Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s
Source: BEA 2012
Rating: 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository
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 kings 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. – Goodreads
Review:
Dear world,
Meet my new obsession: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.
Fangirling forever,
Stephanie
As I sat around with my roommates prior to BEA, discussing what books we hoped to snag, I clearly remember announcing to them, “I MUST get Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.” Over the course of the months since hearing about it, it had become one of my most anticipated titles of the year and, BOY, did it absolutely deliver with its epicness.
To start with, there’s the kickass heroine, Celaena Sardothien. Having spent time doing hard labor in the salt mines for her crimes as an assassin one might expect a worn out, tired, and lost girl, but Celaena is anything but that. Sure, she’s not in top physical shape, but she is full of personality to make up for it. Fiery and intelligent, Celaena is a force to be reckoned with and I was in awe as Sarah J. Maas uncovered all the details of her past as an assassin — AWESOME. If her ability to take people down in the blink of an eye wasn’t enough to admire her, I absolutely loved her attitude and the way she carried herself. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like there’s always a degree of distance from several other YA female leads — Katniss and Tris, for example — because they can be so closed off. With Celaena, I loved how she spoke her mind, was cunning, and had so much energy and charisma. I really appreciated how Sarah J. Maas didn’t resort to the stereotypical ways to make her female lead “tough” and “badass,” but instead allowed Celaena to be a viable threat AND girly. I could go on and on about how much I loved Celaena but I think it’s suffice to say that she’s a new favorite of mine and I’m so glad there are more adventures with her in the upcoming installments.
My friends Lindsey and Jen read this before I did and their tweets to each other consisted of much back and forth between the two male leads. When it comes to love triangles I am one that can always makes a decision early on, and stick with him as my favorite, so I remember saying to them, “I’ll decide for you when I read it soon!!!” Um, yeah, not so much. Once I finally got around to reading the book, I understood their plight of being torn between Chaol and Dorian completely. Sarah J. Maas created two very different characters in them, one being stoic and reserved while the other definitely had swagger, but she gave them both depth and development. Their interactions with Celaena oozed INSANE chemistry, but each of them also had an excellent rapport with her which was just as great. And, okay, I do have a preferred favorite (CHAOL CHAOL CHAOL), but I think I’ll just sit back and enjoy Celaena’s romantic entanglements regardless of who they’re with.
The fantastic characters already had me completely loving Throne of Glass but, in addition to them, Sarah J. Maas also offered world building, action, and mystery. Adarlan is in the middle of conflicts with other countries, the King is the right amount of menacing, and there are hints of magic all around. The tournament had Celaena demonstrating her strength and endurance but also her smarts against the other champions. The intensity of the tournament increased when champions are discovered brutally murdered and Celaena gets wrapped up in uncovering the mystery behind their deaths. Through it all — intrigue within the kingdom, murder mysteries, Celaena’s challenges, romance, EVERYTHING — Sarah J. Maas had me glued to the pages and I hated having to go to work, sleep, and do other real life things that kept me away from this world.
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Yes, it’s time for a giveaway! I am offering a signed ARC of Throne of Glass that I picked up at ALA for you lovely folks. Keep reading for the details and entry form.
Rules
• International!
• You must be 13 years or older to enter.
• The giveaway ends midnight EST July 17, 2012.
• The winners will have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen in their place.
I actually can’t believe how excited I am to get my hands on this book. It’s not a genre I usually read at all but I gave the novellas a try after reading Sarah J Maas’ blog and loving her enthusiasm and totally fell in love.
I want to read this so bad! I’m very curious about the Game of Thrones comparisons. Thanks for the giveaway!
Oh, man. Oh, man! I’m freaking out here! Please, please, let me win! *crosses fingers*
I want this so, so bad. Aaaaah! I WANT THIS! I love Celaena. I love the TOG world. I adore the genius that is Sarah J. Maas. And I want to read the book. So. Bad.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Stephanie! I love you, too, for giving us this chance! Thank you!
This has been officially bumped up on my TBR pile thanks to your review. Loving the enthusiasm from you about Throne of Glass.
Way to spread the love of this book further with a giveaway!
