Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)

by Sarah J. Maas

[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?