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panfriedart's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
jelkebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
originally read in 2019 - original rating 3 stars
REREAD 2024
I really just did not like this book. It's extremely generic YA fantasy, which I can have fun with from time to time, but this just had an extremely boring plot. I've found my problem with it this reread of it. Our main character does absolutely NOTHING in this book. Every plot progression is done by happenstance or by other characters. Celaena herself does NOT play an active part in this story. That was such a quick way for me to lose complete interest in the narrative. Truly, how am I supposed to care about all of these things happening if our main character is just an unlucky bystander in it all? I as a reader do more to progress the plot than Celaena does, as I still have to actively turn the page if I want to plot to move forward. It just made for an extremely dull read.
That being said I also just don't like Celaena. She's absolutely stupid, and nothing in this book actually convinced me off the fact that she's supposed to be this world's most feared assassin. It's honestly a miracle she ended up surviving this book considering she's in a castle full of assassin, with a murderous monster, and just completely oblivious to anything going on around her. Several characters manage to sneak up on her without even attempting to, she falls asleep literally everywhere without an issue, and she just eats food out of a mystery package, not knowing who send it or what happened to it. Honestly, like I said a complete miracle that she survived. She also isn't very clevver and seems to just be against what other character's want her to do just for the sake of it, rather than actually thinking she's in the right and they are not. It was so incredibly annoying.
That being said I did like some of the side characters. They are bit one dimensional because most of the focus is on Celaena but they are still much more likeable, and I'm really hoping to see more from them in the rest of the series. The romances weren't terrible but incredibly poorly developed, so I hope that will also get better in future installements, because yes I am still continuing on with this series.
REREAD 2024
I really just did not like this book. It's extremely generic YA fantasy, which I can have fun with from time to time, but this just had an extremely boring plot. I've found my problem with it this reread of it. Our main character does absolutely NOTHING in this book. Every plot progression is done by happenstance or by other characters. Celaena herself does NOT play an active part in this story. That was such a quick way for me to lose complete interest in the narrative. Truly, how am I supposed to care about all of these things happening if our main character is just an unlucky bystander in it all? I as a reader do more to progress the plot than Celaena does, as I still have to actively turn the page if I want to plot to move forward. It just made for an extremely dull read.
That being said I also just don't like Celaena. She's absolutely stupid, and nothing in this book actually convinced me off the fact that she's supposed to be this world's most feared assassin. It's honestly a miracle she ended up surviving this book considering she's in a castle full of assassin, with a murderous monster, and just completely oblivious to anything going on around her. Several characters manage to sneak up on her without even attempting to, she falls asleep literally everywhere without an issue, and she just eats food out of a mystery package, not knowing who send it or what happened to it. Honestly, like I said a complete miracle that she survived. She also isn't very clevver and seems to just be against what other character's want her to do just for the sake of it, rather than actually thinking she's in the right and they are not. It was so incredibly annoying.
That being said I did like some of the side characters. They are bit one dimensional because most of the focus is on Celaena but they are still much more likeable, and I'm really hoping to see more from them in the rest of the series. The romances weren't terrible but incredibly poorly developed, so I hope that will also get better in future installements, because yes I am still continuing on with this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Misogyny
Moderate: Drug use, Grief, and Physical abuse
Minor: Rape and Suicide
vishnork's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Vomit, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Violence, War, Xenophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Rape
goldensisyphus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Rape, War, Gore, Confinement, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Death
solovej's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Gore
Minor: Rape
doogeth's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Very average. Hated the overuse of exclamation marks but once I got passed that it was a fairly entertaining book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery and Torture
Minor: Rape
dontaadme's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual violence, Rape, Slavery, Violence, and Suicide attempt
infjkiki's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Slavery, Drug abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Classism, and Death
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Rape
vvsmydiamonds's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I've heard the first book was weaker/not as good as the later books so I kept my expectations low.
