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Release Date: August 7th 2012
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Indiebound, Amazon
In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught.
Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?
ELENA’S REVIEW
The inspiration for Throne of Glass came when Sarah J. Maas thought, “What if Cinderella was an assassin, and went to the ball not to dance with the prince, but to kill him?” I knew then it would have me hook, line, and sinker even though it has deviated from there with little resemblance to Cinderella. Throne of Glass has everything I like: assassins, princes(sees), castles, friendship, intrigue, romance. Add in an expansive world and I’m in.
Celaena Sardothien is exactly the type of heroine I’ve been looking for. I’ve been lamenting the lack of “girly” protagonists in YA because hey, you can kick ass and look good while doing it. In a world of YA where most female protoganists scoff at dressing up, it was refreshing to see Celaena revel it. I like that Celaena is beautiful and confident. Sometimes her arrogance can grate but her moments of humanity are shown and her heart is always in the right place. An aspect I really appreciate in the books that while Celaena is quick judge other court ladies, she also forms a friendship with Nehemia, a visiting princess. I felt like the friendship softened parts of Celaena from her time spent at Endovier. I generally enjoy the way this book portrays females. Even Kaltain wasn’t a fully stock character, she is an antagonist court lady bent on marrying the prince but her motives also can be understood.
There’s one of those dreaded love triangles here but I think it’s done well. Both love interests come with their own set of redeeming qualities and appeal. I really liked the different aspects they brought in Celaena, her playfulness and her determination. I’m very excited to see where the series takes us next and can’t wait.
KENDRA’S REVIEW
Oh, this book. I am gong to have a situation with this series, I can tell already.
The best thing I could say about this book is that it made me feel extremely…fan-ish? Like, I want to talk about this book with people, I want to have people to geek out over this book with. After finishing it I emailed Elena and was like “Can this be the next big ‘thing’? Can we spend forever freaking out about it online with fellow nerds? Can we?” If you’re anything like me and prone to bouts of fangirly devotion for things, pick up this book, finish it, join me in line right this very second, this is not a test!!
Everything about Throne of Glass is so incredibly engaging for me. I am in love with Calaena, as Elena put it she is everything I can have been craving in a lady-hero for ages. She can kick everyone’s ass for days, no problem, she just also happens to want to be wearing a pretty dress while doing so and I LOVE. THAT. I feel like femininity is something that has been looked down upon by a lot of heroines, like the only acceptable way for a female to be taken seriously is for her to reject things or emotions perceived as girly and to embrace masculinity and man, that is bullshit. You can be strong and be the prettiest girl at the masque ball, dude. Calaena also has a wicked sense of humor and I love her, I love her, I love her. So excited she exists.
The story lost a little bit of its steam toward the end for me, because I think it focused a little too much on the romance instead of the bigger plot but it wasn’t that big of a deal for me. I cannot even be mad at the love triangle, which is saying something for me. I definitely have a favorite out of the two suitors but for once that plot device didn’t really hinder my overall enjoyment of the novel. I’m already on pins and needles for book two, honestly.
GO FORTH AND READ THIS BOOK, EVERYONE. Then come talk to me about it. Seriously. I need to discuss. Call me.
SOUNDTRACK
ELENA
La Roux – In For the Kill (SKREAM Let’s Get Ravey Remix)
I’m going in for the kill
I’m doing it for a thrill
Oh I’m hoping you’ll understand
And not let go of my hand
Let’s go to war
To make peace
Let’s be cold
To create heat
I hope in darkness
We can see
And you’re not blinded by the light from me
St. Vincent – Champagne Year
I’ll make a living telling people what they want to hear
It’s not a killing, but it’s enough to keep the cobwebs clear
‘Cause it’s not a perfect plan
It’s not a perfect plan
But it’s the one we’ve got
Kaki King – The Betrayer
I did this to you, yes I did
I had my own life to save
I did this to you yes I did
Again, I’ve become someone else
Someone new
It’s up to them
Will they let me through
Charlotte Gainsbourg – Time of the Assassins
I sift through the ash
I look for a sign
I open the wound
That keeps me in line
The shoulder that turns
The flame that goes out
The chapter I close
In the Time Of The Assassins
They say hallelujah
it doesn’t take a miracle to raise a
Heart from the dead
And can something change
But still feel the same
I specifically wanted it to be all girls because yay, girl power. I took the assassins thing pretty literally and I wanted it set a sort of resigned tone to this, even though the book is lighter than that. The idea of assassins is very cold and mechanical so when it’s contrasted with Charlotte Gainsbourg’s breathy vocals or St. Vincent’s delicate singing, the complexities of being an assassin are shown.
