QUEEN OF SHADOWS by Sarah J. Maas

“‘No masters. No limits. No regrets.’ Celaena Sardothien is cloaked in her assassin’s hood once more. She is back in Rifthold, but this time she is no one’s slave. She must delve into her most painful memories and fight for her survival, while resisting a smouldering passion that might very well consumer her heart. And she will face her former master, the King of Assassins, again – to wreak revenge for a decade of pain.”

What is the book about?

Aelin is back in Rifthold after her adventures in Wedlyn and once more is hiding behind her fake identity as Celaena Sardothien, fearless assassin. However, now, she is under no one's control and answers to no one but herself. She has been a slave for too long, killing for whoever ruled over her at that time, and now she is finally free. However, before she can escape her old masters and find her way back home to Terrasen she must get something from her first one, something she once believed was lost but has just been kept hidden from her for too long. Then she can get revenge, on Arobynn, on the king and on anyone else unfortunate enough to cross her path and get in her way. But while she is trying to do all of this and defeat an evil bigger than anything she could ever imagine, she must also face some dark memories she has tried to push back for too long and fight to keep living in a world that has tried to break her too many times. Not only that but she also has to try to ignore some passionate feelings that have just kept growing and would just distract her from what she needs to accomplish. Will she manage to complete the tasks that may finally break her and return to her country, which she once believed she would never see again? And will she get her revenge for the things done to her since her escape from death at 8 years old? 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I (nearly instantly after finishing Heir of Fire) grabbed Queen of Shadows, so insistent to continue the story that had started to become my personality. As I went deeper in the series, reading the books became the thing I most enjoyed and my designated reading time became the time I looked forward to most during the day. I was so excited to see Aelin return to Rifthold as a new person, a stronger person, a person ready to step into the role she had tried so hard to ignore. I was also interested to see the dynamic between some of the characters who had spent the previous book separate, leading their own adventures. My initial thoughts on this book were that it was going to be absolutely amazing and better than all the ones I had read before, which I had decided not just because my friend said it was her favourite book but also because of the fact that once again all the characters were going to be reunited. I was so excited to start reading and finished the book much quicker than I had expected (as it was quite chunky), probably because of how easy and enjoyable it was to read. I was in love from the very start and now I know that I was a complete idiot for not diving into this series sooner. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I loved loads of characters in this book but I would probably say that my favourite character was Lysandra. I honestly didn't think I would say this since reading The Assassin's Blade and didn't even think that I would ever see her again, but I guess her introduction in the prequel stories had a purpose far greater than to just explain some of Aelin's (Celaena's) past. As the book went on, I grew to really like Lysandra. She was brave and strong despite everything that she went through. She wasn't at all like the rude and selfish girl that I though she was, that Aelin thought she was. What she did for Evangeline was one of the kindest things ever and she did it even though she knew it would lead to her being enslaved to Clarisse for even longer. She was smart and so cunning and managed to take her revenge against some of the people who had used her. She could have gotten out and ran, but chose to go back and help, and was a strong friend for Aelin, which she really needed after Nehemia. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

I loved many different parts of the book and honestly I don't think I could choose just one as my favourite. This whole book was absolutely amazing and was made that way because of all the different parts of the book. However, some parts that did stand out to me were those with Rowan and Aelin. If I'm completely honest, since reading the Grishaverse books by Leigh Bardugo I never thought I would ever meet another couple who I would ship so passionately that I would literally invest my whole life into them being together and would do anything to ensure they get their happy ending. Somehow, Sarah J. Maas managed to make me feel all that again with Aelin and Rowan so any part where they were together, either as just friends or finally as the something more I knew they had to be, holds a special part in my heart and made me react like some insane person who screams and cries and squeals at characters who do not exist outside their mind. These parts made me crazy but I loved them so much and I can't wait to see much more of the two of them in the next books. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

