Throne of Glass – Sarah J. Mass

Before I begin this review I want to acknowledge how late I am to finally hop on the Sarah J. Mass train. My cat bus was late…

Just kidding. I do love Totoro though. Have you ever watched it?!?! I just had not gotten my hands on a copy to read until now. I finally gave in and picked it up at my local library. Let me tell you briefly how it happened.

So, I go to the library to return some books from my two boys and pick a few new books out. I know I have a huge TBR pile…but I could not resist strolling the isles of the library. Honestly, what book lover or book blogger can? Of course, I find my way to the young adult section. I am taking pictures of books I would like to read because you know…I do that. I know, wierd…or am I not alone? Anyway, I turn the corner and boom! In my face is an endcap and I am staring directly at this copy of Throne of Glass. I pick it up, possibly smell the pages. Craving to devour this book I have heard amazing things about. I was able to resist temptation and put it down but not for long. I round the same corner again, I must have been wandering aimlessly in thought. I stare and the cover stares back. “Fine, I will take you home with me for a while.” I could almost hear it call to me and I couldn’t leave it alone there…unread. I caressed it in my arms amongst the pile of books for toddlers and 7-year-old. Once I heard that pleasant beep of the scanner I knew it was mine for a short while. A happy smile spread across my face, mixed with the ping of guilt knowing I have so many other books to read.

And…that was that. I know that may seem strange, but that is exactly what I recall happening. It called to me and I am happy I did not leave it alone in that library. Now that you all know a little too much about how strange I become around books…let’s continue to the review.

Throne of Glass 

Author: Sarah J. Mass

Published: May 7th, 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Genre: Fantasy

Rating:  ♥ ♥ ♥ (3.5)

Buy the book: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository (Use my referral ID: TheBibliophagist)

These covers have always caught my eye. Celaena looks incredibly powerful and independent here! The contrasting colors are subtle but enough to draw your eye in. From this and the description, I was expecting a strong, independent, powerful, take no crap from anyone type of woman. I did not really get that.

To me, Celaena came off as petty and immature, among other unflattering things. At merely seventeen, she was known as the realm’s most feared assassin.  She is captured and enslaved, but upon her release under the premise that she will win a battle, she seems anything but that. We see a lot of her wandering rooms and admiring her reflection while wearing her beautiful gowns. Granted, after spending so much time in the salt mines, I would want to relax and do just that…be a girl for once. She plays the piano and dreams about this amazing library, that I cannot blame her for. I would be dreaming of the library and asking for books as well. When she should be preparing for the battle that determines her possible freedom or death, she reads. I would want to read all the time too, but how could you not be preparing for the fights that determine my fate? I suppose training too much will drain you and cause you to stress more…I am unsure I could walk around as light-hearted as she does at times.

These qualities are also positive in the right perspective. By this I mean, it shows that Celaena is strong, she did not let her time in Endovier break her. She has chosen to stand tall and overcome anything thrown in her path, without self-pity. Choal and Dorian both seem incredibly similar, except you know…one is a prince and all. Other than that, there were not many differences presented between them. Choal’s character and relationship with Celaena seemed more developed and realistic.

The book began a little slow. It took a while for the action to really kick in but once it did…oh man I was in for a ride. I found the plot engaging but I do have to note that the foreshadowing was painfully obvious. The author does try to distract the reader, but there was no tricking me. I already figured the story out. It was too easy to see who the “bad guy” was. I do feel as if the romance overshadowed the fantasy element of the story. I was hoping for more action and adventure but was let down. This is only the first book in the series and I did not dislike it enough to call it quits. In fact, I just picked up the second one from the library. I know, I have so many books on my TBR list but I could not resist. It begged me to pick it up and see what happens next. Overall, I enjoyed the novel and would recommend it to anyone…but most people have read it by now and I am left here in my shame for not doing so sooner. Darn my late cat bus…

Have you read this series? If you have read the series please tell me it gets better? Are you team Dorian or Choal? What did you think of this book? Is this series something that you would read?

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.