KENDRA
Tori Amos – Precious Things
He said you’re really an ugly girl
But I like the way you play
And I died
But I thanked him
Can you believe that
Sick, sick, holding on to his picture
Dressing up every day
I wanna smash the faces of those beautiful boys
SBTRKT – Wildfire (feat. Little Dragon)
You’re like a wildfire.
You got me rising hot.
Your innocence- Who’s the brave?
Drowning in,will you save me?
It’s a crime- if you don’t.
You’re the spy, by the throat.
Danger Mouse – Black (feat. Norah Jones)
Fooled them hoping to seem
Like a slave of evil but the product of greed and
It’s not a mass so be honest with me
We can’t afford to ignore that I’m the disease
Practical since we had to be and
When they were old they came back to me and they tried
Oh they tried
And when you follow through and wind up on your back
Looking up at those stars in the sky those white clouds have turned it black
Lotte Ketsner – Leif Erikson
She says it helps with the lights out
Her rabid glow is like braille to the night.
She swears I’m a slave to the details
But if your life is such a big joke, why should I care?
For my mini-soundtrack I wanted things to sound like a fairy tale that has gone slightly off kilter. Each song as sort of an undercurrent of unease to it while somehow managing to suck you in further to it. I listened to Tori Amos almost exclusively while reading the book so I let her song sort of set the tone for the rest.
Love these reviews, girls!! :D I totally will fangirl with both of you over how awesome this book was!!! GAH! I enjoyed myself SO MUCH. I loveloveloveloveloveloveLLLOOOVVVEEE Chaol. Sorry, just had to say that. I’ve thought that to myself at least once every day since I’ve finished the book. ;)
Again, great reviews! :D
CAN’T WAIT FOR BOOK 2!!!! Lol
Sierra @ Yearning to Read recently posted..Pint-Size Review: Angel by James Patterson (#7)
YAY for THRONE OF GLASS. It is definitely one of my favorite books of the year. Sarah did such a wonderful job with it, and I’m SO EXCITED for the next book!
Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books recently posted..TGIF (32): Throwback TGIF
In for the Kill is the perfect song for Celaena, but I prefer the original version.
Liviania recently posted..Review: Wicked Jealous
I was reading through both of your reviews nodding my head like, “Yup… yup… uh-huh…” Haha! My review goes up next week and I pretty much just fan-girl like crazy. Oh, the love I have for this book! :)
Magan @ Rather Be Reading recently posted..Estelle: Pizza, Love & Other Stuff… by Kathryn Williams
You guys definitely liked it a bit more than I did, but I did like it. And I agree, this is one of the rare times that I wasn’t bothered by the love triangle, though I also have an opinion on who she should choose.
Karen recently posted..Review: Social Suicide (Deadly Cool #2) by Gemma Halliday
I looooooved this book insanely! For many reasons but one was certainly the reason Elena mentioned! Caleana was the perfect heroine! She was kick ass but at the same time pretty and she knew she was beautiful and didn’t need a man to tell her! She was both girl and kick ass!
DannyBookworm recently posted..Speed Date with Sebastian: What A Boy Wants by Nyrae Dawn – Quick Review
I can’t wait to get a copy of this book when it comes out ! It seems absolutely fantastic. I keep hearing only positive things about it and I’m really excited.
Your reviews made me even more excited ! :)
The characters seem great. Even the love triangle seems like it’s well-done. (I hate love triangles too btw)
Great reviews, Kendra and Elena ! :)
Nick @ Nick’s Book Blog recently posted..Feature & Follow #10
OH-MY-GOD. I definitely agree with you guys! Heroines should be able to kick ass while wearing pretty dress! I’ve been a bit concerned about manly heroines in YA too. Seems like being feminine is not an important thing if you have to save the world. I agree with that, but sometimes, it would be amazing to see the heroine dress up and being the prettiest girl in town, right? x)
Beautiful reviews, Kendra and Elena! I love your joint reviews – they are SO much fun! <3
Hilda K recently posted..Review: Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer
The inspiration for Throne of Glass was from Cinderella?? How could I not know this?? x) Oh my gosh, you guys, I’m so excited to read this, it isn’t even funny! x) I just my hands on a copy and was planning on reading it next week, but I guess I’m going to have to do some re-arranging to my epic fail of a TBR pile — meaning, it never stays organized LOL! I just LOVE that Caleana loves to wear dresses too! Who says heroines can’t be badass AND pretty? Caleana sure doesn’t! :D (And she has a really pretty name!)
AMAZING double review, you two! I love it when we can get two times the awesome reviewing from two girls who are already two times the awesome limit themselves :’) <3
Mimi Valentine recently posted..Book Talk 101: Post Planning?
You guys! I want to fan girl about this book with you! I LOVED it and it’s so good to hear BOTH of you did too. Wasn’t Celaena just the best? Kick-ass and girly make a great combination right? I can’t wait to get back to the characters in the the next book!
