Throne of Glass--Sarah J. Maas

Being Ardalan’s most notorious assassin is usually something that most people wouldn’t necessarily be proud of, but then again Celaena Sardothian is not most people. She is sassy and thinks above her station, especially since her station is a slave. 

This is a book I have read many times; I personally love the style of writing. It is written from multiple perspectives, mostly Chaol, Dorian and Celaena. Our story starts with Chaol retrieving Celaena from the salt mines of Endovier; a place where rebels and those convicted of crimes labor away their life. Celaena has been there for just about a year and has the marks to prove it.

Celaena is offered her freedom by the Prince of Ardalan, Dorian. But freedom comes at a price. The cost this time: competing to win a competition set up by the King, the same person who sentenced her to the salt mines. Celaena takes that information with a grain of salt (pun intended) knowing that if she stays another year in the mines she will die. She is prepared to do anything to win.

Sarah J. Maas writes with enough detail to help you vividly picture what is going on but not too much that it just bogs everything down. It’s clear to me that she has most of the series plan out if the not the whole thing. I say this because there are many seemingly small or innocuous things in this book that are important or defining for the future books. Even her vanity, which I know most people despise when it comes to Celaena. It makes her seem shallow and even a little stupid, but there is a point, I swear!

I love the interactions the characters have with one another; there are so many secrets, assumptions and half-truths flying around the castle that finding someone to trust is difficult. One thing I enjoy with this book is even through all the suspicion and doubt there are still strong bonds of friendship, i.e. Dorian and Chaol, Celaena and Nehemia, Dorian and Celaena. These relationships are beneficial to all and make the read quite enjoyable.

Then there is Chaol’s relationship with Celaena. It is always shrouded with mistrust because she’s an assassin and he’s the Captain of the Guard. His job is to protect from the potential threats. He expected her to be a vicious blood-driven maniac. Instead he is face with a vain, slightly conceited and yet incredibly talented young woman. However in the back of his mind he is always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Plus he is described as ruggedly handsome, not attractive at first glance but the more you stare the more attractive he becomes. (He may or may not be who I ship Celaena with, but I will let you decide who you like best.)

Oh and a side note is that my gel nails done by Nikki at Tres Image were based of this cover artwork. (Sorry if I look slightly jaundice-y, I used a flash.)