Throne of Glass

by Sarah J. Maas

This is the original first book by Sarah J. Maas and the first I read. Throne of Glass is the first book of hers that I fell in love with.

Celaena Sardothien has spent a year in the Salt Mines of Endovier, a punishment from the King of Adarlan for her misdeeds of the past. She is weak and pathetically thin, but her sass and spirit have not been broken. The Crown Prince, Dorian, wants to use her for a competition his father is having. The King is looking for a Champion, someone to do his dirty work and get rid of people in his way. Twenty-four higher-ups in the court sponsor would be champions in a contest for the prize. Celaena, who is terrified of the King, doesn't want to compete but it's this or back to Endovier.

Celaena starts training with the Captain of the Guard, Chaol, and has trouble at first because she's so weak. But she is determined to win, and nothing will stand in her way. Her identity is hidden because very few people know that Adarlan's Assassin, Celaena Sardothien, is really a 18 year old girl. For the competition, the other champion's and sponsors know her as a jewel thief and don't consider her worth their time.  Chaol convinces her to stay in the middle of the pack, under the radar, and not to show off too much. This doesn't sit well with Celaena, but she is impressed with his logic.

Test after test goes by, whittling out the weak, and Celaena hangs in there, along with Cain, a soldier of massive strength and power. Strange murders start occuring within the castle, brutally killing and maiming champions. Chaol is busy trying to figure out who is doing this, and Celaena knows this is no coincidence. Someone is picking off the champions one by one.

Celaena makes a friend, a true friend, in Princess Nehemia from Eyllwe, and helps Nehemia learn the customs and language of Adarlan. Chaol and Dorian also start to develop feelings for the smart, sassy assassin, and she, of course, loves their attentions.

The final test is a duel for the last four contestants. Cain defeats his opponent, and Celaena easily beats hers which leaves the two of them to duel it out. Poison is slipped into Celaena's wine before the fight, and Cain takes great advantage. He toys with her, and darkness descends on her. She fights and fights, but with the poison's influence, she just can't get anywhere. Just as she's about to give up, Nehemia helps her out, using a little power/magic. The poison is removed from Celaena, and she defeats Cain, making her the new King's Champion.

There is so much more to this book, more intrigue and passion and fighting and magic, but if I wrote about all of it, it would take too long.

What I liked: There is just so much to this book. Plus, I really enjoy the character of Celaena. She is smart and sassy and she works hard. She also can still find joy and happiness, even with everything she's been through.  I like the hints into her past, and the references to things that happened in The Assassin's Blade (the prequel).  The different perspectives within the book are also interesting. Celaena is the main storyteller, but sometimes Chaol and Dorian speak.

What I didn't like: The first time I read the book, I didn't really like the part with the dark magic. It was a little confusing and, I thought, a little unnecessary. But  because I've read this book multiple times and the others in the series, it makes more sense. It is important. I appreciate it more now.

Even though there is a girl on the cover, this book is packed full of action and adventure. It isn't girly in any way. There is a little romance, but it takes a backseat to the important parts. This book is awesome for boys and girls of middle school age and above.