Title: Throne of Glass Classification: Young Adult (Age 12 and up )
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Hardcover; 416 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens; 1 edition (August 7, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1599906953
ISBN-13: 978-1599906959
- Author's website: http://sarahjmaas.com/
One year ago, Celaena Sardothien had been Adarlan's most notorious and highly paid assassin. At the age of 16, her career was cut short when she was betrayed and captured. For the past year she's been imprisoned in the salt mines of Endovier waiting for death to claim her as it did hundreds of prisoners and slaves every day. That was the only escape afforded to those in Endovier as the conditions are poor and the treatment inhumane. While her health began to decline, her spirit remained in tack. While she'd resolved herself to her fate, when an opportunity was presented, she needed little time to think it over. Now she's given the opportunity to become the King's Champion and gain her freedom after four years of service. There's only one catch...
"The position isn't being offered to you. Yet. My father thought to have a bit of fun. He's hosting a competition. He invited twenty-three members of his council to each sponsor a would-be Champion to train in the glass castle and ultimately compete in a duel. Were you to win, you'd officially be Adarlan's Assassin."
I thought Maas did a great job of creating an interesting world. The Kingdom of Adarlan is divided. Nine years ago the King of Adarlan took over the territory of the neighboring kingdoms dethroning their rulers. He also declared magic illegal and slaughtered any and all who displayed any magical talent. Those with magical abilities who weren't slaughtered fled. Within a month the kingdom was devoid of magic and among the dead were Celaena's parents. Orphaned, she was taken in by the notorious Arobynn Hamel, the man deemed the King of Assassins. She excelled and thrived under his tutelage.
The king has many enemies, and he rules with an iron fist. Mercy is something he is not known for. He's power hungry, and after all theses years, he is still invading and seizing hold of other territories. Those he rules over fear him. He's unforgiving, cold, and arrogant (as can be witnessed by his castle being made of glass). I can't help but think there is something going on with this man that we know nothing about.
Prince Darian is the one who sponsored Celaena as his champion. He is out to prove his worth to his father. He believes he'll gain respect in his father's eyes if he's the one whose champion wins. He's nothing like his father in temperament and perhaps that is why he feels he must earn his father's favor. While his father doesn't seem impressed at his choice in the slightest, it does provide a nice means for showing the dynamics of their relationship.
Prince Darian's put Chaol, his best friend and captain of the guard, in charge of keeping an eye on Celaena, lest she escapes. It's obvious from the beginning that Chaol doesn't think having Celaena about is wise decision, and he doesn't hide his dislike for her. Chaol is loyal and surprisingly young to be captain of the guard. Next to Caelena, he was my favorite secondary character.
Celaena is smart and was able to use her size, age, and looks to her advantage as an assassin. None of which is what one would expect in an assassin. She used this to her full advantage in taking her prey unaware, but in the competition the element of surprise has been eliminated making it more of a competition about skills, strength and endurance. She'll need to use her intelligence combined with her skills and agility to out wit and out maneuver her opponents. Additionally, she enters the competition at a huge disadvantage to the other competitors because she is malnourished and weak from her imprisonment. Our first glimpse of Celaena is not at her finest.
Ms. Maas utilized the competition well to show Celaena's character as well as that of those around her. I have to admit, however, it did seem to drag a bit in the middle, but the ending more than made up for that. It managed to thoroughly ensnare my attention, as the beginning had, and make me eager to read the next book. Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. It had a lot of magical elements and unexpected twist that I truly enjoyed. Be forewarned, however, there is a love triangle.
Order of series:
No comments:
Post a Comment