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Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)

Sarah J. Maas

Start date: June 1, 2022

Finish date: June 30, 2022

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What Members Thought

Mar 14, 2016 Dr. Andy rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2017, read-2019, audio-narrators-i-love, read-2018, reread, read-2016, read-2015

I still love this series!! Between Celaena's sass, Dorian's unshameful flirting and the loads of foreshadowing, I've enraptured by the world of Erilea. This book definitely has a lot of build up, but I love how the murder mystery and competition kept me on my toes. Celaena is definitely very arrogant, but it didn't really bother me because I could see her skills and how she was still a top notch assassin. I love how Celaena is this deadly and tough assassin but at the same time loves dresses, ma I still love this series!! Between Celaena's sass, Dorian's unshameful flirting and the loads of foreshadowing, I've enraptured by the world of Erilea. This book definitely has a lot of build up, but I love how the murder mystery and competition kept me on my toes. Celaena is definitely very arrogant, but it didn't really bother me because I could see her skills and how she was still a top notch assassin. I love how Celaena is this deadly and tough assassin but at the same time loves dresses, make-up, puppies and books. I like seeing female characters who can be girly, but also strong at the same time. You don't have to sacrifice one for the other.
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Updated Review: I still love this book so much. Every time I reread this I find more nuggets of foreshadowing and I'm just amazed at Maas's skills. One thing I can admit is that in the first half of the book or so Celaena is very closed off. She's arrogant as fuck and doesn't really show any of her skills. But I promise she gets better. She begins to open up to Chaol, Dorian and Nehemia. She starts to be more human than what she was in the mines. I know Celaena was only beginning her badass streak and it's going to get so much better as the series goes on. I'm so excited!!!!
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If They Piss Me Off, They’ll Find Themselves at the End of My Knives
Throne of Glass
Rating: 5/5

Summary: Celaena Sardothien has been a slave in the Salt Mines of Endovier for over a year, yet she’s still sane and extremely deadly. Celaena is the notorious Adarlan’s Assassin and this title has been feared for many years. The reason she’s freed is so that she can compete in a competition to be the King’s Champion and she’s the Prince’s pick. If she wins the competition, she’ll serve the King for six years before being free at last. The only thing Celaena wants is to do is be free so she can forget her haunting past and all that she’s done. However, when other competitors begin mysteriously dying in the middle of the night, someone has to figure out what’s happening to them.

First of all let me say that this is pretty much my favorite series ever and it’s taken over my life, just a little bit. I didn’t think I’d come to love the characters as much as I did. This is also the second time I’ve read the series and I still love it so much, I need the fifth one now! First of all, the writing is so beautiful, I swear it’s like there’s a movie playing in my head the way I absorb the words. Maas creates a distinct, flawed yet fantastic world, complete with an awesome map inside the front cover. If I could I’d be on the next ship to Erilea, either to Terrasen or straight to Dorian Havilliard, my small beautiful cinnamon roll.

Celaena is a very interesting main character. She has such a rich backstory and Maas slowly reveals things throughout the whole series. I feel like I know her so well, but at the same time there’s still things about her I’m learning. Like stay far away from her bad side and don’t murder her friends/family, you will not like the end. I loved her sass and swagger, I’m not even lying when I call it that. Celaena is so full of personality that she jumps off the page. She will fight for what she thinks is right and she’s not afraid to speak her mind. The rest of the characters are just as unique from the bookish yet handsome Prince Dorian to the extremely loyal though quiet Captain of the Guard, Chaol. Chaol is more of an introductory character in this book, though he goes on to have a huge role in Crown of Midnight and it’s so precious!

The plot is very well thought out, there are many twists and turns, as well as foreshadowing! The foreshadowing in itself is particularly amazing. Maas manages to hint at events to come and events that have already come, which makes the series even more fun to reread trying to find all those hidden gems. There might be a couple slow moments in the book, but it’s never boring. Something is always happening from weird ghost sightings, murders, the competition, Celaena being a badass, to the flirtatious encounters with Dorian that make your heart melt. And this is only the first book in the series!

This book is awesome and I can’t express how much I love it. I’d like to recommend this to everyone, because yes it is that fantastic. Fans of fantasy, action/adventure and mystery will enjoy it as well as fans of His Fair Assassin Trilogy, Vampire Academy, and Graceling.

I also have a book trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qlgj... ...more

28 likes · Like · see review

Mar 23, 2016 Maddie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-own, books-i-own-have-read, ya-fantasy

3/4/20 updated review:
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4th time, let's goooo. Loved it just as much as the previous times, maybe even more motivated to do so because my boyfriend's reading them for the first time! The love triangle grated on my nerves as it usually does, but the men are both fantastic so it's okay! I loved all of the action and the suspense <3 ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Jun 17, 2018 Kayleigh {K-Books} rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own-physical, fantasy

Throne of Glass Review on K-Books

"Everything has a purpose. You were meant to come to this castle, just as you were meant to be an assassin, to learn the skills necessary to survive."

