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ladypalutena's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I tried to read this book a few years ago, and got maybe 3 chapters in before I gave up. And now I'm not too sure why I gave up on it then - maybe I wasn't in the mood for the type of story it was going to tell.
Is this book ground-breaking? No. A teen who, by all rights, should never have gotten to where they are in life is the "chosen one" picked up by a plucky crown prince and made to fight a ton of grown men to win the right to become an official assassin.
To which I say,obviously the king has issues, and most likely he wasn't even looking for an assassin to begin with, and I'm not too sure if this whole thing wasn't just a plot to pull our main character, Celaena, back into the open.
The biggest issue I found is that I never felt afraid for Celaena at any point. She is proven over and over again, in every situation, that she is better than everyone else. She's not only beautiful, but she's deadlier than everyone, and oh by the way, did you know she's only 18?
It is also so painfully obvious where this book is going to go. There's a weak attempt at misdirection with Celaena believing that one specific person is the champion-murderer, which made me roll my eyes. Maas all but crams it down your throat early on, and then dances around the lumpy blanket on the ground just to whip off the cover late in the book and go "Surprise!" But by then, it's not a surprise and the real villain has been super obvious for way too long.
The world is interesting, and while our MC Celaena can be thorny at times, she's an assassin and this is the only way she knows she can't be hurt.
So far, so good. I'm interested in where this is going to lead, and even more interested in how I'm going to juggle my Libby holds for this series when every one of them has a vastly different wait time.
Is this book ground-breaking? No. A teen who, by all rights, should never have gotten to where they are in life is the "chosen one" picked up by a plucky crown prince and made to fight a ton of grown men to win the right to become an official assassin.
To which I say,
The biggest issue I found is that I never felt afraid for Celaena at any point. She is proven over and over again, in every situation, that she is better than everyone else. She's not only beautiful, but she's deadlier than everyone, and oh by the way, did you know she's only 18?
It is also so painfully obvious where this book is going to go. There's a weak attempt at misdirection with Celaena believing that one specific person is the champion-murderer, which made me roll my eyes. Maas all but crams it down your throat early on, and then dances around the lumpy blanket on the ground just to whip off the cover late in the book and go "Surprise!" But by then, it's not a surprise and the real villain has been super obvious for way too long.
The world is interesting, and while our MC Celaena can be thorny at times, she's an assassin and this is the only way she knows she can't be hurt.
So far, so good. I'm interested in where this is going to lead, and even more interested in how I'm going to juggle my Libby holds for this series when every one of them has a vastly different wait time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Slavery, Violence, and War
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
merrow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
It’sa good story with characters who are enjoyable to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Eating disorder, Genocide, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Alcohol
autumnalcreature's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Colonisation and Classism
emilywemily6's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I really enjoyed reading this, more than I thought I would. It read very YA, but it was also well written and engaging. I was excited to dive into the world every time I could listen to this audiobook for a good chunk of time. There wasn’t as much world building as I would have liked, or depth of character, but the way this book was written makes it seem like both of those are coming throughout the series. I am so excited to continue reading!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Cursing
jelkebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
2.0
originally read in 2019 - original rating 3 stars
REREAD 2024
I really just did not like this book. It's extremely generic YA fantasy, which I can have fun with from time to time, but this just had an extremely boring plot. I've found my problem with it this reread of it. Our main character does absolutely NOTHING in this book. Every plot progression is done by happenstance or by other characters. Celaena herself does NOT play an active part in this story. That was such a quick way for me to lose complete interest in the narrative. Truly, how am I supposed to care about all of these things happening if our main character is just an unlucky bystander in it all? I as a reader do more to progress the plot than Celaena does, as I still have to actively turn the page if I want to plot to move forward. It just made for an extremely dull read.
That being said I also just don't like Celaena. She's absolutely stupid, and nothing in this book actually convinced me off the fact that she's supposed to be this world's most feared assassin. It's honestly a miracle she ended up surviving this book considering she's in a castle full of assassin, with a murderous monster, and just completely oblivious to anything going on around her. Several characters manage to sneak up on her without even attempting to, she falls asleep literally everywhere without an issue, and she just eats food out of a mystery package, not knowing who send it or what happened to it. Honestly, like I said a complete miracle that she survived. She also isn't very clevver and seems to just be against what other character's want her to do just for the sake of it, rather than actually thinking she's in the right and they are not. It was so incredibly annoying.
That being said I did like some of the side characters. They are bit one dimensional because most of the focus is on Celaena but they are still much more likeable, and I'm really hoping to see more from them in the rest of the series. The romances weren't terrible but incredibly poorly developed, so I hope that will also get better in future installements, because yes I am still continuing on with this series.
REREAD 2024
I really just did not like this book. It's extremely generic YA fantasy, which I can have fun with from time to time, but this just had an extremely boring plot. I've found my problem with it this reread of it. Our main character does absolutely NOTHING in this book. Every plot progression is done by happenstance or by other characters. Celaena herself does NOT play an active part in this story. That was such a quick way for me to lose complete interest in the narrative. Truly, how am I supposed to care about all of these things happening if our main character is just an unlucky bystander in it all? I as a reader do more to progress the plot than Celaena does, as I still have to actively turn the page if I want to plot to move forward. It just made for an extremely dull read.
That being said I also just don't like Celaena. She's absolutely stupid, and nothing in this book actually convinced me off the fact that she's supposed to be this world's most feared assassin. It's honestly a miracle she ended up surviving this book considering she's in a castle full of assassin, with a murderous monster, and just completely oblivious to anything going on around her. Several characters manage to sneak up on her without even attempting to, she falls asleep literally everywhere without an issue, and she just eats food out of a mystery package, not knowing who send it or what happened to it. Honestly, like I said a complete miracle that she survived. She also isn't very clevver and seems to just be against what other character's want her to do just for the sake of it, rather than actually thinking she's in the right and they are not. It was so incredibly annoying.
That being said I did like some of the side characters. They are bit one dimensional because most of the focus is on Celaena but they are still much more likeable, and I'm really hoping to see more from them in the rest of the series. The romances weren't terrible but incredibly poorly developed, so I hope that will also get better in future installements, because yes I am still continuing on with this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Slavery
Moderate: Drug use, Physical abuse, and Grief
Minor: Rape and Suicide
longlostlillian's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Vomit
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicide, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
notamouse's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
2.5
-
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gore, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Vomit
slahlum's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
ursimae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Drug use, Genocide, Sexual content, Vomit, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Infidelity, Death of parent, and War
booksalacarte's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
First read 6/2022- 3⭐️
This is a YA book. It was an easy read. Not very fulfilling. Fluffy. I’m not really invested enough after finishing it to move on to the second book.
Things I respected:
- high fantasy, creating an entire new world, is very hard to do. I wasn’t distracted or confused by much.
- No sex scenes. The plot didn’t need it. Didn’t miss it.
- Maas wrote this when she was a teenager.
Things I didn’t like:
-the main character is only 18 (beautiful, vain, bookish…yawn) and supposedly the greatest assassin of all time after working/training for 10 years. But she still pouts when she isn’t invited to parties and balls.
-Competitions where there could be an opportunity to show off why she earned that title were glossed over or skipped all together. She is an assassin that made zero kills in the book. She has to cheat in order to win one of her challenges. Notorious assassin. Ha!
-she is so unaware of her surroundings. Sleeping through people coming in and out of her room. A heart as cold as ice, but then she befriends her maid and a princess within seconds of meeting them. She is completely oblivious. Her character is all over the place, even for an 18 year old assassin who did a year of hard labor.
-The captain of the guard is 22. Only 22?!… and got to such a high position as captain of the guard having never killed anyone… so has he never fought in a single battle? How did he earn his spot at such a young age?
There isn’t an ounce of urgency to read what comes next after book 1 is over. I could drop this series all together after this first book and not feel any pull to read the following 7 books or the prequel.
—————————————————————
Reread 1/2024- 4⭐️ 2🌶️
Young Adult Fantasy
Assassin/morally grey FMC
Multi POV
Trials/competition
Love triangle
Chosen one
Secret history
Murder mystery
Tw: vomit, slavery, murder, gore
There is so much for-shadowing for the whole series within the first 3 chapters. You already know that she is not just an assassin. The forest knows she is something important. That was never hinted at in Assassin’s Blade.
I completely forgot about the murder mystery aspect of this book. Actually, I had forgotten a lot of this book, leaving me with only vague ties into the overall plot of the series. I highlighted SO much.
Celaena is such a flawed character. She is vein and arrogant. Without the novellas there isn’t much to show her being a ruthless assassin, so it’s hard to put that mantle on her. But with the novellas and fully knowing about her time as assassin, you can respect her a little more. She is morally grey, but in the most honorable way!
Dorian is such a spoiled prince. And I say that with love. His chaotic good nature is something else.
Chaol is tight laced, lawful good, loyalty and honor above all else.
The two men are at such odds with themselves and their situation. It’s so good!
This is a YA book. It was an easy read. Not very fulfilling. Fluffy. I’m not really invested enough after finishing it to move on to the second book.
Things I respected:
- high fantasy, creating an entire new world, is very hard to do. I wasn’t distracted or confused by much.
- No sex scenes. The plot didn’t need it. Didn’t miss it.
- Maas wrote this when she was a teenager.
Things I didn’t like:
-the main character is only 18 (beautiful, vain, bookish…yawn) and supposedly the greatest assassin of all time after working/training for 10 years. But she still pouts when she isn’t invited to parties and balls.
-Competitions where there could be an opportunity to show off why she earned that title were glossed over or skipped all together. She is an assassin that made zero kills in the book. She has to cheat in order to win one of her challenges. Notorious assassin. Ha!
-she is so unaware of her surroundings. Sleeping through people coming in and out of her room. A heart as cold as ice, but then she befriends her maid and a princess within seconds of meeting them. She is completely oblivious. Her character is all over the place, even for an 18 year old assassin who did a year of hard labor.
-The captain of the guard is 22. Only 22?!… and got to such a high position as captain of the guard having never killed anyone… so has he never fought in a single battle? How did he earn his spot at such a young age?
There isn’t an ounce of urgency to read what comes next after book 1 is over. I could drop this series all together after this first book and not feel any pull to read the following 7 books or the prequel.
—————————————————————
Reread 1/2024- 4⭐️ 2🌶️
Young Adult Fantasy
Assassin/morally grey FMC
Multi POV
Trials/competition
Love triangle
Chosen one
Secret history
Murder mystery
Tw: vomit, slavery, murder, gore
There is so much for-shadowing for the whole series within the first 3 chapters. You already know that she is not just an assassin. The forest knows she is something important. That was never hinted at in Assassin’s Blade.
I completely forgot about the murder mystery aspect of this book. Actually, I had forgotten a lot of this book, leaving me with only vague ties into the overall plot of the series. I highlighted SO much.
Celaena is such a flawed character. She is vein and arrogant. Without the novellas there isn’t much to show her being a ruthless assassin, so it’s hard to put that mantle on her. But with the novellas and fully knowing about her time as assassin, you can respect her a little more. She is morally grey, but in the most honorable way!
Dorian is such a spoiled prince. And I say that with love. His chaotic good nature is something else.
Chaol is tight laced, lawful good, loyalty and honor above all else.
The two men are at such odds with themselves and their situation. It’s so good!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gore, Misogyny, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail