From goodreads: After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king’s council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.
Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her… but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.
Then one of the other contestants turns up dead… quickly followed by another.
Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.
Review…
Jessica at Rabid Reads has done it again, she’s recommended a book/series that I absolutely fell in love with and I can’t seem to get seem to get enough!!
“My name is Celaena Sardothien. But it makes no difference if my name’s Celaena or Lillian or Bitch, because I’d still beat you, no matter what you call me.”
Celaena is the heroine you will fall in love with because she’s brilliant and amazing for many different reasons. SHE.MAKES.THIS.SERIES. Celaena is a notorious assassin and she’s proud of her reputation. Oddly enough, her arrogance is beguiling (never thought that would be possible) and she’s a fierce competitor among the men (I love that). She’s the complete package and how can every man NOT fall in love with her?? Seriously, what’s not to love?
“Celaena, he breathed, his voice laced with pain–and hope. This was all she had left–his outstretched hand, and the promise of hope, of something better waiting on the other side of the line.”
There’s a love triangle of sorts but it’s not an in-your-face type deal. It’s there but it’s subtle and it’s not the focal point of the book. Some may or may not like that and considering I enjoy romance with top billing, in this case I was totally okay with it being the sub-plot because it worked and worked well.
“I hate women like that. They’re so desperate for the attention of men that they’d willingly betray and harm members of their own sex. And we claim men cannot think with their brains! At least men are direct about it.”
Enter Dorian (Crown Prince) and Chaol (Captain of the Guard), both are men that become entangled with the fierce assassin but what they come to realize is that she might not be quite like they had imagined. Chaol was my favorite because he was a bit hard to read and didn’t fall for Celaena immediately. Actually, he was annoyed with her the majority of the time but as the story progresses, an unlikely friendship is forged.
“What’s the point in having a mind if you don’t use it to make judgements?”
Mystery, intrigue, action, oh my!!! This book had it all but I had so many questions when I read Throne of Glass and what might be helpful is if you read the novellas first. The novellas are equally as fantastic, it helped me understand Celaena much better and how she came to be (wait until you meet Sam ♥ but don’t forget about Chaol). I still have nagging questions but I’m hoping I will get more answers as I continue the series. 
Suggested Reading Order:
- The Assassin’s Blade (#0.1-0.5)
- Throne of Glass (#1)
- Crown of Midnight ( #2)
- Heir of Fire (#3): coming September 2, 2014 *grabby hands*
Kate didn’t like this much, though. I haven’t tried reading this one. I am on a slump again
I feel so bad about this. This one sounds sooooo good! I like the sound of the female mc, and awesome name, too! (I love the name Dorian, too!) Fantastic review, my friend!
Kate didn’t like it?? Oh no!
But I can see how it might not be for everyone but I fell in love with the heroine. She was amazing IMO. When you are ready to read again, start with the novella pack (trust me) because it makes understanding book 1 so much easier. Anyway, this series isn’t going anywhere and it will wait for you once you are out of your reading funk! Sending you big hugs! ♥
Ok, will take you advice and check the novella first. Thanks for the tip!
Honestly, the novellas (The Assassin’s Bade—it’s a novella bundle) are awesome and book 1 lays the foundation what happens in book 2. It’s just glorious but DON’T read it until you are really in the mood for it. And brace yourself because it WILL consume you!
♥♥♥
Love this series. I am Team Chaol all the way! Just wait until you read book 2
It’s pure awesomeness and I just adore Chaol!!! He’s all sorts of fabulous and tonight I’m diving right into book 2 and I can’t wait!
Oh I’m glad you had a great time with this one, I heard great things about it and I’m curious to read it. A friend bought me book 1 and 2 but I still need to get into them now. thanks for the review!
Hi Melliane! This one is actually really good, I think the novella BUNDLE is actually really good too. I’m on book 2 now and I’m LOVING it! ♥
You know I bought the audiobook (even though I already have this on paperback) because of your tweets with Jessica! I’m so excited to listen to this now! The heroine sounds AMAZING!!!
You need to read or listen to the NOVELLA bundle first.
It makes understanding book 1 a lot better. Just wait until you get to book 2!!!!!!!!! I have NO WORDS! #imstressed #butimlovingit
Ok, so I really should read the novella first? Alright! Checking on Amazon now
thanks for the tio Christina!
