Throne of Glass

(Throne of Glass, #1)

by Sarah J. Maas
Release date: August 2, 2012

Type: speculative fiction
Genres: fantasy > high fantasy, young adult

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Looking for the teen girl version of Game of Thrones? Find it in this sweeping fantasy debut — that already has thousands of loyal online fans.

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.

(updated 2017-11-14)

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About the Author :: Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas lives in Los Angeles, and over the years, she has developed an unhealthy appreciation for Disney movies and bad pop music. She adores fairy tales and ballet, drinks too much coffee, and watches absolutely rubbish TV shows. When she's not busy writing YA fantasy novels, she can be found exploring the coastline of Southern California.

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Reviews (2)
(open a review) Written by Tim (2013-06-15) I don't say this very often but... "Throne of Glass" is better than Artemis Fowl, The Hunger Games, The Curse Workers, Percy Jackson and some other fantastic series combined!!! I really, honestly... don't know how Sarah J. Maas can write such a book. I think this must be one of the three best books I've ever read! Maas creates characters, adventures, worlds and much more which appeal to the imagination! How can she do this? You can't say it's good, or fantastic, or magnificent, or[fill in by ... (more) yourself]. Those are words who cannot even describe the essence of the story. As one of the official reviews on the Internet said: "I believe the word 'unputdownable' was created for this book"! And even that's wrong, in my opinion. If I ever lose this book, I'm prepared to travel the world just to find a copy of it. Ms. Maas: if you ever read this: I believe you are one of the best writers in history AND I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE NEXT BOOK!
(open a review) Written by Xariel (2013-10-02) Throne of Glass is... something else. Really good, cutting-edge YA high fantasy! And yes, we don't get that very often. I hear it's being marketed as the Young Adult version of Game of Thrones, which is true and is not true at the same time. Yes, there are many complex characters, all scheming with their own motives. Some you like, some you hate, but she scale of love and hate in Throne of Glass is nowhere near to that of George R.R. Martin's saga. Comparing those two novels in that fashion, ... (more) I would have expected Throne of Glass to be much darker, gloomier and, well, gorier than it actually was. If you've read them both, I'd like to hear what you think about the comparison. What's clear, however, is that Throne of Glass is an excellent read - fast-paced, action-packed novel with a kick-ass heroine who's strong, smart and likable. We get two men, who in readers' hearts compete as the protagonist Celaena Sardothien's love interests. Sarah J. Maas did say, however, that in her mind there was never real competition and that the choice has always been clear to her. Well, thank you very much, Ms. Maas, but I rooted for that other guy. No spoilers. A thought. Princess Nehemia was a really cool character. She is independent, motivated, "nice like people are in real life, which means only as long as she likes to be". She's not one of those secondary characters whose acts seem to be created just so that the plot could advance. No, we get to find out why she makes her choices. And she just happens to be a person of color, without being a stereotypical person of color, or feeling like an added thing, just because there should be a person of color in a book. If you like thrill of competition, can stomach high fantasy world building (not everybody can) and won't be put out with a love triangle - please, read Throne of Glass. And don't forget the fantastic little prequels. Yum!

Reviews (2)

(open a review)

Written by Tim (2013-06-15)
5.0

I don't say this very often but... "Throne of Glass" is better than Artemis Fowl, The Hunger Games, The Curse Workers, Percy Jackson and some other fantastic series combined!!! I really, honestly... don't know how Sarah J. Maas can write such a book. I think this must be one of the three best books I've ever read! Maas creates characters, adventures, worlds and much more which appeal to the imagination! How can she do this? You can't say it's good, or fantastic, or magnificent, or[fill in by ... (more)

(open a review)

Written by Xariel (2013-10-02)
5.0

Throne of Glass is... something else. Really good, cutting-edge YA high fantasy! And yes, we don't get that very often. I hear it's being marketed as the Young Adult version of Game of Thrones, which is true and is not true at the same time. Yes, there are many complex characters, all scheming with their own motives. Some you like, some you hate, but she scale of love and hate in Throne of Glass is nowhere near to that of George R.R. Martin's saga. Comparing those two novels in that fashion, ... (more)