Throne of Glass Review

Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas
★★★★☆
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Age: YA
Genre: Assassin, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Magic
Format Reviewed: ARC ebook
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.
Her opponents are men—thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.
Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.
Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

With a character that has likeness to Yelena of The Poison Study Series, Katniss of The Hunger Games Series, and Katsa of Graceling, Throne of Glass is a fantasy adventure story not lacking in the kickbutt heroine department. It's a book filled with not only this witty lead character but everything else I look for in a good book.

I will say that I found the beginning of the book to be a bit lengthy; understandably what with the equisite world building, but there were times I had to set the book down and go back to it. I'm glad I stuck with it because it is a terrific read. Full of adventure and suspense.

The book possesses an incredible premise and a slew of intriguing characters. Celaena was definitely my favorite character, she's the elusive thief of Endovier and yet she's down to earth and . The other contestants in the competition are just as brutal as she but no where near as bright. Once the story gets going and events start happening it's a fast paced magical suspense.

There is a huge romantic element at play throughout the book, which is something I always look for. There are actually 2, and both seem rather believable. I loved guessing even though it became mighty frustrating. I won't say more, because you need to read the book, but I will say that I was very excited with the outcome.

The magic in Throne of Glass was well done, but in the beginning I was a little wary. The story takes a fantasy route that I was surprised in, but it ended up being a good surprise and one that I haven't seen done as much as others,

A bonus, if you have read or plan on reading Throne of Glass (WHICH YOU SHOULD) There are multiple novellas featuring Celaena because you can't get enough of her!

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