Book Review
Rating: ★★★☆☆ – 3.0
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Published in 2012
“Still, the image haunted his dreams throughout the night. A lovely girl gazing at the stars, and the stars who gazed back.” – Throne of Glass
The Essentials
In Throne of Glass, the first of a seven-book series, Sarah J. Maas introduces us to our main character Celaena Sardothien. Right away we are introduced to the infamous assassin who has been enslaved in the Salt Mines of Endovier. Celaena gets offered a chance at freedom if she can win a deadly competition to become the King of Adarlan’s Champion.
The Crown Prince will surprise her. The Captain of the Guard will try to protect her. Celaena comes to the glass castle for freedom, but finds herself in a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world. Throne of Glass opens the door for this captivating fantasy series and if you step inside you won’t leave until every book is read.
Characters
Celaena Sardothian
Celaena is a deadly assassin that has a reputation known by seemingly everyone. She is extremely cunning, has a strong personality, and fiery spirit. To the Kingdom of Adarlan she is a feared and brutal assassin, but we get to see the inner turmoil she hides from the world. Throughout the book Celeana is trying to piece herself back together and learn how to live with the trauma and loss that she has faced.
Dorian Havilliard
Dorian is the Crown Prince of Adarlan, he is charismatic and witty. his role in the story often leans more toward romance than leadership. He’s likable and clearly smart, but this first book leaves you wanting more of him. It sets the groundwork for a character that grows and changes a lot as the series progresses.
Chaol Westfall
Chaol is a committed and loyal captain of the guard. He is very set in his ways and unwavering in his protection of the kingdom. His temperament and stubbornness often times leads to conflicts with other characters that he cares about.
My Personal Review
When I saw Throne of Glass at the store and read the description on the back, I thought I’d be hooked from start to finish. Unfortunately, it took a little bit of time for me to get into it. I wanted more action, more romance and faster pacing.
The love interests were intriguing, Chaol was noble, but his character felt one dimensional. Dorian was more interesting, but I was left wanting more of him than we were given. After finishing the book I was a little disappointed, I wasn’t going to read the second, but a friend bought it for me as a gift so I had no choice.
It turned out to be the best gift I’ve gotten in a long time. I got fully drawn into the series, each book making me more and more of a fan. I didn’t appreciate Throne of Glass in the moment but looking back I see it in a new light. It’s difficult for an author to effectively depict how the past shapes the personality of characters, their present and future. But Sarah J. Maas does it wonderfully.
Although Throne of Glass wasn’t my favorite book, I would heavily recommend grinding through it. The payoff is worth it, the series as a whole is one of the best I’ve ever read. The characters are written with layers that get peeled back as the story progresses. I’ve read all seven of the books in the series (eight counting the prequel) and I still wish there was more to read.
The Writing Matt 
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