Throne of Glass
Author: Sarah Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Mystery
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Summary:
The whole land fears her.
Only she can save them all.
In a world without magic, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the vicious king who rules from his throne of glass but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she will be released from prison to serve as the King’s Champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien.
The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. And a princess from a faraway land will befriend her. But something evil dwells in the castle – and it’s there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival – and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.
First Sentence: After a year of slavery in the Salt Mines of Endovier, Celaena Sardothien was accustomed to being escorted everywhere in shackles and at sword-point.
My Review:
Wow! That was a wide ride! It’s so hard to believe that I DNF’d Throne of Glass halfway through the book the first time I tried to read it. Like, what was I thinking? (Okay, I know what I was thinking. The first time I tried reading the book, I was bored out of my mind because I wasn’t really in the mood for it. I think.) Now, I’m completely flabbergasted that I haven’t finished the book the first time. Trust me guys, this book was amazing! I just didn’t want to put it down.
The first time I tried to read Throne of Glass, I hated Celaena so bad. I thought she was a show-off and had such a horrible ego that she just couldn’t stand people not knowing that she was the awesome and famous Celaena Sardothien. This time, however, I surprisingly grew to like her and understood the tough position she was in. I also discovered that on the outside, Celaena acts all tough and mighty, like she’s above it all, but in reality, if you know where to look, Celaena is in fact really vulnerable. Celaena has a secret soft side to her and she’ll also be a good friend to you if you’re a good friend to her. In the end, I found myself rooting for Celaena to win and mourning when she had faced some tough problems.
Because somehow, the thought of him getting hurt – or worse – made her willing to risk just about anything. (278)
I felt Celaena was so clueless at times though, specifically regarding two very important things: Chaol’s feelings towards her and what was going on (aka the mystery portion of the book). When Chaol was mean to her (because hey, guys don’t know how to be nice to girls they like but are supposed to hate), Celaena took his actions at face value instead of looking beyond what he was doing, to his true feelings underneath. Celaena kept thinking oh, he just hates me and doesn’t trust me, leaving me extremely frustrated because it was so obvious that the opposite of that was true. Also, the theories Celaena came up with for who was responsible for killing the other Champions were so ridiculous when the obvious clues were just glaring at her in the face. I could think of so many other better possible suspects than the person Celaena suspected was behind it all.
As for the love triangle, it was surprisingly not annoying at all. It was also not one of those unhealthy love triangles either. In the end, I don’t know if I like either Chaol more or Dorian more. Chaol is the one who protects Celaena, but doesn’t want to let her know that he cares about her. In fact, he doesn’t quite realize that he’s in like/love with her. Therefore, Chaol is mean to her, which is seriously a bad move for him because Celaena is just so clueless as mentioned above. Dorian, meanwhile, is the flirt. He cares about Celaena more than he cares about all the other girls out there, but he still flirts with other girls. Do you see why it’s so hard to choose a side?! (Although I might be edging towards Team Chaol because nearly everybody I follow on twitter is on Team Chaol. They all must like Chaol for a good reason right?)
But he knew that her thoughts weren’t of him.
…
Still, he watched, watched until she sighed and went inside. She never bothered to look below. (301)
Unlike the first time I tried to read Throne of Glass, I didn’t find the middle of the book slow at all. The first time I tried to read it, the pacing in the middle was horrible, so horrible that I couldn’t finish the actual book. This time, I barely noticed the pacing. I just so into the book.
There sadly wasn’t any assassinating at all in Throne of Glass. Celaena just thinks of the ways she could kill someone, but doesn’t actually do it. However, I’m expecting the next book in the Throne of Glass series, Crown of Midnight, to have tons of assassinating because the Champion’s competition is finally over and we can finally go on with the real stuff. (Yes, I’m beyond excited for August. I need to get my hands on you now Crown of Midnight!)
At least, that was her escort’s intention, because she hadn’t failed to notice when they went up and down the same staircase within a matter of minutes. Nor had she missed when they zigzagged between levels, even though the building was a standard grid of hallways and stairwells. As if she’d lose her bearings that easily. (1, 2)
Overall, I simply loved and enjoyed reading Throne of Glass. There was never a dull moment in the book and the drama between Celaena, Chaol, and Dorian was so entertaining and fun to read about. (I sadly still don’t know why I DNF’d it the first time I read it.) Grab a copy of Throne of Glass asap if you can; you definitely won’t regret it.
