Throne of Glass (Miniature Character Collection)

THE STORY: Becca : WOW! I mean just WOW! What took us so long to read this Lisa?! I have no idea why I waited so long!! Throne of Glass is absolutely everything it is hyped to be! Action packed, with a hint of romance and fierce characters that are totally bad a$$! I loved everything about this book from the first page to the last! Caelena Sardothien is an assassin, or at least she was until she was captured and forced into captivity and slavery. When the Crown Prince finds her and offers her one shot a freedom, she has no choice but to accept his offer. She is to be placed into a competition (with all men) as Prince Dorian's champion and fight to become a royal assassin. will live in the castle and be trained by the Captain of the Guard Chaol Westfall. When one of the other competitors turns up dead, Caelena discovers there is a lot more going on in the castle than she expected. Throne of Glass isn't just about the competition that Cealena is in, there is so much going on throughout the entire novel! It is so full of action and from one second to the next I never knew what was going to happen! I absolutely loved it! Lisa : Right?! I really don't know why we waited so long. Well, in all honestly, I did attempt to read this last year... but I wasn't in the mood for it, and felt that I wasn't giving it my full attention. I have that issue a lot with fantasy reads. So I ended up putting it down. Picking it back up AND buddy reading it with Becca was the perfect solution, and I loved it this time around! Some books are just even more fun with friends! THE CHARACTERS: Lisa : Celaena Sardothien was some kickass heroine! I loved her spunky and unwillingness to turn the other cheek. She was a toughy, and the fact that she was going up against all men never seemed to phase her. She was determined to do her best and never give up. She gave these guys a run for their money, and never batted an eyelash in the process. Definitely my kind of girl! "Here's a lesson for you, Weapons Master," she said, stalking past him. "Give me real men to fight. Then maybe I'll bother trying." I also completely adored Nehemia and her strength and smarts. This girl had willpower only comparable to Calaena's. That's right, you read it correctly... TWO amazingly strong heroines to take part in this story! With all the guy "team" talk I've seen, I had no idea which way I would go with this one... but I'm totally Team Choal. There's just something about him I really enjoyed. Maybe his total unwillingness to accept his feelings for Calaena, or maybe how protective and strong her came off. Either way, he was totally *SWOON* in my opinion! Becca : Caelena was so totally bad a$$ and awesome! I have definitely read some fierce and heroic heroines Katniss, Tris, Penryn and Caelena definitely tops that list of amazing and unforgettable heroines! I was so captivated by her from the very beginning with her slavery in the mines and then with the competition when all of her competitors were men and she fought so hard and was full of confidence and ability! I agree completely with Lisa that Nehemia was just as amazing! Nehemia provided Caelena with a friend and confidant and I loved their friendship. Once they learned to trust each other, they were unstoppable! “You could rattle the stars," she whispered. "You could do anything, if only you dared. And deep down, you know it, too. That’s what scares you most.” I have seen all the team talk as well regarding this series and I did my best to ignore it so that I could form my own opinion without preconceived notions. Although, from what I've seen there seems to be an even divide between Chaol and Dorian. After reading Throne of Glass I understand why, they are both pretty amazing! Without spoiling this for others... I am ALL team Chaol over here! I loved the friendship and trust that he and Caelena formed. Even the villains were perfect! Kane, Princess Kaltain and The King were so unlikable and despicable and I loved to hate them! “Sometimes, the wicked will tell us things just to confuse us–to haunt our thoughts long after we've faced them.” This cast of characters was amazing and Maas completely blew me away with how well she developed each one of them! She built a lovable (and sometimes not so lovable) and unforgettable cast of characters! OVERALL: Becca : Sarah J Maas built such an amazing Fantasy world and I was quickly swept into it! The characters, the world building and the story line were all addicting and I cannot wait to continue with this series! This was my first book by Maas and I am excited and eager to read more! “I like music," she said slowly, "because when I hear it, I . . . I lose myself within myself, if that makes any sense. I become empty and full all at once, and I can feel the whole earth roiling around me. When I play. I'm not . . . for once, I'm not destroying, I'm creating.” Lisa : I first fell in love with SJM when I read A Court of Thorns and Roses earlier this year. The way she forms her words into such perfection, taking us to another world completely is astounding. Since I don't read a lot of books in the fantasy genre, it's tough for me to find go-to authors that I'm confident I will enjoy. Sarah J. Maas is now my number one fantasy author! I will definitely be continuing on with this series. If only I could get my hands on Crown of Midnight , like, today!

