Inheritance series

By Christopher Paolini

One of the things my boys and I like to do is listen to audio books in the van. We listen on the way to and from school and on any trips we take. They love it, and they hate when we have to stop. 

It all started last summer when I took all 4 boys to MN by  myself to visit my parents. We couldn't watch videos so I thought we'd try books. That was one of the best idea I've ever had. Since last summer, we've listened to all of the Peter and the Starcatchers books by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, all of the Sisters' Grimm novels by Michael Buckley, The Museum of Thieves by Lian Tanner, and a variety of other books. Last spring we started the Inheritance series because I thought the boys would like the dragons and adventure, and we just finished this week with the 4th book.

These books are like the Lord of the Rings and Star Wars rolled into one. There's action and adventure, battles and travel, elves, dwarves, urgals, and dragon riders. There's an evil, tyrant ruler (Galbatorix) and the rebels (the Varden) who are trying to get back control of the empire from him. And all of it rests on the shoulders of one young man named Eragon.

In the beginning, Eragon is just a 16 year old boy who lives with him uncle and cousin on their farm. He's nothing special, and his future looks boring. Until a large blue rock drops near him while he's hunting. He takes it home and it hatches. A beautiful blue dragon appears and chooses Eragon as her rider. He names her Sapphira, and they leave his home. Along their travels, they learn and grow, meet new people and discover enemies. He helps the Varden thwart Galbatorix, becomes an adopted dwarf, journeys to an elven city to learn from a hidden dragon rider, goes back to helping the Varden, fights against another dragon rider under Galbatorix's control (who just so happens to be his half brother), and falls in love. All of this leads to the final battle between the Varden and Galbatorix's army. Eragon is the only one who can defeat him, even if Galbatorix is stronger and wiser.

In the end, Eragon vanquishes Galbatorix as only he can. The Varden take over, and Eragon decides to leave to raise dragon eggs and riders somewhere more safe and remote.

What I liked: This books has lots of great characters with depth and complexities. Some of the side characters are especially great.  I really wish the author would write the back story on Angela. She's one of my favorite characters.  Also, the visuals and descriptions are fantastic! You can really picture everything in your mind. The story is engaging and exciting. My boys and I give it all a big thumb's up!!!

What I didn't like: Some of the descriptions were a little too much. Also, there were some scenes that were a little unnecessary. Sometimes it felt as if he were just trying to make it as long as possible.

This series is great for boys and girls, ages middle school and up. My boys loved it and always begging to hear more, but after listening to it, I think I should have waited a little longer to share this story with them. Some of the battle scenes were a little graphic, and I don't think that was good for my younger sons.

 
 
 

Empire of Storms

by Sarah J. Maas

I actually finished this 4 days ago, but it's been CRAZY in my world. This is the first chance I've had to put this up.

This book was amazing! It started where the other left off and kept going. I was full of twists and turns, just like the others, but I think Sarah J. Maas upped the ante some more. She brings in new characters but also some old ones that Celaena once knew. This book ends with a HUGE cliffhanger, and again I'm left waiting for the next one.

There is a small difference in this book. It starts with a prologue of sorts, going back in time to when King Gavin and Queen Elena were trying to defeat Erawan, a Valg King who was left in the world and was trying to take over.  It hints at how Elena and Gavin (Aelin's and Dorian's ancestors) contain Erawan. Unfortunately, as we all know, Erawan escapes and now Aelin and Dorian and everyone else have to deal with him.

Aelin and her court make it to Terrasen, her homeland, and meet with lords just to find out that they don't think she should be queen. She leaves, promising aid if they need it even if they are turning their backs on her. She travels to a coastal town with her court (Rowan, Aedion, and Lysandra) and causes some trouble. Brannon, a long dead ancestor/god/Fae, visits her and tells her to find the Lock. Only with the Lock can the Wyrdkeys be placed back in the gate. They decide to head south to Skull Bay where Rolfe, the Pirate King, has promised to kill her if she should return. But she needs his help and comes up with a very creative way to get it.

