The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass Prequel Novellas collection, #0.1-0.5) by Sarah J. Maas

 The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass Prequel Novellas collection, #0.1-0.5) by Sarah J. Maas-435 pages

This is a collection of novellas set when Celaena Sardothien was a member of the Assassins under Arobynn Hamel in Rifthold. It's before the events of the Throne of Glass series. However, many of the stories told in these novellas are mentioned or alluded to in some way throughout the Throne of Glass series. Additionally, many of the characters from them are major players later on in the Throne of Glass series. I really enjoyed going back to some of these characters and reading about these stories and events mentioned or alluded to. I especially enjoyed going back to Celaena and reading about her time spent with the Assassins. I really enjoyed the Throne of Glass series and I enjoyed this prequel nearly as much. It really made me appreciate the Throne of Glass series even more than I already did, especially Maas' worldbuilding and character arcs. She is so good at worldbuilding. 

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J Maas

 The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas

448 pages

★★★★

Prequel novellas to the popular Throne of Glass series, this collection gives more context to how Celaena Sardothien was sent to the prison camp, Endovier. Starting with Calaena and another assassin in her group, Sam, being sent to make a deal with the Pirate Lord. The stories go on to show the relationship between Sam and Calaena grow from enemies to trusting each other more than anyone.

While some of these stories felt unnecessary, it did ultimately answer some of the questions I’ve had and it showed how different Celaena was before her year in prison, including her first love. 

Bastion by Mercedes Lackey

 

Bastion by Mercedes Lackey - 342 pages

Collegium Chronicles #5

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mags returns to the Collegium, but there are mixed feelings--his included--about him actually remaining there. No one doubts that he is and should be a Herald, but he is afraid that his mere presence is going to incite more danger right in the heart of Valdemar. The heads of the Collegia are afraid that coming back to his known haunt is going to give him less protection than if he went into hiding. Everyone decides that going elsewhere is the solution for now. So since he is going elsewhere--why not return to the place he was found in the first place and look for clues? And those who are closest to him, and might provide secondary targets, are going along. With Herald Jakyr, Bard Lita, and his friends Bear, Lena, and Amily, they head for the Bastion, the hidden spot in the hills that had once been the headquarters of a powerful band of raiders that had held him and his parents prisoner. But what they find is not what anyone expected.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas, 406 p.

"After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her ... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead ... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined."--Goodreads blurb

This was a re-read for me, as Sarah J. Maas books are my "get out of a reading funk" go-to. They are always easy to read and fun, and I love a butt-kicking female lead. This is a great introduction to the Throne of Glass world and its characters, and I will continue on with this series when I need a pick-me-up. 

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2) by Sarah J. Maas

 Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2) by Sarah J. Maas-418 pages

I enjoyed reading Throne of Glass, so I wanted to read the second in the long series by Maas. This one did not disappoint. In fact, I found this second installment even more thrilling and enjoyable. I especially liked the ending. A secret is revealed at the end that will change Adarlan, Terrasen, and all of Erilea forever. Celaena is a character that I am rooting for, along with Chaol and Dorian. This secret revealed will change the nature of their relationship forever, also. 

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

 Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1) by Robin LaFevers, 549 pages

CW: abuse, violence

"Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?"--Goodreads blurb

This was a run-of-the-mill fantasy novel with all the tried-and-true fantasy tropes. That's not to say it wasn't a good read, because it kept me interested to the end. I love a good story of a girl that kicks butt (and then usually falls in love), and this one was just that. This series follows different characters in the series, so while I enjoyed this book, with a change in main character, I won't be reading the rest of the series. 

Akuma No Riddle, v. 1 by Yun Kouga

Akuma No Riddle, v. 1 by Yun Kouga - 164 pages

Takaku is sent to Myojo Private School to participate in the special Class Black.  Class Black is made up of 12 assassins all aiming to kill the 13th student Haru.  But will Takaku be able to kill Haru?

This is the first in a short manga series.  I found the premise interesting -- a little similar to Assassination Classroom which I really enjoyed.  However, I found this book to be slow.  It might be because it is a lot of character background setting up the story.  I'm not sure if I'll keep reading the series or not.

The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks

The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks - 645 pages

From New York Times Bestselling author Brent Weeks...
For Durzo Blint, assassination is an art-and he is the city's most accomplished artist. 

For Azoth, survival is precarious. Something you never take for granted. As a guild rat, he's grown up in the slums, and learned to judge people quickly - and to take risks. Risks like apprenticing himself to Durzo Blint.

But to be accepted, Azoth must turn his back on his old life and embrace a new identity and name. As Kylar Stern, he must learn to navigate the assassins' world of dangerous politics and strange magics - and cultivate a flair for death.

Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter

Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter - 297 pages

Maddie thought she would be best friends with Logan forever.  That is until her decides to move her to Alaska with no warning.  It's been six years without one word from Logan -- even though she wrote him every day for two years.  She accepted that he no longer wanted to be friends.  She accepted that her life only includes two people -- herself and her dad.  She accepted that she'll always be alone.  Then Logan shows up on her front step and he's brought trouble with him.