Throne of Glass is exactly the kind of romantasy I love: a strong, plot-heavy story with a generous sprinkle of romance. The characters are fantastic and feel like they have so much potential for deeper backstories, which I always love discovering as a series unfolds. The world-building is solid, and the story itself is immediately intriguing. I had somehow never heard about the Team Dorian vs. Team Chaol debate (is that a thing? Like Team Edward vs. Team Jacob?), but I’m very curious to see where that goes. I already know who I’m rooting for 😏 Both men definitely have their pros and cons, but I love the gentleness they show toward Celaena, and the banter between them all is SO good. Celaena herself is a wonderful FMC. She’s funny, forgiving, witty, and kind, but also hardened, tough, and incredibly resilient. You can already feel that there’s a lot of character development ahead of her, and I’m really excited to see where her story (and her friendships) go next. I will say, the writing itself isn’t extraordinary. It definitely reads very YA, which I don’t necessarily mind, and knowing that SJM started writing it as a teenager makes that make a lot of sense. Some of the ideas aren’t brand new—magic, competitions, a dangerous heroine—but the story is told in such an entertaining way that I was completely hooked anyway. I absolutely flew through this one and am already diving straight into book two!

My very favorite dipping into the world of magic, mayhem, character building, storytelling and lore. The way she sets the tone for the series, and sprinkled fairy dust within the foreshadowing is phenomenal. This book and it’s characters are etched into my heart and soul. The way she builds these first relationships with the characters is beautiful. The bonds and friendships that are everlasting. The characters are absolutely unforgettable. They all leave a lasting impression on your heart forever more. The unraveling of Celaena’s story is powerful, full of strength, survival, betrayal, sacrifice and bravery. My favorite Sarah J Maas series forever ever.

Overall rating : 4 stars to the first installment of the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series! There is seven books in the series. The journey starts in the salts mines of Endorvier to where she is meant to be. You will meet a lot of characters along the way. They will pull on your emotions! The Assassin's Blade is the prequel. I do recommend reading The Assassin's Blade before starting the series. It was published on August 2, 2012 This review contains no spoilers. This book has a couple scary scenes and violence in it. There is no sexual content in it. I would not recommend this book to the younger YA and up to 13 years of age. This is a book review on Throne of Glass by Sarah J Mass. She did a great job on this book. Action, mystery and a hint of romance! You did not get overwhelmed by the romance. That’s a good thing. I like it but some in aspects, I didn’t like it. You will see that in many other books. But in real life, it does happen too. When you read this book, then you will know what I am talking about when it comes to Celaena and the two men. Balance is good. She mixes a good plot, great and well rounded/develop characters and action in this book. The main female protagonist, Celaena Sardothien, has had a very messed up childhood. You can read about it in The Assassin’s Blade. She undergoes many tests in this competition. There is this one person who tries to out beat her at every test. Then she learns something something about him too. You will meet a few characters in the book and you will get to know them as well. My two favorite characters are Chaol and Nehemia along with Celaena. I did not like the Prince Dorian. Those characters, you will get see more than other characters. There are some characters that you will like and others, you will not. Nehemia-The Princess She is a supporting character along with Chaol and Dorian. She is a character that you like will like. During her visit in Adarlan, she meets and befriends Celaena. On my view with Nehemia, I felt the same way as Celaena did in the book about her until something happens to prove that wrong. It taught me again, to never go with another person’s opinion of someone else. Always learn the facts and get to know that person before judging them based on hear say. The reason she is in Adarlan, she is to learn the language and customs of the people. She became one of my favorite characters. Choal Westfall-Captain of the Guard He went to Endorvier, into the salt mines to get Celaena for the Crown Prince. Because of what she is, Chaol does not trust her one bit. I don’t blame him. I wouldn’t either. She is in an assassin but she didn’t have a choice on that because of her master, Arobynn Hamel in the Assassin’s Guild in the slums in Rifthold. I can understand that too. You did not want disobey him cause you would pay for it dearly. You would find out what her master did to her in Assassin’s Blade. He doesn’t like her either but he helps her train. He can be bit rough on the edges but once you get to know him, he is a nice quit man. He is very loyal too. He became one of my favorite characters. Dorian Havilliard-Crown Prince The Crown Prince of Adarlan. His father is the king. The king is mean and cruel and wants power. Dorian is nothing like his father. He is a ladies man but Celaena got his eye. He just rubbed me the wrong way. I don’t know why. I did not like him. He was way too full of himself. The book was great all around. I love it! Sarah has put hints and clues in the books that will play out in later books. I also did a book review on the prequel, The Assassin’s Blade. You can find it on my blog!

Throne of Glass is centered around a competition of 23 people to be the king's assassin. Forced out of slavery, Celaena has made herself a deal with the prince that if she wins the king's championship, she can be free of imprisonment in four years. Every few days, Celaena and the other champions compete against each other in a challenge, eliminating the weakest player. The final four must compete in a duel to be the king's champion. (This sort of reminded me of The Hunger Games). We see many fight scenes and action through out the book. There was even a tremendous amount of flirting, although not much romance. The world building was well described, taking place in the king's frightening palaces. As I was reading this enchanting book, the author spoke of Faeries and magic! It was an unexpected surprise that she incorporated into the story. There was also some kind of gruesome monsters that played a huge part of the book. The monsters that were killing the champions gave me the utter creeps. The mystery of the murders, plus the magic of the Wyrdmarks and faeries intertwine together suggest that they are cause of the same problem. It does not dwell too much on the faeries, though I suspect there will be more mention of them in the coming books. I also figured out early on who was controlling the monsters, but that did not disappoint me in the least. I loved Celaena as the main character! She is supposed to be the tough as nails, lean mean killing machine. She is known in her world as the deadliest assassin. Yes, she was scary and intimidating, but she had another side to her. Through that hard-shelled exterior, Celaena had a feminine and genuine personality. I appreciated that she made some special friendships with Nehemia and Nox. They helped bring out the more sentimental side in Celaena. It also gave her the ability to open up and trust others again. My heart hurt for her through all the hardships she had to endure, both during her past and her present. I'm surprised she did not break. Instead she had the will power to never give up, always fighting for her freedom. What I loved most about Celaena was her snarky, sarcastic banter. She can really talk the talk with her witty sense of humor, especially between Chaol and Dorian. The other main characters, Prince Dorian and Chaol were fantastic! I loved how Dorian came off as this arrogant, pompous prince, when deep down he is a smart, charming, and sympathetic person. I totally was not expecting that from his character. I thought he was going to be this spoiled know-it-all prince, but I am so glad he is not. He even loves to read! Talk about a swoon-worthy character! Aside from his good looks and smarts, I loved his comedic, flirting with Celaena. The chemistry between them just clicked. He grew to love her, feeling her pain that his own father put upon her. Chaol on the other hand is more closed and suspicious. He is Celaena's guard, plus her coach for the competition. He is a guarded, brooding, handsome man. Slowly, he lets his guard down, seeing the fragility that Celaena hides. This leads to Chaol developing feelings for her, yet he does not show it. There is potential for a love triangle, but for now, I do not see Chaol and Celaena as a couple. We will see in Crown of Midnight. The secondary characters, Nehemia and Nox were great as well. The friendship Celaena developed with Nox was cute. It was enjoyable to see that not every competitor hated her, thinking she was a nobody. Nox saw her as an equal champion. He even admired her being a bad ass assassin. I hope he comes back later in this series. The most beautiful, authentic friendship I ever read was between Celaena and Nehemia. They both are coming from horrible places, trying to find their own freedoms from the evil king. They had the same commonalities and they both despised all the royal people. (They would speak another language just so no one would understand their sarcastic trash talking about everyone lol). Celaena and Nehemia grew to trust one another knowing there is an evil far greater than anyone on earth. My only small gripe I may have had was that Celaena's abilities were not shown to its full potential. I wanted to see more fighting scenes between she and the other contenders. Instead, the monsters were killing all the contestants and that left Celaena only to battle with two men. She practiced with Chaol, beat up another champion, but it left me feeling a little deflated. Bottom line is, would I recommend