“You could rattle the stars,” she whispered. “You could do anything, if only you dared. And deep down, you know it, too. That’s what scares you most.” — Sarah J. Maas, Throne of Glass
I am way past the age that Young Adult novels are marketed for, but I absolutely adore them! The book that hooked me on this genre is Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. A female assassin with a mysterious past? A contest of brute and cunning to determine who will be the King’s Champion? Bodies of the contestants found brutally mutilated in dark corners of the castle? Shadowy dark creatures slipping through the book piles of a cavernous library? Yes, please!
This book focuses on Celaena Sardothien, a 17-year old girl freed from the brutal salt mines where she has been imprisoned for the last year. Her rescuer? None other than the Crown Prince of Adarlan, Dorian Havilliard – son of the man who had Celaena’s family killed and destroyed her country. This starts a 7-book series that follows Celaena and her companions over the next several years. We get to experience every victory, heartbreak, and soul-crushing betrayal as we journey along with the characters through the richly textured world Maas has created.
The author started this book when she was a teenager, and the book is about a teenage girl, so there is boy drama and high emotions. The trials the Champions have to undergo are glossed over to focus more on relationships, but this is not a silly teen romance. Celaena is moody, volatile, and at times rude. But you still root for her. The story is told in third person, so we slowly get to know Celaena and some of her reasons for her actions. The quote that started this article is a great summary of this young girl and the start of her redeeming arc.
I can honestly say, Throne of Glass was my least favorite book in the series. And I still loved it. I cried, laughed, and cheered! (Yes, that was me sitting at Guthrie’s, trying not to shed tears onto my chicken fingers!) Celaena is not even my favorite character! As the story expands, we meet new characters, including a cruel witch, a brooding Fae warrior, an ‘underdog’ wyvern, and a shape-shifting courtesan.
I know this book is not for everyone. It is touted as Young Adult and I have seen it recommended for ages 12 and up. In my opinion, it really is for an ‘older-young’ adult. There is scattered swearing, acts of intimacy (especially in the later books), and graphic depictions of gore. So be aware if you are looking for a book for a young teen. But don’t let the “Young Adult” label stop you if you are ‘of a certain age’! This is a rousing adventure that delivers on impact!