Wow! That is the first word that comes to mind when thinking of this book. I have spent so long just sat here wondering what I can write in this review to do this book justice. The answer is nothing. Nothing that I can say can possibly explain the extent of how phenomenally amazing this book is so you'll just ha Throne of Glass Review on K-Books

"Everything has a purpose. You were meant to come to this castle, just as you were meant to be an assassin, to learn the skills necessary to survive."

Wow! That is the first word that comes to mind when thinking of this book. I have spent so long just sat here wondering what I can write in this review to do this book justice. The answer is nothing. Nothing that I can say can possibly explain the extent of how phenomenally amazing this book is so you'll just have to take my word for it and go read it.

Celeana was the best assassin in the country. But something went terribly wrong, she got caught. Now faced with a lifetime working in the salt mines she jumps at the chance of freedom when she is given a lifeline. The king is holding a deadly competition, the prize, to be his champion and then freedom. Celeana will do anything is takes to gain her freedom back, even if it means serving the one person she hates the most. But when entangled emotions get in the way Celeana starts to realise that freedom may not be everything.

I think I am one of the very few who had never heard of this book. I know a lot of people who are so excited for this book and read the first draft online before this got signed for publication. I am not. I had never heard of this book or author at all until I got an email about it from Bloomsbury Publishing. Well after reading it I have one thought: Where the hell have I been living? Under a rock? This book is phenomenal and Sarah is now up there with my favourite authors. She is fantastic and she completely blew me away with this book! I am definitely surprised and even though I thought yea this book sounds pretty good nothing prepared me for the rollercoaster ride that 'Throne of Glass' is. This book is not good. It's phenomenal. Without a doubt the best fantasy book I have ever read in my life!

Celeana is a character that is really hard not to like. At first look she's tough and comes across as someone who believes her freedom is the most important thing and she has no qualms about killing anyone to get it. But there are so many more layers to her. The more you read the more you love her. You start to really get a feel for her back story and you really start to feel for her and what she's gone through the more you read. I didn't read the prequels to this book before reading so my opinion on Celeana and how much you feel for her is based on this novel alone but by the end I love her and she's one of the stongest YA heroine's I have ever read.

Well guys, prepare to be completely torn between two total swoon worthy guys because I love them both. I have always been one to choose sides in love triangles in books but with this book, well I don't know why she can't just have them both because these two guys are amazing. You have the dashing Prince Dorian who isn't at all what he first seems. He isn't the cool prince you first think him to be and find out a lot about his character and how he doesn't agree with his father and how he's running the country. I really loved him more and more the more of the book I read and I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens with him in the next book. I still think we have a lot of Prince Dorain to come and I can't wait for it. So you're asking, he's swoon-worthy, he's amazing, he's a Prince, why are you torn? Well enter the amazing, equally swoon-worthy Captain Chaol. He is so amazing and I loved seeing his and Celeana's relationship grow. I felt like Chaol was the character that actually had the biggest growth within the book, how he felt like he couldn't trust Celeana, after all she is the world's best assassin but how he saw a side of her nobody else really saw and you could see his very conflicting feelings. I adore Chaol and I just thought he was so sweet and there's so many moments where you just want Celeana to love him because they would be perfect together. But then there'll be scenes when Dorian shows his feelings and you totally love him so yea I can't choose between them they are both just perfect swoon-worthy characters so I say keep them both... or I'll take one of your hands.

This book is amazing and I am so excited to see what happens next. 'Throne of Glass' completely drew me in from the first page and I couldn't put it down. This is the first book I have read in a while where I've had that Unputdownable feeling from it. I was constantly sat reading thinking just one more chapter the next thing I knew two hours had past. I am genuinely really sad that I have finished this book. Call me weird but I actually feel like I am parting with a dear friend by putting this book down because I have grown so attached to this book and this story and it's incredible characters. And I was only reading it for 2 days. It's just that good. 'Throne of Glass' gave me that 'blown away' feeling and I can't wait for the next book.

If you are looking for an Unputdownable fantasy book that you will be sucked in from the first page then this is the book for you. To me it was a perfect mix of fairytale and adventure. Think Maria V Snyder's Study series mixed with Cinderella and that is 'Throne of Glass'. It's fast-paced and action-packed and it guaranteed to leave you breathless and sitting on the edge of your seat with bated breath wondering what is going to happen next.

Throne of Glass is a 2012 Must-Read and I would recommend it to everyone. You definitely do not want to miss out on this one.

"He loved her, and no empire, no king and no earthly fear would keep him from her." ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Feb 14, 2018 Courtney rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

REVIEW TO COME SOON!

2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 15, 2018 Melanie rated it it was amazing

Honestly I liked this better the second time I read it. There is so much foreshadowing of things that will happen like 5 books later. It's so well done! ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 11, 2013 Tanya Patrice rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed this book - it's action packed throughout which matched the tone of the story, and the characters were interesting with varied personalities. Calaena kicked butt as an assassin and I liked her wit, but I would have liked to see more of her skill used. Still, that's not exactly called for in the story a lot - but it would have been nice to see. But, her level of immaturity was a bit unbelievable considering all that she's been through. This book was also a bit heavy on the romanc ...more

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Nov 22, 2013 Toshita rated it it was amazing

Loved seeing the callbacks to The Assassin's Blade throughout this book. Don't see a reason to change the rating. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 02, 2024 Elle rated it liked it

Shelves: ya-fiction

3.5 stars.