this book? Heck yeah! There's fighting, there's flirting, there's even some magic entwined in the story. Sarah Maas is officially one of my favorite authors! Thank you for reading my review! Favorite Quote: "Names are not important. It's what lies inside of you that matters. I know what you went through in Endovier. I know what my people endure there, day after day. But you did not let the mines harden you; you did not let it shame your soul into cruelty. The princess traced a mark on her hand, her fingers pressing into Celaena's skin. You bear many names, and so I shall name you as well. Her hand rose to Celaena's forehead and she drew an invisible mark. I name you Elentiya. She kissed the assassin's brow. I give you this name to use with honor, to use when other names grow too heavy. I name you Elentiya, Spirit That Could Not Be Broken." Pg 321 Nehemia is blessing Celaena

Re-read Review: My opinion of this book didn't improve much since the first reading. But several facts remain the same. I've read this story when it was still called Queen of Glass on fictionpress, so I was familiar with the story more or less, and the characters. A lot of the big details changed, so did the plots, but the characters were fairly the same -- except for the added ones. Overall, this is a pretty weak start to a series. While the book starts and ends with a bang, the middle absolutely drags. This is a story about an assassin, and that's absolutely the last thing she does... or doesn't do at all really. She's brought from a prison to compete in a tournament and while we get to see two of the first challenges and tests, the plot for some reason diverges into mystery of solving the grisly murders of other contestants. Oh, instead of scheming and figuring out ways to escape, or thinking bloody murder--what Celaena does instead is read, bitch about the dumb bitches who are aren't her and don't look as pretty as her-- every time another woman aside from her maid and Nehemia-- come within a foot of her. I think Celeana's opinion and treatment of most other women in court is what annoyed me the most. She gets offended when someone treats her like a murder she is, because while she may have killed people for living and deservedly been sentenced to suffer. Because apparently she's a good person with a heart of gold, and yes, she may have killed people but only the corrupt officials and the cheating spouses. Give me a break. She's so righteous and arrogant about it, it's like... where the hell do you get off? The whole premise of Throne of Glass is: Imagine a serial killer who's been stalking the streets and she's so well known that people shudder at the sound of her name. The serial killer is caught after a betrayal by her cronies and sent to suffer to prison camps for her crimes. Hallelujah!? Then you read Throne of Glass and it's surprising anyone puts up Celaena at all, not to mention how both the Crown Prince and Captain of the Royal Guard somehow both fall in love with her because while she may be a murder, she has a heart of gold. Oh, and she reads. The first review still applies. First Reading Review: There is one thing you need to do before you read Throne of Glass and that is: read the prequels. If you do, you'll have met the main character and understand what she's gone through much better. I read this book with a lot of baggage. First of all, I've read it at it's conception when it was still called Queen of Glass and was all the rage on FictionPress about five or six years ago. So, for me, it was like greeting old friends and jumping back into the world that I so greatly missed. I had exceedingly high expectations for this book too, which might be the reason that I was just a little disappointed. I also feel like I have to be more honest than most, because I'm one of the few hundred that can see the journey this book took from FP version to this final publication. I recognized a few of the original scenes, which made me really happy. We meet Celaena, the main character, after she'd spent a year in the prison mines as a slave. From the reviews I'd read, most new readers don't really like her because she's vain, arrogant, bossy and entitled. I saw one reviewer call her a Barbie and more than a few call her stupid. But I'll tell you right now, I'll defend Celaena until I'm blue in the face. I find Celaena a very realistic character. This is where reading the prequels becomes very important; they help you understand Celaena a lot better. Her family