Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas

[Michelle]

Eighteen-year-old Celaena is a trained assassin, who’s serving a life sentence in the salt mines of Endovier. She’s offered a deal - to represent the prince in a tournament to become the King’s Champion. If she succeeds, she will eventually earn her freedom, if she refuses she’s likely to die in the mines, like many before her.

 

Accepting the offer, Celaena starts her training for the contest, keeping her true identity secret. We soon learn that she has been brought up as an assassin from a young age, and she’s a rather determined character.

 

For me, the first half of the book was the slowest, but this did comprise of some really good world building, which pays off later in the book – by the time the story really kicks off, the world and the characters feel real, and it really comes alive.

 

Calaena is an interesting developing character, but it was Chaol and Princess Nehemia who really caught my attention. Chaol is the Captain of the Guards sent to watch and train Calaena – he’s a rather guarded person himself, who doesn’t give much away. He appears to be very loyal, and caring when he allows himself to be.

 

Nehemia is a princess who befriends Calaena, and there is certainly more to her than first meets the eye. If there’s to be a follow up (which I hope there will be) I want to hear more from her.

 

As for the storyline, I don’t like giving much away, but it focuses not only on her competition and her own journey, but there’s also a supernatural turn of events which I thought was handled really well. The second half of the book doesn’t let go for a moment, as it comes to a satisfying conclusion.

This book is complete in itself, but it’s left open to continue, and with a world so well built up, I really hope it does. For those who want more, there are also four novellas available as ebooks.

[chaliepud]

Great review Michelle, another for the wish list!!

[Lydia]

Great review Michelle, another for the wish list!!

 

Yes I agree.. lol my review wasn't as good as this... LOL I better learn from the master

[Michelle]

I've just finished the 2nd book, Crown of Midnight. I haven't written a proper review yet, but it's a very good follow up. It takes you straight back in where Throne of Glass finished, and the characters are as strong as ever. The world building continues to be fantastic, it tells a complete story, but is nicely set up for the next book. One thing I love is that the focus is on relationships and friendships, rather than romance, it's very refreshing. 

 

This is a highly recommended series, which I believe is due to run to about 6 books. 

[chaliepud]

I still haven't read the first one.. Was doing well with my TBR shelf until my birthday after which I got a bit carried away again.. Too tired to read at the moment to read, puppies are like babies! Will dig it out though and put it where I can't miss it.

[Hayley Morgan]

I love this series but sadly couldn't get into the most recent. hoping to try and get into it later

[Autumn]

Haven't read any of this series but it does seem to be quite literally everywhere at the moment.  Seems to get rave reviews too.

[Hayley Morgan]

The first one is the best so maybe just try that one and see how it goes?

[Athena]

I heard from people the first one is the worst, haha. I've yet to try the series myself, but I don't like starting a series that hasn't ended yet, so I'm kind of waiting for the last book to be published.

[Hayley Morgan]

haha yeah that's true. But i went into it knowing nothing of the story so the story took me by surprise which i loved!

[Booknutt]

Have read the first two of the series and enjoyed them both. Got all but the last on Kindle (due to a sale!) So on fed-up days I can disappear back to the story of Celaena's adventures and let the boring stuff pass me by. 

I do think we older un's can miss out on a lot of enjoyable reading by letting the Y.A. category pass us by. 

What do y'all think?