Awesome review! :)
I just wanted to comment that:
yes, CHAOL, CHAOL, CHAOL, Indeed.
I’ve followed Sarah’s blog for awhile now and have been looking forward to reading a copy of the book. I saw it featured at BEA, but they weren’t giving out ARCs the day I attended. Good to hear you loved it!
I have been a fan of “Throne of Glass” since it was “Queen of Glass” on fictionpress. I am so ridiculously excited for this novel, I am totally counting down the days! ^_^
AHHH! Stephanieeee. I’m so glad I have this on NetGalley, because after this ridiculously awesome review, it seems like I have to read it ASAP. Celaena sounds so awesome, and I can’t wait to meet her. Ah–this book just sounds too good to wait! Amazing review, Stephanie. <33 :)
I’ve followed Sarah since her fictionpress days, so I’m SUPER excited to get my hands on this book! I’m so happy to be reading all these awesome reviews and I know the book will be amazing :D
Thank you so much for the giveaway! I really want to read this book! Great review, btw!
Reading your review makes me want to read this awesome book already! Thank you for the chance of winning this *cross fingers*
I want it!!
Nice review! I’m dying to read the book.
I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while now, I’ve heard a lot of good things! :)
Thank you for this lovely giveaway!
I would love to read THRONE OF GLASS thank you.
CHAOL CHAOL CHAOL indeed! I am TOTALLY with you on that one, though I love Dorian too! There’s just something about how Chaol…
And yes, Throne of Glass is FANTASTIC. I have SO MUCH LOVE for this book!
Thank you thank you! I’ve been dying to read this for months now.
Squeeee! You make this sounds A HUNDRED TIMES more amazing than I thought it ever could! Like seriously, this was already pretty high on my wishlist, now it’s like skyrocketed into “if I don’t get this the minute it’s released, the hospital will have a sudden rise in patients” LOL. Calaena sounds SO kickass and usually I’m not a fan of love-triangles but ahhh, you can’t decide which guy you love more? WANTS.
Fantastic, amazing, totally awesome review! :)
I’m so excited for this book!
Thank you for the giveaway!
I have been on such a fantasy kick lately. I can not wait to get the book in my hands. I read the preview (about 3 chapters or more), I was instantly in love. Thanks for the great giveaway!
This book sounds so good, thank you for the chance to win it! (=
This souds lime a must-read. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks so much for the giveaway! I want to read this so bad :)
Thanks for the chance to win!
This book sounds so good, thank you for the chance to win it!
I can’t wait for this book the cover is gorgeous! Thanks for the chance at this great giveaway!
I cannot WAIT to read this book! Thank you so much for the opportunity to win it. :)
Yesireeeee, SO much love for this book and I can’t wait for the next book! Aaand I just realized that this book hasn’t even been released yet, so the wait will be loooonger than I initially thought, but I’m glad that you adored it as much as I did because if you didn’t, then I’d ask who brainwashed your mind xD
CHAOL. But Dorian! BUT CHAOL. Oh lord.
Yes! You nailed this review. I concur. I love Celaena too. And I have to say I am also Team Chaol, though I really appreciated how well done this triangle was.
I am DYING to read this book. Absolutely dying, I tell you. Your review only goads me on.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I really cannot wait for this book.It seems lovely.
I cannot wait to read this book! I’ve heard such awesome stuff about it : ) thanks for the giveaway!!
This book sounds fantastic! I’ve only heard positive reviews. I am always game for a ya fantasy with a strong female protagonist, so this is definitely on my tbr list. Thanks for the giveaway!
Just wanted to tell you how much I love your reviews! Always manages to convince me. There are a lot of books I discover from Poetry To Prose, that I’ve loved and only loved! :)
Oh my god I am DYING to read this book!! Seriously, I’ve been stalking it for ages and I can’t wait to read it. Also — signed copy?? DO WANT!
Thanks for the review and amazing giveaway. :)
Thank you so much for this giveaway! this book is going to be awesomee!!
DASHFBADLHJVABXHJBGJ!!
SFGJDK!
DFDKSJF!