I honestly can't even put into words how much I loved this book and I just wish I could go back and read it again. There were so many things that contributed to my enjoyment of this book and I don't think there was a single thing that I didn't love. One reason I loved Queen of Shadows was because of the fact that it was the best of both worlds. I had loved reading about Wedlyn in Heir of Fire, with the magic and the Fae and all the things that didn't exist in Rifthold because the King of Adarlan had made it all disappear. However, I had also enjoyed reading about Celaena in Rifthold, with all the people she had grown to care about and the people who made her who she was. In this book, it felt like both these places merged into one, because Celaena was back, but she wasn't the assassin she had been in the first books and instead was the magical and fearless Aelin who had spent time with the Fae overseas. And then when the Fae started to come to Rifthold and Aelin started planning something that would change everything, it was the most incredible thing ever. Another thing I enjoyed about the book was the multiple POVs. In the first 2 books (Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight) it felt like everything was just from Celaena's perspective and we had no real idea about what was happening outside of that. However, in Heir of Fire we got to see outside of Aelin's mind and learnt a lot about what was happening with Chaol and Dorian and the witches. Queen of Shadows took this to a whole new level with new characters and parts with the witches that were actually interesting (a big change from the ones that I had found boring in Heir of Fire). It made the book so interesting and I loved it. One last thing that I loved so much was the romance. In Heir of Fire I had still been a little hung up on Chaol and Celaena, but the introduction of a Fae warrior quickly changed that. However, I was annoyed that the two kept making it clear that they didn't want each other as I really felt they should be together and I finally got what I wanted in this book, which I will never stop ranting about. Queen of Shadows was amazing and I am so excited to continue with Empire of Storms.

Which book did you like better: 1, 2, 3 or 4?

I have loved every book in the series so far and am honestly so excited to keep going as the books just keep getting better as we go on. I believe that my favourite book now is probably Queen of Shadows for many reasons. Firstly, I feel like the books before this one were mainly just world building and were there to give you information so you aren't confused when reading Queen of Shadows and the rest of the books. When reading the first 3 books, I thought they were amazing and full of action and crazy plots, however looking back now that I have read the fourth book I can see that they were nothing compared to Queen of Shadows and the packed storyline that I experienced. Secondly, the romance cannot even be compared between Queen of Shadows and the other books. It is honestly so much better that the one in the previous books pales in comparison and I can't stop thinking about it and never will. It's one of the reasons I said Heir of Fire was better than the first 2 books and it's now one of the biggest reasons that Queen of Shadows is superior to all the other books I have read in this series so far. I am so excited to continue with the series mainly for this romance and know that it's just going to continue to get better. Finally, another thing that made me chose Queen of Shadows as my favourite is the fact that now Aelin is fully herself and has fully embraced the truth about herself and isn't hiding behind the mask of the assassin she grew up as. I love her so much more as Aelin and I am intrigued to see what she does in the rest of the books. 

Would you recommend this book?  

There is no doubt in my mind about how much I enjoyed this book and how much I believe that anyone else who reads it will also love it. I will never stop recommending that you read this book and the whole Throne of Glass series. I think it is the perfect read for over 16 year olds who enjoy romance, fantasy and thrilling adventure.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A wild, magical adventure full of friendship and romance that you will never stop thinking about.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

HEIR OF FIRE by Sarah J. Maas

“Consumed by guilt and rage, Celaena can’t bring herself to spill blood for the King of Adarlan. She must fight back… The Immortal Queen will help her destroy the king – for a price. But as Celaena battles with her darkest memories and her heart breaks for a love that could never last, can she fulfil the bargain and head the almighty court of Terrasen? And who will stand with her?”

What is the book about?

