Reviews

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

alliethegator's review against another edition

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1.0

This book is ridiculously bad. The only thing that kept me reading after putting me in the worst reading slump of my life was knowing that SJM's writing improves and this series supposedly gets much better. I LOVED this book in 2014 (10 years ago) when I first read it, which makes sense because it's the most juvenile, ridiculous slew of incoherence I've ever read, for example:

Amidst her worrying, another Test passed without incident or embarrassment - though she couldn't say the same for the soldier who'd been sent home - and she kept up her intense training with Chaol and the other Champions.'

That's it, that's the plot progression we love!

'"Candy!" A large paper bag sat on a pillow, and she found that it was filled with all sorts of confectionary goodies. There was no note, not even a name scribbled on the bag. With a shrug and glowing eyes, Celaena pulled out a handful of sweets. Oh, how she adored candy!

Celaena issued a jolly laugh and crammed some of the candy into her mouth.

Should I keep going? Because I can take any paragraph out of this book and it is JUST as bad.

Celaena is the most unlikeable, ANNOYING, protagonist I've ever had the displeasure of reading. She is the worst best assassin of all time. She acts like a spoiled little girl the whole book with no evidence whatsoever that she's this meticulous, badass assassin except for the *trust me bro* lack of storytelling. How many times does someone walk into her room unannounced and she sleeps straight through it? 

Right. Assassin. A really good one.

Don't even get me started on Dorian and Chaol. 

If Celaena is the most unlikeable character, Dorian is the most boring. Hello? Being a Prince doesn't excuse you from making bad choices, like, I don't know? Trusting the world's best (LMAO) assassin to not kill you in your sleep? For no reason other than she's hot? But no, he can do whatever he wants because he's the PRINCE! Which, speaking of, where the heck is the King I keep hearing about? Does he even exist because this book keeps bringing him up and I don't even remember if we met him because I think my brain entered a state of decay while trudging through this SLOG. 

Chaol is, like, so hot omg so cool and badass!!! Love him so much! Especially the way he is essentially the same character as Dorian, minus being a Prince! Like, name one difference between them? They talk the same, fight the same, and make bad choices the same.

I seriously cannot BELIEVE that this book has 713,000 5* reviews on good read. Were you guys paid? If so, how much? Because I think I'd require at least $1000 per star.


finglishknits's review against another edition

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4.0

3.75/5

Having just finished the first 3 books in the Court of Thorns and Roses series, I thought I'd give Maas's first series a try too.

While A Court of Thorns and Roses was so addictive that I ended up devouring the entire series in the matter of days, I think Throne of Glass is a better novel. The story is more complex and while there are hints of romance, that's not really the driving force behind the book.

Celaena deserves a special mention of her own: she is wonderful, and quite possibly my favourite aspect of the book. I can't wait to see how her character develops as the series progresses.

It'll be interesting to see if the rest of this series improves as much as Thorns and Roses did. I have high hopes!

torturedpoetslibrary's review against another edition

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5.0

♾️ infinity stars, I feel every reread of this book deeper and deeper in my soul!!

"I can survive well enough on my own— if given the proper reading material." - Throne of Glass, Sarah J Maas ✨

iamnottrisha's review against another edition

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4.0

So I didn’t get nearly had drawn in or hooked on this as I was expecting. And part of that is because I was like “oh I lived ACOTAR almost immediately! It will be just like that!”…..

whatnataliereadss's review against another edition

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4.0

I’m reading in publishing order so this was my first book in the TOG series. Wow, just wow. I was worried that this book wouldn’t live up to its hype but I’d needn’t have worried - it was excellent.

It started off slow, which all great fantasies tend to, to give you time to adjust to the world building but hints of all the intricate & magical plot lines start emerging and I am SO excited to continue the series!

I was so pleasantly surprised that the tournament wasn’t the main plot line - this book was so much more than that and sets up the rest of the books beautifully.

andreea16_04's review against another edition

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4.0

Long phrases, but good writing
New addiction

wsyrzaaaa's review against another edition

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5.0

Throne of Glass earns a stellar 4.75-star review, solidifying its place as a captivating and intricately woven fantasy novel that leaves readers yearning for more. Sarah J. Maas crafts a rich and immersive world, introducing readers to the fierce and resilient protagonist, Celaena Sardothien. The narrative, blending elements of magic, politics, and personal growth, weaves a tapestry of intrigue and excitement.

The characters, each with their unique complexities and arcs, contribute to the story's depth. Celaena's journey from an imprisoned assassin to a contender for the king's champion is a testament to Maas's skillful character development. The intricate relationships, both platonic and romantic, add layers of emotion and tension to the plot. The world-building is meticulous, creating a vivid backdrop that enhances the overall reading experience.

The plot twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats throughout. The pacing is commendable, balancing action-packed sequences with quieter, character-driven moments. Maas masterfully introduces elements of mystery and suspense, ensuring the story remains unpredictable. The overarching political intrigue adds an extra layer of complexity, elevating "Throne of Glass" beyond a typical fantasy novel.

However, while the majority of the narrative is a triumph, one aspect that left me somewhat unsatisfied was the anti-climactic nature of Cain's death. Given the build-up and tension surrounding this character, the resolution felt a bit rushed and lacking in the intensity that the story had maintained up to that point. Despite this minor drawback, the overall quality of the novel shines through, making it a must-read for fantasy enthusiasts.

In conclusion, "Throne of Glass" is a masterfully crafted fantasy novel that deserves its high rating. The characters, world-building, and plot intricacies contribute to a compelling and immersive reading experience. While Cain's demise may not have met expectations, it doesn't overshadow the novel's overall brilliance. This book is a testament to Sarah J. Maas's storytelling prowess and sets the stage for an eagerly anticipated series.

leaf0's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

4.75

blancaelanor's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

guixermu3's review against another edition

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4.0

Me ha sorprendido este libro. El unico pero, es que me ha recordado demasiado a otras novelas, como juegos del hambre o nuncanoche.

Pero la autora escribe muy fácil y sencillo.