Monday, July 23, 2012

Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Publishes August 7th 2012
Source: Netgally
1st in series, no word on the release of the 2nd, though there are 4 novellas set before Throne of Glass
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.
Blkosiner's Book Blog review
     Sarah J. Maas has written an intricate world with a layered plot and a strong and witty main character that I found myself rooting for.
     Since I don't read a lot of fantasy it took a bit to get accustomed to the names, places and such, but once I did, it became more enjoyable. Though I admit, I skimmed over some of the backstory about the land because that is not what interests me. I also had a bit of a hard time with the third person just because I am not used to reading that style, it's been awhile. But all in all I think that it works for this book because we do get glimpses into the lives of other characters besides Celaena and that provides neat insights into the story and the other characters.
    The characters are what kept my attention. The book begins with a master assassin Celaena being asked to participate in a contest of champions for the king, and I immediately liked her voice and thoughts. She is sarcastic, has something to say about everything, and toes the line but manages to have the good sense not to leap over it most of the time. I love her interactions with Chaol. In fact I pretty much enjoyed his character overall, the gruffness with the soft spot for her that he manages to hide most of the time. There's a love triangle going on because she also flirts with Dorian, the prince who chose her as his champion. I pulled for Chaol overall, but I don't really know where story is taking us.
    I loved the friendship between Chelaena and Nehemia. Nehemia is mysterious, powerful and from a country who the king is currently attacking, so that leaves intrigue always wondering what her motives are. But it also forms a bond between the two, that is very well written.
   I loved the challenges that Chelaena faces, and watching her train. It is quite an experience for me to read about a main character going through these things, because I am pretty weak myself, so it just makes me admire her. I do wish that some of the trials were detailed instead of just being told about them, but I suppose that would have been way too much, adding to an already long book. As it is, there is plenty of action and layers that keeps the story moving.
    Bottom line: action packed, page-turning fantasy with a kick butt heroine that I fell for.    

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Could you kill for your freedom?
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41 comments:

  1. I probably could - if I had to endure the sort of living she was forced into. This book had been getting some awesome reviews on Goodreads but not so favourable from the people I follow. So weird. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I can't imagine how she grew up and in Endovier.

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  2. I enjoyed this one too -- reviewing later this week.
    Chaol is my favorite character by far!!!

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    1. I really hope to see more between them in next one

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  3. fantastic review! I'm glad you enjoyed the characters so much. Celaena was a great heroine I thought. I think I'm pulling for Chaol overall too! It'll be interesting to see where that goes in the next book. :)

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    1. It def will. I hope he'll have more attention in the next one

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  4. I could kill for my freedom for sure.

    This book sounds good. I don't read straight up Fantasy very often, but I like the sound of this one.

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  5. Awesome review Brandi ..looks like you and I agree about this one!

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  6. I have been salivating over this book for months! I can't wait to read it. I have all the ebook short stories but I am saving them to read at the same time as Throne Of Glass!

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    1. I haven't read any of the novellas yet, but I won one of them the other day

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  7. This sounds super good. I love books with strong characters, especially if they are sarcastic!

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  8. I am seriously dying to read this book. I have it pre-ordered on amazon, and i have to wait until August 7th. That is freaing forever away. D: I love assassins and thieves especially when it is a female character. ?Your review has only strengthened my resolve to read it. lol.

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    1. I don't think I'd ever read about female assassin before, but I'm down with celeana

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  9. I can't imagine myself being an assassin, but I guess in an imaginary world, anything is possible :) Brandi, I love what you shared about the characters. Celaena is just badass, and I can't wait to get my copy of TOG to read about Chaol and Dorian. Could I kill for my freedom? I'd say I couldn't because I can't imagine what my life would be like when I had to bear the weight of what I did to exchange for freedom. I bet my mind and soul could never really feel free. I bet I'm just too soft and weak :)

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    1. I think that I would be too weak as well, but I think I could for my children

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  10. Uh I'm dying to read this one, but I was rejected via NetGalley. Great review and I'm so happy you enjoyed! :)

    Tanja from Ja čitam, a ti?

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    1. Aw. Sometimes if I submit again if rejected, I'll get approved. Make sure that your profile and stuff is up to date.
      Hope you get to read soon!

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  11. Already hearing a lot of good things about this one, my sister-in-law is another reader eagerly awaiting its release.

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  12. I really liked the friendship between Celaena and Nehemia too. The characters in this story were great!

    Awesome review :D

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  13. No is my answer to your question. Yay and Awesome is my feeling about your review! I love how their is good friendships and plot in this book!

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    1. I'm not sure I could either, but in her situations I don't know what I would do.

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  14. I am really excited for this.
    In answer to your question, I don't know, we'll just have to see ;)

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    1. hopefully you'll never be in that kind of situation

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  15. I'm curious about this one, everyone talks about it and I was wondering if I should start it, so it's nice to have another review to learn more about the book. thank you.

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  16. I have no idea if I could kill for my freedom. Maybe if the person I had to kill was a bad guy or someone I strongly disliked. Otherwise, I really don't know.
    I really loved this book. I'm a fan of fantasy so all that wasn't a problem. I don't like love triangles, and it was hard because I like BOTH guys, but since Chaol is the underdog I would probably end up cheering for him. I'm just not sure cause I love them both. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

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    1. I know, I think its really well written when I can't really decide, but something about Chaol made him seem the better choice

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  17. I have been seeing this one around and it does sound good :D

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  18. I don't really read that much fantasy either, mostly I just avoid it and then make exceptions for authors like Marchetta, but I've been known to enjoy a fantasy novel or two and I've certainly been hearing great things about this one.

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    1. I only read certain fantasy, most don't appeal to me, but something about this synopsis really grabbed me

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  19. I feel like reading fantasy lately, so maybe this one is for me :)

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  20. AHHHHHH! I can't wait to read this! Fantasy had always been my fav genre!

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  21. I would kill for my freedom if I really had to, otherwise I'm not so sure. I've heard really good things about this book, so I'll have to try it. :)

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  22. It depends how bad the conditions were in the place I was in. If they were really bad (i.e: life or death) I defiantly would. Amazing review! I read this book and also enjoyed it. :)

    Thanks for the brilliant review!!
    Beth xx

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  23. Only if I truly had no other choice. Awesome review!

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  24. Not sure. I guess it would depend.

    I've seen a lot of buzz about this book. STill can't decide if it's something i'd want to read. Pretty cover though.

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  25. Heard so many good things about this book and it's on my TBR pile but I'm still not so sure what's so great about it :/ I mean, the plot sounds good, but is it really that good? I guess I'll just have to read it for myself to find out... Great review :)

    Oh and I'd definitely kill for my freedom - is that bad?

    -Laura
    What's Hot?

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  26. Fantastic review! I adored this book, and it was one of my 2012 favorites. These characters touched me in ways that other never have.

    As for your question... it depends on the circumstances. If my own life is being threatened in the process, I think so. But I don't think I could kill without my life being in danger. I'd fight for my freedom in some passive aggressive way otherwise.

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