Review: THRONE OF GLASS // unique plot, murders & a kick-butt assassin

Title: Throne of Glass
Series: Throne of Glass book #1
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Page count: 404
Date published: 2 August 2012
Genre: Young Adult high fantasy

Rating: (4 out of 5 stars)

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS
After serving out a year of hard labour 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 king’s council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. 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.

I actually don’t know how to explain my feelings. I mostly listened to this via audiobook (haven’t been in the biggest fantasy mood lately) for a read-a-along. It was such a whirlwind. I struggled to put it down. I’m usually not a big audiobook person but I had the best time. The world is very well created and ‘sculpted’ if you will. I really enjoyed the characters and most of all the banter. I was smiling at most of it. The plot is a little slow and nothing much happens, it’s just fun to follow the characters around.
 

As I mentioned, I mostly listened via audio, but I read some physically like the last few chapters. I had THE best time. I really liked the narrator and it may have changed my life because now I want to listen to all the audiobooks. But now I don’t know how to spell any names because when I tried spelling the words, let’s just say I was completely off.
I want to say that the plot is kind of slow? But also not? If that makes any sense. Nothing much happens. The intrigue of the murderer is really what really can make you keep reading but I wasn’t dying to know. I mainly just liked listening to it which is why I didn’t put it down.
I literally wanted to friggin rip the king’s head off. He was so annoying and pretentious. Gahhhh
I quite liked the friendship between Nehemia and Celaena. I almost believed the “twist” at the end but was so relieved. I still don’t exactly know what happened. My brain is a mess okay
The entire magic system that I wasn’t expecting is so well-crafted but I still don’t know what the heck happened. I’m excited to delve more into it and I hope it flushed out in the following books.
I know of the love triangle. I am not excited but I also like both Chaol and Dorian. I’m leaning more toward… Chaol but I’m not sure yet. I loved the banter between these two and also with them and Celaena. It was very entertaining.
I really like Chaol. I sense he’s quite a “deep” character and that we’ll be getting more of him. He’s very reserved which adds so much more intrigue to him.
Dorian was fun. I don’t know why but he’s not sitting well with me. I don’t hate him, I quite like him but I don’t know. We don’t know much about him.
I loved Celeana. She’s so badass and has a backstory and I gobbled it up. Yes, she’s very problematic but I admire her as a character.

HAVE YOU READ THRONE OF GLASS (PROBABLY SINCE I’M THE LAST PERSON ON EARTH TO)? DID YOU LIKE IT? I’D LOVE TO KNOW!

xo