*breathes heavily with excitement* OMG. Honestly, I keep reading reviews for this and I truly don’t think it’s possible to become even MORE fangirly with excitement, but THEN I DO. This sounds just effing PERFECTION. I have already fallen in love with Celaena and I’m totally adding her to my list of favourite heroines…. all before I’ve even picked up the book :P And the MEN. I lovelovelove when an author can really make you fall for both boys and the chemistry they share with the heroine – love triangles where there’s an obvious winner are just not as fun ;)
GAH. Steph. Your review. Is killing. ME. I’m totally going to start reading this next week AND I AM SO EXCITED! <3333
I don’t have words for how excited I am to read this again, having read it on Fictionpress aged 16. This story could have easily made me fail my exams, I had to be very strict and reward myself a chapter a day while revising haha.
I’m so thrilled Sarah seems to be getting so many great reviews! Crossing all my fingers and toes that I can win that signed copy!
Ahhh this book sounds so good!!! lol:)
I’ve been dying to read this one since I read the synopsis! It looks SO amazing! Thanks for the chance to win.
This book looks amazing *-*
I’m dying to read it!!!
Thaks for this giveaway!
Thanks so much for the giveaway!!!!! Awesome review! I’m so glad that Calaena is strong and girly!!!!! Can’t wait to read Throne of Glass!
I feel in need of Throne of Glass every single time I read a review of it. OMG, every review I’ve read is a positive one and I don’t think I can handle it.
Been waiting for months!! Just days now for the novella, thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve been reading the novellas that precede THRONE OF GLASS, and I can say that I am 160% obsessed. I cannot WAIT for August, when it finally comes out. So excited!
I cannot even begin to explain how badly I’ve wanted to read this book. The fact that everyone is going nuts for it is just making me want it even more and more. Thank you for the awesome giveaway! Congrats to whoever wins. (:
I literally gasped when I saw this was open internationally! You do not know how many times I have been disappointed upon seeing the words US/CANADA only!
Thanks so much for this giveaway! I’ve heard AMAZING things about Throne of Glass and I can’t wait until it’s finally published and I can read it! It’s definitely at the top of my anticipation list!
I am super excited for this book I have read so many great reviews. Thanks for the great giveaway!!!!
Thanks for the giveaway! I’m super excited for this book!
Thanks for the chance to win this. I’m dying to read it!
thanks for this giveaway! i’ve been wanting this book for so long! :)
Ahhhhh! I am so excited for Throne of Glass! I missed my chance to read it on FP by a couple of months, so I’m definitely looking forward to the release of this book. Thanks for the giveaway! :)
Thank you so much for this giveaway, I love the background story for this book
Thank You so much for the giveaway, I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while now.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m so excited to read this book! Thanks for the giveaway! =)
God, I want to read this again. You are totally right about the distance and I think it made Celaena one of the most real characters I ever read. And I loved the hint of magic!!!
I’ve read all of the novellas and I am anxiously awaiting throne of glass! Thanks for the giveaway!
Great review! I’m so excited for this book and after reading this review, I’m even more excited now. I was a bit bummed I missed this one at BEA. The signing line got kind of crazy by the time I made my way there. The characters in this book sound so awesome though. It definitely sounds like a book I will love!
Ooooooh. That book sounds exciting and just what I like! And if you were stuck with the love triangle…. I WILL MAKE THAT CHOICE FOR YOU!
Sad to have missed the giveaway, especially since after reading your review I’ve tried to find the damn book everywhere only to realize that it wasn’t out yet :(
Thanks for sharing!
See, if I had checked your post correctly, I would have known it wasn’t released yet… ;Lesson learned.
Oh, Steph, WOW. I LOVE YOUR NEW BLOG DESIGN!
Uh, but moving on, I LOVE HOW MUCH YOU LOVED THIS BOOK. Seriously, I thought ToG was fabulous, but I also think something’s wrong with me… I just didn’t feel the love as intensely as everyone else did. I want MORE from it, and more from Celaena… I think it felt… like a setup to the rest of the series for me, and… I’m being stupid.
BUT OMG. THE CHARACTERS. YES. CELAENA AND DORIAN AND CHAAAAOOOOL. And is it weird that I loved Elena? Seriously. I want to know what her game is! AMAZERING REVIEW! ♥