Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1) in The Not-So Austen Bookclub

Apr 15, 2010 Miss Clark rated it liked it

Shelves: fairytale-fantasy-sci-fi-mythology, adventure

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Some really nice elements. Two more to go. There are some troubling sections, esp. the emphasis on the physical attraction between Dorian and Celaena. But overall, I like it. Like the world, esp. the history of it, what little we got. I am looking forward to the next one.

That final scene between Pennington and the king is incredibly ominous. What do they know? With whom are they in league? What are those rings made of? Where did they get them?

I assume that they will be bringing Kaltain back?

What Some really nice elements. Two more to go. There are some troubling sections, esp. the emphasis on the physical attraction between Dorian and Celaena. But overall, I like it. Like the world, esp. the history of it, what little we got. I am looking forward to the next one.

That final scene between Pennington and the king is incredibly ominous. What do they know? With whom are they in league? What are those rings made of? Where did they get them?

I assume that they will be bringing Kaltain back?

What does Elena want long-term?

I am quite glad that at least for this juncture (as I am not really holding out hope that it will last) that Celaena had the good sense not to pursue a relationship with Dorian given that she has no intention of staying in Adarlan as soon as she is free to go nor does she have any desire to deal with the entanglements that such a situation would incur. I am hating this love triangle so much! First off, I do not approve of love triangles on principle. Secondly, I think Chaol has more depth and is the better person, as well as better understanding Celaena as a person, her strengths and fears. I feel Dorian sees what he wants to see and what he wants from her, rather than seeing her as she is. He sees her for what she could be for him. Also, his is a very physical/lustful attraction and same for her right back. I don't see them being a good, long-term couple. And I do not currently see them loving one another.

I am worried that Celaena is going to vacillate back and forth between Chaol and Dorian. However, at this point, I do not feel as if either of them know her all that well. Certainly not enough to pursue a relationship with her.

I would like to know more about Chaol and Dorian's friendship. We are told of it, but I would like to see it more. To what ends would they go for one another? Chaol seems to care far more about Dorian than vice versa...

What is the wyrdmark on her forehead? Its symbolism?

Celaena is so very clearly the princess of Terrasen - her parents were murdered, she was taken in as a ward of the assassin king and trained. She also clearly has magic - fey ancestry. Is Elena an ancestor?

Please, please tell us more about Elena and Gavin! Nehemia and her family's association with wyrdmarks. When/Does Nehemia find out Celaena is a fellow royal/princess? I want to see them get to be all BAMF and awesome together!!!

Content: mentions of one-night stands, heavy kissing, etc. You have been forewarned.

2018 reread: Finally finishing this series after hearing all manner of things for and against. When I tried to reread this I simply couldn't do it. Maas has grown quite a bit as a writer and I simply could not put myself through this book again when I remembered the gist. ...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Ria [The Beaucoup Review] rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5 STARS

*******ORIGINALLY POSTED ON THE BEAUCOUP REVIEW*******

I originally started this book a while ago, but then put it down for another. Whilst the beginning of the novel was enticing, it was just too slow paced for me to be completely involved in it. But once I got past the first 70 or so pages, I was captivated.

Celaena was just the perfect, kick-ass heroine. Seeing her blossom throughout the novel was so wonderful to read about. It was impossible to dislike her; her wit and charm were ac 4.5 STARS

*******ORIGINALLY POSTED ON THE BEAUCOUP REVIEW*******

I originally started this book a while ago, but then put it down for another. Whilst the beginning of the novel was enticing, it was just too slow paced for me to be completely involved in it. But once I got past the first 70 or so pages, I was captivated.

Celaena was just the perfect, kick-ass heroine. Seeing her blossom throughout the novel was so wonderful to read about. It was impossible to dislike her; her wit and charm were accompanied by quick thinking, sarcasm and the ability to kill. These qualities draw two desirable young men to her, though she can't stand either of them. Once she finally begins seeing the people around her as friends, we meet a whole cast of brilliant characters.

I don't know what I feel about Dorian... He sincerely annoyed me at some parts, then I was in love with him at others. His father, on the other hand, [AKA the King] was not somebody I enjoyed reading about. He's the villain that you just have to hate. Ruthless and horrible, his appearances at the beginning and end of the book weren't pleasant ones. Mass managed to convince me that he was an absolutely horrible character, which is just one of the many things I loved about her style.

Mass' writing style manages to keep you entertained and wanting more at all times. All the characters-- Celaena, Dorian, Chaol [the man training Celaena for her tasks], the King, Elena-- seemed so REAL. The relationships between the characters were so wonderfully painted, I could imagine meeting them all.

I just wish that some of the tasks had been focused on more at some points. But other than that I have no complaints. Seeing Celaena and Dorian try to deny their feelings about one another was so cute. CUTE describing the relationship between an assassin and the Kings son-- the same King who's responsible for the murder of thousands in other lands. Chaol also had feelings for Celaena, and I couldn't help but root for him!

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure, watching Celaena battle her way through the competition in order to become the King's Assassin and avoid being sent back to prison. The mysterious creature killing off all the champions added to the mystery of the story, whilst I adored the set of characters I met [though I did question a few of Celeana's decisions].

Thanks so much to Bloomsbury for sending me this to review!
...more

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Feb 05, 2019 Cyndi Goodgame rated it it was amazing

Shelves: e2l-enemies-to-lovers

Absolutely great! I couldn't put it down. This was one I kept on my shelf and promised myself to read one day, (my daughter wanted to read so intended to check it out and screen), so...I picked it and and turned out to be a definite top book list.

With that said, it was well written other than a few cheesy parts in the in that do not fit the depth of story it writes into. For an assassin, she is sometimes too emotional and easy to seem off guard with it. It says it throughout the novel by other ...more

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Feb 17, 2012 Melissa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 09, 2012 Rachel rated it liked it

My favorite character of this mediocre book came as a surprise to me. Kaltain is awesome! She has everything that embodies a character that could be come my favorite type of character- an anti-hero! I hope she appears a lot in the next book. She did all her evil deeds for love (or at least desire), is determined, made a huge mistake in trusting a vile character- is basically multi-dimensional. Even if I would not want to be friends with her, she is way better then the main character Celaena. The ...more

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May 22, 2012 HC rated it liked it

Shelves: sarah-j-maas

The Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas was a mediocre book, and it didn't really live up to my expectations.

When I read the summary of it on Goodreads, I was super excited. I really like Grave Mercy by Robin La Fevers and this sounded a bit like it. You know, the whole female assassin stuff...but it wasn't.

Celaena irritated me. She was so vain, rude, and frankly, I didn't see what Chaol and Dorian saw in her. (but I also didn't really see what she saw in them either) The times when she was fighti ...more

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