โ๐๐ข๐๐ซ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐จ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ฌโ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฐ๐๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ.โ
- Release : November 6th 2018 (first published in 2012)
- Publishing house : Bloomsbury YA
- Series : Throne Of Glass
- Number of pages : 432
Spoilers
Characters :
Celaena Sardothien : Upon reading the book, I’ve found her to be underwhelming. All along the novel, she is arrogant and thinks she’s better than everyone. How many times do we have lines on how beautiful or strong she was ? I guess her reputation of being the best assassin went to her head. During the trials, she constantly says in her head how she could all kill them, how they don’t know how to fight. And instead of having more description about her training, we have Caleana reading, playing the pianoforte or the billiards. What is it ? Spare Time Assassin ? Shouldn’t she be doing more training ?
I also loved her sauciness. She always has a cutting remark for those who would try to get witty with her or who would insult her. Her relationship with Nehemia was one true friends would have. Both of them seem to have the same personality and seem to have been friends for a long time despite knowing each other for a few… weeks.
โWe all bear scars,โฆ Mine just happen to be more visible than most.โ
Chaol Westfall : At first sight, he can seem cold and behave like an ass. However, as the story goes on, he opens up a little without stopping being acerbic. We see how the relationship between him and Celeana evolves throughout the book. Obviously, he did not trust her because she was the best assassin and he did not know what she could do. But, despite himself, she grows on him and instead of trying to keep her out of his head, he spends more time with her. While Dorian mostly steals his limelight, Chaol has its own moments (when he offers her a ring or when he gives her courage during the final test).
โHow long was I asleep?โ she asked again, and noticed a hint of red in his cheeks. โYou were asleep, too?โโUntil you began drooling on my shoulder.โโSuch a self-righteous young man,โ she cooed, and he poked her leg.
Dorian Havilliard : Being the son of the infamous king, Dorian is nothing like him. He abhors what his father has been doing to build his empire. Out of the two, he is the only one who dared to ask Celeana questions about her past (how can she play the piano that well ? Who was Sam ? etc). Over the book, we see him trying to get close to her by giving her candies, gifting her a puppy, learning about her. In this book, we got to see the teasing and nice side of him, but I can feel a seriousness and fierceness to him, which I hope will be developed in the next books !
โI’m not married, » he said softly, « because I can’t stomach the idea of marrying a woman inferior to me in mind and spirit. It would mean the death of my soul. »
Story :
The story had everything to be interesting. From the beginning, Celeana is said to be a strong, mysterious and headstrong character who has been imprisoned for the past year in a salt mine. Then, the prince and the captain of the guard come to save her from the mine. Along the way to the castle, we have an exchange of sassy comments between Chaol/ the prince and Celeana and it was great because everyone was always ready with a quick reply.
At the castle, she is told that she has to take part in a competition to be become the king’s assassin. It was going to be thrilling ! But apparently, reading about Caleana reading, wearing dresses and make-up, talking with Chaol and Dorian and so on is more interesting than the actual competition and plot. Along with the competition, there’s a mystery involving old religions, horrible murders, and old civilisations. But no one seems to care about it because as the plot, everything and everyone lacks tension.
Speaking of the relationship between the characters, well they were quite great because it was almost all we had. Love triangles aren’t really my cup of tea, most of the time they take time off the plot while not being very interesting. Both Chaol and Dorian had their ups and downs. All was well until it was implied that they sometimes go into her chamber at night to watch her sleep. And no one cares ? Overall, the romance was cliche and cheesy.
Concerning the world-building, it’s quite shallow. We do have some things revealed about the different people living on the continent, its history, their culture, though. I guess, having seven other books, the world-building will surely develop.
L'Antre de la Fantasy 