Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas | Audiobook Re-Listen Review

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MY THOUGHTS

Don’t want to read the whole review?  Click to jump to the Skinny Review.

I had read this book a year ago and I liked it.  In fact, I gave it 4 hearts BUT I did not review it at all, and I also did not binge read the series.  To tell you the truth, I have no idea why it took me this long to review it.  It does help that I re-read (re-listened) this a few days before the end of the year.  I know it’s old news but if you’re like me who doesn’t read books immediately after it comes out, you would want to know what this is about, yeah?

What’s it about?

There’s an assassin, a FEMALE freakin’ kick-ass assassin named Celaena.  Imprisoned in the salt mines of Endovier for almost a year, she is made an offer by the Crown Prince of Adarlan that she can’t refuse: be the Royal Assassin in exchange for her freedom.  But it’s not just agreeing to be the Royal Assassin, but proving herself to be an amazing fighter by beating the other champions.

Say what?!

You said it!  Our Celaena is the only female champion in the competition.  Each champion is put to the test every week, and one gets eliminated.  Now, before you say that this is another Hunger Games type of thing, you’re dead wrong!  The story doesn’t focus on the fights, although a big chunk of the book describes part of the challenges.  I think the book focuses more on WHO Celaena really is.

Well, who is SHE?

There is something about Celaena Sardothien that we don’t know.  What I love about this book is that it kept me guessing.  And yes, after I finished the book, I still don’t know who she is BUT I think I have a hunch (which will not be shared here).

Okay, fine!  Tell me about the romance!

So, the bad news is that there is a LOVE FREAKING TRIANGLE!  Obviously, Prince Dorian is guy #1 and Captain Chaol Westfall is guy #2.  Guess who I’m shipping?  CHAOL of course!  I mean, it’s hate at first sight with these two, a trope that I absolutely love!  Chaol is skeptical and thinks Calaena can’t win the competition and she is proving him wrong.

Hate at first sight?  You don’t say!

Chaol and Celaena immediately don’t hit it off (ehemmm) from the start.  Chaol doesn’t trust her and Celaena thinks that he’s a pain in the ass, super serious, and is basically no fun at all.  Plus, he is a slave driver!  But honestly, I love their chemistry!  I love the slow, subtle build-up to their romance.  And yes, I admit it, I love bad boys.

But what about THE PRINCE?

Obviously, Prince Dorian is the guy to beat!  He is gorgeous and he is the Crown Prince, after all.  He also has a lot of faith on Celaena and actually talks to her!  However, I still don’t like him.  And I honestly don’t understand why Caleana liked him.

I ship the Friendship

One of the relationships I love about Throne of Glass is Celaena and Princess Nehemia’s relationship.  Nehemia is the Princess of Eyllwe, which is now under Adarlan’s rule where she meets and becomes really close friends with our gal Celaena.  In fact, Nehemia saved Celaena from death a couple of times.

What do you mean?  She almost died?

One by one, champions end up dead in the most brutal of ways.  Celaena thinks that someone is out to kill each of the champions and she is trying to find out who.  Which is another thing that I loved about this book.  It’s not just about fantasy and magic but about mystery, as well.  The book is full of action and had me at the edge of my seat from page one!

Recommendations

Throne of Glass kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time.  It’s fast paced and kept me enthralled and guessing all throughout the book.  I’m just stupid enough not to binge read the shit out of this series!  Which is now next on my TBR pile.

The main reason why I did not give this a 5 heart review is because of the love triangle.  I am just so over love triangles right now and [spoiler]I’m glad the next book doesn’t seem to have one![/spoiler]

If fantasy and magic are your poison, read Graceling by Kristin Cashore and Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.

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