The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas
The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas is the prequel to the Throne of Glass series. In this book there are 5 novellas. These novellas are as follows: The Assassin and the Pirate Lord, The Assassin and the Healer, The Assassin and the Desert, The Assassin and the Underworld and The Assassin and the Empire.
This is the summary on the back of the prequel:
Celaena Sardothien is her kingdom’s most feared assassin. Though she works for the most powerful Assassin’s Guild, she yields to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. When Celaena’s scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, she finds herself acting independently of his wishes and questioning her own allegiance. She will have to risk it all if she hopes to escape Arobynn’s clutches – and if she fails, she’ll lose not just a chance at freedom but her life. A prequel to Throne of Glass, this collection of five novellas offers readers a deeper look into the history of this cunning assassin and her enthralling – and deadly – world.
Here is the thing.
I liked this book, but not nearly as much as I liked the ones that follow. I feel like this book is necessary to read in that it gives you the background information on Celaena and that helps you to understand many references made in the future books. You CAN read the Throne of Glass Series without reading The Assassin’s Blade, but I feel like The Assassin’s Blade gives you a more complete picture when you’re reading the future books.
In this book, you meet Sam Cortland, Celaena’s first true love (from what it sounds like) and the one that marked her in a way that you see throughout the future books. You see Celaena grow into a more independent woman, if a woman is what you call a 17 year old assassin. You see Celaena stand up for what she believes in, and then receive the consequences for such a decision. You see her understand that the world is not what it seems, and unfortunately, you begin to see why she becomes so closed off to other people, and so untrusting.
In this book, she comes face to face with betrayals of the most personal and heartbreaking kind. She comes face to face with death, with sorrow; and so you begin to see why she is so dark in her heart and mind. She begins to have a cynical outlook on everything and it’s so fascinating to see Sarah weave this story of ultimate betrayal and hopelessness. I read it in about 4 days (this was while I was still in school!) and I’m glad I did before I started reading the other books.
My overall review, and rating on this book, is 3 out of 5 stars because I feel like Sam’s relationship with Celaena should have either started on a more cordial note, or should have taken longer to develop. I also feel like the love triangle (if that’s what you would call it) was not necessary. I feel like Arobynn having this sort of possessive love over Celaena was kind of creepy and didn’t really work for me. I love the character and how real she is (with her love of books and nice things, but also her sass and wit). I love it that this central female character is ACTUALLY a strong female character that isn’t always crying but is a kick-butt assassin! I love the action scenes!
Overall, I recommend people to go out and get this book and read it first, so that you understand what is happening in the future books more clearly and so you can appreciate certain romantic and action packed moments for their true meaning and purpose! I will be reviewing the whole series book by book. Right now, I'm on the 3rd book, Heir of Fire, and the reviews will be slowly coming in! Write down below any other books you would want me to review and
With all my love, and best wishes, God Bless you all!!!
-Suzanochka-
