Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Throne of Glass
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 404

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 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.

My Rating:✰✰✰✰✰

This book was amazing and was filled with epicness. I usually don't read fantasy, but was so pleased with this one. I had heard so many great things and was happy to say that I agreed with all of them!

The book takes place in a whole different world and what starts the story is the king's want for an assassin.

The main protagonist, Celaena Sarodothien is one of the greatest assassins who gets the opportunity to become the king's champion and ultimately, win back her freedom. She was totally kick butt yet it was clear that she was just a teenage girl. She had her strong moments and a few weak ones but her character was so powerful. I loved how she didn't really need anyone else and was independent.

The Captain of the Guard, Chaol Westfall, is one of my favorite characters ever now. He trains Celaena during the competition and the two create a strong relationship. I love Chaol more than I love the prince. Chaol is such a strong person yet he has his own problems too. But he is always on Celaena's side and understands her more.

I expected to like Prince Dorian, which I did, but I didn't love him. He was sweet and kind but I didn't swoon over him. I knew that he and Celaena were going to start something, but I have a feeling that it won't last. Since they got together in this first book, I expect things to die out. It was cute how they played billiards together and he bought her candy, and a puppy and books, but I'm rooting for Chaol.

Nehemia and Elena played an important role in this story and both characters were great. I love Nehemia's friendship with Celaena and how she always had her back. Also, Elena and the whole hall behind the tapestry really gave me the chills. Reading that part, did scare me as well as when Celaena found Wyrdmarks under her bed.

But some characters annoyed me like Cain, Kaltain, Duke Perrington, and pretty much all of the other competitors. (except for Nox who I really hope makes an appearance in the future.)

The plot had everything. There was so much action, and some romance, and fantastical elements. The Wyrdmarks and just everything that had to do with this book's world was amazing. It was planned out so well and the map in the front of the book has everything.
One of the best things about this book is its uniqueness. I have never read anything like this and just everything stood out to me. Even the names were so creative!

The plot was more than just the competition and the romance. There was this big mystery about the strange Wyrdmarks and the competitors who were getting murdered. It added more to the book and I really liked how the book wasn't built around the romance but was around just the entire world.

Sarah J. Maas's writing was flawless. At first, it did take me a while to get into it, but after that, I was so invested into this book. This wasn't a book a read in one or two days. It actually took me a while to read it and  I was able to stretch it out and still enjoy it. The descriptions and dialogue really made the world feel real. I loved how Sarah took the time to write about the dresses that Celaena wore and just overall, her words were great.

I also really want to read more about Celaena's past and who Sam was and what's Arobynn really up to. I highly recommend this book and think everyone should give it a try.

What I thought about the ending:

I cannot wait to read Crown of Midnight and the entire series. The final duel between her and Cain was so much build up and that whole scene was crazy. It was slightly confusing since we know what Celaena's knows and since she was drugged everything was thrown off and she could see the evil monsters that Cain summoned. But I am so happy that  Cain is dead and even more happy that Chaol won't get punished for killing him.

I can't wait to learn more about the in between worlds and the Fae and just everything magical and fantastical. I also think that we will be able to see all of the wonderful places the map shows an maybe even more.
I am so happy that Celaena friend zoned Dorian, in a way. She has a very good explanation for it and I really hope that she ends up with Chaol although she is strong by herself. I am so happy for Celaena and am ready to see what happens to her next.