Book Review - Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

    

Book One

Throne of Glass series

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?

REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

“You could rattle the stars”

I’m going to say it, after countless times re-reading Throne of Glass, this time I hated it the most. 

It has never been my favourite of the series, but I don’t think I’ve hated it as much as I do this time around. It all comes down to one factor; I hate Celaena.

Okay we get it, you’re the greatest assassin in all of Adarlan. Instead of telling me this over and over again, show me. In all honesty, she is more portrayed as a murderer than this elite assassin. Does Sarah J. Maas know what an assassin is, or did she just love the title?

She even made her door extra squeaky so she can hear people come in, yet there are countless times where both Dorian and Chaol walked in without her knowing.

What an amazing assassin… (sarcasm)

There is going to be a lot of things that I really didn’t like about this book, but I will say the things I liked about it first. 

I do think Sarah J. Maas knows how to write a story. Let me rephrase that, she knows how to keep you in and hooked, wanting more. I mean, there is eight of them total in the series. And strange enough, I think she writes better side characters than main ones. For example; Nehemia. She was my favourite throughout this book that I just wanted the point of view from her. This is a character who would have character development and growth, unlike a certain someone else.

Okay, now to the things that annoyed me.

I really didn’t get the main plot of the story. So, you have this competition where these criminals, and yes Celaena you are one of them, to compete against each other to become the King’s champion.

Now, hear me out here, wouldn’t it be better to get a “champion” who was already loyal to the crown. You are intrusting this person to carry very delicate dealings, I would want someone who I could trust 100% Not criminals that would no doubt stab you while your sleep. 

Out of all the criminals I think Cain is the most loyal to the crown. I’m surprised they didn’t just give it to him. Actually, knowing what is going to happen later on in the series, why didn’t the King give it to Cain? It boggles me how this King has gotten this far in conquering. 

Talking about criminals competing against each other, can someone also explain to me how they had these lowest of low criminals just walking around the castle, attending parties and whatnot? There was a scene with Celaena and Nehemia walking together, alone it seems with no guards, when Cain and this other competitor just comes up to them and starts intimidating them. There was not once where a guard, which I believe there was none around, to stop this. 

I know a lot of this is for plot reasons, but it just didn’t make sense at all. Am I the only one that remembers these are murderers and let’s not forget about an actual killer on the loose killing the competitors. Where is Chaol? Who, might I add, is way too young for this role as Captain of the Guard. The only reason he is in such a high position is because he needs to be a love interest for Celaena. Honestly, they should’ve just made a personal guard to the prince, that could be more believable. 

On that note, let’s talk about the love triangle. The relationships between Celaena, Chaol and Dorian also made no sense to me. I know, this is becoming a pattern for this book.

I can’t believe what I’m going to say, but it’s true; If Celaena wasn’t beautiful (her words) then this book wouldn’t have the romance that it has. And they definitely won’t love her for her personality, even though Sarah J. Maas tries to give her a heart every now and then.

Celaena is basically a mean girl. There was so many disgusting instances where she made a comment of any group of girls, yet it’s okay for her to fawn over Dorian. Make this make sense. 

This is why I don’t think she is a great assassin; she wants all the attention on her. And for some crazy reason, she cares more about what she is wearing then actually competing in this stupid competition. 

There is a scene with her a Dorian and she says to him; “Would you like me to explain why, or is it enough for me to say that I don’t take jewels and trinkets as payment for my affection?”.

What an absolute liar. After you came back from the Silent Assassin’s (which I was hoping made you a better assassin, obviously not) he apologised for beating you to a pulp and then gave you a trinket. You were okay with that, and you still think he didn’t betray you. 

I do know that these books start to get better, but I’m just surprised how much I hated Throne of Glass this time around. Hopefully I don’t feel the same for the rest of the series, not when my favourite character; Lysandra is in them.

Getting Back Into Learning Ancient Egypt

 

My true love for ancient Egypt all began when I saw the movie The Mummy with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. I watched this movie so many times that I knew the script back to front. I wanted to be just like Evelyn, she was such an amazing character to watch.

Before watching this movie, I was obsessed with Lara Croft and Indiana Jones, going searching for ancient treasure. Tomb Raiders. These characters got me into history in general, and kicking arse lol.

I remember in school hoping we would eventually start learning about this amazing time period, but of course to my annoyance, we didn't. So what did I do, I taught myself.

I bought so many books and, when we eventually got a computer and the internet, I looked up online for as much information as I possibly could. I was a young person wanting to absorb as much information as I possibly could.

My favourite person is, and always will be, Cleopatra.

Even though it's not accurate, I would always love Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra. 

And my favourite book that I'm obsessed with is; When We Were Gods by Colin Falconer.

I have read that book so many times, I've marked out spots that I loved the most and would re-read them over and over again.

Like I said, I was obsessed.

Skip many years later (2006), I have been working for three years with no holiday or sick pay and I finally saved enough to have the trip of a lifetime. I spent four weeks in Egypt and one in Italy. I have family over in Italy and I also love the Roman period, so while I was close by, why not visit there.

That trip, I would remember for the rest of my life.

I'm not sure what it is, or really when, I stopped learning or reading anything to do with ancient Egypt. It's strange when I look back as a kid, I did so many things, but now that I'm an adult it feels like I don't have any time in the day to do two things.

But no more. I want to get back into re-learning about ancient Egypt, especially with new things being discovered, I want to get back into what made me the most happiest.

By no means am I a professional, this is something that I want to do for myself. 

I've started to go through the books I already own and keeping a journal, keeping notes on all the information I'm learning. I want to thank, without even knowing, Courtney on Reading Ancient Egypt on Instagram. Looking at her posts has gotten me back on the chariot.

If you have any book recommendations, please let me know in the comments on this blog, or you can message me on Instagram. I want to learn as much as I possibly can.

Book Review - The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

   

Prequel to the

Throne of Glass series

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...

I'll review each of the novellas individually then overall at the end. 

Have no fear, they are just going to be short reviews.

Also, reviews will definitely have spoilers.

The Assassin and the Pirate

Reading for the hundredth time I found that I don't love this novella as much as I used to. 

I'm all for strong female characters, but I found Celaena (I'll call her that for this book) to be so painful to read when she talked so highly of herself. I cringed so much when she would talk about how amazing she is and I get it, you are beautiful, we get it.

I do think her freeing the slaves was to show the readers that even though she is this badass assassin, she has a soft side. It also plays a big factor later on, but I felt like it was showing us her compassionate side.

The Assassin and the Healer

I did enjoy reading this book, mainly because of Yrene Towers.

I should say now, I do enjoy the side characters more than the main character. Personally I think they have more character development and they are just overall more enjoyable to read.

There was one thing Celaena said to Yrene that I was thinking throughout the whole book. Basically, why did Yrene stay in that dump when she could've just saved enough money and left to Antica and work there to get more money to attend the school.

The only reason that makes sense on why she stayed was for the story (future books) and her meeting Celaena.

I still had the cringe on hearing how amazing and beautiful she is. Again, we get it.

The Assassin and the Desert

This novella got me thinking. I thought assassin's were supposed to be secret, hiding your identity. But Celaena seemed to me she wanted everyone to know who she is and how amazing she is. To be honest, I think she would be better as a mercenary than an assassin. That way, she can tell the world, and walk around, knowing that people know she is "badass".

Going to the Silent Assassin's, in my opinion anyway, was to teach her to work as a team and not be cocky.  I think it did work towards the end, but it definitely didn't stick.

Okay, I'm getting ahead of myself. I don't want to be negative Nancy; like I said earlier, I do love the side characters and Ansel was no exception.

She is so flawed, but I loved reading her story. She is so much more interesting and what she did in the end, I could see why she did it. I just want to read more of her and what she would next. 

My favourite quote from her is;

"Tomorrow will be better. It might be only a foot more than today, but it will be a foot longer that you can run".

The Assassin and the Underworld

I do wish Celaena would think more clearly when it comes to Arobynn, but I also see why she doesn't question him. She thinks she owes him for "rescuing" her and keeping her off the streets.

The fact that she fell for his apology however is mind boggling. The man beat you to a pulp for ruining his slave trade and you think he is just going to forget that and now save every slave. I highly doubt that.

I feel sorry for her, but it can be so frustrating.

Now let's talk about my favourite character in the entire series; Lysandra.

I know in later books it comes to light on why these two really hate each other, but hearing Celaena talk down to her because instead of this badass assassin, Lysandra is just a prostitute. 

Celaena talks on and on about how she was forced to be what she is today, but she is blind to thinking, hey, maybe Lysandra is in the same boat as you.

I know things work out later on, but this just made me see so angry. The way she treats people working in sex trade is disgusting. She really does think highly of herself.

The Assassin and the Empire

How could Sarah J. Maas do that to Sam Cortland.

I haven't spoken about him throughout because I think this novella really brings him out as a character. And then SJM does that to us. 

I do think that he showed Celaena how to love and not just be physically strong, but also mentally. He was such an amazing character for her.

"My name is Sam Cortland... and I will not be afraid".

As much as I love Sam, I hate Arobynn. I always thought from the beginning that he treated her like property and that last line was proving my point. "Because I don't like sharing my belongings".

OVERALL

Now, it might seem like I didn't like this book, but I actually loved it more this time than the other hundred times I've read it.

I do think that Sarah J. Maas knows how to write a story. She keeps you engaged wanting more and her world building is at the right pace.

And like I've said countless times, I'm in love with her side characters whether they are the good or bad guys. To me, they just seem more interesting.

These books were to show us events prior to Throne of Glass but also show us characters that are going to play a major role further along in the series.

Was it necessary to read or even write it? Not really, but when you are invested in a world and story, you want to know every single detail from all characters. 

Personally, I enjoyed it and I can't wait to read Throne of Glass next.