murdered, she was raised by a King of Assassins to become the world's greatest assassin. Meaning she grew up in a very cruel, dangerous, ugly and violent world where you're either the best or you're no one at all, or worse, you're dead. She was also only seventeen when she went to prison, and she's eighteen in the book. Now, tell me what seventeen year old girl who's been taught to know that she is the best won't be arrogant, vain and entitled? The vanity also comes in part because Celaena is also a very feminine, girly character; if being a girly girl somehow a problem, and you think girly characters can't be strong and kick-ass, you need to reevaluate your life. There are many other characters in the book, both new and old, and while some of them were very well developed, the others not so much. This is where I have to be somewhat brutally honest. There were too many characters and it's fine when you have the time and the pages to develop them, but when you don't, most of them come out flat. In fact there are three types of characters in this book: the original FP, the changed (from FP) and the new. The new characters were the worst in terms of development. For example Cain, one of the new villains. While he did seem like a nasty brute that Celaena constantly wanted to punch in the face, that's all he was, we never got to find out much more about him or his motivations. On the other hand, we have the king (an old character), who appears in only a few pages, but his vile evil nature comes across so clearly, that it was no wonder that Celaena shook in her boots every time she met him. Then we have characters like Kaltain and Nehemia, who were in the FP version, but they are very different from the way they used to be. But while Nehemia remained and amazing, strong heroine and best friend to Celaena actually she became an even better character, with more depth and meaning. On the other hand, who was this beautifully bitchy characters and one of the main villains in FP version, has been reduced to a scheming courtier and an opium addict. I guess that actually demotes to to being a somewhat secondary, supporting character. The two romantic interest are Prince Dorian and Chaol the Captain of the Guard. Celaena wants Dorian cause he's hot and she wants Chaol cause of his personality. I really can't decide between them, because I love them both to death. I think they should have a threesome. Now wouldn't that be something? ;) Her relationship with Dorian is passionate and dies out rather quickly, she drops him rather coldly. While with Chaol she had to build up and trust and friendship. But... if it goes like FP version, I know who she ends up with, so really, I don't care who she's with now. The biggest problem with this book is the dual plot: the competition and the murders, which are interconnected, they don't really seem that way, which is a problem. The thing is, the book becomes somewhat convoluted with both the competition and the murders. I think the competition would have provided enough conflict. I also kind of find it strange that these soldiers, thieves and assassins wouldn't try to sabotage and kill each other off (themselves, without a prowling monster) when they each fight for their freedom. Calaena doesn't seem like the character who'd just be content with reading and training all the time, when freedom means so much to her... and that's exactly what she was doing. I really feel that Maas should have focused more on the competition, having more fights and stand-offs between the competitors rather than putting on so much focus on the grisly murders and developing the love triangle between Celaena and two romantic interests. The second problem I have with the plot is the fact that Celaena was the only female competitor. I refuse to believe that aside from her, Ansel and Nehemia, that there are no other baddass women around. In fact, it seems that aside from Nehemia and Kaltain, and a couple of other supporting females, most of the cast of characters are male. I demand more female characters! In fact, I don't see why Sarah had to change the competition so drastically. In the FP version, all the competitors were female, and for good reason: it's less likely that a lady would be suspected of being an assassin. So... why? So that's really the two biggest and only reasons I found the book a little disappointing and I really, really, really hope the next books will make up for it. Because I will eagerly be waiting for them.

