The Assassin and the Pirate Lord (Throne of Glass #0.1) by Sarah J. Maas
Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads Rating: 4.22 stars
Source: Library
Buy the Book: Amazon
Summary: "On a remote island in a tropical sea, Celaena Sardothien, feared assassin, has come for retribution. She’s been sent by the Assassin’s Guild to collect on a debt they are owed by the Lord of the Pirates. But when Celaena learns that the agreed payment is not in money, but in slaves, her mission suddenly changes—and she will risk everything to right the wrong she’s been sent to bring about. "
Review: I'm decided to get myself back in the groove with this series before starting Empire of Storms by reading the ToG novellas. I never know how to rate novellas. They're not beefy enough to merit a rating, by definition too short to really develop an entire story. That being said, it was a fun to be back in Celaena's head.
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Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads Rating: 4.2 stars
Source: Library
Buy the Book: Amazon
Summary: "Meet the Assassin: beautiful, defiant, destined for greatness. Celaena Sardothien has challenged her master. Now she must pay the price. Her journey to the Red Desert will be an arduous one, but it may change the fate of her cursed world forever..."
Review: Probably the shortest of the ToG novellas. In this one we're introduced to someone who will probably become important later, but but who I don't recall having met in the first four books. Seeing as I'm already struggling to remember her name that's not a good sign. However, I like how Celaena and what's-her-name interacted, and how, despite her own stubborn insistence on being selfish, Celaena actually has quite a big heart. It's almost like she cares against her will. And, though it was short, this novella left me wanting a follow-up more than any of the others.
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The Assassin and the Desert (Throne of Glass #0.3) by Sarah J. Maas
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads Rating: 4.39 stars
Source: Library
Buy the Book: Amazon
Summary: "The Silent Assassins of the Red Desert aren’t much for conversation, and Celaena Sardothien wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s not there to chatter, she’s there to hone her craft as the world’s most feared killer for hire. When the quiet is shattered by forces who want to destroy the Silent Assassins, Celaena must find a way to stop them, or she’ll be lucky to leave the desert alive."
Review: Probably my favorite of the ToG novellas. I loved the setting, the characters, the intrigue, the twists, and, most of all, I loved Celaena's growth. There are people who we meet in this novella who are important to know about, and who you wouldn't know if you skipped the novellas, so definitely read this if you plan on reading the series. I also just really liked this story for itself. A part of me wishes the books were set here instead of in Aderlan.
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The Assassin and the Underworld (Throne of Glass #0.4) by Sarah J. Maas
Rating: 3 stars
Goodreads Rating: 4.37 stars
Source: Library
Buy the Book: Amazon
Summary: "When the King of the Assassins gives Celaena Sardothien a special assignment that will help fight slavery in the kingdom, she jumps at the chance to strike a blow against an evil practice. The misson is a dark and deadly affair which takes Celaena from the rooftops of the city to the bottom of the sewer--and she doesn't like what she finds there."
Review: Probably my least favorite of the ToG novellas. While I love Maas for a million reasons, chiefly because her fearlessness, depth, and heart know no bounds... her ruthlessness knows no bounds either. This one had some perfect moments, but I couldn't shake the premonition of dread I felt the whole time. It wasn't the good dread either - the kind where your heart races and you can't stop reading. This was more the inevitable doom kind of dread, when you stand staring at a sand cloud that you know is coming and will probably ruin things but you can't do anything about it. It was well written, but I didn't particularly enjoy reading this one.
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The Assassin and the Empire (Throne of Glass #0.5) by Sarah J. Maas
Rating: 3.75 stars
Goodreads Rating: 4.42 stars
Source: Library
Buy the Book: Amazon
Summary: "Celaena Sardothien is the assassin with everything: a place to call her own, the love of handsome Sam, and, best of all, freedom. Yet, she won’t be truly free until she is far away from her old master, Arobynn Hamel; Celaena must take one last daring assignment that will liberate her forever. But having it all, means you have a lot to lose . . . "
Review: If you've read the books you know how this one ends. I really liked getting to know Sam. This novella really helps explain Celaena's actions in the full length novels. Though it's brutal, I loved hearing Celaena's final thoughts: "I am Celaena Sardothian and I will not be afraid." I think that is going to be my war cry next time I'm faced with a demon I don't know how to beat.
PS, Arobynn is the living worst.
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I love the gifs you chose this time. My favorite is the Kylo approves one. It's hilarious. I still need to read the rest of the series. I've only read Throne of Glass, but I loved it so I think I'll enjoy everything else (I hope).
ReplyDeleteYou're smart to wait to continue the series. Waiting between each installment has been killer.
DeleteUm, are these all separate from the series??? Isn't there a book with a bunch of novellas in it? Are these that book or separate novellas? I really need to get on the boat with this series.
ReplyDeleteYes! All five novellas are compiled in a book called The Assassin's Blade. You can read them separately like I did, but it's probably easier to just check out The Assassin's Blade from the library. I'd recommend reading it between books 4 and 5, but I think it's probably okay to read it anytime before book 5.
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