Celaena has been sent to Wedlyn to kill the King and Crown Prince for the King of Adarlan so he can take over yet another continent. But Celaena can't bring herself to do it, to kill for the king who killed so many people she loved and who continues to destroy more and more people. She has finally decided it is time to fight back, time to stop hiding from the truth. Because in Wedlyn not only can she find the Royal family but she can also find the Immortal Fae Queen Maeve who may hold all the answers to the questions Celaena has about the power the king possesses, unlike anything she has ever seen. But when she finally encounters Maeve, the only way she can get her answers is to train with another Fae (a Prince named Rowan) who will decide on when she is worthy enough to go see the queen and get her answers. But as she goes through her training, she begins her battle with herself and the dark memories she has tried so hard to push down and ignore over the years. Can she face her true self and fulfill what the queen has ordered? 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Ever since I finished Crown of Midnight I have been aching to start reading Heir of Fire and to continue the story after the cliffhanger ending. As I had to read The Assassin's Blade first, it only made me more anxious to start reading the next novel in the series. Before I had even started to read, I knew that the book was going to be amazing and initially I believed that Heir of Fire was going to be even better than the previous 2 books in the series. I was so confident about that and was not disappointed when I started to read. I had been so intrigued to start reading and to be introduced to a whole new world that I had heard mentioned but hadn't gotten to see. It took no time at all for me to get used to the characters that I had been so excited to keep reading about and the book started so well, captivating me from the very first page. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character in Heir of Fire was probably Celaena/Aelin. I had loved her in the previous books too but in this one she stood out a lot more probably because she finally started to embrace who she was before she was found by Arobynn and turned into the assassin most feared. She grew much stronger because of it as she was able to practice using her powers and shifting into her Fae form. At the start of her training she was still trying to ignore the truth and ignore the magic that still ran through her veins. However, gradually she began to accept that she was more than just Celaena, that she was actually Aelin, the heir to the throne of Terrasen. I loved how the powers changed her and made her even more unbelievably strong and powerful. She was already a girl with enough strength to win in a battle again many men, however, now, with her magic, she was unstoppable. I loved how hard she worked with her magic, and how she didn't let how difficult it had been for her stop her. She got up early just to practice and to be able to show Rowan that she was worthy to go see Maeve. I loved her and I can't wait to see her in the next books as she steps into her role as queen. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

The whole book was absolutely amazing and I enjoyed many different parts of the book. Most of my favourite parts were when Rowan and Aelin were together. Although I enjoyed the point of view of Dorian and Chaol, I found the parts with Aelin in Wedlyn were much more interesting (and I definitely didn't enjoy the parts from the perspective of the witches). I think the main reason I enjoyed these parts more was because of the fact that there was actual magic being used and it was a new location. Out of all these parts one that I can't quite get out of my mind was when Aelin had been using her power a little too much and nearly burnt out. It was a pretty shocking moment but it led to one of my favourite moments of the book where Rowan was very controlling and protective of her as she healed. Even though they had both made it very clear that they didn't like each other as anything other than friends, this gave me hope that they would one day feel something more. I could just feel that they were meant to be together and this part gave me the proof that I needed that there was a possibility that my dreams would become reality. It was a great part of the book and definitely one that I won't soon forget.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Heir of Fire was an amazing read and I really enjoyed (nearly) everything about it. One reason I loved the book was the flashbacks to Aelin's childhood, which gave me a lot of much needed information. I had been interested for a while where she came from and after finding out Celaena was not her real name I was even more curious to see who she was before being found by Arobynn. The flashbacks gave me the answers that I had been looking for and let me get to know Celaena as Aelin. Flashbacks are something that since I can remember I have always loved as it is a much more interesting way to get information about someone's past so this book definitely stood out to me for it. Another thing that I enjoyed about the book was the new location that I got to see besides just Rifthold. It made the book much more interesting because there were several different points of view and they were completely separate as they were in different places. I got to still see what was going on in the main city of Adarlan through the eyes of Chaol and Dorian and also got to see the new lands of Wedlyn, where magic still existed. I loved that because magic is one of my favourite things about fantasy books so I was glad to finally have it introduced. Although I didn't particularly enjoy the chapters told from the witches perspective as I found them quite boring and wanted to get back to Aelin and Rowan, I knew that they would serve a purpose, so overall the book was great. The introduction of Rowan and the Demi Fae was also something that I really loved and I was so glad to meet some of these characters who made the book that much better. Now I can't wait to read Queen of Shadows and see as Aelin makes her way back to Rifthold. 

Which book did you like better, the first, the second or the third?

