Book Description
Publication Date: August 7, 2012
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.
SOURCE: PURCHASED
Book Description
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
She is the greatest assassin her world has ever known.
But does she have the heart of a killer?
After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. But Calaena is far from loyal to the crown. Keeping up the charade - while pretending to do the king's bidding - will test her skills in an entirely new way. And it certainly isn't the only point of confusion for the young girl. Because though she's made her choice between Dorian and Chaol, the ways of the heart are never simple...
But does she have the heart of a killer?
After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. But Calaena is far from loyal to the crown. Keeping up the charade - while pretending to do the king's bidding - will test her skills in an entirely new way. And it certainly isn't the only point of confusion for the young girl. Because though she's made her choice between Dorian and Chaol, the ways of the heart are never simple...
About the Author
Sarah J. Maas is a New York native who currently lives in the California desert. This is her first full-length novel to be published, though she already has a large online fan base, many of whom discovered the Throne of Glass world in its first incarnation, on www.fictionpress.com, when Sarah was just sixteen. She is a prolific blogger and you can find out more at www.sjmaas.livejournal.com.
SOURCE: PUBLISHER
MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED !
Celaena has survived the salt minds - just barely - and the hate for her captors has grown with each moment, but her training as an assassin kicks in and she bides her time until she can get her revenge. After surviving the championship through her wits and skill, she is now named as the King's Assassin and is sent on various tasks for the ruler but she doesn't let on that they are sometimes left incomplete since she covers her trail so thoroughly. She is bored by her work for the crown and has only contempt for the court but she is intrigued by the Prince and Westfall, her trainer and now friend.
As she uncovers a threat to the Prince she also uncovers a horrible knowledge that the King is not exactly who she thought he is. These stories will appeal to fan of Game of Thrones, with all of the battles and intrigue (although still safe for teens) and are quick reads. For those who want stronger female leads, this one should be at the top of the list. If you enjoyed Leigh Bardugo and Kristin Cashore, run to buy these now! This one is full of magic, battles and to me a bit of clockwork.
Disclosure I received this book from the publisher at no charge and in no way influenced my review. If you are considering purchasing this book or anything else from Amazon, please use my link above since I earn a very small percentage of the sale which helps pay for shipping my giveaways!
I read the first of these when I received it for reviewing. I thought the position being competed for was "King's champion"? Which certainly confused me at the time, because I had always imagined the role as one that should have gone to the likes of Sir Lancelot, not one of the thugs and murderers in that competition. "Assassin" certainly fits the role better. But again - if someone is to be your assassin, why make a huge noise about it so that the assassin is recognised everywhere she goes? :)
ReplyDeleteSue - you bring up an excellent point. I do remember that she used disguises and that part of her training was to become "invisible" but why would the crown want to advertise that --hmmmm. Now I can't wait until the next book.
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