Review: The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

THE ASSASSIN'S BLADE
Series: Throne of Glass #0.1-0.5
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: March 13th 2014
Book Length: 430 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Source: Physical Copy, Goodreads 
Review: 5/5 *Full Review Below.

Blurb:
Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin's Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free? Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine to find out. 

 

“My name is Celaena Sardothien, and I will not be afraid.”

This was magnificent! I wasn’t expecting much, maybe just a little about Celaena’s background, the person she is, maybe even seeing a lighter side to her personality and of course finding all about Sam Courtland.

As for that ‘lighter side’ of Celaena prediction, don’t waste your time... this woman is ruthless, unstoppable and more badass than ever, I just love her!

The Assassin’s Blade is compromised of five novellas and you should seriously invest in the paperwork version as you’ll get them all together and look at that pretty cover! I wouldn’t say that you need to read this before ToG as Throne of Glass is such a glorious start to the series. The Assassin’s Blade will just help to fill in the odd blanks here and there such as Celanena’s experiences or memories that are mentioned in later books such as The Red Desert and Asterion horses... BUT for those of you who like me, just needed to know who Sam Courtland is then definitely pick this up, before or after Throne of Glass it doesn’t matter just read this.

We are given a more in depth look at Celaena and Arobynn’s relationship, which was exciting because from what we've read about him, I thought he was completely deranged and this only proved my point. From the sneak peek at Queen of Shadows we get a a reunion between these two so it was good to know about their complicated history. Arobynn is The King of the Assassin’s and you truly get to see why in this book, he will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

“She was fire, she was darkness, she was dust and blood and shadow.”

So we join Celaena when she’s in The Red Desert with the Mute Master and training with the deadly Silent Assassin’s, freeing slaves from pirates in Skull’s Bay and just to bring this point home again, her relationship with Sam Courtland.

I assumed I would start the book with Celaena and Sam already in a relationship or close to this as they’ve both grew up in the Assassin’s Keep since they were children. Oh no I couldn’t have been more wrong, they are most certainly not together, they can barely stay in the same room together without hurling insults and the occasional weapon. I was thrilled with this because we actually got to see how their relationship came to be and progressed…. Well I think we all know the ending but it wasn’t any less heartbreaking, I was on the verge of tears. These two are perfect for each other in every way, I completely devoured the novellas with Sam and Celaena.

I would highly recommend this book but as I’ve said you don’t have to read it any order. This just enables you to get a glimpse of Celaena being a badass and doing what she does best and allowing you to know to now some secondary characters who we learn more about throughout the series and of course, Sam Courtland.

“She would tuck Sam into her heart, a bright light for her to take out whenever things were darkest.”

Share This:

12 comments:

  1. Ooooh, I haven't read this yet, but reading this makes me want to throw away the books I'm reading right now and find the nearest copy of the Assassin's Blade! Haha, I don't think it's possible to find a "lighter side" of Celaena. She's just badass through and through! I really wish I could join you on your Throne of Glass marathon, but I have too many books I desperately need to read and review before the month is out :(
    As usual, fantastic review :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Erika, I have no doubt you will become obsessed with this series like I am, so you much tell me when you have a copy so I can bombard your emails with relentless reason why you will LOVE THIS ;)

      Delete
  2. I loved loved these novellas! I read them after Heir of Fire, hoping that I'd read them over time helping me to get closer to September 1st and Queen of Shadows... Didn't work, I binged it in about two days. My favourite story was the Red Desert! I liked Sam... but Chaol is wayyyyy better! Awesome review! :)

    www.bookrantorrave.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've just read Throne of Glass again and I totally loved Chaol this time around, I can't wait for Crown of Midnight :D hahaha I know the feeling, I'm currently trying to drag this series out as much as possible but the minute I start a book I can't put it down! Thank you xx

      Delete
  3. Aww I so want to read your review but I so cannot cuz I still cannot order it and will end up crying in the corner! You are a devil with a really yammy candy, girl! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You need this in your life right now ;), oh and you better be loving Crown of Midnight because I am reaching for it as we speak and we totally need to be prepared for QoS woo!!

      Delete
    2. I cannot read it now, I have to finish first the book from my mother's in law collection :( But almost there, and you know what is worst? I cannot order any books for 2-3 weeks which means I cannot read anything but Crown of Midnight :(((

      Delete
    3. AHHHHH WHAT NOOO! Right you'll definitely have to take Crown of Midnight slow then until you can get your hands on Heir of Fire... don't worry we can do this, we have plenty of time before QoS :D

      Delete
    4. I so hope so! I really need to be on track when it comes out, my only hope is next week when I get to bookshop and fingers crossed it will have Heir of Fire, tho as it is Germany it is unlikely... :(( But I won't embarrass Celaena, I stay strong! :D

      Delete
    5. Oh this will not do.. come back to the UK, Scotland misses you! :( Think of all the Irn Bru & Shortbread ;) . I will have my fingers crossed for you!! Yes think like Celaena, I will not be afraid ;)

      Delete
  4. I love Sarah J. Maas's books! I hate prequels and novellas, but these were actually amazing!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too Erin! I usually never read novella's but these were great and altogether in a gorgeous hard copy, how could anyone say no?! ;)

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...