Throne of Glass rides on, I haven't been spoiled at all. Usually I don't mind spoilers because I like to know what happens, but in this case, I'm glad I don't know anything.

This might be one of the best books I've read in a long time. Although the opening is slow, I do feel a real passage of time. The romance triangle feels like a genuine, slow burn, not something contrived. Normally I can't get into romances a whole lot. Sometimes they don't feel genuine, sometimes I just hate the pairing. I did become invested in the will-they-wont-they, and got excited as things unfolded. That's REALLY strange for me, so points there.

I do feel Celaena grow as a character throughout her time in the palace. She becomes a much more complex character as the contest goes on. Her attitude softens, she feels love, she is sad. Celaena is definitely one of better developed characters I've read about.

There isn't a whole lot else to say other than the conflict was a little hollow for me. I felt like I was being told how scary and ruthless the king was rather than being shown it. The other members of the plot were clearly evil and marked as antagonists from the beginning. There was no mystery as to who was behind everything. But we can't win them all.

I really look forward to Crown of Midnight.

One thing that is interesting is the fact that for my first reading, I had the benefit of having read Assassin's Blade first. When Throne of Glass first came out, readers didn't have that backstory for reference, and I think some parts of Throne of Glass would seem too deliberately vague or confusing as a result. I've read Assassin's Blade, so I already knew who Sam and Arobynn were, and all the little side quests Celaena mentions. But I wonder how initial readers perceived this book without knowing all of that?

[Joséphine]

Initial thoughts: Several things bothered me: the excessive pre-occupation with looks, no good reasons to believe that Celaena was worthy of her title — world's greatest assassin, and the blandness of the character of Dorian, just to name a few. I did like Nehemia though. It's thanks to her that my rating didn't plummet to one star, or perhaps even no star at all. The plot also had minor redemptive factors if considered on the scale of an introduction to a series. Still, I barely feel motivated to continue with Crown of Midnight.

I know many say the series got better after Throne of Glass and I do believe that plot-wise but characters-wise, not so much. I may give the sequel a shot but I have little hope I'll ever read the entire series. I have no curiosity left to care about what becomes of Celaena, Dorian and Chaol. Also, the romance? Uhm, okayyy…

[EBookObsessed]

There is good and not so good in this series.

Be back shortly with a full review.

Read more at EBookObsessed.com

[Rinn]

Also posted on my book blog, Rinn Reads.

Firstly I need to thank my Goodreads and book blogger friends for their excellent taste: I saw this book on many a book blog, the majority of the time with glowing five-star reviews. Well mine is going to be no different, as this is a wonderfully crafted and enthralling tale.

You know you're going to like a character when she absolutely adores books:

"The library." The two words were like a shot of lightning.
"The..." She looked at the claw-shaped iron handles. "Can we-- may we go in?" The Captain of the Guard opened the doors reluctantly, the strong muscles of his back shifting as he pushed hard against the worn oak... She'd entered a city made entirely of leather and paper. Celaena put a hand against her heart. Escape routes be damned. "I've never seen-- how many volumes are there?" --- (page 54)

What stood out to me the most about Celaena was how tough she is. That might be obvious, given her occupation, but romance plays a part in this story and in YA fiction that often means the female protagonist turning into some sort of nervous, blubbering wreck. Celaena, however, doesn't seem to feel even a tiny bit guilty about having an interest in both Prince Dorian and Chaol, the captain - and why should she? In so many books these days, the female characters are attracted to men that they know aren't right for them and they tear themselves up about it. Celaena knows that Dorian has a reputation as a womaniser and that nothing could ever become of a relationship between herself and the Crown Prince. But does she worry about the consequences of her flirting and teasing? No, she does not. It's so wonderfully refreshing to have a female character in charge of her own feelings who does what she wants, when she wants, and throws all reason out of the window. She doesn't once chastise herself for finding Dorian or Chaol attractive.