Meanwhile, Erawan wants Dorian who sits alone in the shattered glass palace. He sends the witches to sack Rifthold, destroy the people, and capture Dorian, bringing him to Morath for Erawan to use. Manon, for reasons she doesn't understand, races to Rifthold and kills a witch to prevent Dorian's death. She helps him escape, sending him with Rowan. (Aelin heard about the upcoming destruction of Rifthold and sent Rowan to help save Dorian since he could get there fastest.) Rowan and Dorian escape and make their way to Skull Bay to await Aelin and the others. They also make friends with Rolfe and find that Gavriel and Fenrys, two of Rowan's group under Queen Maeve of the Fae, are already there. They were sent to kill Lorcan, another of their group who went rogue, trying to capture and destroy the Wyrdkeys before they destroyed his queen.  They all sit and wait for Aelin to come and explain her plan to Rolfe.

Manon heads back to Morath where she is tried for being a witch killer. She lies and says that Dorian was her kill and the other witch got in her way, allowing Dorian to escape. She is found guilty and her punishment is that her second, Asterin, will be killed. Instead of killing her, Manon attacks her grandmother, allowing her Thirteen to escape, but she is almost disemboweled. Also, her grandmother reveals that Manon is not all she thinks she is. She is the special. Manon falls off the ledge onto Abraxos, her wyvern, and he flies her away. She's losing too much blood and tells him to fly somewhere safe.

Aelin shows up and convinces Rolfe to join her cause. Again, she's very creative and sassy and it takes some strategic planning and conniving to get Rolfe to help, but in the end he does. She, with her reconnected court and Dorian, and a part of his crew head south to the Stone Marshes where the Lock is supposed to be located. Along the way, Manon and Abraxos show up. They heal Manon but keep her prisoner because they don't know if they can trust her. Dorian is drawn to her though and they get to know each other better. When they get to the Stone Marshes, Aelin and her small group travel inland. The Stone Marshes are a creepy place with vicious predators and dead bodies buried in the water. They find the chest when contains the Lock, but before they open it, they are attacked with a legion of one of Erawan's monsters.  Aelin digs deep, deeper than she's ever dug within her power, and throws everything she has at them. Anything she doesn't get is taken down by the others. Aelin utterly destroys the legion but also depletes her powers. She's empty.

They take the Lock and head back to the boat, only to find more ships waiting for her. They are led by Ansel of Briarcliff, Queen of the Wastes, and one time friend of Celaena. (Ansel is from the novellas. She betrayed Celaena and the Silent Assassins, but Celaena defeated her and spared her life. She called in the debt.) When they all are introduced and plan to head out, they all find another armada waiting. It's Queen Maeve waiting for surrender.  Aelin can't fight because she's depleted her powers. Instead, Dorian solves a riddle and send Aelin and Manon into the Lock, which is really a special mirror. They see the secrets of the past revealed, of how Elena and Gavin contained Erawan in the Lock. The Lock was only a one time thing and it was used once already. The only way to make it work again is for Aelin to fill it with her power. But to do that, she must give all she has.

Meanwhile, Rowan and Dorian and everyone else start to battle with Maeve's armada, trying to stay alive. However, they find out that Maeve is on the shore behind them. The tides of the fight turn, especially when Manon's Thirteen show up to help. This allows Rowan, Dorian, and the rest head to shore to find out what Maeve is doing.

Aelin and Manon return from the mirror, but not from where they started. They are on the shore where they find Maeve waiting. Maeve demands too much, and Aelin sacrifices herself. Maeve takes her away in an iron coffin, vanishing before anyone can stop them. Manon, however, has a great secret! It's a great one.

Galan Ashryver, prince of Wendlyn, shows up with his armada, as well as all the Silent Assassins from across the desert. Aelin called in all her life debts to build an army that can take on Erawan. Manon and Dorian and the Thirteen plan to head to find other witches that can help in the north, and Aedion plans to travel back with Lysandra to Terrasen. Lysandra has shifted into Aelin so that no one knows Aelin's really been taken. Rowan promises to save Aelin, and Gavriel and Lorcan go with to help.

And that's the end!!!!

What I liked: Again, this book had all the great qualities of a Sarah J. Maas book: secrets, twists, turns. Aelin leads us on an adventure. She's such a brilliant, intelligent character, even when she's sassy and frustrating to the others. She's got a heart of gold, even if no one else really sees it. She does her best to protect her family. I also really like Manon and her character. She's like another Aelin. They are two sides of a coin, and now that they've allied together, they will be unstoppable.

What I didn't like: There were two sex scenes in the book that included details. I was really disappointed in this. As an adult, that's fine, but I like to share my books with my students, and I can not do that with this book. Such brilliance and my students will not get to read it.

