Throne Of Glass by Sarah J Mass

Throne Of Glass by Sarah J Mass
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 416


Summary: 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 kings 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 exhilarating. 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.

My Thoughts: Oh man, what can I even say about this one? I loved it so much! It reminded me a bit of The Hunger Games but also completely different. Wow.

We are introduced to Celaena who is just 18 years old. She is known all over as the best assassin in the world. Everyone fears her name, everyone knows her name,  Celaena has been in a prison of sorts for the past year. She has done what she had to do to survive. She’s dirty, hungry, skinny, and looks just like a normal girl. She gets picked by the King to be in a contest basically. Whoever wins this contest will be his assassin, who will be at his beck and call to do his biddings. Among the others, there are people from all over, with their own talents.  Every person is out for himself. But nobody really knows who she is. To them, she is Lillian.

Celaena, at this point, doesn’t care what she has to do. She’ll do anything in order to be granted her freedom.  She shows up and starts competing. She also has to train to get back in shape.

Of course, there are also love interests. Captain Chaol Westfall and Prince Dorian Havilliard. Gosh, between those two boys, who could pick? Each one had their own distinct personality, and I loved the scenes with both of them. Yum.  At this point, I’m not sure who I want her to end up, all I know is I love them both!

Celaena also meets a friend who just happens to have a higher rank than most.  And an ally named Nox. I just laughed and laughed at the scene towards the end where he hears her true name. Oh man.  I hope we see him in future novels.

Don’t think the romance and the fights are all that's in this novel. Nope, there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes too. Celaena has to figure out what or who is killing all the other competitors, she has to figure out what her real task is, a lot of minor storylines to keep you entertained.

The pacing is good, the characters are wonderful, the plot was pretty freaking amazing. I can see Throne of Glass becoming the next big thing in Young Adult books.  I can see it happening. When I started this, I knew it wouldn’t be the novel  for everyone but it was totally the novel for me! I was truly amazed at how much I enjoyed this novel.

Overall: Loved it! Man, between those choices of guys! I want them both! Celaena was such a sweet girl even though she was an assassin. She did have a soul and a big heart! I really loved this one, and I can’t wait to read the next novel! If you get a chance, be sure to pick this one up!  It won't be the novel for everyone, but at least go into it with an open mind!

Cover: Pretty!!! The girl totally fits. She has that unique look about her. Like the cover!

What I'd Give It: