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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
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
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
2.5 - I liked that it kind of filled in some of the gaps from the other books, but stand-alone wasn’t as interesting
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m squarely in the “read this third” camp! I can’t imagine starting with this one. I loved reading it after Crown of Midnight because we already know Celaena and this book really helps us understand things in retrospect…but I wouldn’t want to start with it because of the style. It’s essentially a bunch of novellas tied into a book, so it doesn’t read like a traditional novel. I really enjoyed it, but even more so because I already knew Celaena.
4.5 stars — novella style made it difficult to get into at first but once I did I could not stop. So glad I read this in the order I did, and damn I’m heartbroken
This was everything that I wanted for throne of glass, I loved the novellas and it just felt so much more exciting than the first book, hopefully the series gets better. I'm just going to go cry now because of Sam.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I would give this a million stars if I could. Who knew such short novellas would keep me interested, even when I already knew what happened. I read this one as the 4th book and I think that served my emotional self best because I already knew their fate. Still hated hated hated everything that happened to her and Sam, I can't wait for her to get her vengeance.
EVERYBODY BETTER GET IT!
EVERYBODY BETTER GET IT!
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
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
Reading The Assassin’s Blade as the third book in the Throne of Glass series was the right decision. After getting to know Celaena in Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight, this prequel collection hits on a whole different emotional level. I went in already loving her—and came out absolutely wrecked.
These five novellas aren’t just side stories. They’re essential pieces of Celaena’s past that add so much depth to her character. Watching her navigate betrayal, loyalty, and first love while still being the arrogant, clever, and headstrong girl we know is both exhilarating and gut-wrenching. Seeing how fiercely she fought for what she believed in—and how it all began to fall apart—gave me chills.
And then there’s Sam. His story broke me in a way I didn’t expect, even though I knew where it was going. Maas makes you care, makes you hope, and then delivers the kind of heartbreak that lingers long after you close the book.
This is Sarah J. Maas at her best: cinematic writing, emotionally complex characters, and action that leaves you breathless. Knowing what’s coming in Heir of Fire, The Assassin’s Blade serves as both a devastating backstory and a love letter to the girl Celaena was before everything changed.
Highly recommend reading it third. It’s not just background—it’s a masterpiece in its own right.