Reviews

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

lauracatereads's review against another edition

emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I have mixed feelings on this one. First and foremost is the order of reading. I struggled from the get go with the age-old debate of where to read TAB in TOG. I ended up reading it fourth, but wonder if I should’ve read it first after all or perhaps third. I think my decision was fine, although I did find myself several times questioning if a character comes back or if a reference was made in the first three books, etc.

That being said, there is no doubt that this book is imperative to Celaena/Aelin’s character arc. She absolutely would not be who she is without being a) Adarlan’s Assassin, b) betrayed by Arobynn, and c) the surviving lover of her first (only? TBD) true love, Sam Cortland. The only novella here that I think could’ve easily been skipped was The Assassin and the Healer, that one was a miss for me. Even the Assassin and the Pirate could’ve been condescended into back story. But perhaps not. 

The reason this one is getting 3.75 for me is mostly just Arlin’s early character (pre-development) is so unbearably frustrating. If I had picked up TAB first and hadn’t read HOF beforehand, I’d probably even hate her. That’s why I stand by TAB as Book #4, because without knowing her past, who she is, and why some of her behavior is justified, she comes off as a prideful brat that while, yes, has been groomed by an evil, greedy bastard, maybe just had it coming for her. So I DO think it’s important to know who Celaena Sardothien is before reading TAB. Her actions and rash decisions were abundantly frustrating, as were Sam’s, although I did have to give them grace for being soooo young. SJM does do an excellent job of giving their characters some redemption in this aspect, as no 16-18 year old would ever have to deal with the situations Arobynn put them in. 

While this one didn’t stick out to me, it’s still an important book and necessary to know who Sam was to her & why she feels the way she feels right off the bat. 3.75 solidly.

rducharme's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

karymsa's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

3.25

bpboo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

jenpothier's review against another edition

3.0

Okay I see why I wouldn’t want to read this book first and glad I read it third. It was cute but not so much captivating as her last two and I was kinda just waiting for it to end so I can continue with the rest

brookeanne1111's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

malumme's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

valhelsing's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Riktigt bra. Skulle ha läst denna först i bokserien dock. 

catmorgan's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

emilyfh027's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I really liked this book and I know there’s debate about the reading order but I’m glad I read it third because I think I might have been confused and not really understood the relevance as much without having prior context. It started slow for me which is a common theme so far with this series. I always get more into them as the book goes on and the endings make me bump up my ratings. I loved Sam but I wish we saw just a little bit more of the development of Celaenas feelings for him.

I also noticed she never said I love you back 😢 rip Sam.  

Also am I the only one who pictured Arobynn as 45 years old? Turns out he’s not.

Also fuck him he is awful. Doing all of that because he doesn’t like to share???!!! Evil disgusting man. /spoiler>