I would recommend this book for at young adults, both male and female.

Queen of Shadows

by Sarah J. Maas

This is book 4 in the Throne of Glass series, and the ante has been upped.  It's bigger, better, and more exciting!  This books takes off right where the last one finished and drives it further.  It still follows Celaena Sardothien, except now she has embraced who she truly is. She is Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen and the Heir of Fire, and she is back to kill the King, save her friend, and reclaim her throne.

Queen of Shadows again follows different people throughout the book, but it mainly focuses on Aelin. Aelin is back in Rifthold after mastering her powers in Wendlyn. She left behind Rowan, though she misses him terribly. He would have stood out too much as Fae. Her goal and focus is multi-purposed. First, she needs to save her cousin, Aedion, from exucusion under the King. She needs to retrieve the 3rd Wyrdkey from Arobynn Hamel, her one time master and the one who inadvertently sent her to Endovier Salt Mines to be a slave for one year.  She does this while also destroying him and his assassin empire. She wants to save her friend, Crown Prince Dorian, who is enslaved by a Wyrdcollar. The Wyrdcollar allows a Valg Prince, a demon from another realm, to inhabit his body and take over. Because the collar doesn't come off, Aelin thinks the only way to save Dorian is to kill him and the demon prince within him. It will be a mercy for him, she's sure. Aelin also finds out how to bring magic back to the land, and she determined to flood the land with it so she can have her powers back. With her powers, she will be able to take on the King and send him back to the hell he came from, making him pay for all the sorrows and suffering he's caused.

Along side her is her cousin, Aedion, who she masterfully saves with help from Arobynn Hamel. Chaol is also helping, though reluctantly.  He is afraid of Aelin, afraid of what she will be and do, especially what she'll do with Dorian. He believes that Dorian should be saved, that he's still alive inside, but Aelin knows better. Chaol is angry with Aelin as well, and they spend a good deal of time arguing with each other.

Lysandra, a courtesan from The Assassin's Blade (the Prequel), returns. She is Arobynn's choice courtesan, but she hates him and plans with Aelin to destroy him. In The Assassin's Blade, Lysandra and Aelin were enemies, but in Queen of Shadows, they grow close, both helping and saving the other.

Rowan, though he's suppose to stay in Wendlyn, follows after Aelin. Neither realized how much they missed the other, and begin to discover that they need each other in more ways than one.

Manon, the Wing Leader of the Blackbeak witch clan, is another main character, and her story continues.  Manon and her Thirteen are stationed at Morath, the home of Duke Perrington. He has secret plans that he is conducting under the mountain, secret evil plans that involve dark magic. Manon is conflicted throughout the book, trying to follow orders and yet do what she feels is right. In one section of the book, Manon and Aelin meet and battle spectacularly, and Aelin saves Manon from death. Manon finally makes a stand in the end, following what's right for her and her Thirteen.

In the end, Aelin and her court save the day, releasing magic, killing the king, and saving the prince.  There is a HUGE secret revealed as the King dies, propelling the story forward and leaving it open for the next book where more action and adventure await. Aeiln and her court head home to Terrasen, excited to finally make it back. But more evil and danger is coming.

This book is amazing! It has everything a story needs: action, adventure, intrugue, secrets, betrayals, romance, surprises, healing, and redemption.  It's a great story for middle school and above boys and girls.

THE NEXT BOOK COMES OUT TOMORROW AND I CAN"T WAIT!!!!!!!!

Heir of Fire

By Sarah J. Maas

This is the 3rd book in the Throne of Glass series, and it picks up right where it left off and takes things to a whole new level. This book is amazingly jam-packed with excitement and adventure, twists and turns. Heir of Fire mainly follows Celaena, but it also follows other characters, mainly Chaol, Dorian, and a new character named Manon.  The stories twine around each other, vying for attention, but it's mostly Celaena's story that drives the book (as it should.  She is the main character, after all).

At the end of Crown of Midnight, Celaena is sent to Wendlyn, the country across the sea, so that she can kill the King and Crown Prince, thereby allowing the King of Adarlan to take over. It is also revealed that she is the lost queen of Terrasen, Aelin Galathynius, a fact that she's kept buried deep within herself for 10 years. Celaena can't kill the King of Wendlyn, a distant cousin of hers, because she doesn't have the will. Especially after seeing how much the people of Wendlyn love, truly love, him. Her goal becomes to get in touch with Maeve, the Fae Queen located on Wendlyn, and find out more information about the Wyrdkeys and how to destroy them and the King of Adarlan. Except Maeve wants something in return. She wants 'Aelin' to show Maeve what she can do. Celaena can't. She hasn't trained in over 10 years, and when she did train, she had no control. Plus, she's terrified of it. Maeve refuses to share information until Aelin proves herself, and she leaves one of her own, Rowan, to train Celaena.