Celaena Sardothien, Adarlan's Assassin - feared, fierce, lethal. Everyone in Erilea knows her name, a name synonymous with death. But then betrayed, caught, tried, convicted, Celaena is sentenced to a lifetime in the unforgiving salt mines of Endovier as punishment for her many crimes. In an ironic twist of fate, she's offered the chance to compete to become the Champion of the very king who condemned her; in doing so, earning her freedom... and possibly becoming Erilea's best hope against the dark forces that would seek to destroy it. Celaena. Celaena is a character who could be considered rather... off-putting had I not read the prequel novellas that lead up to Throne of Glass. She's irritatingly arrogant, projects an unwavering confidence, she's overbearingly prideful, prickly, a bit of a know-it-all, she's selfish, spoiled, abrasive, a bit of a snob, and of course, an extremely lethal assassin. Right about now you're probably saying, "And you like her... why?" Because while she's most certainly flawed, and possibly more than most protagonists, the four novellas prior give the reader a front row seat as to the circumstances that brought Celaena to the salt mines of Endovier, and just what made Celaena Sardothien, the Celaena Sardothien. The character development these four "episodes" provide is invaluable and engenders an empathy for this tough-as-nails girl assassin who's endured so much and become so hardened in her very short life. Because although Celaena is all those things mentioned above, underneath the facade she's also an intriguing mixture of insecurity, doubt, fear, sorrow. She's a smart girl who's learned very quickly that emotion can be exploited by one's enemies and that the only person she can really count on is herself. Nothing in life is guaranteed, especially people. People leave, they die, they betray, they fail. Celaena is not a person who gives her trust, nor does she open her heart to others, easily. This is even true for the reader. While who Celaena is becomes apparent to the reader, there are certain things about her that remain a closely guarded secret. Celaena reveals about herself only what she wants to be known, though there are moments when her defenses are breached, giving the reader tantalizing clues about the mysteries of Celaena's life. So, coming into Throne of Glass knowing what I know about her, I loved Celaena. Because in addition to those other qualities she's also infectiously passionate, she's brave, perceptive, quick-witted with a tongue that's as sharp as her sword, she has a talent for reading people and situations, and she has a soft spot for the mistreated and oppressed. She's a perplexing tangle of curiously childlike and being wise beyond her years. She's a girl, who at the beginning of this novel has endured shattering betrayal and excruciating heartbreak... which made me want to give her a hug, knowing full well that I might come out of the encounter with a bloody nose and broken fingers. And though she is a ruthless assassin, she does have a sense of honor, a code by which she acts, and her line of work does indeed cause her some moral conflict. She's just a very well done, thoroughly complicated, slightly broken character, which if you've read enough of my reviews, you'll know those are the ones I love the most. Dorian & Chaol. The Crown Prince and his Captain of the Guard. A reader and a warrior. The best of friends. Both fascinated with the same girl. A very, very dangerous girl. For Prince Dorian, selecting Celaena Sardothien as his Champion in the competition was a way to thumb his nose at his father's authority while still adhering to his father's wishes. His relationship with Celaena was never supposed to get personal, but her wit, passion and snark, so different from that of the simpering court ladies, intrigues him in ways he never expected. Reserved, devoted to duty, honor and excellence, Captain Chaol Westfall's personal opinion of his prince's chosen Champion isn't very high. She's nothing but a convict, a murderer of countless people. She's manipulative, dishonorable, not to be trusted, soulless and devoid of humanity... right? However, as Chaol trains and guards the young assassin for the competition, he discovers that his initial opinion of the notorious Celaena Sardothien, Adarlan's Assassin, may have been hasty and unfair. Yes. I'll just put it out there... this is a love triangle. But the way it's developed, it's believable, and never feels overly melodramatic. Two best friends; two guys who are both very similar in values, and yet very different in personality; two guys, flawed but wonderful; two guys who both compliment Celaena well, but in different ways; Two guys like this falling for the same young woman for different reasons? I can totally see that happening. I loved the gradual change as both of them began to see Celaena as more than just a convicted criminal and as an actual person with a heart and a soul... and eventually, perhaps, as a friend. Knowing the state in which the novellas left her heart, I was a tad hesitant about the romance aspect of this book (Sam...), but it works and it's done really well... to the point where it's tearing me up a little because both guys are just so...sigh-inducingly wonderful. World. It's obvious to me that the continent of Erilea has been something Sarah J. Maas has been developing for a very long time. From climates, to languages, to landmarks, to legends and local lore, it's a very polished, beautiful and complete world that Celaena Sardothien resides in. Plus, this book got a few automatic points in its favor because it includes a gorgeously drawn and detailed map, which I put to very good use while reading. Story. There are so many things going on in this book, so many threads of things - both subtle and overt - that Sarah is weaving to create a bigger, broader picture. From the main storyline of the competition, to the mystery behind the murders of the Champions, to the unrest in the conquered lands of Erilea, to the abolition of magic, to the political maneuverings and machinations of the royal court, to Celaena's personal mysteries, plus a few threads from the novellas that have not yet been addressed - there's just a lot of story there to work with and Sarah does a fantastic job of keeping a handle on all of them and developing them simultaneously. It's an exciting, fantastic plot, with a deliciously deliberate and well-planned complexity that kept my nose glued to the page. Overall. Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass is darkly enchanting, heartrendingly romantic, unfailingly action-packed and exciting - a definite page-turner and a sure-fire favorite. So read this. Read it now... or risk the wrath of Celaena Sardothien.

