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fr0styme11o's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I wasn't expecting anything actually. None of it at all. It just kind of jumped out and it felt so random, but not in a bad way, I'd say its more like a shocking topic added in the plot that I ABSOLUTELY adore! It was such a fun read and there was a lot going on I didn't want to put it down. And honestly I didn't. AND OMG the love triangle?! AAHHH! It was so, so so, good!
And the introductory to magic was just- AHHHH! SO COOL!
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Death and Vomit
ameydireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My very first Sarah J. Maas book and I have to say it was good. This book gives us a proper introduction to the main characters and to an interesting new world: a world where magic is forbidden. I instantly liked Dorian because of his sweet nature, and Nehemia. She commands respect, is smart enough to lay low when she needs to, and knows magic!
The overall plot was also enjoyable. An assassin (Celaena), locked up in a death prison, gets a chance to win back her freedom. The only thing she has to do is win the King’s Champion Tournament and be his champion for the next four years. Easier said than done. One would expect that a ruthless assassin would do anything to win this competition, especially when there’s so much at stake, but it seems Celaena has an altruistic side as well. She's also a woman of many talents. When some of the champions turn up dead during the tournament, she uses her investigation skills to find the killer. I'm all in for a good murder mystery, so I loved that!
I'm yet to be convinced of her skills as an assassin though. So far, she only thinks about the different ways of disarming and killing the guards, which I found really annoying. We don't see her actually use her abilities. Even when there is something big going on, she has people around that help her. I hope we'll learn more about Celaena as an assassin in the next books. There are many hints to Celaena’s past and I guess that will be covered in the prequel (Assassin’s Blade iirc).
Oh, and the love triangle… nope.
For a first book in a series, it's pretty good. There’s so much more to this world & I’m eager to explore it.
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Rape
rennygrunau's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Physical abuse and Grief
leemazz01's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, and Colonisation
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
jenniferbowman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Vomit, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
tori2799's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Racism, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Genocide, and Rape
jls6283's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The beginning of this book does have its annoyances. It took me a while to get into this style. It’s in 3rd person, but it’s like SJM wanted to show us some of those deep, inner-thought insights like she did in ACoTaR. They seem a little off or forced in some places because we’re NOT inside the character’s head…
With that being said, once you do get through some of the world building I actually found this book to move FASTER than the ACoTaR series because it is a little more plot driven without those long inner monologues. It does feel like it takes longer as a reader to feel connected to Celaena without her thoughts - especially if you read this book first. In hindsight, I wish I had started with Assassins Blade!
There are definitely parts where the writing seems… a little unedited…? I know it’s her first series/book so maybe it’s just that? (The rest of the series doesn’t come off that way to me- just this book.)
There are a lot of loveable characters in here - and of course a few you love to hate! I’m excited to read book 2 😁
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Slavery, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent and War
unboundbooklover's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Death of parent
clare072's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism and Alcohol
jenniee_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Slavery, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit and War