Thursday, July 19, 2012

Book Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas



Throne of Glass

by Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #1
Release date: 7th August, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's
Pages: 416 (eARC thanks to NetGalley)

Summary from Goodreads:

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.

Review By Alaiel Kreuz:

Celaena Sardothien is the famous Adarlan's Assassin... but nobody knows who she really is and after being betrayed and imprisoned, she has spent the last year inside Endovier, a mine where cruelty was the reality of each day. Now she is sure no one would ever remember her.
But the gods (or whoever was listening) gave her an opportunity to find freedom in the hands of Dorian, Crown Prince, son of the very man who sent her to Endovier, the cruel King of Adarlan... Of course, her freedom had a price: she would have to become the King's Champion and serve, as his personal assassin, during four years.
The bottom line? There was a competition to choose the Champion. And someone wasn't going to play fair...

Of course Celaena wasn't afraid of anything and took the chance. Now, under a false name, she is going to have to train again alongside Chaol, Captain of the Royal Guard, to become again the assassin she once was.

The only problem was: could she really forget what the horrible King had done to every country he conquered? The screams, the suffering and pain she had witnessed in Endovier of all the slaves he kept?

Through sticks and stones she would realize that someone was watching over her. That the magic the cruel King had tried to vanish was hidden waiting for the right time to come out and that she had an important part to play in Adarlan's destiny.

Personal Opinion:
I'm 100% sure that Throne of Glass has become, in less than a day, my favorite book of 2012... And I don't think there will be a book as good as this one until next year. At least for me.

Have you ever found yourself gawking, gasping, closing a book only to remember how to breathe and then opening it again while wondering what could happen next? Or even afraid of reaching the end because you knew that, after reading the last line, you would be completely devastated knowing the wait - that excruciating wait- could kill you? Well, there's where I am right now. I can't believe I have to wait, who knows how long, for the next book to come out.

I loved every second, every page, every quote of this book. Beginning with characters like Celaena, who besides being beautiful is also strong, fearless and deadly. Four ingredients that together create the perfect assassin for a world where war, suffering and death are a constant reminder of the tyrant ruling it: the king of Adarlan.
But what made Celaena special was her human side. After being in Endorvien during a year - a place I fear completely- her soul is not broken but wounded. There are things she has seen, things that could make anybody break until nothing remain... except Celaena. Despite being scared at times she overcame those fears and controlled her live as best as she could.
Two of her best qualities are her quick movements and witty retorts. And why do I like her so much? She likes being a girl, using pretty dresses, reading (OMG she reads so much!) and plays the pianoforte like nobody else.

Then we have Dorian, the Crown Prince of Adarlan. Known as a womanizer he only wishes to find a way out of his world full of conspiracies and lies. He is clever, funny and sweet but at the same time a stranger during most of the book. To see him develop his personality was amazing and I honestly can't wait to read more about him.

Chaol, the Captain of the Royal Guard, is the opposite: quiet, distant and very private. As Captain he doesn't trust Celaena during most of the book but, little by little, he starts to acknowledge her intelligence and respect her perseverance.

I'm not lying if I say that right now I can't possibly choose between Dorian and Chaol... They both have won a place in my heart and I know that, whatever happens, I will cry for the one that stays alone. If that happens, of course.

The book is also full of other characters that will make you smile like Princess Nehemia or Philippa. And you will cringe and shout with Cain, Kaltain or the King.

As for the plot all I can say is that Sarah will rock your world. From the very first line you will see the book flow to your mind recreating every corner of this amazing story so you can share every adventure with the main characters. The sudden change of POV will help you understand all the conspiracies and feelings besides increasing your adrenaline.

There is something different about this book, something that will charm you until the very end. Maybe its promise of magic, maybe it's the desire to know Celaena's complete history or the writing itself but I know you'll be thinking about the book several days after finishing it.


Alaiel's Rating:
If you really liked it, you can pre-order it here:

11 comments:

  1. I have Throne of Glass on my bedside table, because someone was so gracious to send the ARC to me. I feel really bad because I haven't read it yet, lol.

    But it's nice to know that the main character is smart and likeable, and a badass all around. I'm also glad that she likes to wear dresses and be a girl, because most badass characters seem to be tomboys, which annoys me a little. :)

    Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  2. @Isabelle: I also liked the fact that Celaena actually enjoys being a girl. It was refreshing and a very cute side of this marvelous assassin :D
    I'm glad you liked the review^^

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've heard so many things about this one, either people really like it or don't like it that much. I can't wait for it to come out. I need to get my hands on a copy. Love your review! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. @Daniela: I'm sure you will like this book a lot, it lacks nothing to be honest.
    And I'm glad you loved my review, yay! :]

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great review! I'm reading this book at the moment and so far so good. Can't wait to finish it to give a better opinion of the book. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I really like the sound of this book! Can't seem to find in anywhere as an ebook tho - that doesn't have geo restrictions. Bother!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. @Erin: I can't wait to read what you think about it then :D I'll make sure to check your review ;) Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  8. @Linda: Maybe the best thing you can do is order the book when it comes out, you know? Geo restrictions, when it comes to ereaders, can be really annoying :(
    But when you get to read it I'm sure you will love it :D

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oooooh, now I'm too excited D:
    I'm betting the next book will be published before our local bookstore acquires this..

    Anyway, I'm digressing. Your review is lovely, I can almost feel your excitement through the words :P (I'm turning green with envy, BTW).
    And the triangle.. the love triangle! I hope I'll only like the one who'll end up with her in the end because if I liked both or if I liked the unlucky one... D':
    BTW, does the POV change happen frequently?

    Again, lovely review~ ♥
    I'm honestly more excited about the book now than I was before.
    Annnnnnd I'm quite sorry for the jumbled up comment :'D

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm currently reading this one and it's awesome! Oh, I grin like a fool every time Dorian and Celaena banter LOL I love those two, not to mention the adorable Captain Westfall :D

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am so glad you liked this. I have heard great things.

    ReplyDelete

Something to share? (cheese would be awesome!) I love to read your comments :]