Rowan and Celaena are both broken and empty, living day to day and expecting the worst for themselves. They both feel as if they deserve every evil and terrible thing that happens to them. But as they train, they learn to trust each other, rebuilding the other into a stronger, stable person. They form a special bond. Celaena also learns to control her power, a great and powerful power of fire. She learns to embrace her powers instead of fearing them, and she becomes a force that no one can stand against. Celaena faces her terrible past, a past filled with the loss of her parents and other loved one, and she comes out stronger in the end. She comes out of it knowing she hide as Celaena anymore. She is Aelin Galanthynius, and she must return to save her people. She frees Rowan from his blood oath to Maeve, and he immediately swears a blood oath to her.  She talks with Maeve about the Wyrdstones but doesn't learn too much more. She leaves Wendlyn for Rifthold, figuring out where one of the Wyrdstones is hidden. She leaves Rowan behind but is sad to be leaving him, and he her. But right now, that's how it needs to be.

Chaol is still trying to figure out what to do after learning who Celaena is and that Dorian has magic. He's lost and confused and doesn't know what side to stand on. He connects, unexpectedly, with Aedion Ashryver, one of the King's generals and Aelin's cousin. Aedion is one of the King's greatest generals, but he secretly with working with the rebels to find a way to overthrow the King. Chaol is sucked into this, revealing his secrets about Aelin/Celaena to Aedion. They work together to discover the source of the King's power as well as how the King stopped magic 10 years ago. In the end, Aedion is captured and revealed as a traitor, and Chaol is forced to flee, leaving behind all he's worked so hard for.

Dorian is struggling with his magic. He's terrified that someone will notice or see and he will be killed for it. Then he meets Sorscha, a young, beautiful healer in the castle. She finds out his secret bu promises to keep it, even helping him. They fall in love, sharing stolen moments together. Dorian is estranged from Chaol after he sent Celaena away to Wendlyn, but he learns to understand when Dorian fears for Sorscha's life. Sorscha refuses to leave Dorian. In the end, Sorscha is also revealed as a traitor and meets a terrible end. Dorian, in his grief, releases his magic to the pleasure of the King. The King, hoping his son had magic, locks Dorian up to use when he wants.

Manon is a new, fantastic character that adds a great dimension to the story. She is an Iron witch of the Blackbeak clan. All the Iron witches are called to the Ferian Gap where there is a present from the King of Adarlan. He has wyverns, and he wants the witches to ride them, train them, and prepare for battle to fight for him. There is a great deal of fighting between the clans, but they are all dark and born without souls or hearts. Except Manon learns that maybe that's not the case. She forms a deep bond with her wyvern, Abraxos, and together they win the War Games, securing her spot at Wing Leader for the King's wyvern army. With the rest of her clan, they are to head to another place and prepare for war.

What I liked: All the different points of view and storylines blended so well together. They drew you in, making you yearn to know more. They also revealed things that tied them nicely together. The action is faster paced, and the book is a must read! Out of the first three, this one is probably my favorite because so much happens. There's also backstory, and I love a good backstory!

Heir of Fire is a great book for middle school boys and girls and young adults. Once you start, you just can't put it down!

Crown of Midnight

by Sarah J. Maas

This is the 2nd book in the Throne of Glass series, and it is just as amazing as the first. It picks up right where it left off at the end of Throne of Glass.

Celaena is now the King's Champion, a position that grants her freedom in 4 years, but a position she despises.  She is tasked by the King to kill of the people standing in his way, people who may actually be on her side, the side of freedom and peace. In her own small way, she is standing up to the King as well, though no one knows it. Everyone around her thinks she's a monster because she's killing off all these people, but what they don't know is that she's faking all of their deaths. She can't tell anyone this for fear of putting them in danger too.

Her next target is in Rifthold, the capital city of Adarlan and where the Glass Castle and the King are located. Archer Flynn, a good friend from her past, is supposedly plotting treason against the King, and the King isn't pleased.  To fake his death will be more difficult, but she's willing to do it to protect those she loves.

