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smnthstrrlwd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Split into five novellas, The Assassin's Blade gives readers a peek into the past of Celaena Sardothien and sets the foundation for a lot of decisions she makes in the later books. Learning about Celaena's history as Adarlan's Assassin, her moral compass at the youngest age she is throughout the series, and her relationships with friends and lovers, alike, were all valuable moments that allowed me to feel much more connected to her as a main character.
In addition to giving readers an intimate peek into the history of our main character, The Assassin's Blade also introduces us to at least one character in each of the novellas whose whereabouts by the end of the novella are unknown, leaving them seemingly destined to play a larger role later in the series.
I found that the novellas flowed quickly and I loved the way one novella picked up after the last with only a minor time jump. This technique kept the overarching story moving and kept me interested from start to finish. That ending though, my GOD. I was sobbing into my hands during the last 10 pages which seems to be a consistent trait of SJM's writing. And I have to say, it works! I found myself so invested in Celaena's future that I immediately picked up Throne of Glass which is exactly the kind of vibe I am looking for in a series!
Side Note: To each their own with their preferred order, I don't care to hear anyone else's reasonings behind the order they chose (trust me, I've seen enough TikToks about it to last me a lifetime.) One of the best things about books and reading? It is a completely personal experience. And I appreciate that the TOG series can be read in a variety of orders. I think that it is incredibly awesome that I can go back and read the books again in a different sequence if I want to have a different experience than what I'm having right now. Amazing!
Moderate: Abandonment, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death, Murder, Blood, and Slavery
sarahangeline's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Torture, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Death, Physical abuse, and Slavery
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Kidnapping and Cannibalism
breathehopebooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Blood, Death, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Blood, Physical abuse, Gore, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, and Slavery
Minor: Abandonment, Death of parent, Sexual content, Child abuse, and Pedophilia
taylorbmlogan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Murder and Slavery
leeorburton's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Physical abuse, Slavery, Trafficking, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, and Excrement
conniejones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, and Blood
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Gore
Minor: Genocide, Confinement, and Adult/minor relationship
mymoonlightlibrary's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Torture and Slavery
Minor: Sexual harassment
missiieey's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Slavery, Alcohol, and Vomit
Minor: Torture and Trafficking
anndreya's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Vomit, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, War, Genocide, Blood, Grief, Torture, Gore, and Gaslighting
Minor: Trafficking, Drug use, and Cursing
chelsaratops's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Death, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Misogyny, and Fire/Fire injury