I love when love triangles are done right. And that’s so brave of you to take time to try a book again. I don’t think I’d have the patience. My sis read this one and said it was slow, so I’ve never picked it up. But she’s not “big” on fantasy so maybe I’ll give it a shot, especially if you tried to read it again and it turned out to be MUCH better than you expected.
Becca recently posted…Countdown to the Addicted to You Novella! Sale Announcement, Updates, and More!
The only reason I re-read Throne of Glass was because everyone was fawning over Crown of Midnight and I wanted to see what all the hype was about. :P
I’m not big on fantasy either, but Throne of Glass definitely amazed me! I hope you like the book as much as I do Becca! :D
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books
I’m reading the novellas at the moment and loving them and hope to start TOG this week, Glad you gave it a second chance and it lived up to your expectations then! I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in to the main book. Great review!
Danielle recently posted…Review: Romancing the RA by Ashelyn Drake
I want to read the novellas! Too bad there’s too many of them. ):
And I think you’ll definitely love Throne of Glass Danielle! (:
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books
WHATTTTT?! You DNFed it the first time! THAT IS OURAGEOUS haha. So glad you picked it up again! I get where you’re coming from though, in terms of Celaena being a bit annoying. But I also love that she has that confidence/arrogance because it shows how complex a character she is! And I’m definitely hoping for assassinations in the next book as well haha
Nice review Kelly :)
Nara recently posted…Massive Sizzling Summer Giveaway (INT) + Excerpt from Spectral by Shannon Duffy
-hides quickly so you can’t find me-
I like Celaena a little better now. Her complexity does make her interesting. :P
Thank you Nara & oh my goodness, I can’t wait until Crown of Midnight!
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books
I was a little disappointed, too, by the lack of assassinating in this, especially since Celaena kept mentioning how awesome she was at it, lol. Her ego did bug me a bit at times, but overall I really, really enjoyed the book. I can’t wait to read Crown of Midnight, either!
Lee @ Rally the Readers recently posted…Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Celaena better be assassinating tons of people in Crown of Midnight Lee! Like, I want to see some bloodshed! :P
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books
This sounds so awesome! The love triangle doesn’t sound too bad and the main character sounds great, too. I’ll definitely be picking this up soon. Amazing review :)
Montana @ The Book Belles recently posted…Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne Book Review
Yay! You’ll LOVE this book Montana! :D<3
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books
I absolutely loved this book. I was a bit disappointed as well by the fact that we were only told that Celaena was super dangerous, but it was never showed. The love triangle was amazing indeed, not at all irritating like so many others in YA books these days. Great review!
Eveline @ Eveline’s Books recently posted…All our Yesterdays – Cristin Terrill [Review]
I’m glad you loved this book too Eveline!
Yeah, I want to see how truly dangerous Celaena is. I want to see her kick some butt and showoff her skills.
Thanks Eveline! (:
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books
YAY! I’m so glad you gave this a second chance! I didn’t think I would like it at first, but I was surprised with how good it actually was. I do agree with you about Caelina being clueless. I mean, COME ON, Chaol totally liked her. Ugh. LOL
The love triangle didn’t annoy me either, which I was not expecting. I can’t wait to see what you think of the second book. I think it comes out next month, but I’m not sure. I got it from NetGalley, but I haven’t started it yet.
Nancy @ Tumbling Books recently posted…Review: Throne of Glass
I’m glad to hear that liked it too Nancy! :D<3
I know! I wanted to shake Celaena. For some a "smart" girl at assassinating, she was so clueless.
I'm avoiding NetGalley. I'm too afraid that I'll go crazy and request everything in sight, so I have to wait until August 27 to get my hands on Crown of Midnight. :P
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books
I’m glad this review came out, Kelly. I have just purchased the Throne of Glass since I just loved the idea of female assassins. But right now it makes things more exciting now that I’ve read raving reviews about it. :D.
Charlotte recently posted…e-ARC Book Review {3}: Slumber by Tamara Blake
I’m glad I reassured you on your awesome buy Charlotte! ;D
You’ll be sure to love this one!
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books
I am dying to read this, but I’ll be honest – I’m kinda scared! With all of the hype about how great it is, I am worried I have built it up too much in my head and it won’t live up to what I am expecting. I’m also not a fan of the cover change at all.
