Reviews

This was okay, but not anywhere near as good as the most recent novel in the series. I didn't even really like Celaena in this one. If this had been my first experience with this author, I probably wouldn't have continued on.

kayteaface's review against another edition

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4.0

I'd heard lots of mixed reviews about Throne of Glass and these novellas - mostly negative, to be honest - so by the time I finally got around to reading this short story I was really quite wary as to what I was getting into. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised!
I found the story really enjoyable, I liked the action, the characters, and most of all I really liked Celaena (who a lot of people seemed to dislike); I found her to be a strong character who can take care of herself and is quite a bamf!
I'll definitely be checking out the three other novellas and the novel soon :D

sanmarina's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

kyler_griffin's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

withallthelies's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

sdloomer's review against another edition

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2.0

--2/5 stars--

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord--or The Assassin and the Beginning of Her Obsession with Sam Cortland of the Broad Shoulders--feels very much like something of a setup for future misery. Also known as please god, not Sam, no.

Truly, I've only ever read the very first book in this series (Throne of Glass) and I wasn't too thrilled with either of the other vertices of Celaena's love triangle: Chaol was a little too broody and seemed like he was trying too hard to be the "dark and handsome" trope, and Dorian was kind of a pushover. On the other hand, Sam has a decent head on his shoulders and is really just trying to do his job; nevermind the spoiled and arrogant blonde-haired bitch he's forced to work with. Yeah, sorry, not a huge fan of Celaena Sardothien. I know she goes through a weird identity crisis in later books, so I'm not sure I'll be the biggest cheerleader for Aelin Galathwumpius or whatever it is when I get there either.

So while this first novella was a little entertaining, and gave me a pretty good memory jog of Throne of Glass, I wasn't really impressed with the story--especially because it seemed too...easy? Too non life-threatening? Idk, maybe the writing just didn't do it for me.

Anyway, honestly? Just here for Sam Cortland and all the fangirling I've seen on my feed and want to be a part of.

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