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clausbookshelf's Reviews (60)
I liked this so much more than The Assassin’s Blade. Where that felt clunky, repetitive, and emotionally flat until the final stretch, Throne of Glass finally let the world breathe. It’s like Maas was holding back until now, and suddenly the world, the characters, the magic, everything begins to hum with life.
Celaena is still teetering between compelling and insufferable, but I’m starting to root for her. And while the love triangle feels a bit old newsey, the chemistry between the three leads is addictive enough to keep me on the hook.
But let’s talk about the real star: the world-building. The glimpses of dark magic, the Wyrdmarks, Elena, the secret tunnels. There’s a story beneath the story, and I’m desperate to get to know. Maas has clearly laid some careful groundwork, and while the writing still leans juvenile in parts, the vision is ambitious. I’m awake.
Now. Dorian.
I’m convinced he’s going to go full villain. There’s something off about him. Too smooth, too composed, too harmless. It’s giving Nick from The Handmaid’s Tale, that quiet guy energy that masks something sinister underneath. And I have a gut feeling he’s going to try to kill Chaol at some point. There’s a tension between them that’s simmering, maybe they’ll fuck if Mass is brave.
Overall, this feels like the start of something big. The writing is still finding its rhythm, but the bones are strong, the magic is rising, and I’m properly intrigued. I trust Maas now, I no longer think she’s going to waste my time.
The first half of this book was a slog. Each novella rehashes the last with irritating frequency, as if the author didn’t trust the reader to remember what happened twenty pages ago. It killed the pacing and made me wonder why I was bothering to read the full thing when every new section came with its own built-in recap.
Thankfully, the final two novellas picked up the pace. Celaena’s relationships with Sam and Arobynn finally brought some emotional weight to the story. The dynamics weren’t exactly groundbreaking, but they were compelling enough to keep me turning pages.
I’m glad I got through it, but it felt more like a chore than a thrill. Here’s hoping the actual series delivers more and repeats less.