Review of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Check out my review of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, the debut book in a brand new 2000s YA fantasy series.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
To be published by Bloomsbury on August 7, 2012
Source: ARC received from Bloomsbury at BEA (Book Expo America.)
Plot Summary of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Infamous assassin Celaena has languished for years in a salt mine prison camp, then is unexpectedly summoned for an audience with the Crown Prince of Ardalan. He wants her to serve as the king’s champion. To do so, she will have to compete for the title against dozens of thieves and murderers. She agrees, and is given a fake identity and swept into a new royal world that seems glittering and fine, but underneath is as cutthroat as the prison camp. She’ll have to impress the Captain of the Guards, defend herself against those who want her dead, and solve a baffling mystery involving magic and murder.
Review of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
I don’t read a ton of fantasy.
My policy on fantasy is that if an author is going to dump me in a strange, disorienting world, he or she also needs to give me compelling characters, skillful world-building and a page-turning plot.
On that front, Throne of Glass did not disappoint! Celaena is a strong and unique heroine and I was captivated by the book from the first page to the end.
That said, Throne of Glass was definitely different than I expected — in a good way. After reading the blurb on the back, I was expecting the book to focus heavily on the champion competition, and was steeling myself for lots of gory gladiator-style fights to the death. That wasn’t the case.
Told in alternating points of view (by Celaena, Crown Prince Dorian, and Chaol, Captain of the Guards) this story has more has more to do with palace intrigue, romance and friendship than with bloody action scenes.
The competition serves as more a backdrop to the rest of the plot, and the contests were not as intense as I had feared — think archery and wall climbing. That’s not to say there are no fight scenes — the final stages of the competition are harrowing enough that I was on the edge of my seat. But the story also includes plenty of frippery and longing glances, for those who like that kind of thing.
Throne of Glass traces Celaena’s journey from murderous assassin to trusted warrior and loyal friend.
The story includes a fantastic friendship between Celaena and Nehemia, a princess from another kingdom. Nehemia is a wonderfully complex character and the relationship between the two is a highlight of the book.
Yes, there is also a love triangle.
But since I’ve never read a love triangle involving an assassin, a prince, and a soldier, I was intrigued. I mean, you wouldn’t think a prince would court an assassin, but Celaena doesn’t know who her parents are, so I’d wager that in a future installment of this series, she might learn some interesting information on that front. Just saying…
If you love fantasy, and were crazy about YA books like Poison Study by Maria Snyder or The Thief by Megan Whelan Turner, you’ll definitely want to read this one. If you’re a reluctant fantasy reader, I’d also say you should give Throne of Glass a try!
Check out my other reviews:
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Yes! I loved this one. Nehemia was my favorite part and the love triangle definitely felt fresh. I definitely have my predictions for who her parents are and I'm dyyyying for the next book.
Oooh, send me an an email. Or a text.
Another one added to the tbr pile.
You won't be sorry!
I am dying to get my hands on this book–I did not receive access on netgalley 🙁
I adore Snyder's writing, multiple perspectives, and fantasy-it just sounds like the kind of story I love!
Then this book is SO perfect for you 🙂
I've got an ARC but it wasn't even on my radar until JUST NOW!!!
Consider me sold! 😀
Also, HOW ON EARTH HAVE YOU ALREADY READ 120+ BOOKS!!!!????? It's not even August!!
Seriously, Jen, you're my HERO 😀
Until the summer I was behind on my Goodreads goal. I read a lot in the summer….
Stop it you guys! Now I want to know who her parents are and I haven't even read the book yet! I am so hyped for it! I loved your review and I am a fan of Poison study and the theif! So now with all you said and my already lust for the book, I am frustrated and want it now!!!
I don't know how Steph knows who her parents are. I have no idea!!!!
All the book says is that she was orphaned…
I know, I am just teasing
I'm not — Steph is such a pain!!!
