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.
When I first read about this book, I knew I had to get my hands on it. I was so glad I was approved via NetGalley. There’s nothing better than getting lost in a high fantasy book, taken to a world which doesn’t really exist, but which you can see perfectly in your mind. This was such a book.
Celaena Sardothien is the most revered assassin in the world. Sent to work in the salt mines of Endovier, she’s surprised when Crown Prince Dorian offers her a proposal—be his champion in an upcoming tournament, where she’ll fight against other assassins. Should she win, she’ll become the king’s right hand woman. She’ll also gain her freedom after four years.
But Celaena hates the king and how he’s pillaged nearly all the kingdoms, claiming them as his own. Freedom does leave a good taste in her mouth, so she agrees. Along the way, she realizes she’s in for more than she bargained for, as there are dark forces at work in the glass castle. Forces which Celaena herself must stop in order to win the tournament. But is this evil presence more than the most elite assassin can handle?
Overall, there are several glimpses during this book which literally transported me to another time, another place, another world. So much so, I forgot that I was reading. This is what reading is all about, my friends, and Sarah J. Maas definitely knows how to write high fantasy. I will say that I was pulling for the Captain of the Guard, Chaol, more than Dorian, as far as love interests go. We’ll see how that turns out in the sequel. If you’re looking for a fantasy novel with magic, action, suspense, and love, then search no further—this is the book for you.
Celaena Sardothien is the most revered assassin in the world. Sent to work in the salt mines of Endovier, she’s surprised when Crown Prince Dorian offers her a proposal—be his champion in an upcoming tournament, where she’ll fight against other assassins. Should she win, she’ll become the king’s right hand woman. She’ll also gain her freedom after four years.
But Celaena hates the king and how he’s pillaged nearly all the kingdoms, claiming them as his own. Freedom does leave a good taste in her mouth, so she agrees. Along the way, she realizes she’s in for more than she bargained for, as there are dark forces at work in the glass castle. Forces which Celaena herself must stop in order to win the tournament. But is this evil presence more than the most elite assassin can handle?
Overall, there are several glimpses during this book which literally transported me to another time, another place, another world. So much so, I forgot that I was reading. This is what reading is all about, my friends, and Sarah J. Maas definitely knows how to write high fantasy. I will say that I was pulling for the Captain of the Guard, Chaol, more than Dorian, as far as love interests go. We’ll see how that turns out in the sequel. If you’re looking for a fantasy novel with magic, action, suspense, and love, then search no further—this is the book for you.
**ARC courtesy of publisher via NetGalley
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Yeah, I'm looking for a novel with magic, action and love, so count me in. I feel so bad that I haven't read this book yet. I have a copy on Netgalley, but I've been so busy. I think I need to make some time for this one. It sounds great. Thanks for the lovely review!
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