Aside from the romance, Celaena is tough, as well as quite cheeky and sarcastic (I have a tendency to love such characters and Maas certainly succeeded there). She teases, she flirts - despite the danger she is in, despite the fact that if she fails the Tests she will most likely go to her death in Endovier - she lives her life, even though it is highly restricted, unlike many a YA protagonist. And when this character is overcome by a matronly handmaid with no time for her attitude, well it's just funny. It was also lovely to see a female main character with a female best friend who wasn't just there to gossip about the boys. Nehemia was a brilliant supporting character with some surprises of her own up her sleeve.

But talking of the boys... well I liked them both, in their own ways. Dorian, the Crown Prince, was at first appearances a smooth womaniser, and reminded me a little of Ser Percy Blakeney from [b:The Scarlet Pimpernel|136116|The Scarlet Pimpernel|Emmuska Orczy|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1406764899s/136116.jpg|750426] - a soft, foppish exterior combined with a brave, sensitive heart. He essentially plays the fool to most people, appearing more interested in the finer sides of court life than politics. Chaol, on the other hand, shows more of his real self - tough, concerned with politics and war, a rather stoic presence - but keeps his true feelings hidden inside, which we see in the occasional chapter from his point of view.

To me, the mark of a good book is when I'm completely and utterly invested in the lives and emotions of fictional characters - and Throne of Glass definitely hit the spot. Certain moments had me gasping and cheering internally, and the duel towards the end is so tense and well-executed that I had to read it at double-time to reach the conclusion more quickly. Sarah J. Maas' writing style is wonderful: it flows smoothly and she has built a wonderful world in which Celaena, Chaol and Dorian dwell. Even though the entire novel, apart from the very beginning, is set in the grounds of the castle and inside the castle itself, I got the impression of a huge and beautiful land, filled with all types of people.

Despite Celaena being an assassin, there is no room in this novel for assassinations. So if that's what you're hoping to read, you'll be disappointed. However what you will find is a magical novel, about a young girl given a second chance at her freedom, and friendships blossoming in unlikely places. I loved absolutely everything about this book - the characters, the setting, the writing, the plot, and I was completely enchanted by it. Definitely one of my favourite reads of the year, I can't wait to pick up the sequel - which is waiting on my bookshelf - and meet Sarah in October at Cheltenham Literature Festival!

First read in September 2013, re-read in December 2015.

[Sam@WLABB]

Another book, that has definitely lived up to the hype. I was captivated from page one, and just could not keep from thinking about Celaena's fate. Maas does such of beautiful job of pulling you into this world, and the characters' minds. She vividly painted our characters, their surroundings, and their emotions. I loved the action, suspense, magic, humor, and romance. I am struggling with which relationship I want more, but sort of just rooting for Celaena. I want her to succeed, to be free, because I know it's her heart's deepest desire. I always consider it a sign of good book, when I have such strong connections to the characters, and I spend time outside the book, pondering plot points, and trying to predict what will happen next. Well done! The good part about being late to the series, is the other books are already waiting to be read! Cannot wait to start book 2.

[jesstheaudiobookworm]

3.5 stars; A solid read, but I wasn't blown away like I thought I'd be after hearing all the hype. I'm not scrambling to reach for the next installment.

[Heather]

This series is all the rage for a lot of the book people I follow on Twitter.  When I saw the first book was available to read on Oyster I decided to see what all the fuss was about.  I got about 25% through and quit because I was bored.  This week another book in the series came out and people on  Twitter were all excited like it was the second coming of Harry Potter.  I decided to try again to see if I missed something.  I forced myself to finish it this morning.  Yeah, forced.  That's not a good sign.  Checking the % finished number every few pages wasn't a good sign either.

I checked reviews on Goodreads after I finished and am relieved to see that I am not alone.  This seems to be a love it or hate it book.

Here's what bothered me.

