Reviews - Palgamõrvari mõõk

43.4k reviews for:

Palgamõrvari mõõk

Sarah J. Maas

4.1 AVERAGE

bookswithrobin's review against another edition

5.0

my heart is broken. that’s all.

leja_16's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

pbraue13's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional 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: No

"She was fire, she was darkness, she was dust and blood and shadow."

The Assassin's Blade - Sarah J. Maas

Having just read "Throne of Glass", diving into "The Assassin’s Blade" right after was one of the best decisions I could’ve made. Sarah J. Maas recommends reading this prequel third in the series, but personally, I’m glad I didn’t wait. With Celaena Sardothien still fresh in my mind, this collection offered a poignant and compelling deep-dive into the formative events that shaped her into the fierce and complicated assassin we meet in the main series. These novellas don’t just add context—they add emotional weight.

The first story, "The Assassin and the Pirate Lord", is a standout in setting the tone. We see a younger, brasher Celaena full of fire, arrogance, and sass as she takes on a mission that unexpectedly reveals her sense of morality. Her disgust for slavery and her decision to take a stand against it (even when it goes against her orders) isn’t just satisfying, it’s a key moment of foreshadowing. Not surprising given the woman she’ll become, but so important to witness. And of course, this story introduces her relationship with Sam, a quiet but seismic part of Celaena’s past that is only hinted at in "Throne of Glass". Seeing it play out in full adds depth and heartbreak to what we already know is coming.

"The Assassin and the Healer" was the weakest of the five for me, not bad, just less impactful compared to the others. That said, I still appreciated what it was doing: it shows Celaena taking steps toward becoming someone who lifts others up. Her decision to help the barmaid learn to defend herself shows us another facet of her complex morality.

"The Assassin and the Desert" felt like a fantasy version of "Kill Bill" in the best way possible. Celaena’s training is brutal, intense, and transformative. It’s in this story that we start to see the shift, where she begins to become not just an assassin with a code, but a heroine who questions her world and herself. This was a really strong piece for character development and world-building alike.

But my favorite story? "The Assassin and the Underworld". This one delivered everything I wanted: action, betrayal, chemistry, emotional tension. Celaena and Sam together are magic - vulnerable, brave, a little tragic - and the plot itself is filled with payoff. Maas knows how to plant seeds and let them bloom dramatically.

Finally, "The Assassin and the Empire", the most heartbreaking of the collection. Even knowing what’s coming, the twists and betrayals still sting. Maas doesn’t pull punches, and this final novella leaves Celaena broken and betrayed in a way that sets up her arc in "Throne of Glass" perfectly. It’s a brutal but necessary step in her transformation, and it hits hard.

Overall, "The Assassin’s Blade" is a fantastic companion to "Throne of Glass", and arguably essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Celaena fully. It enriches her story with moments of bravery, stubbornness, and quiet heartbreak. Not every story was equally gripping, but as a collection, it’s powerful, poignant, and unforgettable.

Content Warnings

robinraej's review against another edition

4.25

I am glad I read this as book 4 and not book 1. It provided more details into how she became who she is and her adventures. It also makes me hate her maker even more and I hope she gets a chance to stick it to him.