Just Finished Reading ... Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass
by Sarah J. Maas

To be published by Bloomsbury
on August 7, 2012

Source: ARC received from Bloomsbury at BEA (Book Expo America.) Read my review policy/disclosure statement here.

My summary: Infamous assassin Celaena has languished for years in a salt mine prison camp, then is unexpectedly summoned for an audience with the Crown Prince of Ardalan. He wants her to serve as the king's champion. To do so, she will have to compete for the title against dozens of thieves and murderers. She agrees, and is given a fake identity and swept into a new royal world that seems glittering and fine, but underneath is as cutthroat as the prison camp. She'll have to impress the Captain of the Guards, defend herself against those who want her dead, and solve a baffling mystery involving magic and murder.

My take: I don't read a ton of fantasy. My policy on fantasy is that if an author is going to dump me in a strange, disorienting world, he or she also needs to give me compelling characters, skillful world-building and a page-turning plot. On that front, Throne of Glass did not disappoint! Celaena is a strong and unique heroine and I was captivated by the book from the first page to the end.

That said, Throne of Glass was definitely different than I expected -- in a good way. After reading the blurb on the back, I was expecting the book to focus heavily on the champion competition, and was steeling myself for lots of gory gladiator-style fights to the death. That wasn't the case. Told in alternating points of view (by Celaena, Crown Prince Dorian, and Chaol, Captain of the Guards) this story has more has more to do with palace intrigue, romance and friendship than with bloody action scenes. The competition serves as more a backdrop to the rest of the plot, and the contests were not as intense as I had feared -- think archery and wall climbing. That's not to say there are no fight scenes -- the final stages of the competition are harrowing enough that I was on the edge of my seat.  But the story also includes plenty of frippery and longing glances, for those who like that kind of thing.

Throne of Glass traces Celaena's journey from murderous assassin to trusted warrior and loyal friend. The story includes a fantastic friendship between Celaena and Nehemia, a princess from another kingdom. Nehemia is a wonderfully complex character and the relationship between the two is a highlight of the book. 

Yes, there is also a love triangle. But since I've never read a love triangle involving an assassin, a prince, and a soldier, I was intrigued. I mean, you wouldn't think a prince would court an assassin, but Celaena doesn't know who her parents are, so I'd wager that in a future installment of this series, she might learn some interesting information on that front. Just saying...

If you love fantasy, and were crazy about YA books like Poison Study by Maria Snyder or The Thief by Megan Whelan Turner, you'll definitely want to read this one. If you're a reluctant fantasy reader, I'd also say you should give Throne of Glass a try!

If you're dying to get your hands on Throne of Glass, I'm giving away a finished copy! Open internationally and ends at midnight EST on August 1! Just click that highlighted text to enter!