It had an intriguing plot, but mediocre world-building imo. The love triangle was so bland and useless. I did not care for either boy past their platonic involvement and frankly, don't understand how or why Celaena made time for all that flirty shit when she had more essential matters. Celaena could be prideful, illogical, and childish to a frustrating point but that's to be expected.
People shit on this next aspect and call it Celaena "switching up" or "changing personalities." Personally, I liked seeing her grow from a girl in slavery, holding on to her spirit and memories of her life into a confident, witty, young woman (who made frequent silly decisions) who also grew in health and strength and began to trust/depend on others. Her character development isn't near complete, but I'm happy that she at least didn't remain stagnant. I wish she cared more about certain matters; she'll be recalling information she just received basically saying "... or something of the sort" or "... whatever that was" like bruh... you don't think that's kind of important?
One thing I enjoyed the entire time was the humour and Calaena's occasional relatability. Also, the descriptions of the dresses were nice but sometimes a cool "it was a flowy purple gown" is good, yfm. I also appreciated that she had hobbies and how she wasn't some one-dimensional #hot #coolgirl #blackwidowinphase1mcu assassin. Not gonna lie though, her reputation seems a little too good. Adarlan's Assassin is cool but homegirl is not the "Queen of the Underworld." As far as we've been told, she only really operates in the northern part of the continent, though she's been to all over, and has only been active for ten years, nine if you factor in the prison/slavery time. You can't tell me no one in her world is better/more popular than her. I have higher hopes for the next book!
It makes zero sense how everyone knows her name but not her face. Like was she handing out "Hire Calaena Sardothein!" posters or ...? I'm genuinely confused how an entire country would know the name of an assassin, yk the people who kill in secret, but absolutely nothing about her.
It had an intriguing plot, but mediocre world-building imo. The love triangle was so bland and useless. I did not care for either boy past their platonic involvement and frankly, don't understand how or why Celaena made time for all that flirty shit when she had more essential matters. Celaena could be prideful, illogical, and childish to a frustrating point but that's to be expected.
People shit on this next aspect and call it Celaena "switching up" or "changing personalities." Personally, I liked seeing her grow from a girl in slavery, holding on to her spirit and memories of her life into a confident, witty, young woman (who made frequent silly decisions) who also grew in health and strength and began to trust/depend on others. Her character development isn't near complete, but I'm happy that she at least didn't remain stagnant. I wish she cared more about certain matters; she'll be recalling information she just received basically saying "... or something of the sort" or "... whatever that was" like bruh... you don't think that's kind of important?
One thing I enjoyed the entire time was the humour and Calaena's occasional relatability. Also, the descriptions of the dresses were nice but sometimes a cool "it was a flowy purple gown" is good, yfm. I also appreciated that she had hobbies and how she wasn't some one-dimensional #hot #coolgirl #blackwidowinphase1mcu assassin. Not gonna lie though, her reputation seems a little too good. Adarlan's Assassin is cool but homegirl is not the "Queen of the Underworld." As far as we've been told, she only really operates in the northern part of the continent, though she's been to all over, and has only been active for ten years, nine if you factor in the prison/slavery time. You can't tell me no one in her world is better/more popular than her. I have higher hopes for the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Murder, Slavery, and Body horror
Minor: Drug use, Rape, Vomit, Sexual violence, and War
britwalsh16's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Starting this series after finishing ACOTAR, I was expecting a very similiar world. And though I can see the similarities, it is very different. Best way to describe it is that TOG is a dystopian version of the world in ACOTAR. & so far, I am here for it.
I like the characters, I like the world, and I love reading stories like this one and ACOTAR, that are led by some very basass women! I can’t wait to dive deeper into it all!
I like the characters, I like the world, and I love reading stories like this one and ACOTAR, that are led by some very basass women! I can’t wait to dive deeper into it all!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Torture, Confinement, Murder, Slavery, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Misogyny, Genocide, Suicidal thoughts, and War
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, Gore, and Grief