When she approaches Archer, he panics and begs for mercy. She promises a month before he must leave, but she also wants names of others involved, names that she can give the King instead of Archer. He promises all the help she wants because he's not really involved, but he knows things.  Things like that this rebel group is trying to put the lost princess of Terrasen, Aelin Galanthynius.

In the meantime, Celaena and Chaol, the Captain of the Guard, are growing closer and closer, neither seeing the love blossoming between them. Dorian, the Prince, has backed off because he sees their attraction, but he's sad because he also loves Celaena.  Nehemia, the Princess from Eyllwe, is still visiting the castle and is Celaena's best friend. Nehemia starts teaching Celaena about Wyrdmarks, ancient symbols of power, and how to use them.

Chaol hears about a threat to Nehemia's life and keeps a closer eye on her and her guard, but finds no reason to share it with Celaena.  Also, Dorian discovers he has magic awakening within him, a power so raw and powerful that he can't control it. And in a country where magic is outlawed and those who have it are killed, Dorian is afraid to reveal it to anyone.

One morning, while Nehemia is teaching Celaena, Nehemia begs Celaena to help her stand up to the King, to fight to take him down. Celaena refuses to help because she knows what the King is capable of, of his wicked strength and cruel power. She is terrified of him, and Nehemia calls her a coward. They storm away from each other.

Some nights after Celaena and Chaol finally admit they love each other, Chaol is kidnapped to draw Celaena away from the castle. She chases after him in a blaze of fury, annihilating all in her path. She follows the trail to a warehouse where the rebel group awaits with Chaol chained up. Archer appears and reveals that a threat was made on Nehemia's life, a threat that Chaol knew about and kept secret. Celaena is furious and speeds back to the castle to save Nehemia, but she's too late. Nehemia and her guards have been massacred in a gruesome way. Celaena snaps, lunging for Chaol because it's his fault. She tries to kill him, but she's knocked out and carried to the dungeon.

Once she is released, she figures out that there is only one person who would be responsible for the death of Nehemia, an assassin from the King's Champion tournament who failed, a man named Grave. She tracks him down one night and slaughters him, taking her time in killing him so that he can feel what Nehemia felt.

Celaena also finds out that there are three powerful, magical Wyrdstones, or keys that could open a Wyrdgate, a gate into other realms that would let in terrible beings and monsters. The King has at least one of these Wyrdstones, which is the reason he's so powerful and no one can stop him. Celaena is determined to find the others and stop him. But first she wants to say good-bye to Nehemia. She knows enough about Wyrdmarks now that she can open a portal into another realm, one where Nehemia will be let through. While she's finishing with Nehemia, Archer shows up, and Celaena discovers that he was behind it all. He also wants the Wyrdstones so he can rule. He also was the one behind Nehemia's death. In the ensuing fight, the portal is changed to open to another world, a deadly world with evil creatures all to happy to come through.

Chaol and Dorian rush in to help. Archer escapes, and Chaol, Dorian, and Celaena fight one of the creatures that have come through the portal. The creature takes Celaena's dog into the other world and Chaol follows, leaving Celaena no choice but to follow. In the other world where magic abounds, her Fae (fairy) nature breaks free, frightening Chaol. She defeats the creature and they escape back through the portal before it closes.

After all is over, Chaol, who still loves her and wants to protect her, has the King send Celaena across the ocean to Wendlyn, a country that the King has been trying to conquer for a while. Celaena is sent there to kill the King and Prince of Wendlyn.  Before Celaena leaves on the boat, she whispers a date to Chaol, a date that reveals more about her past. When Chaol checks it out and follows the clues, he discovers that Celaena is Aelin Galathynius, the Lost Queen of Terrasen. And he has just sent her to a country where she could find allies and help. He's terrified.

And that's where the book ends. On that big cliffhanger! There is so much more within this book. These are just the big details, but there are lots of little stories of intrigue and excitement that just add so much more to this series and book. I can't say enough good things about it!

What I liked about this book: Everything (of course)!  It brought more depth to characters, revealing more about who they really are. This book takes the story and jacks it up another level, building and building until the end...and then it leaves you wanting more.

I would recommend this book to middle school boys and girls who love action and adventure (with a little romance). It's just so amazing!

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.