Brilliant reviews! :)
Sam @ Realm of Fiction recently posted..Review: The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke
Hee, you two are so entertaining and it’s great that you both loved this book! Celaena does sound pretty awesome and I promise that I will try and read this soon and once I’m done, I will hit you girls up for a discussion :)
VeganYANerds recently posted..Puberty Blues by Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey
Amaazing joint review, Elena and Kendra!! I LOVE that you guys loved this book and cannot wait to read it and go fangirly with both of you. I’m so glad Calaena could be both badass and girly at the same time. That’s a kick ass combination! Loved the tracks as well. You guys are awesome :)
Ajoop @ on books! recently posted..Review: Fall For You by Cecilia Gray (AToMR blog tour stop)
Squeeeee! Soo excited to read this, everyone’s been going CRAZY over it for months and I just want to be part of the fanfest already! Aside from having two love interests (because ugh, I’m still not a fan of love triangles but I’m glad that this one worked?) I’m ALREADY totally in love with Celaena (except that it took me 4 tries to spell her name right just then) just from your review! I’m fangirling over the fact that she likes dressing up :P Because if I had the chance, I would so love to dress up like a princess! Okay, I know, that’s probably totally lame for a girl my age but whatever. AND WHAT. I didn’t know this was Cinderella-inspired! *o* Can this even get any better!?
So yeah, I LOVED this review, you guys! I was already excited before but I’m pretty sure you just upped the anticipation by like, hundred-fold! <3
EEEEEE Elena and Kendra, I really loved Throne of Glass too! I read it recently after hearing great things about it although I was worried whether or not the book will live up to my expectations after all the hype going on but I was really glad that the book did live up to my expectations! Sarah’s writing, the world-building, Celaena (what an AWESOME heroine) was fantastic. The love triangle, I can’t even choose between the boys. At first, I am so TEAM DORIAN but then, Chaol slowly grows on me and by the end of the book, I’m not sure which team I’m on!
Anyway, awesome review, Elena and Kendra! ♥ Glad you both enjoyed it! :)
Celine recently posted..#133 Book Review: Sweet Evil
OMG I JUST FINISHED THIS BOOK LAST NIGHT AND IT IS AMAZING!!!! Seriously, Sarah has awesome writerly skills <33333 I am so excited for the next one and now I need to read all the prequels!!!
Anna @ Literary Exploration recently posted..Stacking the Shelves [11] The one with UNRAVEL ME!!!!!
I’ve been a little worried about the love triangle in this one, but I’ve heard so many great things about it that I CAN’T pass it up, you know? Especially since BOTH of you liked it so much!
By the way, somehow I had no idea that this was a loose retelling of Cinderella. Cool!
Natalie @ Mindful Musings recently posted..YA: Review of Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Aw, it’s good that you guys have each other to gush the books you love. I only have my sister to gush to but she’s 7 years old.
I get so excited to read this book whenever I read positive reviews. But ugh, I also hate love triangles especially when they’re done well. I don’t know if I’m going to love Celaena. To be honest, she’s sounding more like an annoying character to me, but you’re so right with kickass girls wanting to look pretty too. I guess they have all the rights to. I think I’m just used to the idea of kickass protags who could care less about what they look like. Thanks for the wonderful reviews, girls!
Chel recently posted..Book Review: She Smells the Dead
Ahh, this sounds so good!
The idea of someone going to the ball to kill the prince always reminds me of Ella Enchanted.
Melanie recently posted..Cover Reveal: The Lucy Variations
I loved Throne of Glass <333 And I didn't realize it until you pointed it out, but we got a “girly” protagonists and I loved it!
I also loved your joint review! You two are just full of awesome.
[...] The Reclusive Reader - “Serviceable, but I’m ready to move onto something else.” Novel Sounds - “GO FORTH AND READ THIS BOOK, EVERYONE.” Chachic’s Book Nook – “I [...]
So glad you loved this one, guys! I really REALLY enjoyed it, but I wanted… MORE. I think, to me, it all seemed like AMAZING setup for what’s going to be an amazing series, but I wanted more NOOOOW. Because it was so GOOD. And and and…
Seriously, it was GOOD. And I LOVE your point about how Celaena’s girly, but that’s AWESOME–that she can be girly and badass all at the same time? ♥
Sarah (saz101) recently posted..Blogspiration (29): Home
I really enjoyed this book, too! Ball gowns and ass kicking = always a good combo!
Kate @ Ex Libris
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[...] is so clear how much heart and soul Sarah J. Maas puts into Celaena. Like I said, Celaena Sardothien is exactly the type of heroine I’ve been looking for. She loves sweets and dresses unabashedly but she’s strong too. You seriously have no [...]