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A review by linluvsbooks
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
2.0
I nearly stopped reading it several times, but I hate when I give up on a book so I pushed through. My problem was not with the story or plot, but the execution and the character details. I blame the editing process here for not forcing the author to recognize and rectify these faults. The dialogue was not great, but not terrible either.
The below does not contain spoilers beyond what the book flap would reveal.
The main character, Celaena, is supposed to be the most awesome assassin ever. The author immediately makes us aware of Celaena’s ability to pay attention to detail and her surroundings. Yet, the narration also repeatedly shows Celaena neglecting to notice these things in a way which undermined the authenticity of her character for me. Also, bits of Celaena’s past (e.g., an ex-love) are brought up as needed without any groundwork laid in a way that felt jarring and disruptive to the story.
I do also have a problem with the novel’s premise, however. Celaena agreed to work for a king she hates for years in return for her freedom - but I don’t buy it. She hates and mistrusts this king and there is no reasonable explanation for her belief that he would actually free her at the end of her service.
(Also, the competition is a secret but all the guards know who she is and no one tells? Not realistic. Gossip and selling info always happen.)
The below does not contain spoilers beyond what the book flap would reveal.
The main character, Celaena, is supposed to be the most awesome assassin ever. The author immediately makes us aware of Celaena’s ability to pay attention to detail and her surroundings. Yet, the narration also repeatedly shows Celaena neglecting to notice these things in a way which undermined the authenticity of her character for me. Also, bits of Celaena’s past (e.g., an ex-love) are brought up as needed without any groundwork laid in a way that felt jarring and disruptive to the story.
I do also have a problem with the novel’s premise, however. Celaena agreed to work for a king she hates for years in return for her freedom - but I don’t buy it. She hates and mistrusts this king and there is no reasonable explanation for her belief that he would actually free her at the end of her service.
(Also, the competition is a secret but all the guards know who she is and no one tells? Not realistic. Gossip and selling info always happen.)