The Assassin's Blade

by Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas is another of my favorite authors. I could read her novels over and over and not get bored.  In fact, this will be the 3 or 4th time I've read this book. And I plan to read the series again because the 5th book of the series is coming out at the end of August, and I like to review and reread them so I remember what's happened. Plus, I really just like her books.

The Assassin's Blade is the prequel to the Throne of Glass series. It gives the backstory to Celaena Sardothien, a 16 year old assassin. This book is made up of 5 short novellas, each with a story about her past.  The Assassin's Blade takes place in a made -up world called Erilea. Celaena is from one of the countries in Erilea called Adarlen where she is the protege of the King of Assassins, Arobynn Hamel.

In the first novella, The Assassin and the Pirate Lord, Celaena and Sam, a fellow assassin, are sent to Skull Bay to exact revenge on the King of Pirates. However, they soon find out that they are not there for that but for a slave trade agreement. The King of Assassin's, Arobynn Hamel, wants to start selling slaves, but Celaena has a big problem with that. With the help of Sam, they destroy the agreement and set all the slaves free. Of course, nothing is without a price.

In the second novella, The Assassin and the Healer, Celaena is waiting in a small town for a ship to take her to the Red Desert. She is healing from her many bruises and wounds, gifts from Arobynn for destroying is slave trade deal, a deal that would have made them a great amount of money. Arobynn was not pleased and beat Celaena terribly. Now he is sending her to the Red Desert to  train with the Mute Master of the Silent Assassins. While she is waiting for her ship, she is stuck in the dingy town. She meets Yrene, a barmaid and healer. Celaena teaches her some defense moons and convinces her to continue on her journey to a healers school.

In the third novella, The Assassin and the Desert, Celaena finally makes it to the Silent Assassins. She has one month to train and garner a note from the Mute Master of her training before she can return to Adarlen and Arobynn and Sam. At first, she is denied private training with the Master, but she does make a friend, Ansel, her first real friend ever. Celaena finally gets the Master's attention and gets her private training sessions where she learns to move in ways she never thought she could. One day, one of the silent assassin's betrays them all and the Mute Master's life is on the line. Celaena comes to the rescue, earning her letter of recommendation from the Master as well as lots of gold for saving his life.

In the fourth novella, The Assassin and the Underworld, Celaena finally returns home to Adarlen and the Assassin's Keep and Arobynn's waiting arms. He asks forgiveness for beating her, showering her with gifts.  He also gives her a new job, killing a man who wants to start a slave trade in one of the neighboring countries. Celaena also reconnects with Sam, and her growing feelings for him confuse her. In the end, she kills the man but comes to find out that Arobynn lied to her. The man was actually against the slave trade deals and was setting up houses for protection against the slaves. Celaena gives Arobynn all the money she received from the Mute Master, paying off all her and Sam's debt to him and setting them free from Arobynn's clutches.

In the fifth and final novella, The Assassin and the Empire, Celaena and Sam are free from Arobynn and free to love each other. They want to leave Adarlan and start anew, but they need to do it the right way or Arobynn with hunt them down. They need money and find one last job that will pay enough so they can leave. But job is dangerous, killing the Crime Lord and his second. After a few days of scouting, Sam goes to kill the Second in command, Farran, but he never returns. Celaena finds him at the Assassin's Keep, tortured and dead. She breaks, devastated and thirsting for revenge. When she attacks, she kills many men, including the Crime Lord. But she's captured by Farran and handed over to the King of Adarlan as per the "agreement" because someone has betrayed her. Celaena is sentenced to the salt mines in Endovier where she will work and be kept alive. She is carted off, promising herself she is not afraid. They will not break her.

What I like about this book: I love the backstory of Celaena. For those who start with this book and not with Throne of Glass like I did, this will just be a great story. There's action and adventure with a little love thrown in. Celaena is a smart, sassy heroine who doesn't consider herself as a heroine. The writing is powerful, visual and expressive, making you yearn to read more and more to find out. There are hints to Celaena's past which is revealed in a different book in the series but it's just enough to make you more curious. The characters are well rounded, dynamic characters with positives and negatives. Even though Arobynn is an awful, deceitful man, he truly loves Celaena in his own way and is trying to prove that. And even though Celaena is an acomplished assassin, the best there is, she loves things like music and is afraid of things too.

What I don't like about this book: Nothing. There is nothing you can't love about this book.

I would recommend this book for anyone, boys and girls, who love action and adventure and who love a great story.