So far all the books in the Throne of Glass series have been absolutely brilliant and I have enjoyed every second I have spent with these incredible characters in their magical world. All 3 of the first books in the series (Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight and Heir of Fire) have been amazing but without a doubt my favourite book has got to be Heir of Fire. There was a lot about the book that stood out to me more than the previous 2 novels: the fact that there were 3 main storylines, the fact that magic was introduced and the fact that there were new characters. I had enjoyed reading about Celaena in Rifthold and her adventures there, however there wasn't really much of the things that I love in fantasy books. The magic, the battles with beings that shouldn't even exist and the magical creatures. I loved Heir of Fire as finally Celaena/Aelin was able to use her magic and I was able to see and understand new things that in a world without magic (like Adarlan) I would have never seen. Although I really enjoyed the dynamic between Celaena, Dorian and Chaol and their friendship in the first 2 books, it didn't even compare with Aelin and Rowan which made Heir of Fire really stand out to me. I also got so many more of my questions answered which I always love because I get so confused sometimes with the amount of new things that pop up in fantasy books. Heir of Fire was amazing and I know that the books are just going to get better. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I can't even begin to describe how much I loved the book and how much everyone needs to read it and the previous books in the series. I definitely recommend Heir of Fire and just know it is the perfect book for magic, fantasy and adventure lovers. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A perfect blend of magic, battles, adventures, romance and much more. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE by Sarah J. Maas

“‘The twist of a knife, the birth of a legend…’ Celaena Sardothien owes her reputation to Arobynn Hamel. He gave her a home at the Assassins’ Guild and taught her the skills she needed to survive. Arobynn’s enemies stretch far and wide – from Adarlan’s rooftops and its filthy dens, to remote islands and hostile deserts. Celaena is duty-bound to hunt them down. But behind her assignments lies a dark truth that will seal her fate – and cut her heart in two forever…”

What is the book about?

This book is made up of a collection of novellas that detail some of Celaena’s life before she was betrayed, captured and sent to Endovier. It shows what she was like as Adarlan’s Assassin and how she became the strong woman that we have grown to love in the Throne of Glass series. Arobynn found her and raised her to become the fearless and ruthless assassin that everyone fears. He helped create her reputation and she owes him everything. However, he expects his kindness to be repaid and Celaena is bound to him until she is able to do so. She must do as he says and follow his orders blindly, but Celaena isn’t one for being told what to do and manages to get into trouble quite easily. As a result, Arobynn punishes her in a way that he hopes will show her that she doesn’t rule the world, but even after he sends her away, he is not satisfied by her behaviour. Celaena knows that he is not pleased but the truth is so dark that it would be enough to destroy her, even after everything she has already endured.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

When I discovered that I was meant to read this book rather than the third book in the series (Heir of Fire) after Crown of Midnight, I was initially very annoyed as I really wanted to continue with the main story, especially after the reveal at the end of the book which had left me with many questions. However, once I realised that the book wasn’t another full novel and was actually a book made up of shorter novellas, I was much more interested in reading it. Also, once I found out what exactly the novellas would entail and the questions that I would have answered, I was more than just interested in reading it and was bursting to begin. I was really curious to learn more about Celaena, especially after reading Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight and having many questions about her past left unanswered. I wasn’t sure how much I would learn but I knew that any information would help me understand more and answer at least a few of the questions I had. I soon started to read and was once again shocked at how easy it was to fall back into Adarlan and how easily the book convinced me that I wasn’t sat on my bed in my room and was actually in this crazy magical world. The book was great from the very beginning and I loved every story.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

Throughout all of the stories in The Assassin’s Blade my favourite character was (unsurprisingly) Celaena Sardothien. She was the main character in all of the novellas and the stories (though written in third person) were essentially all from her point of view as we got to see her inner thoughts and not really anyone else’s. One reason I really liked Celaena was because of what she did in the first novella The Assassin and the Pirate Lord. She helped the slaves and saved many lives, which made it clear to me that she was a good person. Even though she was an assassin and had killed many people, this story made it clear that there was a line that even she wouldn’t cross and that helping to enslave people was definitely over the line. This showed me the good, sweet girl that she once was when she was younger, before she was raised and taught by Arobynn and that, even after all the suffering and pain she endured; she never fully lost that child inside of her. She was clearly not as helpless as she once had been but there was still part of that could never fully be the assassin she was taught to be.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