Creepy Male Main Characters

Celaena is a seventeen year old female assassin who has been in a prison camp for a year.  She is taken out by a Prince and the Captain of his guard to compete in a contest.  If she doesn't win the contest she is going to be sent back to prison.  Once at the palace she is kept in her rooms with guards on the doors unless escorted out.

These two men who took her out of the prison have complete control of her life.  They have become her jailers.  What do they do?  They take turns coming into her room in the middle of the night when she is in bed.  WTF?  That's not okay.

You know what is even worse?  Sometimes she doesn't wake up when they come in so they stand there and watch her sleep.  No, just no.  Why is this somehow considered sweet and romantic in YA books?  It is not sweet.  That is Get Me A Restraining Order behavior. (Why is such a supposedly fearsome killer such a heavy sleeper that they creep up on her all the time anyway?)

So then one of them starts coming onto her.  He's supposedly some major womanizer but of course he wants to give it all up for her.  Well, except for that time she is escapes and sees him kissing on another woman while Calaena is supposed to be locked up.  How does our heroine react?  Does she realize that he is a creep?  Don't be silly.  She wonders what is wrong with her and why she feels so jealous.

At the end of the book, (that's your spoiler alert) she decides to just be friends with him because she wants to be free at the end of her sentence and make decisions for herself.  Good on her.  But then the other guy comes along and finds out about this decision.  His response?  He ogles her short nightgown because he always comes in unexpectedly at night.  Then this conversation happens.

He pulled out the chair in front of him and sat down.  She filled a goblet with wine and handed it to him.  "To four years until freedom" she said, lifting her glass.

He raised his in salute.  "To you, Celaena."

Their eyes met, and (creepy dude #2) didn't hide his smile as she grinned at him.  Perhaps four years with her might not be enough.

 

Right, she's celebrating the fact that eventually she is going to be free to make her own decisions and he is thinking that now that Creepy Dude #1 is out of the picture that she is all his for the next four years.  Chilling.

Magical Puppy Raising

At one point in the story Calaena is given a puppy by Creepy Dude #1.  Here is her response.

...I want her trained.  I don't want her urinating on everything and chewing on the furniture and shoes and books.  And I want her to sit when I tell her to and lay down and roll over and whatever it is that dogs do.  And I want her to run - run with the other dogs when they're practicing.  I want her to put those long legs to use."

.... "When I'm training" -- she kissed the pup's soft head, and the dog nestled her cold nose against Celaena's neck -- "I want her in the kennels, training as well. When I return in the afternoon, she may be brought to me.  I'll keep her in the night." Celaena held the dog at eye level.  The dog licked her legs in the air.  "If you ruin any of my shoes," she said to the pup, "I'll turn you into a pair of slippers.  Understood?"

 

Oh, Lord, help me.  It is attitudes like this why I have to remind myself on a daily basis that it is illegal to beat people.  It is a puppy.  It is a baby.  It doesn't know all the rules just because you explain them once.  She can't hold her urine.  A person locked up in a room can't take her outside and she isn't allowed to urinate in the room.  Good plan.

I have this discussion all the time.  People bring me 9 week old dogs thinking there is something horribly wrong with them because they aren't housebroken yet.  Or they want drugs for the 4 month old because he is chewing on things.  Have they taught the dog manners?  Of course not.  Dogs are just supposed to know or else magical dog trainers swoop in during the night to teach.  Trust me - sending a young puppy outside in the morning for a few hours and then locking her up in a room for the rest of the day and ignoring her (which she does), does not a trained dog make.  This is a recipe for an abandoned dog when it doesn't live up to expectations.

 

 

 This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story

[angelarenea9]

Review to come. ..

[cornerfolds]

When I finished reading A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas earlier this year, I was told by about ten million people that I NEEDED to read Throne of Glass. Of course, I've seen this series on tons of Top Ten lists and I've seen the beautiful cover at Barnes and Noble. I just didn't think I'd like it because I didn't know that I liked high fantasy. But lately I've discovered that I do like it after all! And I finally bought my own copy of this beautiful book.

