Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Source: Publisher
CATCHALL
I completely fell in love with this book. Undoubtedly one of the best books I've ever read! Still, it had its faults, mostly which lay in one particular character and one of the most annoying love triangles I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. Still, the fact remains that I really, really, really loved this book. It was awesome and original and I would happily read it again and again and again.
THE HEROINE
CELAENA SARDOTHIEN
I really loved Celaena. She's definitely one of my favorite heroines. Not only is she a kick-ass assassin, she has an attitude. But more than that, she's human. She actually has a heart, and it aches like a human heart. She's not this disconnected and calculating assassin, the way I kind of expected. Instead, she feels real and so relatable and the type of girl I'd like to have for a friend. Celaela is one of my all-time favorite heroines and I cannot wait to read more about her.
THE LOVE INTERESTS
PRINCE DORIAN HAVILLARD
I promised myself that I would try to keep Dorian's section shortish, because I could easily spend all day obsessing over how sexy he is and how much I want him. (Seriously, if Celaena doesn't want him, I do.) He is just…amazing. It took me less than half the book to fall completely, totally, and utterly in love with him. He is, without a doubt, on my Top Ten list of Best Book Boyfriends. I love the way he feels about Celaena, though, too. He has an awesome sense of loyalty to her and he is unbelievably sweet. I love that the isn't afraid to express his feelings and that for her, he's willing to be an open book. He's amazing, really, and he doesn't let his royalty go to his head! I completely and totally adored him and I think I need to stop talking about him, now. It should be pretty clear by this point how much I love him, anyway, and how much I think you should love him, too.
CAPTAIN CHAOL WESTFALL
Now, here's the character in the love triangle I didn't care for. Chaol wasbooooor-iiiiiing. It was an effort not to fall asleep when he would show up. I didn't hate him with a burning passion or anything, I just didn't like him. For one thing, he is way to quiet for my taste. He never talks, which is just irritating. Nothing wrong with the strong and silent type at first glance, you know. I love some strong and silent types. However, there is such a thing as too freaking silent. And boring.
THE FRIEND
NEHEMIA YTGER
I had my ups and downs with Nehemia, but in the end I ended up really liking her. I definitely had some issues with her, as I've said, but I mostly resolved them by the end of the book. She turned out to be a really great character and an awesome friend. She's really a compassionate girl and so fiercely loyal to her people.
THE VILLAINS
CAIN
Cain was definitely a creep-tastic villain. I don't think I could have done it better myself. He has motive, which makes it realistic, and hatred, which makes him a true villain. He's also haunted and inspired both. I didn't like him, but then I wasn't supposed to!
KALTAIN
I didn't just not like Kaltain, I beyond hated her. Actually, hate doesn't quite cover it. I wanted to slap her across the face, hard. I would have enjoyed it immensely, too. Kaltain is selfish and irritating. I concede that she's clever, but that actually just makes her all the more annoying. Still, all of these traits made her a great villain.
THE PLOT
Throne of Glass had such a completely awesome and original plot! I simply couldn't put it down. I actually had to read it twice within the span of a few weeks to satisfy my hunger for this awesome novel! Something I never do, I guarantee you.
The plot had action. It had fantasy. It had an insane amount of intrigue. And, of course, it had romance. It had everything I look for in a novel and more!
This is the type of book that grabs you and won't let you go. It's like what happens next suddenly becomes the most important thing in the universe. I seriously felt that way. For a few hours, this book literally became my life. (You can ask my boyfriend. He was not happy about it. Although, while we're on this tangent, I may as well tell you that he loved this book too.)
There were so many awesome fantasy elements! Sarah put in so much stuff that I'd never even vaguely heard of before and it was so awesome and original. It was such an intriguing world that she drew me into.
This is without any shadow of count one of my favorite plots of all time.
THE ROMANCE
Well, you guys already know who I want Celaena to end up with. And there is nothing that can change my mind. In my heart I think that Dorian and Celaena belong together. Obviously not everyone will agree with me, and that's fine! But, well, I am Team Dorian and I will wave my Team Dorian flag proudly for as long as this series goes on and probably even after. But anyway, I really loved the romance in this book and how beautifully developed it was. No instalove, you guys! The romance was done perfectly, and I can't wait to see it develop further.
THE WRITING
Sarah has such lovely writing! The only problem I came across is that she loves to use the words "the assassin" to refer to Celaena waaaay too much. Personally I found this annoying and wished she would just refer to her as Celaena. But that aside, the writing is beautiful. There's so much vivid and gorgeous imagery and the description is peerless. The dialogue simply sparkles and is also unmatched. Everything flows smoothly and beautifully. As a treat, I'll give you one of my favorite quotes (not my most favorite quote, but definitely way up there):
The clock chimed three. Celaena sat on her bed, knees curled to her chest. After hours of kissing and talking and more kissing on her bed Dorian had left only minutes before. She'd been tempted to ask him to stay—the smart thing would have been to ask him to stay—but the thought of Dorian being here when Cain or the ridderak came for her, of Dorian being hurt, made her let him go.I'm sure it's not difficult for y'all to figure out why this is one of my favorite quotes! But anyway, it is a spectacular example of Sarah's gorgeous writing, is it not?
THE ENDING
The ending was flawless! Everything comes together in a sparkling and stunning conclusion and I could tell it had been really thought out. It didn't feel rushed at all. The pacing was perfect and it ended just where it needed to. I loved it—I really loved it—and it was absolutely the best ending. I didn't like one particular thing that happened, which I can't reveal, but at the same time it made sense. Even though I didn't like it, it needed to happen. The ending was awesome, and it really helped make this book even more amazing!
WRAPUP
I would be insane to not read the future installments! In fact, I really would like to have the next book yesterday. I've even already preordered a finished copy because I have to have one so much! This book was absolutely brilliant and one of my all-time favorites! I am already in love with the beautiful world Sarah has created, and, obviously, Dorian. Love, love, love! ♥♥
FINE.
*****FINAL RATING: 4.65 RED ROSES*****