As this book was comprised of 5 novellas, instead of choosing a favourite part I will chose a favourite novella. Although I enjoyed them all and they were all very different, my favourite story would probably be The Assassin and the Healer. This was the shortest story and was probably to most people one of the less interesting stories and it certainly didn’t have much action, however it was one that really stood out to me. This is because Celaena chose to help someone, someone who was nobody and had nothing, especially when compared with Celaena Sardothien, Adarlan’s Assassin. Yet despite this, Celaena chose to help her and teach her what she needed to know to be able to survive the rough streets where many women found themselves killed. She also gave her enough more to help her achieve the future that she wanted. This girl had lost all hope, just like Celaena had, but she still had a chance to escape, unlike Celaena, and find a better life. Because of this Celaena chose to help her, so that there would be one less victim and one less person would lose everything because of the King of Adarlan.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, The Assassin’s Blade was an incredible book and I loved getting to see what Celaena’s life was like before Endovier. One reason I enjoyed the book was because it was made up of short stories. It could have easily been one whole book as all the stories flowed into each other, however it was perfect as separate short stories and I found it much more enjoyable this way. This is because it made it feel like the book was much shorter than it actually was and made it much easier to read.  Another reason I loved the book was because it answered many of the questions I had since reading Throne of Glass and also some from Crown of Midnight. I loved that it was a sort of prequel and showed me things from Celaena’s life under Arobynn’s rule that I didn’t think I would have gotten had this particular book not been written. I was also able to meet many of the characters that had been mentioned in the first 2 books in the Throne of Glass series and see how they helped to shape Celaena into the girl that I had been introduced to at the start of Throne of Glass. It was a great book and I hope to learn more about Celaena’s past, especially her childhood, in the next few books. 

Would you recommend this book?  

This book was really enjoyable and I would recommend that anyone who has read the Throne of Glass series reads it as it has some very valuable information. It is a great read for those who love fantasy, adventure, action and some romance and I know anyone who reads it will enjoy it.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An incredible glimpse into Celaena’s past that adds to the already amazing series that will leave you captivated. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

CROWN OF MIDNIGHT by Sarah J. Maas

“‘Crowned by evil. Bound by duty. Divided by love.’ Celaena Sardothien, royal assassin, is the King of Adarlan’s deadliest weapon. She must win her freedom through his enemies’ blood – but she cannot bear to kill for the crown. And every death Celaena fakes, every lie she tells, puts those she loves at risk. Torn between two protectors – a captain and a prince – and battling a dark force far greater than the king, Celaena must decide what she will fight for: her liberty, her heart or the fate of her kingdom.”

What is the book about?

Celaena Sardothien won the king’s competition to see who would win the title of King’s Champion and the contract to go with it. Now she is the King of Adarlan’s greatest weapon, a skilled assassin, at his disposal to use to dispatch anyone who threatens his rule. She just needs to do as she is told for 4 years and then she will win her freedom and will be able to get as far as she wants without having to watch her back. However, one wrong move and the king will not only have her killed but also kill those she loves, and she knows that he will do it if it comes to it. Despite this, she cannot bring herself to kill for the crown and the cruellest person she knows. However, she risks everything every time she disobeys direct orders and each time she worries the king will discover the truth. Not only is Celaena torn between her duty and her determination to not follow the king’s orders, but she is also tor between two protectors – the Crown Prince and the Captain of the Guard.  While trying to decide she is also facing a greater evil and a power so strong and so dark that if the king even got a taste of it, it would destroy the whole world. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

After reading Throne of Glass I had so many questions, mainly about Celaena and the mysterious Wyrdmarks and the power they contained so I was bursting to read this book. I knew before I had even started the book that it was going to be amazing because of the success of the first book in the series and how much the friend I borrowed the books from had loved the whole series. After all I had heard about the series from both my friend and from people on social media I honestly can’t believe that I had waited so long to finally start the series. It is a huge investment though, as it is a very large series, but I had been told it’s worth it so I was really excited to keep reading. The blurb didn’t give me much more information as I already knew what I was going into after reading the first book in the series, however I was still intrigued. Once I started to read, I was immediately transported back to the world that I had grown so accustomed to in Throne of Glass and soon forgot that Adarlan didn’t actually exist and that I had my own world to go back to when I finished the book.  It was an amazing read from the very beginning. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I liked many of the characters in the book and all were really well developed and all had something intriguing about them; however there was one that stood out to me. My favourite character was definitely Nehemia for many reasons, one of those being her friendship with Celaena. Celaena had never really had anyone since she arrived in Rifthold but then Nehemia chose to befriend her, despite everything that she had done, and start a friendship that both really needed. Another reason I really liked Nehemia was because she was the only one who was willing to sacrifice everything to build a better world, one where everyone was free to follow the life they want without fear of the king. She wanted to save her country and her people and was willing to do whatever it took to get it, even to stand up against the king and risking her own life for the sake of others. This was something that not many people were willing to do and she had very few allies, however she still did it. Although she did try to convince people, she wasn’t very pushy and was just trying to help them see that that was the best thing for them and the whole world. She was a very strong, smart girl and did her best to help everyone. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

