Early Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas+Giveaway!


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

ARC courtesy of Bloomsbury UK


Synopsis from Goodreads
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 kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. 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.


UK Release date: August 2nd 2012
US Release date: August 7th 2012

 Amazon  US/UK(£4.12!) | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository US/UK | Fishpond(£5.98)

10/10

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This is me all frenzied and super excited about pure kick-assery of all things Celaena Sardothien. Yep, only Trent Reznor and Karen O could get close enough to describe my feelings after reading TOG.

Peeps, I suggest you pre-order or pester the hell out of your local library to pre-order this book ASAP, because Ms Maas managed to write something which undoubtedly will end up one of the reading highlights of 2012.

This book is EPIC.

 Celaena is one of those kick-ass ladies who manage a tricky combination of cocky, charming, kind, lonely, jaded and in a lot of ways wise beyond her years.

You do need to read 4 novellas before reading TOG because the transformation of a young brilliant showoff after a year of hard labour in the mines into someone who is quietly determined to survive and be free again, someone who appreciates the small pleasures in life, is staggering.

I liked Celaena before the mines, but Celaena after , - I loved. She is humanised, reachable, she is someone we can all relate to.

There are no moments of TSTL in this book. There is insane bravery, tentative friendships and flirtations. Despite her hardships, Celaena is very young and she allows herself to have fun, to be frivolous and impulsive. However, she doesn't commit to some sort of love until death to Dorian whom she really sees for who he is or to his captain, Chaol, who sees her for who she is.


"You do know that you are now a slave, don't you? Has your sentence taught you nothing?"
"I don't see how working in a mine can teach anything beyond how to use a pickax."
"And you never tried to escape?"
A slow, wicked smile spread across her lips. "Once."
The prince's brows rose, and he turned to Captain Westfall. "I wasn't told that."
....
"What happened?" Dorian asked.
Her eyes turned cold and hard. "I snapped."
"That's all you have to offer as an explanation for what you did?" Captain Westfall demanded. "She killed her overseer and twenty-three sentries before they caught her. She was a finger's tip from the wall before the guards knocked her unconscious."
You never get bored with TOG, there is just so much going on. The competition is only a part of the story. There is training with Chaol, friendship with Eyllwe princess Nehemia, flirtation with Dorian, gruesome magical murders connected to the wyrdmarks and portals all over the palace. Celaena somehow becomes entangled in the magical battle for her country and becomes The Chosen one. *grin*

She is asked by higher powers to win the competition and keep an eye on strange happenings in the palace. Even by the end of the book I'm not exactly clear on what is going in. There is this hidden game, evil lurking in the palace... which we'll find out more about in the next book.

The whole experience of TOG is absolutely fantastic, and I have to say UK cover is far more suitable for the plot than US one. Celaena just got out of the mines, she is ghostly pale and emaciated, she is like a wrath, not a well-fed, healthy looking girl with glossy hair. No, just no.

Giveaway

Because I loved this book so much, I'm offering a pre-order of Throne of Glass (UK cover) to one lucky winner anywhere in the world with a valid mailing address!

Just answer a question Who is your favourite assassin in literature/movies? and fill in the Rafflecopter.

Giveaway will end 18th of June 2012. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

* * *
 Офигительное фэнтэзи! У меня море эмоций... Давно я с таким энтузиазмом книгу не проглатывала, наверное со времён Джанги Пехова и первой Марии Снайдер...

Совершенно эпичное произведение, и да, очень даже видно, что девушка этот мир и свои характеры разрабатывала в течение 10 лет пока писала для Фикшн Пресс.

Юная Селаэна, лучший ассассин в мире, это что с чем-то. После года в шахтах Эндовьер, куда король Андовина сажает всех мятежников,  её находит принц Дориан и предлагает ей стать его чемпионом в соревновании за призвание Чемпиона Короля. После 5 лет службы, Селаэна получит свободу, и наша девушка соглашается на всё, чтобы выбраться из Эндовьера.

Диалоги между ею, Дорианом и капитаном его охраны, Чаолом, просто бесценны.

Когда Дориан спрашивает, что произошло, почему она попыталась сбежать из шахт несколько месяцев назад, Селаэна отвечает "Я сорвалась".
Чаол взрывается. "Сорвалась? Она убила своего смотрителя и 23 снайпера, и чуть ли не дотронулась до наружной стены!"

Глупо Селаэна себя никогда не ведёт, зато юный ассассин - причудливая смесь мудрости, цинизма, безумной храбрости, ребячьего восторга и показушности (а такое слово на самом деле есть или я его только что придумала?). Она ничего не обещает кроме конечно моментов Брюса Уиллиса (типа "дотронься до меня ещё раз и я тебя убью"), видит сквозь флирт Дориана и чувства Чаола и отвечает им так, как считает нужным по ситуации, то есть постоянно анализирует возможные последствия своих шагов.

Кроме самого соревнования, в книге происходит куча всего другого, включая зверские убийства чемпионов с помощью магии, странное зло, бродящее по коридорам дворца, древнее волшебство и дворцовые интриги. Я не скучала ни минуты.

В целом, книга до жути эпичная, и я её всем чрезвычайно советую! Плюс, пожалуйста, не стесняйтесь участвовать в моём контесте, чтобы выиграть свою собственную бумажную копию.

Comments

  1. After reading the excerpt, Celaena is my favorite! She knows how to get the job done!

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  2. I always loved The Jackal from THE DAY OF THE JACKAL by Frederick Forsyth. Very professional killer!!

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  3. Katsa from Graceling. She's fierce and stubborn.

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  4. Hannah from the movie Hannah played by Saoirse Ronan. Very innocent yet deadly.

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  5. Gin Blanco from Jennifer Estep's Elemental Assassin series :D

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  6. I think the Ankh-Morpork Assassins' Guild (from Terry Pratchett's discworld novels) rocks, particularly Havelock Vetinari!

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  7. I always liked Fitz from Robin Hobb's Assassin's books - he never choose to be assassin but that was how he was forced to grow up! I won't enter the giveaway as I've already pre-ordered TOG!! :-)

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  8. Are you seriously giving this away? I want it like crazy :o

    Let's think of an assassin now...hmm...that would be Azumi from the manga/movies Azumi. She is so freaking awesome!

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  9. I'm going to go with Jason Bourne...

    but so far (from the novellas) I love Celaena too!

    thanks for the giveaway!

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  10. ah.. crap.. never read an assassin book. i thimk i'll be looking for some suggestion here too :)

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  11. I think Celaena is pretty high up there on my list of favorites (I've been reading/devouring the enovellas religiously), but I also love the main assassin, Kyle, in the Night Angel Trilogy. He's such an interesting (and bad ass) character, and I absolute love the world he's set in!

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  12. My favorite assassin is Beatrix Kiddo (aka The Bride/Black Mamba) from Kill Bill.

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  13. The only assassin I can come to think of from the top of my head would be Katsa from Graceling. But I sense I might get a new favorite where I ever to read TOG?! I seriously loved reading your review. I'm, of course, entering the contest but if I don't win I will probably by TOG very soon because of your very persuasive review.

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  14. I have yet to read a book with an assassin in it. Wracking my brain and I can't come up with anything. I know there is an assassin in Grave Mercy but it is still sitting unread in my night table.

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  15. That would, so far, be Katsa from Graceling :) Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  16. I love Angelina and Brad's characters in the movie, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. :) Thanks for the giveaway!

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  17. Oh gosh, I am SO excited for this book, and I'm so glad I snagged it at BEA! Wonderful review - not an entry :)

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  18. Thanks for the giveaway! I really love Ismae from Grave Mercy!!

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  19. Thanks for the giveaway its definately Gin Blanco from elemental assassin series. She is kick ass !

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  20. As silly as it sounds my favorite assassin from a movie has gotta be Gross Pointe Blank, now setting aside all the goofiness of that, I can't pick a second cause I really just love them all.

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  21. I love the Bride from Kill Bill. She's a badass assassin. But from books I have to go with Arya from Game of Thrones. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  22. I love Fitz from Hobb's books cos I always just want to hug him, and then hug him so more

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  23. I can't wait to read this book:) And yess, that UK cover totally kicks the us cover's ass:) Now let's see:

    Fave female assassin in a book would be Katsa in Graceling. Favorite male, hmmm. That's pretty tough. How about the mythical Keyser Soze in the film The Usual Suspects? That was a great movie and I loved Kevin Spacey in it:) Thank you for this very awesome giveaway opportunity Kara! I know how much you love this book and I can't wait to try it out too:)

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  24. I love Valek from study series by Maria V Snyder

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  25. Crap!!! never got to read a book with assassin... gotta get my hand on few title soon...

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  26. Beatrix Kiddo from Kill Bill.
    Thanks a lot for the giveaway!

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  27. Jaqen H'ghar from Game of Thrones. :D

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  28. My favorite assassin, in terms of movies, is "The Bride" from Kill Bill. I'm not a huge fan of Uma Thurman, but I liked her in the movie. And some of the scenes in that movie were SO visually stunning (although bloody and gorey) that they took my breath away. I don't remember reading a book about an assassin before (but I'd love to now...Celaena sounds absolutely phenomenal), at least not one I actually liked!

    Name: Hira Hasnain
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com

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  29. Assassins are not my favorite characters, but I would have to say 'the Black Widow,' from the Avenger's Movie that is recently out.

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  30. katsa from graceling. so far. oh, and grave mercy was okay, but i LOVe katsa

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  31. I don't think I have one... I need to find one favourite ;)

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  32. I would have to say Gin Blanco from Jennifer Estep's Elemental Assassin series but I also love Katsa from Graceling by Kristin Cashore. They are totally awesome!!!!! I would like to see them fight.....epic

    Thanks for the giveaway!!!!

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  33. Haha do you consider Katsa from Graceling an assassin? I loved her and her journey to finding her human side after her evil uncle used her as a pawn.

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  34. Ok. You have me curious! I like the sounds of this one, but I need to find the novellas now. :) Thank you!

    As for assassin...I think I'll go with Cain from Jon Sprunks fantasy series, starting with Shadow's Son. :) Thank you!

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  35. Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta in Pulp Fiction!

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  36. My favourite assassin was Katsa from Graceling !

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  37. I really liked Dollhouse (the TV show) and when the dolls were imprinted with assassin personas. They were incredibe.

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  38. Valek from Study Series! :))

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  39. I like Nikita from the movie version of La Femme Nikita with Bridget Fonda!

    Suz Reads

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  40. From reading the prequels of The Throne of Glass Celaena has become myf avorite assassin.

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  41. Cliched, but Celaena is my favourite assassin of all time!!! okay, maybe because I haven't met many good assassins in my readings, but I love her character down to every fibre of her vain self!

    Delphine P.

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  42. i liked ismae from grave mercy

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  43. Thats a toughy. I agree with roro. The first one that comes to mind is Ismae from Grave Mercy. I am starting Throne of Glass soon and can't wait to read that one! Sounds really good. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  44. My favorite is Zach from the Gallagher Girls series, even though he doesn't want to be an assassin.

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  45. Jason Bourne of Bourne series.

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  46. I love Vlad from Steven Brust's series. :)

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  47. I love Nikita from La Femme Nikita (the Peta Wilson one)!

    Thanks,
    Leanne

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  48. My favorite assassins are Angelina Jolie in Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Vin Diesel in The Chronicles of Riddick.
    Thank you for the giveaway!
    Artemis

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  49. It's either Katsa from Graceling, is she considered an assassin? If not it's Ismae from Grave Mercy. I like the hardcover a little better than the paperback though.
    Thank you for the chance to win it.

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  50. Definitely the most intriguing assassin that I've come across recently is the automaton in Gail Carriger's "Soulless". I've still not decided that I would call it an assassin itself; it is activated and controlled by other people and has no will of it own, killing as directed by them. So ... weapon or assassin? I really have been thinking about this too much.

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  51. Angelina and Brad in Mr. and Mrs. Smith! :)

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  52. Ninja Assassin (2009), the hollywood movie which stars Rain (the Korean actor). I think it's awesome, although the said awesomeness includes scattering body parts and fountain of blood and others XD it's gruesome, but the real assassin character (plus the intensity of killing, not just action) can only be found in this movie. One of the best.

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  53. Does Deadpool count? :P or maybe Elektra?

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  54. angelina jollie from mr & mrs smith...

    thx u for the giveaway :)

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  55. Valek from Maria V. Snyder's Study Series :D

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  56. My favorite assassin is Ismae Rienne from Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers. She's fearless! There's not too much action going on in the book, more politics and scheming, but Ismae is intelligent and calculating and wicked with a crossbow or knife when necessary.
    Thanks for the giveaway!!!

    Alyssa Susanna

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  57. My favorite assassin is The Bride from Kill Bill. Thanks for the giveaway! I'm crazy to read this book! =)

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  58. I cant honestly think of one! I haven't read/watched many assassin things. They seem popular this year though!

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  59. Valek from the Study series by Maria V. Snyder! No question about it :)

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  60. Darian from Amanda Bonilla's Shaedes of Gray.

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    elizabeth @ bookattict . com

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  61. my favorite assassin is probably Jason Bourne :) - i know Matt Damon :)

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  62. Jason Bourne, but I haven't had that much exposure to assassins in books/tv... SO looking forward to this book though!

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  63. Aerin from The Hero and the Crown :)

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  64. I think I have to say Agent Six of Hearts from Remote Control by Jack Heath. He isn't precisely an assassin, more of a secret agent, but boy does he get things done. ;)

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  65. Gin Blanco from The Elemental Assissan series by Jennifer Estep

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  66. I think mine is Gin Blanco from the Elemental Assassin series y Jennifer Estep

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  67. Definitely Aerin from Robin McKinley's Damar books. Female assassins are the best! I can't wait to read about Celaena!

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  68. I don't have a favorite assassin yet. I've met some secondary characters but never a main one that I can like.

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  69. I've never read an assassin, but I look forward to changing that. Thanks for the chance to win :)

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  70. Oh man, for whatever weird reason, I am pretty into assassins. I don't know if you'd call Himura Kenshin of Samurai X (anime) an assassin, but dayum, that dude can fight! My current favourite assassin is Michelotto from The Borgias (TV show).

    Thanks so much for the giveaway! I've followed TOG since it's infancy on FP so I AM SUPER EXCITED for this!!! :D

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  71. My favourite assassin is Azoth from The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks.

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  72. My favorite is Selene from Underworld.

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  73. Oh jeez. Favorite assassin. Honestly I don't think I've read an assassin book. So I'dhave to say. JAmes
    James Bond.
    Followed closely by Celaena :P

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  74. I love Katsa in the Graceling :)

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  75. my favorite assassin is a hero in one of my latest reads, Crash from Sora's Quest.
    Thank you for the international giveaway,
    Kristia Miltiadou.

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  76. If she counts, then Katsa from Graceling. I also LOVE Elektra (I always play her in video games).
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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