Dorian answers “I've heard that this book wasn't very...”

Ariana Jashari asked this question about Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1):

I've heard that this book wasn't very good, but I've also heard that the second book is Amazing. Is this series Worth Reading at all?

Dorian I didn't enjoy any of the books in this series, and the second book definitely isn't any better than the first. It only really serves to make Celaena …moreI didn't enjoy any of the books in this series, and the second book definitely isn't any better than the first. It only really serves to make Celaena even more "special", trying to strongarm readers into admiring her when there's not really a lot to care about.

There are no spoilers below; they're all mentioned in the blurb of Book 1.

Celaena is too over-the-top powerful and special, her skills are mentioned but barely ever shown or proven, the narration boasts and boasts that "she's awesome, really!" but all the reader ever gets to see is her whining, her petty revenge and non-stop "witty" banter. Almost every word of dialogue she gets to spout is annoying and cringey.

In the first book, people are constantly turning up dead. (But don't get too excited, 90% of the deaths happen behind the scenes and are only mentioned in passing.) While all this is happening, Celaena finds a random bag of sweets in her room, and she decides to eat them. But she's like the smartest person ever. That's why she eats it even though it could have been poisoned, because she's so clever and it's totally not the dumbest thing to do.

If Celaena meets a female character, she puts them down because she's not like other girls. She's better than other girls! If other girls so much as LOOK at anybody Celaena fancies, then they're stupid, corrupt liars. If they're Celaena's friend, then they're marginally better off, and the narration shows them a LITTLE bit of respect. This isn't a series to read if you're looking for strong friendships among women who support each other.

I honestly think this series is among the worst I've ever read. The writing is clumsy and sloppy, the set-up is half-baked, and half the deaths happen offscreen, at least in the first book.

EDIT: I decided to come back and make my answer even more comprehensive, because there was a lot I left out the first time.(less)

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View all 37 comments

Nandini I know that you wrote this 7 years ago but I am so so grateful that you wrote this. You wrote almost every single thing that I had in my mind about th ...more
Feb 11, 2022 04:15AM · flag

Dorian @Nandini I may have written this seven years ago, but I still stand by EVERYTHING I said. Making matters worse, I still haven't found a book that's wo ...more
Feb 12, 2022 04:08PM · flag

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