I really enjoyed the book and found it really difficult to decide on a favourite part, however there were some things that did stand out to me and made me enjoy the book even more. My favourite part or parts was the romance between Chaol and Celaena, which took a little while to begin but once it did was really enjoyable. I had been shipping them since the first book and was glad to see them together, especially after having them basically ignore their feelings for half the book. It was so obvious yet it took them both so long to realise how they felt and make their move. It was a great moment for me and made the book that much more interesting as it added some romance to a book that was heavily fantasy and action. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Crown of Midnight was absolutely amazing and I really enjoyed every second of it. One thing that made me love the book was the short chapters. Even if 2 books are exactly the same length, with the same number of pages and the same size text, if one of them has short chapters of only 5 or 6 pages and the other has long chapters then the one with shorter chapters will always feel like it was easier and quicker to read. This is something that I will never understand but it always happens so it was really nice that the book had shorter chapters because it made it a lot more fun to read. Another thing that I enjoyed about the book was the amazing world building. It was crazy to think that the world that I had fallen in love with and had practically lived in for the past few days had been created by a single person with only a few words. I love fantasy because it is an escape, an escape from the world that I live in into one that has magic and creatures that I couldn’t even begin to understand. It makes me feel like I have travelled to more places than I actually have and makes me feel alive. This is why I love that this world in this series was created so well that I am once again able to add another world to the vast list of places I have been to through books. Crown of Midnight was an amazing book and I just cannot wait to read the next one in the series, especially after the cliff-hanger ending of this one.

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

Both Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight were absolutely incredible and definitely contributed to the excitement that I have for reading the next book in the series (Heir of Fire) and I honestly do not know which I liked better. One thing about Throne of Glass that I definitely enjoyed more was the plot. Although Crown of Midnight did have some interesting parts, it really just felt like a bit of an introduction that was just giving me background information to help when reading the rest of the books in the series. Instead Throne of Glass had an actual plot (Celaena trying to win the competition to become the King’s Champion) and so I did enjoy the first book in that respect. However, there was also stuff in Crown of Midnight that made me like it more than Throne of Glass. One thing was the plot twist and shock at the end. Throne of Glass had a more normal conclusion; however Crown of Midnight revealed something that I kind of started to see coming but still found just as shocking as I would have if I hadn’t had any suspicion. It made me even more intrigued to read the next book and made the book stand out to me. Overall I don’t think I could pick a favourite, but I had an inkling that Heir of Fire will definitely be better than both the previous books. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend reading Crown of Midnight (of course after Throne of Glass – the first book in the series) and I have no doubt you will enjoy it. It is a great book for fantasy, romance and adventure lovers and I think it is perfect for those who are over 16 and can’t wait to jump into another fantastic new world. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A thrilling novel with mystery and romance that will keep you on your toes. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas

“‘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?”

What is the book about?

