*SPOILER FREE * SPOILER FREE * SPOILER FREE * SPOILER FREE * SPOILER FREE * SPOILER FREE * SPOILER FREE * SPOILER FREE*
Sarah J Maas has become quite the celebrity in our house. My wife started on a reading frenzy last year and hasn’t really slowed down. She’s currently on book 121 out of her 100 book goal for the year. As a frequent follower of BookTok (people on Tik Tok who solely post and talk about books), she quickly learned about Sarah J Maas. She proceeded to read ACOTAR and Crescent City, and was hooked. About 5 months ago, she talked me into reading Throne of Glass with her.
I was skeptical at first. She’d talked to me about ACOTAR and Crescent City a little as she was reading them. Nineteen- and twenty-year-olds, going to war, falling in love, becoming kings and queens. Mortals/immortals, demons and gods, and don’t forget the moments to get frisky in between. Plus, being in the category of “Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction”? It just didn’t sound like my thing you know?
Oh how wrong I would be…
I’ll note again that this review is SPOILER FREE. So, if you’re looking to read this series for the first time or are currently reading, have no fear!
Also, consider this your go-to resource to convince your husband/boyfriend to begin their journey in the world of Sarah J Maas. I basically give a hot take on each book. I’ll provide more of my personal thoughts of the series in general, as well as a statement to your significant other, to conclude.
Let’s go!
Book One: THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE
This is a collection of 5 stories that follow Celaena Sardothien through her time as an assassin, prior to Throne of Glass. You get a glimpse of her life in Rifthold, a city in the realm of Erilea, under the tutelage of her master, Arobynn. It’s an important book for building relationships and tension between characters, allowing for a stronger connection (as the reader) to those in the books to come. It also provides some strong foundational characteristics of what makes Celaena, Celaena. It sets the stage nicely for Throne of Glass. Rating 4.5/5
Book Two: THRONE OF GLASS
ToG picks up a short time after the end events of Assassin’s Blade. It introduces new characters that will play a key role in the series, in more ways than you might guess. This book seems slow to ramp up, but Sarah J Maas uses the slower pace to develop new relationships and continues to grow Celaena’s character. You also see a bit of inner conflict with Celaena as she wrestles with the events of her past and the effects they have on her decisions. Rating 4/5
To get a teaser of the first book, check out this previous TGON Reads article.
Book Three: CROWN OF MIDNIGHT
The story continues with Celaena, at the mercy of the King of Adarlan. Sarah J Maas begins to ramp up the suspense and intrigue in this book. Not only with the events that take place, but in the relationships too. We also see some romance start to bloom. It’s honestly pretty funny because since it’s just starting out in this book, it’s very teenage-flirty, quips and looks, things like that. Remember when I said this didn’t sound like my thing? I was annoyed when these bits started creeping in. Then one day I found myself giggling and thinking “Oh Celaena…you silly goose” (or another character).
And then SJM just kinda rips your heart out. It’s a running joke that the last 100 pages of her books are complete chaos, and that is absolutely true.
You’ll get used to it. Rating 4/5
Book Four: HEIR OF FIRE
This book is a turning point for the series in my opinion. SJM really settles into her writing style here. We get so much information in this book but it doesn’t feel rushed or misplaced. Also, this is where a lot of the dots start to connect. I personally enjoyed the character development with Celaena. The romance is also turned up a bit in this one, not so teenage-y. SJM also cranks up the action in this book, which is an aspect I thoroughly enjoyed, and only gets better as the series goes on.
There are several new characters introduced in this book as well. Key players that help ramp up tensions and provide new perspectives in the larger story arc. We meet most of these characters through Celaena’s journey. However, a new storyline emerges with the introduction of an immortal witch, Manon. (She’s not the green, black hat wearing, ugly lookin’ kind of witch either). I love how SJM adds this in, because you’re left questioning what’s going on here. A lot of suspicions and furrowed brows –
And she rips your heart out again.
You’ll get used to it. Rating 5/5
Book Five: QUEEN OF SHADOWS
Celaena returns to Rifthold, with a new name, and a new power. Another book where you learn SO much, and connect even more dots. We see a much different Celaena than when she was last in Rifthold. Every aspect of the plot comes together beautifully in this book. There are things you will learn and that take place that you will not expect.
A couple old “friends” come into play in this book from her assassin days, one of whom becomes integral to the rest of the series. This same character also has, in my opinion, one of the most bad-a** moments in the entire series. Which leads me to mentioning the action in this book is incredible. I said earlier that it only gets better – I truly meant it. The intricacies of the plot in this book probably aren’t talked about enough. It’s downright impressively thoughtful writing. Rating 5/5
Books Six & Seven: TANDEM READ – EMPIRE OF STORMS & TOWER OF DAWN
Through her book research and sources, my wife found and set us up on a tandem read for these two books. Essentially, you read them at the same time. (Here is a link to the layout of the tandem read we used.) Again, I HIGHLY recommend this method. The reason is because the events of these books occur at the same time, but on different continents. It was so exciting to jump back and forth, gaining knowledge from one and applying it to the other. My wife and I both agreed that it would have been a huge drag had we read all of Empire of Storms first and moved to Tower of Dawn.
The pacing of ToD is a little slower, and EoS is so staggering, to leave it and read another 700 pages before the story continues would have been crushing. Also, EoS leaves you with a huge cliffhanger. This way you can go right into Kingdom of Ash when you finish.
A lot of emotions and a lot of action in these books. Not to mention a staggering amount of information and keys to missing links. You’ll be dying to know how all of this will shake out in the final book.
Oh and the whole ripping-out-your-heart thing. Rating 5/5
Book Eight: KINGDOM OF ASH
Remember that part in Anchorman when Ron Burgundy is in the telephone booth after his dog Baxter is punted off the freeway, and he yells “I’m in a glass case of emotion!”?
That’s this book.
My wife cried 6 times in this book FYI. Everything that happens in this book is just crazy. I don’t know how else to explain it. You’re constantly left wondering “how did this happen?!” and “whaaaaaaaa-”… The action, suspense, intrigue, and surprise are ramped up to 100.
Once you get to a certain point, you won’t want to put this book down, I promise you. To give you an idea: this book is just shy of one thousand pages. When I reached page 375 roughly, I proceeded to read and finish the book in 72 hours. Rating 10/5 (Seriously though a strong 5/5).
CONCLUSION
While I wouldn’t consider myself an avid reader in general, especially in this genre, I have read a few long Fantasy/Science Fiction series that I’ve considered to be quite good.
They don’t even compare to what Sarah J Maas has created. It is by far the best fantasy series (and quite possibly the best books) I’ve ever read.
So, this is for you significant others: My man – go ahead and give these a shot. She’s been begging you to read them, just do it. There’s a ton of suspense and intrigue, the action is pretty sweet…you know what let me throw a quote out there for you:
“Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles…”
I know you know what that’s from. That’s what this book series is. Give it a go.
Happy reading nerds!
Read more about Sarah J Maas on her official website, and to check out the ACOTAR and Crescent City series.