It took much longer than I thought it would to get through Throne of Glass. To be honest, I read the first half and then put it back on the shelf, read a few more books, and then went back to it. The first half just really seemed to drag... Don't hate me! I realize that this is the set up for a series and that a lot of background had to be established, so I can definitely forgive the slight lag, especially since the second half was totally kick-ass!

Celaena is an amazing heroine who I totally fell in love with from page one. I love that she's a hard assassin who was able to survive death camps and compete with the biggest, baddest men the court could provide, but she's also a woman. She likes clothes and jewelry and dancing, while still being bigger and badder than all the other dudes. She gets an A+ in my book!

One thing I was really worried about with this book was the love triangle that I knew was coming. I have to say though, this was one place where it really worked. I could believe Celaena's relationships with both Chaol and Dorian because each was so very different. I thought both relationships were sincere and adorable! The one thing that did really bug me though... the angst. More and more I feel like I might be growing out of this tortured lover plot device. I did like their relationships! I just can't stand the whole "I love you but we can't be together for reasons x, y, and z" thing (reasons that are usually dumb).

The world that Sarah J. Maas created in Throne of Glass was pretty great too! I especially enjoyed getting to "explore" the secret tunnels and the glass castle! That being said, I do think that world building is something that Maas really did refine between the release of Throne of Glass and ACOTAR. The world of ACOTAR was amazing and I could picture it like I was there! I didn't get that kind of clarity with this book, although it was still good.

Finally, I recall seeing that Throne of Glass was a retelling of Cinderella, or at least it began that way. I didn't get Cinderella from this at all. If anything, the fact that she went to a ball was about the only parallel I was able to find. Maybe someone who knows more about this series can tell me if this is further developed later or if the retelling aspect was totally scrapped. Either way, the story is still really spectacular! I loved the magical elements in the story and cannot WAIT to see what all of this was building up to, because I feel like it's going to be something awesome.

All in all, I am glad that people would not leave me alone about this book! The beginning of it almost did me in, but in the end it was all worth it. I do feel like this book was a huge buildup to something even better, so I'm really excited to see what book two is all about!

[Angie]

I really enjoyed Throne of Glass, even though it wasn't what I was expecting at all. Celaena has spent the last year as a slave in the salt mines, but now she's being offered her freedom. If she competes to become the king's personal assassin and wins, she can go free after four years of servitude. Celaena may hate the king, but she's no fool. She knows she'll die if she stays in the salt mine, so she agrees. But with any competition involving thieves and assassins, someone isn't playing fair.Celaena's opponents are dropping like flies and she might be next.

Throne of Glass was great! Even though Celaena doesn't do any assassinating, there's plenty of action and death! The novellas had hinted at magic having been part of the land once, and something magical seems to be happening to their competitors. But that's not possible and Celaena will stop at nothing to uncover what is going on before it gets her, too! While I didn't figure out what was going on, I did guess who was behind it from the beginning. I think that's fairly obvious, but the details are quite weird and twisted. I just wish I had been more surprised.

Throne of Glass isn't all combat and death though. There's quite a bit of fun stuff going on, like Celaena getting to play dress up again! She's kind of undercover, and the courtiers think she's the prince's latest plaything. She doesn't like being seen that way at all, but it keeps her in the lap of luxury. Yulemas also seems like a great time! Obviously, it's like Christmas, but not exactly. And romance! I'm not behind the romance though. At least not yet. I did like Calaena's decision at the end, although it's obvious she won't stick to it.

In the end, I think Throne of Glass was a great start to this series. Yes, the novellas are better and may have gotten my expectations up a bit, but that's okay! I'm curious how Calaena is going to handle her new position. She's warring between earning her freedom and keeping her sense of self, so it'll be interesting to see how she gets around that in the next books.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.