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 23, 2016 Maya White rated it liked it

Shelves: september-2016

I'm giving this a 3.5 star review. And I know a lot of people are going to be like "what the heck dude? This is such a good book! Like what?" I know I know! I agree it is a good book. The reason why I am giving it 3.5 stars instead of 4 or even 5 is because to be honest, I found myself dosing off during some bits. At times there was just a lot of information that I didn't think needed to be there. Maybe it's also because I read the prequel of Throne of Glass so I already knew some information go I'm giving this a 3.5 star review. And I know a lot of people are going to be like "what the heck dude? This is such a good book! Like what?" I know I know! I agree it is a good book. The reason why I am giving it 3.5 stars instead of 4 or even 5 is because to be honest, I found myself dosing off during some bits. At times there was just a lot of information that I didn't think needed to be there. Maybe it's also because I read the prequel of Throne of Glass so I already knew some information going into the book. Saying that, I still really enjoyed the book, and I plan on completing this series.
description

So getting into the story...that I DID ENJOY. It was a very interesting story. The characters are awesome and just the whole thing. (view spoiler)[The story starts off a year-year and a half? I forget exactly how long. Anyway a year or so after the ending of The Assassin's Blade. That book! The ending!
description

And we get introduced to Celeana once again. Except this time she's not an assassin but rather a prisoner in Endovier. Another word for Death Camp. Enter Dorian Havillard and Chaol Westfall, come to take her away from the horrid Endovier. Awesome! Psych. She now has to fight in a competition to become champion of the very king who destroyed her home and essentially put her in Endovier in the first place. So the competition ensues with 23 other murderers, thieves, and shamed solders. Now in order for Celeana (who the majority of the characters in the book know as Lady Lillian) to win her freedom and not go back to Endovier, has to defeat the 23 other competitors AND serve the king for four years following the competition. Then and only then can she be free, truly free. Easy right?! Wrong! You see everything is going dandy until the competitors start to get killed off one by one. And it's gruesome. Blood splattered everywhere, faces ripped off, organs taken out.
description

Celeana makes it her job to find out who's doing this.

Throughout the novel Celeana has a wall up. I mean she was in a death camp for a year and some. If I was in her position, I would definitely have a wall up too. However, slowly she starts to let her guard down, especially around Dorian. Slowly the people around her let their guard down as well. She befriends the princess Nehemia (who is said to be working with the rebels of Eyllwe, her home kingdom, to take down the king of Adarlan). Nehemia and Celaena go on walks. On these walks Celaena notices these things known as wyrdmarks. She asks Nehemia about them and Nehemia claims to know nothing. As the novel goes on more and more wyrdmarks appear and with them comes a death of a competitor. So ensues Celaena's search for who is doing this, along the way she suspects Nehemia. We find out that it has not been Nehemia (in fact she's been trying to protect Celaena) but rather Cain, the one competitor Celaena hates more than any other. Cain is using wyrdmarks to bring demons into the world to steal the strength of the other competitors so that he may become the King's Champion. However, this does not work and Celaena comes out victorious. The novel ends with Celaena walking away from the king after just signing her contract of four years of servitude toward him, imagining her freedom! Now let's talk about this romance. I'm still not over Sam!!! But there was some romance in this book, so let's discuss. Dorian and Celaena. The crown prince and the assassin. This is going to end well. Psych! Celaena broke up with him once she realized she was the King's Champion. Of course Dorian is heartbroken because he's in love with her, but guess what, so is Chaol! The way Sarah J Maas wrote this was really cool because we got to see how Dorian and Chaol were feeling without actually being in their heads. Though Celaena likes Dorian, she does not love him (in that way anyway), I mean it's only been about a year since Sam's death. Honestly it seems to me like Dorian was a rebound. Sorry, not sorry. We also saw insight into Chaol and his feelings, and let's say he also has strong feelings for Celaena.

Now Celaena and the boys are not the only relationships in this book. Every character (of importance to the story) had a relationship with each other. Sarah J Maas did a great job with that and made me wish I was in the story if only to have the relationships these characters have. (hide spoiler)]

I'm honestly not that big of a fan of third person point of view, but Sarah J Maas does a fantastic job with it, and I don't mind so much. All in all, I'm still giving this a 3.5 star rating. As I stated in the beginning of this review, there were parts where I dosed off. Though towards the end there was no dosing. I really did enjoy this book and I definitely, definitely plan on continuing the series!

HAPPY READING!!! ...more

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Jul 13, 2013 Megan rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2016, cyb-reading-list, 2016-clear-your-bookshelves, april-2016, new-to-me-authors-2016

I've seen this book around for such a long time, but can't believe it took me so long to finally read it. The story is one that drew me in right away and I didn't want to put it down. Celaena was a strong and yet relateable character. Chaol and Dorian were great characters and I'm curious to see which one, if either, wins her heart. I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series. The only reason I'm not giving this a full 5 stars is that I felt something was missing..though I can't figur ...more

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