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Thou Shall Read Till Thy Eyes Bleed

Thursday 26 July 2012

Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas


Title: Throne of Glass
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass
Book #: 1
Pages: 416
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: Photobucket
Goodreads Rating: 4.38
T.B.Published: August 7th, 2012.

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 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.

Taschima's POV:
"She stalked towards him, keeping her sword sheathed at her side. Verin's grin widened as he lifted his blade. 
He swung, but Celaena struck, ramming her fist into his arm, sending the blade soaring through the air. In the same breath, her pam hit his left arm, knocking it aide too. As he staggered back, her leg came up, and Verin's eyes bulged as her foot slammed into his chest. The kick sent him flying, and his body crunched as it hit the floor and slid out of the ring, instantly eliminating him. The hall was utterly silent. 
"Mock me again," she spat at Verin, "and I'll do that with my sword the next time." She turned from him, and found Brullo's face slack. "Here's a lesson for you, Weapons Master," she said, stalking past him. "Give me real men to fight. Then maybe I'll bother trying."
I thought this story was thoroughly original overall with the plot and world setting. But It took it's sweet ass time at the beginning. It only got really interesting for me around page 200, but after page 200? Oh it got good. I believe the first slow half of it was totally worth the complete product. Throne of Glass has inside it's pages a world full of assassins, politic shenanigans, heart throb "romance", and magic.

Basically the king of Adarlan thinks exactly like the Fire Lord in Avatar the Last Airbender series. Their kingdoms are the best and so they absolutely have to take over the whole world and rule it as absolute rulers. Maybe they are cousins. Anyways, The king of Adarlan wakes up one morning and decides that he needs a "champion" to take care of his special brand of dirty work and so he sends out a challenge for people to look for the strongest/fastest/awesome-nest they can find in order for them to compete for the title. 24 go in, only one can come out as the victor. And this is where our favourite assassin makes an appearance.
"But she—at seventeen—had gone to a death camp. And survived. She'd survived Endovier, and yet could still laugh."
Celaena Sardothien. Adarlan's assassin. And a pain in the ass at that. At the beginning of the novel the one word I would have used to describe Celaena was arrogant. DAMN was she full of herself, and not even one event in sight to prove how "good" she was. It was hard to connect with her. But as the novel progressed I found myself liking Celaena more and more. From her willingness to save others at the expense of her pride, to her obsession with dresses and dances. Yes, this is an assassin with a girly side. Imagine that! By the end of the novel I kept thinking how she is a very well rounded character, and one that feels real to the reader because she has faults as well as strengths and she embraces both sides of herself. She is definitely still arrogant and vain, but she is also brave, cunning, beautiful, and kick ass.

Now for the "romantic" interests of the novel. There is Dorian, the prince. He is both wicked and charming...
"Are you my present, or is there something in that basket at your feet?" She asked. 
"If you'd like to unwrap me," he said, lifting the large wicker basket onto the table, "we still have an hour until the temple service."
Dorian at the beginning is just like Celaena, arrogant and kind of a jerk. I couldn't stand him at the beginning, but again there is something about this book. The characters that I started off disliking are the ones I liked most by the end. Let's just say Dorian proved himself to be a little more than charming. He was cute and put himself out there and tried. He still has a lot of growth left in him, but I couldn't help but love him.

...and Chaol, the guardian.
"There was still something soft in her face. It gave him hope—hope  that he had not lost his soul in the act of killing, hope that humanity could still be found, and honor could be regained..."
Chaol, on the other hand was boring for me. Too shy for his own good really. He was bland; most of the time I pictured him being played by an old man, imagine that!

There are some extra characters that also leave a mark on you like Nox, another assassin who I really liked, Nehemia, the rebellious princes (who might kick more ass than Celaena herself), and even Kaltain, annoying as she was you still felt sorry for her.

The tests that the contestants had to go through on the other hand were more than a little unoriginal. I expected something more creative and exciting, but oh well.

The ending though was exciting. Though I don't like how things were left off in the romance department I still expect a good fight between our heart contestants. Who knows who will win, could be either really, but I am rooting for Dorian. There's just something about Dorian. I also am really interested in what will happen with the magic part of the story, the war, and our complex assassin and her background.

This is one worth buying. Can't wait for the second one!



a Rafflecopter giveaway



PS; Read an ARC copy provided at BEA in exchange for an honest review. Quotes subject to change in the final product.

64 comments:

  1. Great giveaway! Would sooo love to read this one :)

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  2. looks like a great book

    follow via gfc
    drakebdog@gmail.com

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  3. THis book sounds exciting, dangerous, thrilling, adventurous, and incredibly original. I don't think I've ever wanted to read a book about assassins more (and from what I've heard, even the love triangle doesn't sound like it'll annoy me much at all, which is rare in a book). Great review! I can't wait to check this one out this summer!

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  4. Cannot wait for this book! I am so excited to read it. Assassins and ladies fair are always a good combo. :)

    Thanks for running the contest!

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  5. I love all the quotes you put throughout the review, and it sounds like an action packed book. :D

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  6. I can't wait to read this book I have heard so many great things about it!!! Thanks for the great review it makes me even more excited!!!!

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  7. Sounds like a page turner. I've heard really good things about this book and can't wait to see what the excitement is about!

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  8. Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to read this book. It sounds very good. Tore923@aol.com

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  9. Assassins, politic shenanigans, heart throb "romance", and magic!!! WOW! Sounds like my kinda book! :)

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  10. I've heard really good things about this one. It's too bad it took so long to get into, but it's good that when it did get good, it was really great.

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  11. I most certainly did not feel sorry for Kaltain. They didn't create feelings that weren't there only amplified them. In fact I don't like the idea that we might see more of her. I demand her untimely demise!

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  12. I love fantasy novels and Graceling is one of my favourite books ever so I am extremely excited for this one.

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  13. OMG that first quote! LOL I love female protagonists like that. Can't wait to read this one.

    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  14. Sigh..........

    I still can't wait to read Throne of Glass. Regardless of how long it takes to get into it, I cannot deny myself a story about assassins.

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  15. I have been looking forward to reading this one for a long time-- I love strong heroines!

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  16. So excited to read this book! I'm loving everything I hear about it!

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  17. Can't wait for this one. Glad to have your review.

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  18. Heard so many great things about this!

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  19. I have been dying to read this for so long. I can't believe it's finally published. XD

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  20. THanks for the review. This one looks good.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

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  21. @ephrielle Thing is, I felt a got a glimpse at her situation, and it felt constricting. I mean, I hate her, but I could as well understand. Still she was too greedy for her own good (though she had special circumstances...)

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  22. I love your reviews!!! thanks so much for sharing :)

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  23. You had me at assassin ... your review is much more balanced than quite a few others I've read :P

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  24. I enjoyed your review and I think Throne of Glass sounds like a fantastic story. I'm looking forward to reading it.

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  25. I've been anticipating this one for quite a while! Thanks for a great giveaway.

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  26. I've already got THRONE OF GLASS on my wish list. It looks fabulous.

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  27. I am dying to read this one-thank you so much for the chance to win!

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  28. I'm glad it good towards the end because I had really high hopes for this one.

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  29. Can't wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!!!

    -Dihmar

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  30. I sometimes like a book with a slower start - lets you just drift into the story.

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  31. I've read so many great reviews about this book, now I'm really looking forward to buy a copy for me.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  32. What an interesting review--so many people have been raving about this one and it's good to see a slightly more balanced review sharing both your likes and dislikes regarding the books. Well, regardless, I can't WAIT to pick this one up! Thank you for this giveaway.

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  33. I am excited! I love what I have heard about this novel so far.

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  34. I've heard so many great things about this book so I'm super excited!! :)

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  35. I always have a thing for badass assassin especially if it's a heroin. Much like Cat and Rose. :)
    Definitely on my TBR list! :D

    ayana_sca04(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  36. I've been reading a lot of fantasy lately so this one is one that I must read. It's gotten amazing reviews and I just can't wait to read it!

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  37. Thanks for the amazing giveaway! Throne of Glass sounds BRILLIANT and glad to see you liked it. Can't wait to read it :D

    Rabiah

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  38. The book sounds really good!!! And original...I've been looking for a good orignal book and this one seems to have it all

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  39. The female assassin aspect sounds great, having a strong female character is becoming more and more popular lately. It's great. I love that it has a little bit of romance and can't wait to see if it lives up to my expectations after reading so many great reviews of it. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  40. Yay! I'm so glad you loved it. <3 It sounds like a fabulous book and I've heard so many amazing things about it.

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  41. I've been wanting to read this for a long time thanks for hosting!

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  42. i absolutely love books with action and it just gives me a thrill plus the book has such a kick ass cover the book sounds exciting, dangerous, thrilling, and adventurous! i want it! :)

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  43. Thanks for the giveaway! Sounds like an interesting book!

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  44. Everyone I know is going nuts for this book! I can't wait to get a copy for myself!

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  45. This is the first time I'm hearing about this book but I already am wanting to read it. It sounds different and I've always wanted to read a book about assassins.

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  46. Cannot wait! Ive heard so many wonderful things from other blogs as well. I need a copy!

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  47. Throne of Glass looks amazing! I'm not usually one for fantasy, but I'm dying to read this! Great review and thanks for the giveaway!

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  48. Princess assassins? Count me in!

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  49. I just reviewed it too and thought it was really great =) I agree with you as far as the romance, there was just something about Dorian that made me prefer that she end up with him over Chaol.

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  50. I think this book sounds great! I love a fierce heroine! Thanks for this amazing giveaway - I would love to win!

    Suz Reads

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  51. This book looks amazing! I have been hear so many good things about it, I love books with strong female leads! Thanks for the chance at this great giveaway!

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  52. Man, oh man! This sounds like it could be an original! Something that my hands are itching to hold and my eyes are crying to see.

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  53. I can't wait to read this book! I think my newest obsession is going to be assassins because of it ^^

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  54. Thanks for the giveaway! I wanna read this looks great

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  55. Looks Like a great book! Rly want to read it.

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  56. Great giveaway!! All the bloggers seem to raving about this, cant wait to find out why!

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  57. It sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the giveaway :)

    Renee
    fattybumpkins at yahoo dot com

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  58. From the looks of it. I think it is gonna be mindblowing

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  59. i wanna win this sssssssooooo bad!! >.<

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  60. I have been dying to read this sucker! My friend and me both.

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  61. The ratings of this book show that this would be really a good book.

    Genetics Patent Attorney

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