Aww, I completely understand how you feel Rachel. ):
I’m a fan of the cover change. Honestly, if the paperback cover stayed the same as the hardcover cover, I have trouble guessing how the sequel’s cover would look like.
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books
I thought the premise sounded interesting… an 18-year old assassin who has to compete and fight against deadly men in order to secure her freedom and the title of the King’s Champion? Sign me up!
I thought there was a lot of action but I just couldn’t really connect with it. I did like the protagonist Celaena (love her name too!) but I hated how ‘girly’ she was sometimes…she is a deadly assassin for godsakes! And I don’t mean girly as in flirting with the Prince because that was fine, she is clever and obviously sees his attraction to her as beneficial, as well as the fact that I think she actually does like him. What I mean by ‘girly’ is when she was alone and admiring herself or describing her dress It was really boring to read! I didn’t think it really fit her character either. Celaena had a terrible life, she was a slave, whipped, beaten and worked in mines but she still is so egotistical and to be honest a little bratty…. Maybe others would see it as her way of dealing with her harsh life and even see it as positive because her hardships hadn’t affected her completely but I think if I was in her predicament I would be very hard and very untrusting. I would be a deadly assassin/slave and Celaena seems like neither of those things for most of the book. I don’t think I would think much about fine dresses or how my hair looked…I’d probably be plotting my revenge and escape!
Another big problem is the magic side of the story was very underdeveloped to me. I want to know the history of magic in this world! The novel would have been immensely more interesting if the author had really delved into what the magic was, why was it banned exactly, who wielded it etc. I know there are fairies and ghosts but what else? What kind of magic did they possess? I had too many unanswered questions and it really fell flat.
Chaol was wonderful though. I really liked his character even though he was leaning a bit on the cliche side of ‘strong-silent’ type. I really want to hear more about him in the second book, he hinted as having a interesting past and he definitely can relate more to Celaena than Dorian can (stupid arrogant Dorian.)
I think Poison Study, Graceling, Finnikin of the Rock and Grave Mercy did a MUCH better job with the same type of genre!
Yeah, Celaena’s girly side really contradicted her deadly assassin side, but I felt that her girly side helped make her a complex character. She’s not as simple as, oh, she’s just a deadly stuck-up assassin, you know?
As for the magic thing, I suspect that Sarah Maas would be exploring that side later in a later book. After all, there are six books in the series. o:
Ha ha, so you’re a Team Chaol? ;D
I’ve only read Poison Study and Graceling and hmm, now that you’ve mentioned it, I loved them both better than Throne of Glass.
Thanks for the long and interesting comment Evelyn! (:
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books
So glad you ended up loving this one :D. This is why I always go back to DNFed books after a while. Sometimes you just have to put a book down, not because it’s bad but because you aren’t in the mood for it.
And I’m also really, really hopping the next one will make up for the lack of action in this one. The summary sounds like it will.
Great review Kelly :D
Kimberly recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday (27)
I’m glad I gave this another chance Kimberly! :D
And Crown of Midnight better have more action than this one! I want to see some bloodshed! :P
Thank you Kimberly! <3
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books
Yeah, I did NOT have this reaction to the book. I hated Celaena. HATED. And everything just felt so underdeveloped. I did finish it, but will NOT be returning for the second book.
Here’s my review, if you’re interested:
http://thebookfix.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/people-who-live/
Aww Missie, I’m sorry you feel that way. ):
But I can see why you hated Celaena. I HATED her too the first time I read it. She’s still like, ugh, but I grew to accept her for who she is.
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books
Ohh I absolutely loved Celaena even if she was annoying sometimes! You should definitely read the Throne of Glass novellas! :)
I don’t know if I’ll ever read the Throne of Glass novellas; I don’t like using money on short ebooks. :P
Kelly recently posted…Series Overview: The Unraveling Duology – Elizabeth Norris
I’m not such a fan of novella’s, but I really recommend these! They are not short at all and they show more of her and how she became the person she is today. Let me tell you, the last novella was heartbreaking!
Mel@thedailyprophecy recently posted…Recap Italy.
It is? Does the novellas tell us about Celaena’s mysterious family? o:
I’m SO, SO happy that you love it :)! I’m completely team Chaol, but I definitely see the appeal of Dorian. At least this is a understandable love-triangle and it actually works great for the story. I can see why someone would hate Celaena, but her troubled and flawed character just clicks. She is my opposite in every way, so perhaps that is why I like her so much. Awesome review :D
Mel@thedailyprophecy recently posted…Recap Italy.