I enjoyed this teen book by Ally Carter.  As it's a teen book you knew that Maddie and Logan would eventually make up and become even more than friends.  The fun part was the escape and survival from assassins and the weather.  I would definitely recommend this book to teens.

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers-549 pages

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart? 

Assassination Classroom, v.10 by Yusei Matsui

Assassination Classroom, v.10 by Yusei Matsui - 192 pages

The students are back in session for their second semester.  First there's an overabundance of eggs which leads to an assassination plan featuring flan.  Then it's time to kick their training into gear by learning parkour moves.  Just as that training is going well, Koro Sensei is accused of being a lingerie thief.

This volume was very episodic with three short stories.  The last one included a lot of character development for Itona and more evil plans by Shiro.

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas; narrated by Elizabeth Evans, 418 p.

Celaena may have won the King's Champion, but secretly, she is far from loyal to the crown and the king who is pure evil. As she finds out that she may not be the only one bent on the destruction of the crown, she starts to question her relationship with everyone she holds close: Chaol, Dorien, and even her best friend, Nehemia.

As one tragic night changes Celaena's life forever, secrets are unveiled, worlds crumble, and she will have to decide to whom she is loyal and for whom she is willing to die. 

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas; narrated by Elizabeth Evans, 448 p.

These are 5 novellas set before we meet Celaena in the "official" first book of the Throne of Glass series. They delve into Celaena's life before she ended up in the Salt Mines of Endovier.

Celaena is completely loyal to her master, Arobynn Hamel, but no loyalty to any of the other assassins in the guild. As she is sent out on various assignments by Arobynn, she has to make decisions that may change the course of her life. Will Sam, who has been sent along with her, help her make the right choices, and will she ever really be free from the life she leads? Will her decisions lead to terrible consequences? 

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas; narrated by Elizabeth Evans, 404 p.

There's nothing more I love than diving into a new series, especially one that is well-established and has a few books already published. The Throne of Glass series hasn't disappointed.

We meet Celaena Sardothien as she's being "rescued" from the Salt Mines of Endovier by the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her freedom, but at a steep price. If she can become the King's Champion in the upcoming competition, she may earn her freedom. You see, Celaena has quite a reputation for being an untouchable assassin, so she's a sure bet for King's Champion.

As she starts training, she meets Captain Westfall, who seems to understand her. But things become complicated when competitors come up dead and mysteries unfold. Also, Prince Dorian is paying attention to Celaena as well. Will she find out what is going on, and will she ultimately find her destiny?

Missing in Death by J.D. Robb

Missing in Death by J.D. Robb - 100 pages

Eve Dallas is facing one of her most confusing cases ever.  One woman  has gone missing from the Staten Island Ferry.  Another woman's blood covers the restroom - enough that she must be dead.  But where did they disappear to?  And why didn't anyone else on the ferry see the body or the missing woman?

I listened to this on audio.  I enjoyed the story even though I figured out how the missing body was moved pretty early on.  my main quibble was that though most of the dialects used for the characters was really well done -- there was one dialect that was very unauthentic and grating.

Assassination Classroom, v. 1 by Yusei Matsui

Assassination Classroom, v. 1 by Yusei Matsui - 192 pages

Class 3-E is for the students who are failing.  However, they have a special assignment -- to kill their teacher.  Their teacher is an octopus-like monster that has blown up the moon and is threatening to destroy the earth in one year . . . unless Class 3-E can kill him during before time is up.

This was recommended by some of the teens in my teen book club.  I can definitely see why they like it.  It is hilarious.  It has violence but without any gore.  I am definitely going to read more of this series.

It also has my favorite zen quote --
"I have no idea what kind of weapon will be used in World War III.  But World War IV will be fought with tentacles."

Queen of Shadows - A Throne of Glass Novel - Book 4 - by Sarah J. Maas

Queen of Shadows
A Throne of Glass Novel
Book 4
by Sarah J. Maas
648 pages

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to the empire - for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom and to confront the shadows of her past...

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

I have enjoyed this series of books and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Heir of Fire
A Throne of Glass Novel
Book 3
by Sarah J. Maas
565 pages







Celaena Sardothien rises from the ashes to burn brighter than before. Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak-but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth...a truth about her heritage that could change her live-and her future-forever. Meahwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Crown of Midnight
(The second book in the Throne of Glass series)
By Sarah J. Maas
418 pages









Celaena Sardothien is the king's Champion--yet she is far from loyal to the crown, for the man she serves is bent on evil. Working against her master in secret is no easy task. As Celaena tries to untangle the mysteries buried within the glass castle, she can trust no one, not even her supposed allies Crown Prince Dorian, Captain of the Guard Chaol, or foreign Princess Nehemia.

Then an unspeakable tragedy shatters Celaena's world. She must decide once and for all where her loyalties lie....and whom she will fight for.

She is the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But does she have the heart of a killer?

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass
by Sarah J. Maas
404 pages










After she has served a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, Crown Prince Dorian offers eighteen year old assassin Celaena Sardothien her freedom on the condition that she act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. She will have to fight the most gifted thieves and assassins (all men, by the way) in the land. Will she be the victor?