Most definitely!
Here’s the link: http://amzn.com/B00H45XC5O
I’ve not read this book yet, but I am planning on reading it soon.
I’m glad that you liked it. I hope this book is worth the hype
Hi Jules…you’ll enjoy it! I’ve been telling everyone to read the novella bundle FIRST. It totally helps when reading book 1. And brace yourself for book 2!
*touchdown dance* YES! I knew you would love it! Celaena KICKS ASS. Crown of Midnight is going to blow your frigggin’ mind. SO many questions get answers, and the answers . . . *sits back* *watches* *waits*
Fabulous review, Cristina! SO glad you loved this too
I’M LOVING IT!
And it think it’s a fair assessment when people say I’m obsessed! Crown of Midnight is AMAZING but my heart hurts. Like A LOT. *stealthily grabs ipad and sneaks a chapter while at work* ♥
I didn’t actually like this one all that much .-. DONT HURT ME.
It seemed so similar to one of my all time favorite books (Poison Study) at first which made it harder for me to enjoy the book .-.
Although I have been convinced that I absolutely need to give the sequel a shot. And I will. Soon
I am so glad to see you enjoyed this though!!!
Lovely review, Cristina!!!
Thank you Rashika! LOL…no worries, lucky for you I’m not a violent person!
Oh well Jessica really knows how to pick them then. I love this series and let me tell you the next one in this series is sooooo amazing. I can’t even explain how amazing. I really hope you’ll read it soon. Great review!
Thanks Tanja! ♥ Jessica has seriously good taste!!
How are you only just now reading this Cristina? I’m a huge fan of this series and just LOVE it so much and now strongly urge you to read Crown of Midnight immediately. You thought this book was amazing? wait to have you heart stomped on, broken, and completely fall apart in CoM! I promise you it does not disappoint!
Lily
Lily! I’ve been living on a rock, no a boulder!
Team Chaol here, too! Haven’t read the second book yet, but I will before the ARC of Book 3 becomes available in Netgalley (I think around May 29?). We should have a Buddy Read along :3
I would totally join this buddy read. Just saying.
Considered yourself invited to the buddy read!!! Read the novellas and book 2!
TEAM CHAOL *claps wildly* ♥ I just finished book and my heart broke a thousand times over! And if I can get my hands on an ARC copy for book 3…count me in for a buddy!!!! YAY!!!
Woo, so glad you loved this much more than I did, Cristina! This one actually reminded me a LOT of The Selection (which I thought was so-so). I didn’t get Calaena’s badassness, but I did love her witty comments! I have no side on the love triangle YET. Book 2’s supposed to be super amazing though, so I’ll be reading that… soon, I hope. ;P Awesome review, girl!
Thank you Aimee! I did love this series and Celaena!!! Her commentary was priceless and I’m thinking you might have enjoyed the novellas more than book. But I just finished book 2 and THAT was amazing!
YEEESSS I am so glad you loved this book, it is one of my favourites! I love Celaeana’s cockiness, it’s so different to the usual demure females. Chaol was great too!
Jeann…I LOVED THIS SERIES! Just finished book 2 last night and I have no words. NONE!! Celaena is all sorts of awesome and I can’t wait to see how she develops even more in book 3!
So, my associate reviewer has added yet another series to your TBR pile, eh? Well, I guess that means that she’s doing a great job, so I should keep her around.
Great review!
Thanks Carmel!!! That Jessica is definitely a keeper!
Celaena (I’ve tried spelling this 3 times already and probably spelled it wrong anyways) sounds like a force to be reckoned with! I really can’t wait to meet her! When I finish reading my books for review, this one is up!
Remember to start with the novella bundle first!!! It’ll make understanding book 1 so much better!!! You will love it or at least I hope you do!!
I gave this book like 10 stars! If you loved Throne of Glass, you will def love Crown of Midnight. I agree with you that there’s not much of a love triangle since- (nvm I don’t wanna spoil) Crown of Midnight should be your next read, I’m telling you. You won’t regret it. It has more romance, more action, more humour and more everything! HAHA
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I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED Crown of Midnight and I can’t wait for the next book. I’m obsessed with this series and I loved all the novellas too! Chaol is amazing! Thanks for stopping by!