This review can be found at The Blogger Girls. You know when you’ve just finished a great book and you sit there thinking, “How the hell am I supposed to review this?” Yeah, well, that’s exactly how I felt once I finished Throne of Glass. To say I adored the story would be a gross understatement. I devoured this book within hours (as a slow reader that’s an amazing thing) and even bought the print editions of not just the first but the second book, Crown of Midnight, and the collection of short stories, The Assassin's Blade, right after I finished it. Throne of Glass is about Celaena Sardothien, who earned the title of Adarlan’s Assassin, before she was caught and sentenced to slavery in the Salt Mines of Endovier. Now a year after her sentencing, an unexpected offer comes her way in the form of Adarlan’s Crown Prince, who gives her the option of her freedom… for a price. All she has to do is defeat twenty-three other candidates for the role of King’s Champion. If she wins, three years of service is all that separates her from complete freedom. The story is centered around Celaena’s fight for that freedom, the numerous tests she has to compete in to advance to the next round but most of all, Celaena’s just been thrust into a new and unfamiliar world where evil magic is being used to kill off her competitors. On top of that, she has the Captain of the Guard who hates her and doesn’t trust her and the Crown Prince who’s getting a little too close for everybody’s comfort. Will she claim the title of King’s Champion or will all her efforts be for nothing? Honestly, there’s so much that happens I don’t want to spoiler any of it. Some people won’t like this book because of the simple fact it’s not strictly a romance. While I’m also hesitant to call it Young Adult (things get very gruesome at times), I will admit that there’s ‘hints’ of a romance brewing. Actually, there’s hints that a love triangle is already starting and while I normally don’t like love triangles, it worked very well in this story because the possible love interests are so different. One of them I believe suits Celaena better than the other but that’s just my opinion (and I’m also biased because I just adored Chaol ^_^). Also, readers should be aware that these characters are very young; Celaena is only eighteen, Dorian is nineteen and Chaol is twenty-two. One thing I loved about this book, though, was the characters. While Celaena is the main voice, POV shifts to multiple people that are significant to the story. Some of them I liked more than others (a personal preference because I hated Kaltain) but all were what made the story the way it is. As characters, Celaena, Chaol and Dorian are all very well in-depth. Celaena, while an assassin, is a little rusty in her skills but she’s also emotionally damaged in more ways than one. She’s surly and flippant but makes it her goal to get a rise out of Chaol or Dorian if she can. She has a lot of layers that still haven’t been uncovered but I loved being able to see some of them being peeled back by Chaol and Dorian. Most of all, Celaena is a fragile, vulnerable young woman who needs protecting in some ways and Chaol and Dorian unintentionally give her that. Dorian is the classic charming prince although he’s one that is disgusted with his father, the King. He’s not quite a man but Celaena makes him want to become one. Chaol is an intriguing mix between a sad, lost man and a severe, all business captain. All three characters are very young and, honestly, still have a lot of maturing to do even though they’ve been forced to live through some harsh realities. As a huge fan of fantasy, one of the things I look forward to the most is the new world I get to discover. With Throne of Glass, while we don’t get a full detailed description of this new place as a whole, I have no doubt we’ll get more of it as the series progresses and Celaena journeys to different countries. What there is of the world, is phenomenal. I loved that it was a mix of a historical setting and a fantasy one with a flair of magic but the brutality that has consumed the world since the King has been decimating countries was interesting to read about and also quite sad. In the end, this was an amazing story. I loved experiencing the growth in all the characters, as well as, seeing the tests that Celaena has to go through, not to mention the secondary characters made things more interesting. The mystery surrounding the evil inside the castle was a blast to uncover and while I have questions about some of the things that happened during the book, I think I’ll get my answers as we learn more about Celaena and why she’s so important to everything. I definitely recommend this to anyone who is a fantasy lover, who doesn’t mind the romance developing over several books because while there’s only a hint of it in Throne of Glass, I have a feeling it’s going to be an epic one by the time the series finishes!