Looks like almost everybody is on Team Chaol. :P
Yeah, I like how Celaena’s characteristics makes her complex and flawed character. And she is definitely the opposite of both of us in every way, although I wish I have her awesome assassinating skills. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Series Overview: The Unraveling Duology – Elizabeth Norris
I love this book so much. I just picked it up again from the library to reread before Crown of Midnight comes out. I’m really surprised that you originally hated Celaena. All the reasons you initially disliked her are all the reasons I was pretty much instantly in love with her. She’s one of my top five favorite YA females. I love how fierce and badass she is, and yet girly and vulnerable all at the same time.
Throne of Glass also has the only love triangle I’ve ever been able to tolerate. I love both of the guys and if she ends up with either of them or neither, I don’t care. There are going to be six books in the series so it’s going to be a wild ride and I look forward to it.
Angie recently posted…Review: Splintered by A.G. Howard
I hated Celaena at first because she was too conceited for my taste. I mean, Chaol is trying to help her by keeping her real identity a secret, but there Celaena goes, not appreciating it because she wants to be noticed and envied for her skills. :P
I’m looking forward to it too! :D
Well, as long as Celaena isn’t one of those flaky heroines who go I like him! No, him! Nah, he’s better. No, wait, I’m making a mistake, I choose him! You know what I mean.
Kelly recently posted…Series Overview: The Unraveling Duology – Elizabeth Norris
God, I just loved this book. I’m glad you took the time to pick it back up! Have you read the novellas? They REALLY help you to get inside Celaena’s head and understand her motives.
And Celaena + Chaol = YES please. Haha!
Jess Chiles recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday (11)
Nope, I have sadly not read the novellas yet, but everybody is convincing me too! I hope they publish the novellas in paperback or something like they did with the Delirium novellas.
Kelly recently posted…Summer Giveaway Hop 2013
The Throne of Glass is an exciting read with kick ass heroes. <3 Great review!
It definitely is. ;D
And thanks! (:
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [44]
This is next on my reading list, I’m so happy that I’ll finally get the chance to read this amazing book, gotta love kick-ass heroines! :D
You’ll absolutely LOVE this one Diana! Throne of Glass is soo good and Celaena is definitely one kick-ass heroine. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Hop
I loved this book so much! I’m just about to start reading Crown of Midnight, I totally agree with you about the love triangle, usually i get really annoyed with them but this one was executed really well!
Sam recently posted…Book Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
I still have to read Crown of Midnight! I can’t wait to start it. :D<3
Throne of Glass' love triangle is definitely executed well. I just can't pick a side.
Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: Do You Read The Acknowledgements Page?
I want to read this book so bad! It sounds like a wonderful story and I only see great reviews about it. I also need to read the novellas, and in relation to the love triangle… it doesn’t bother me too much, but it have to be done right, otherwise this makes me very veeeeery angry lol
great review!
I can’t wait to read the novellas too. In fact, I heard that the series is so popular that the novellas would be released in paperback – yay! :D<3
And don't worry, I think you'll be very satisfied with the love triangle Kassi. ;D
Thanks! (:
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer – Katie Alender
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Yeah. The book was awesome! I loved the fight scenes, and I too, not really hated but I didn’t like Celaena’s character at first. She was such a bish! Like, ‘I could take you all down in a blink of an eye’ and all that stuff.
But but but! Turns out, she’s one of the most bad ass female-characters out there!!!! She could kick butt. Especially that archer scene, I’d totally go gay for her ;)
I really want her to end up with Dorian. He’s such a sweetie, but at the same time he’s such a pathetic character. But I like it like that. Chaol’s just too….Idk, serious? I can’t help but think that she’ll end up with Chaol though. I hope not. Lol
Btw, since I’m the type to judge a book by it’s cover….I would say that the cover looks horrible. Sorry. Idk, okay! I just don’t find the cover attractive or anything. Haha
Throne of Glass is another one of those books that I haven’ r really heard about, but the cover definitely caught my eye in the beginning. Even without reading this series, I feel like they did an awesome job at using the same type of styles for the cover for each book and for using a really bad ass chick for the cover model. I really hope I get to read this one. Especially with you’re 4.5 rating out of 5 :)