I just texted her, demanding that she tells me what she thinks she knows. No answer so far. Knowing Steph, she might just be messing with me…
Okay, I owe Steph an apology. She is not a pain. This time. She texted me with a VERY good point about Celaena and her mystery parents…
Thanks — just commented on your review of Forsaken!
Love your review! Am wishlisting!
Great — hope you enjoy it too!
Great review! When I first heard about this book I wasn't really interested but after all the hype its getting I'm actually really curious to read it. Hopefully it won't disappoint.
L:et me know what you think!!
I was going to request this on NetGalley, but I don't really tend to read a lot of fantasy and I am not really a Game of Thrones person so I skipped it. It does sound really good though and I will probably eventually read it. Great review!!
I have never watched Game of Thrones or read the books.
I too don't read a lot of fantasy. Not that I don't like fantasy, it just doesn't always call my name. I love the fact that the assassin is a girl and she has to compete against others to be the king's champion. Girl power lol. I also like that this has multiple POVs because you always get more out of the story. This review has definitely caught my attention to Throne of Glass and will now be going into my TBR list.
"fantasy doesn't always call my name"
That's exactly how I feel, but I did really enjoy this one!
I'm so excited for this one! I already preordered it and it is supposed to ship any day now 🙂 It soundsso great and now you've just made me even more impatient for it!..lol Great review 🙂
Yay — hope you enjoy it!
I hear people like this book.. I still don't know if it's something I want to read yet..
Well, you can't read everything!
An assassin, a prince and a solider sounds yummy. Plus I'm dying to read this 😉
It is a unique kind of love triangle! I liked it!
I can't wait to read this book! LOVE fantasy. Love it. I did like a Poison Study, and I really need to check M.W.T's Thief series out, and enjoyed Grave Mercy quite a bit. I'm ok w/ frippery (that's a great word btw, might use that myself in the future) and longing glances, in measure, so I'm curious to read this and weigh in. Love triangles do tend to turn me off, unless they are done in a unique way. This sounds like it may fit the bill:) enjoyed this review, Jen!
Shanan at Book Addict Net had to make me read Poison Study and I loved that series! I do see a few similarities!
I can't wait to read this! I love fantasy novels but sometimes get a little confused but this sounds more doable for me. And I think I can handle that love triangle! Greta review! 🙂
Great — hope you like it!
I do love a good fantasy book and this one sounds awesome. I have it on my TBR list and I've heard great things about it! I also love all these kick ass girls that have been popping up in books as main characters. What a relief!
Well, she is kickass, but this book is more about her transition from prisoner-assassin to lady. I'm excited for the next installment!
Well, being a lady is just fine too 🙂 But a strong lady is even better.
Few days ago one of my blogger friends read this book and she can't stop talking about it! 🙂 Now I see you like it as well, huh I must read it then, I guess! 🙂
Great review as always! 🙂
Thanks — I really enjoyed it.
I do enjoy reading good fantasy. I'd actually love a copy of THRONE OF GLASS.
Great — hope you entered to win!
I'm not a huge fan of fantasy but I do love assassin's. Also don't love the love triangle.
I guess I'll have to weigh the pros and cons for this one lol
I know! Hope my review helped you out a little!
I've already pre-ordered myself a copy of this, so I didn't enter your competition, but I'm glad you liked it even though you're not an avid fantasy fan. I, on the other hand, absolutely LOVE fantasy books, so I'm sure I'll find this book doubly amazing!
Enjoy it!!
Loved your review! I love Poison Study and The Thief series, so this is a definite read!
Great review Jen! Earlier today was the first time I've read what this book was about after another blogger told me how much she loved it (I hadn't gotten a chance to read your review on it yet!). This book sounds really good and is definitely going on my TBR 🙂
I can't wait to read this book!!!! Reading your review just made me much more excited for its release:)
-JennyC
I'm looking forward to reading this one! I guess it's out now but I've bought several books lately so I won't be able to read it anytime soon. Darn! One of these days I'll get to it! I guess I can get it from that magical place called the library! 😉