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angelofthetardis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Where I read the series in the 'purist' order last time, I've chosen to listen to the audiobooks in the 'romantic' order to see what affect that has on the emotional impact of Assassin's Blade. Indeed, this is the order endorsed by SJM herself!
First and foremost, this is the best of the audios so far. I think the fact that the book is comprised of a series of novellas makes it that much more listenable as, while there are important plot points throughout, each individual story contains reminders of key moments. You're therefore less likely to miss things, but equally the reminders don't disrupt the flow of the current tale. As previously, I do think this is partially dependent on the speed at which you listen, but at the same time because we're looking at short stories there's also less opportunity for a lull in the action, which keeps you focused and the story moving.
There are also moments in this one that 'hit' better with the audiobook, particularly in the last novella. The narrator has a great grasp of exactly where pauses are required for dramatic effect, where the voice needs to be louder or quieter and so on. That being said, it did feel like she was perhaps starting to run out of different voices by the end of the book - just a few too many characters are sounding similar to other works of hers.
This time around, I was able to pick up on few nice little Easter Eggs within the stories that I didn't see before. For that reason alone, I can understand why this perhaps shouldn't be read first (even though the events occur before Throne of Glass). Likewise, I think for a first time reader, the emotional gut punch of this book would be better felt reading it after 'Crown of Midnight'. However, although it did forge a deeper connection to Sam for me, for my own personal enjoyment of the series I think I'm better off putting it up front. But then I'm not sure I'd have picked up on the Easter Eggs if I had listened to it first! It's a tough one to call!
First and foremost, this is the best of the audios so far. I think the fact that the book is comprised of a series of novellas makes it that much more listenable as, while there are important plot points throughout, each individual story contains reminders of key moments. You're therefore less likely to miss things, but equally the reminders don't disrupt the flow of the current tale. As previously, I do think this is partially dependent on the speed at which you listen, but at the same time because we're looking at short stories there's also less opportunity for a lull in the action, which keeps you focused and the story moving.
There are also moments in this one that 'hit' better with the audiobook, particularly in the last novella. The narrator has a great grasp of exactly where pauses are required for dramatic effect, where the voice needs to be louder or quieter and so on. That being said, it did feel like she was perhaps starting to run out of different voices by the end of the book - just a few too many characters are sounding similar to other works of hers.
This time around, I was able to pick up on few nice little Easter Eggs within the stories that I didn't see before. For that reason alone, I can understand why this perhaps shouldn't be read first (even though the events occur before Throne of Glass). Likewise, I think for a first time reader, the emotional gut punch of this book would be better felt reading it after 'Crown of Midnight'. However, although it did forge a deeper connection to Sam for me, for my own personal enjoyment of the series I think I'm better off putting it up front. But then I'm not sure I'd have picked up on the Easter Eggs if I had listened to it first! It's a tough one to call!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Trafficking, Toxic friendship, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual content, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
mrsplace22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Murder, Torture, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Death, Slavery, Excrement, Gore, Grief, Violence, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence
brit0817's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Toxic friendship
tiredtori's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Emotional abuse, Torture, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Confinement, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and Body horror
mrsalexisrjones's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The life of a 17year old assassin. This book features four novellas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Slavery, Violence, Toxic friendship, Torture, and Blood
smnthstrrlwd's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
If you're on social media and an SJM fan, you're aware of the discourse around which order to read the Throne of Glass series. I chose to read The Assassin's Blade first and I am so glad I did.
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death, Murder, Blood, and Slavery
tguccione's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Death, Grief, Blood, Gore, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Slavery, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Confinement
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, War, and Adult/minor relationship
firehearttt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Kidnapping, Violence, Child abuse, Grief, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Child death, Murder, Slavery, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Vomit
booksalacarte's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Assassin’s blade- 4⭐️ 2🌶️
Ya Romance
Morally grey FMC
Novella collection
Secrets
Training
There is almost NO fantasy elements to this book. The only thing that mentions magic or mystical things is the pirate captain’s map tattoo.
It was so interesting to see the before tog starts. I feel like this is a far better start than tog. Sam’s character was fine, but I don’t think he would have been anything special if he had lived. It would have been the run of a mill romance type situation… I don’t think that has much competition to fared mates. We will see how much he comes up and how he ties in. I remember him being talked about.
It was good to see the characters that seemed to come from no where to help in the end. It makes way more sense now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Stalking, Violence, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Gore, Blood, Physical abuse, Death, and Murder
clem9's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
All the stories were very interesting and I'm very excited to meet the characters in the series again. Like Yrene was such a nice and kind character to meet I really what she became or Ansel, even if her betrayal kinda surprised me, I can see her coming back at some point even if it's not a big part.
But the last story ...
I'm heartbroken, Sam's death was horrible and he deserved so much better, he was such the perfect guy and I'm so sad that Celaena had to go through that loss when there was so much more to happen with him. Like they had a future planned together and she never had the chance to tell him she loved him.
I HATE Arobynn I honestly hope him and Farran will get tortured and viciously for what they did to Sam (and Celaena). Just because Arobynn felt possessive of Celaena ?? Are you kidding me ? I hate him so much !!!!
But the last story ...
I'm heartbroken, Sam's death was horrible and he deserved so much better, he was such the perfect guy and I'm so sad that Celaena had to go through that loss when there was so much more to happen with him. Like they had a future planned together and she never had the chance to tell him she loved him.
I HATE Arobynn I honestly hope him and Farran will get tortured and viciously for what they did to Sam (and Celaena). Just because Arobynn felt possessive of Celaena ?? Are you kidding me ? I hate him so much !!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Blood, and Death