Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass definitely
deserves the hype and fandom it has garnered. I had stopped reading YA novels
years ago because I became swamped with college work and had to spend all my
time reading course materials. But now that I have graduated, I decided to kill
some of my spare time with some reading. Before picking up this book, I had
considered between genres such as Children’s and Classics. But I wanted
something that would provide an adequately long read yet wouldn’t be too heavy.
My coworker and friend, Carina, had updated her reading progress on the latest
book in the series through her Goodreads account. When I saw it, I had
flashbacked to memories of seeing that series around whenever I browsed through
bookstores. It had been an on-and-off consideration on my ever-growing list of
books to read. So I sent Carina a message asking her opinion on if I should
pick up the series. She replied back, “Get it!!! It’s so good.” So now, here I
am, sitting at my computer writing a review because I was not disappointed at
all.
The book truly deserved to be shelved in the Teen
Adventure section, which was also fortunate for me because I’m not particularly
fond of heavy romance. Even though the majority of the novel takes place within
the castle walls, it still provides plenty of adventure. Since the castle is a
new environment for Celaena, it also allows the reader to explore everything
with her mentality of seeing every place and every person for the first time.
Her adventure is further added by the deadly tournament she must fight in to
ensure her freedom. But in YA novels, things are never as they seem. Although
she is already Adarlan’s most famous assassin, it’s never fun without a
challenge and that comes in the form of a mysterious evil power that is killing
off the champions one by one. But furthermore, she is commissioned by the
long-dead first Queen to find that evil. As the first novel of an adventure
series, Maas does an excellent job of setting up this new world, convincing
characters, and intriguing plots. The use of Fae and Pagan references are truly
the extra whipped cream and cherry on top for me, as I am personally fascinated
and connected to both. As I am already in the midst of reading the second
novel, I look back and appreciate so many devices set up from the first book
that continue on their importance as the series progresses.
In terms of characters, Maas truly does an
amazing job, especially when shifting between the three protagonists and not
just focusing solely on Celaena. It is very difficult to gender-swap and
although Dorian and Chaol’s accounts aren’t as compelling as Celaena’s they
still captivate readers nonetheless. Every perspective made me laugh, sigh, and
pity each of them individually. They all have strong and well-rounded
personalities and deep pasts that draw them together and make them the perfect
trio, even in their love triangle. I enjoy that the love lines contain just
enough romance to be there, but not take away the spotlight from the adventure,
which is the true genre of this series. The love lines are also complimentary
on each of their characters and become more about their abilities to love and
their histories with love rather than just their attraction for each other.