Celaena Sardothien is a name that everyone knows and everyone has learnt to fear over the years. Adarlan’s Assassin. A deadly girl who can have you dead without making a sound. However, very few know her face, as her identity was one of the many things she tried to keep hidden. She is an incredible assassin, supposedly impossible to capture, however after she was betrayed, she was caught and sent to the salt mines of Endovier by the King of Adarlan to spend the rest of her life, however long that would be. But one day she is taken out of the salt mines by some royal guards and among them is the Captain of the Guard – Chaol Westfall. He and the Crown Prince offer her a deal: she can fight in a competition to become the King’s Champion and win her freedom or she can stay in Endovier to die. This competition may also lead to her death as she faces many other ruthless assassins, thieves and more. However Celaena knows that either way, live or die, she will be free. So now she is on her way back to Rifthold and the life and destiny she thought she had lost forever. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I had wanted to read Throne of Glass and the rest of the series for years, especially since my friend read it a couple years ago and claimed them to be her absolute favourite books. She had been trying to convince me for years to read them, however I was always far to busy to invest my time in a series with as many books as this and books double the thickness of the ones that I’m used to reading. However, finally I decided it was time and to her great joy I asked her to borrow the books. Once she gave me them I started to rethink my decision after seeing the sheer magnitude of this series, however, I soon read the blurb and my intrigue took over and had me already diving into the first book of the series. Soon I had completely forgotten my initial dismay as I feel in love with the book within a few chapters and finished it a lot quicker than I was expecting. The book started so quickly and there was no real introduction, only gradual explanations and descriptions embedded into the story, making it that much easier to read and enjoy from the very start. I honestly can’t believe I waited that long to read the book and now I’m so excited for the rest of the series. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

There were lots of characters that stood out to me, but without a doubt the one that interested me the most was Celaena. She was the main character, the one whose mind I was constantly seeing into, the one who the story centred around and soon I grew to really love her. There was a lot that made me like her character, but some characteristics really stood out to me. Her strength was one of those. She managed to make a life for herself despite everything that happened to her and never let anyone or anything break her, even if she felt like closing up and giving up. The more I read and learnt about her past the more I admired her. She went through hell as a child and then when she thought she had been given a safe place she was betrayed and once again had to go through something that I couldn’t even imagine surviving. Yet somehow this young girl had the strength to keep going, a strength that could not even be human which helped her get through the tough times. Her approach to life to rely on no one and to be the strongest she can be is flawed but admirable because she could have chosen to dwell on everything that happened and to seek people’s pity and sympathy and rely on anything these people offered her, but, instead, she chose to rely on her own strength and that helped her become one of the more incredible female main characters I have encountered in my many years of reading.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was when Celaena realises she has feelings for Dorian. Although I wasn’t really shipping them together, I did find it really sweet and did enjoy this part. However, I didn’t just love this part for the romance but mainly because of how it developed Celaena’s character further. After this part of the book it was clear and she was not just a strong, determined and ruthless assassin but was also just as human as the rest of us. She was just a girl who also had a crush like any eighteen-year-old girl and was having feelings that she couldn’t control, not matter how much she wanted them gone. It was also something I was waiting for and that I knew was going to happen at one point. It added another element to the book and made the book more entertaining as it was clear that her feelings were reciprocated but also that there was someone else who also had feelings for her.  

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Throne of Glass was absolutely amazing and I cannot wait to read the next novel (Crown of Midnight) and continue with Celaena’s adventure. One thing that found really great about the book was that it was written in the third person. When I was young I hated the third person, however over the years I have grown to love it as it allows a glimpse of multiple POVs without having the confusion of figuring out who ‘I’ is (though it usually says it at the start of the chapter). The book was mainly from Celaena’s viewpoint (as in we got to know how she felt, though it was in third person), which was disappointing as I always love to see things through other’s minds. However, the fact that it was in third person meant that I got to read stuff that not even Celaena knew about. Another thing that I loved was that there was great suspense and mystery and subtle hints to who was responsible for the sudden, night-time deaths in the book, which were easy to see but missed as they were so simple that even I didn’t realise until it was revealed. It was so intriguing and hard to put down and I just can’t wait to read on. One other thing I loved was the amazing world building and the map at the start. I always wonder where the locations the characters are talking about actually are I relation to other places and sometimes find it confusing when there are many different places mentioned in one book, however the map was absolutely perfect for answering any questions I may have and really helped transform the world in my head. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would 100000000% recommend reading this book. This is an incredible novel, full of fantasy, romance and action and is perfect for over 16s who are looking for a magical new world to fully submerge in and to escape the mundane world that we live in.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An epic novel full of romance, mystery and a world that you’ll never want to leave.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego