Book Review: The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass (#0.1 - 0.5)
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Short stories
Published: March 4th, 2014 by Bloomsbury Childrens
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Contains all five novellas.

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin's Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free? Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine to find out.

I have to say that this was a well written third person point of view novellas into novel, adaptation. I don't think any author that I know can trump Ms. Maas's 3rdPoV of writing. It's simply amazing. For me, I prefer 1st person, but reading this, it felt sometimes I was reading in first person. Unlike dual PoVs, this was less confusing, because sometimes I forget which character's mind I'm reading from and I'd have to flip to the Chapter beginning to find out who it is, or I'll just confuse myself even more. But this, this is pure...I'm ecstatic to even talk and rant about this. I could tell exactly who  she is talking about, it's one of the best writing style I've read. Just to throw this out: I love Marie Lu's writing.

In my opinion, I felt like this book of novellas had a hint of mystery to it. It was just fun to find out and read the next move Celaena will do, and what Arobynn has in mind.

#0.1: The Assassin and the Pirate Lord

It starts off with the assassins in a meeting, then Arobynn proceeding to tell them some fascinating news. You know, I liked how she wrote the fighting style. It's not too simple like: She turns around and whips the back of his head, hard, with a slap of her palm. No. It's not like that. But it's not too complicated either like this: She jumps up and flips twice backwards before landing onto the table (like what?!), feet planted firmly, not loosing her footing; she narrowly avoids the rapids swings and strikes from the hilt of his sword. (I mean, that's not complicated, you could follow the sentence I just wrote, but like...I'm not a good writer, but I'm pretty sure you get the gist of it). You're able to follow Celaena's graceful and snake-like movement, picturing it clearly in your mind.

This particular novella shows Celaena's kindness and loving for others. It's clear. She's able to risk her life for a hundred others. You would think she'd win all her fights, but that wouldnm't make it interesting....or would it? I wouldn't find it interesting. I mean, the whole point of a novel is the drama/action/mystery in it.

#0.2: The Assassin and the Healer  

This one was a bit confusing on Celaena's personality. Was she the kind girl, or the 'not caring' type of girl? I mean, I guess she was both, but yea., If you read it, you'll get me. This showed more of how Celaena fights, giving us a less broad view of her fighting style. Her kills are clean and fast, and Ms. Maas makes sure the viewer knows that Celaena is the best.

I'd say so myself, that this was a short read, but a fascinating one. Where the opposite meets the opposite.

#0.3: The Assassin and the Desert

Where everything starts going downhill. I mean, I guess her life was already a roller coaster of downhills and bumps, but this is where it really starts to go down. This was a fun chapter! It showed how weak/strong Celaena is. It shows her limits and how far she will really go for something. I kind of ship her with the Desert master's son, but I'm good if she ditches him. (Can't really say if she does, or doesn't, because that would be a spoiler). Celaena is so cute and adorable! She's blushing when something happens, she's able to show her face, and meet new friends(although I can't say if they'll last or not.)

 Again, this chapter/novella shows how nice Celaena really is. She's able to spare someone's life, no matter how much damage they did. Do you ever wish to be like her? I mean, mastering both hands to kill and murder, but at the same time, be nice with a short temper?

#0.4: The Assassin and the Underworld

This one, I've got to say, is the most boring. I liked skimmed through this one...well, not skimmed, I only skimmed over the detailing because I could care less. If I read it a bit more carefully, maybe it would've been more interesting, but really, I was just getting sick, tired and bored of The Assassin's Blade. Like...no? The last mission, and most...weird one is in this chapter. It was pretty...unique. Arobynn starts getting creepy and confusing that I don't know what to even think of him anmore. All I know is that I'm glad for Celaena.

#0.5: The Assassin and the Empire

 This is where I develop my hate for the empire. Hahaha. Don't blame me. Blame the king and his stupid Captain of the guard, and ugly, Durian (Dorian). For some reason, again, I could care less about them after reading and finishing The Assassin's Blade. Inside me, my heart just screams, "HOW DARE THEY!" Yea. It's that much agonizing. Oh and the vaults. Yes. I need to compare. When I was reading this last part, I reached the "vault(ing)" part of the book, and if you guys have read Legend by Marie Lu, then this should remind you of their boxing scenes. I forgot the name, oopsy daisies. My bad. To read how Celaena meets her end of the assassin career, it's totally lame. I mean, I expected more of a grand escape, but considering what practically happened to her lover(I dislike the word "lover", ), I guess it's normal/natural?...

