knolls_books
Written on Jul 1, 2024
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 0606318887
- ISBN13 9780606318884
- Publish Date 7 May 2013 (first published 2 August 2012)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 5 May 2023
- Imprint Turtleback Books
- Edition Bound for Schools & Libraries ed.
- Format Hardcover (Library Binding)
- Pages 406
- Language English
Reviews
Inkslinger
Written on Jul 1, 2023
While I know Throne of Glass is several years old at this point, as with most big series and authors.. I was late experiencing them. At the time most of these series started to debut, my life was chaos and I just didn't have a lot of time or energy for reading.
That being said, when I did finally check out Sarah J. Maas.. I began with the new release at the time.. Crescent City's House of Earth and Blood. It just didn't make sense to force myself to go back and read an older title first, when there was an entirely fresh new series coming. I loved it, of course, though I did have a handful of minor complaints.. and that's to be expected from me with most titles.
However, going back to her debut novel, I was surprised to discover the things I complained about in Crescent City, were an absolute non-factor in Throne of Glass. There's no massive information dump towards the end of the story.. and nowhere are characters being forced away from their natures just to drive the tale in a specific direction at will. That really makes me wonder what happened along the way.
Obviously, being a debut novel, the character and story development are as filled out as her newer titles, but it's not like it felt like I was missing anything either.
Dorian and Chaol are both lovely. She makes it clear that there's much more beyond the surface than she's allowed us to see in book one and I can't wait to continue.
Celaena is likable, mostly. More so than the average lead. If a little wishy-washy both on her choice of romantic partner and just her general day-to-day attitude. Leads like this have a tendency to not really be multi-dimensional, so much as script flipping. One moment they're brash and mouthy and the next they're blushing like a delicate belle. That's just something I've come to expect though, whenever an author is attempting to craft what they see as a 'strong female' character.
Nonetheless, I loved the book. The worldbuilding was interesting and as usual, Maas isn't afraid to get graphic. The idea of a 'non-magical' option for powers was really well done and the tension was spot on throughout the book. Honestly, there were times I wasn't sure how people might even manage to survive their situations, and if I've learned anything from Crescent City.. it's that I can't trust Maas to just spare them.
remuslynch
Written on Jan 30, 2022
herseriallife
Written on May 10, 2021
I first read Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas back in 2015. Thanks to my local library, I was able to read it. Now I have all the books in my home library. I’ve decided it’s time for a re-read (in 2021) since I have the last two books that I never read. I’m determined to read them finally.
Storyline: Celaena Sardothien is an 18-year-old assassin who is about to gain her freedom from the salt mines of Endovier, but there is a catch to it. Prince Dorian wants her to be his champion in a competition that her father, the King, has created. She’s forced to go through a competition with other assassins, warriors, and thieves to find the next royal assassin for the King. Unfortunately, most of the other competitors are being killed off, and Celaena is afraid she will be next. She’s a strong female character that knows how to handle herself and what is out there. She ends up becoming friends with a princess in the castle and something else entirely trying to help her, which Celaena doesn’t think she should trust at first.
My Thoughts: Throne of Glass is one Young Adult fantasy that had me continuously turning the pages to find out what will happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this book, and I loved how Sarah introduced the characters in this book. It was even better reading Throne of Glass a second time after I read the novellas. The novellas help me realize why Celaena was the way she was in this book. It takes a while for her character to grow on you, but she has been through a lot.
Celaena is my favorite type of character with her kick-butt abilities and her will to help others. (She assists Nox and Nehemia in this book in different ways.) Although, her kick-butt qualities don’t come out in this book much, which is why I recommend reading the novellas first before diving into this book. You will find out how Celaena was before she went to the Salt Mines and was put into a competition.
Poor Celaena is not only having to deal with what is happening to the competitors, but she is also dealing with two guys that have an interest in her. Yes, there is a love triangle in this book. One of the guys will not admit he has feelings, but the other already made his attentions clear to Celaena.
I’m actually rooting for her to hook up with one particular character, but I already know what’s going to happen. I read the first few books already, but I’m not going to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read this book or series.
The King is one ruthless King, who definitely is not my favorite. I’m kind of cautious of what he has planned. I can’t trust a character who goes out and kills without remorse, and this King is just like that on killing without remorse. It’s like he has no soul.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. I give this book 4.5 stars and look forward to diving into the second book very soon (again for my re-read). If you are a fan of Young Adult fantasy, then I would recommend this book/series. Some readers may not like the first book, but I promise it gets better. (I do recommend reading the novellas first before diving into Throne of Glass.)
I’m so glad I was introduced to Sarah’s books because I’ve found a new author I’ve placed on my auto-buy list. 🙂 (I mean, I do own ALL of her books now.)
Steph L
Written on Jan 28, 2021
Mad Soul Child
Written on Aug 1, 2020
Эх, а мне нравится принцулечка, как всегда буду страдать
scarr
Written on Jul 29, 2020
lady_of_the_night
Written on Jul 23, 2020
pamela
Written on Jul 12, 2020
Throne of Glass was a trashy, fun-filled, fast-paced, action-packed romp. It read like a guilty pleasure, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It doesn't have any pretences, and revels in all its silly, fantasy-filled glory. Caleana's a bit of a Mary Sue in this novel, which is why I'm glad that I read The Assassin's Blade first. There is very little back story or development of her character, and I definitely felt like her time in Endovier needed more exploration, but none of that detracted from the fact that Throne of Glass was just a fun book to read.
Does Throne of Glass include almost every YA trope under the sun? Absolutely. But it's well written, so I didn't care. It's not trying to re-invent the wheel. Want some sexy people doing badass things, and then making out occasionally? Then this book is for you!