Book Review: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass (#2)
Genres: Young Adult, Adventure, Fantasy
Published: August 27, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.

It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie...and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

Wee. I'm in love with Sarah J. Maas's writing. This book was amazing! So much more better than the first book, although Throne of Glass was amazing too! The plot was a whole different story and for some reason, I'm proud of Calaena for making such a choice against Chaol. The missions she gets sent out to do, the looks she gets when she returns. The way the characters are written are impressive, especially in third person PoV.

Crown of Midnight had so many more intense and dramatic scenes. You just can't stop thinking about it. And the fact that I got caught up in the story without noticing it was third PoV is amazing, because I read mostly first person PoV, so I immediately notice when it's third. I just kept reading along until halfway through the book. Haha. If you haven't read Throne of Glass yet, just pause yourself from reading this review and come back to this review later because you need to read Throne of Glass. It's amazing, but just not as amazing as CoM if you're reading it right after.

If you were to compare all the books I've read to CoM then CoM would dominate all my books, including my favorites. It's just that amazing. The love triangle is ridden. No more burden. There's a ton of more action and magic/secrets/mysteries and...betrayal(which is the part where I got so happy and became proud of Calaena for literally the rest of the book).



Calaena was simply the character you wish to be if you love stealth and murder/assassinations/blood. It's just cool like that. And you get to work with the king. *HALLELUJAH* Let's not forget, she still has her passion for reading. Now who's team am I on now? now? now? Chaol? Dorian? Now? Now? I have no answer so I'm just going to repeat Now? Now? Now?

Let me mention the cliffhanger at the end. OMG. FLATTERING? CHAOL. OMG. OMG. YOU JUST CAN'T READ IT WITHOUT REREADING IT AGAIN. It's just surprising you know? And the names that Ms.Maas comes up with is so lovely. If I were to say it out loud in my way, it would sound so..melodic? Hahaha. This is literally all I have to say. It's just an amazing book with a five star rating.

Book Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass (#1)
Genres: Young Adult, Adventure, Fantasy
Published: August 2, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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 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.

Review ~

Oh man, this was good. If you were wondering, I am Team CHAOL! Not Durian, Dorian. Yes, Chaol, and to all you Dorian fans out there, I won't be ranting much about Dorian(probably will, but not much), so stayed tuned! Haha. Okay, let me tell you that I loved the world building and the character building too(also known as: character development). The thing I didn't like was the storyline. I mean, it was alright, but I feel like it's not a young adult storyline, it's a middle grade one. I just couldn't feel it.

"Libraries were full of ideas–perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of all weapons.”

Let's start with the character building/development. I like the word "building" better, but I'll use development. So, yea. Umm, I don't know. Sarah J. Maas did a wonderful job creating the characters though, I loved their personalities, each had their own. Even Dorian had his own(obviously). There's always that bad ass dude(in which this case, is Chaol)who's like the perfect guy with the strength and knowledge. Well, his ranking isn't quite high(Captain of the guards), so he listens to Dorian 24/7 which is god dang annoying(well, he listens to Dorain because they're good friend, but still, it's annoying.). And then we have Dorian, the guy who's ranking is top notch(not exactly)and can basically command people to do whatever he feels like they should do(depending if they've received orders from the King/Queen). I REALLY don't know. I can't really describe the feeling I get when I read this novel filled with well written and developed characters. I just love her writing of the characters and I'm very excited to read Crown of Midnight, and to see what new characters there will be.

“We all bear scars,... Mine just happen to be more visible than most.”

The love triangle. I must say I wasn't much of a fan of it(because Team Chaol, you know?), but I liked it better than the other love triangles from other books. Chaol had to back down, Dorian stepped up. It kept going back and forth, back and forth. One thing I liked was the fact that Calaena wasn't going to let her love interest conquer her life/assassin skills. What I mean was: She didn't choose.

“Names are not important. It's what lies inside of you that matters.”

Why didn't I like the storyline? Well, I kind of explained it in the first paragraph, but I'll say it less vaguely. Let's try it again. I did NOT like the storyline. It sucked balls. Okay, not that bad, but it wasn't the captivating point of this novel. The characters and the very detailed world were the elements that kept me reading. I don't know(3rd time I said it?), I just wasn't feeling it to be so interesting. Calaena wasn't the pissy, sympathetic kind of protagonist you would hate to read, but she kind made the whole plot less Young Adult-ish. Overall, I really like Sarah J. Maas' writing, I can simply imagine her typing/writing with her hands flowing freely with amazingly vivid details and fascinating characters!