The Assassin’s Blade

Oct 24

Throne of Glass #0.1 - 0.5

By Sarah J. Maas

TheStory

The Assassin’s Blade is the five prequel stories about Celaena’s life before Throne of Glass all combined into one prequel book.

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord

(Story One)

Celaena and Sam head to Skull’s Bay to secure a deal between Arobynn, their assassin master, and the Pirate Lord of Skull’s Bay, Rolfe. Upon discovering that the deal is a shipment of slaves, the two decide to free the slaves instead of upholding the deal. Celaena's and Sam's relationship starts blossoming as they work together. Celaena's conscience comes into play, which is her belief that the selling of people is too far. This story sets up for the rest of the stories. Following this, Celaena and Sam are punished for ruining Arobynn’s deal.

Celaena has never shown her face to any of her clients in order to maintain anonymity. However, in the end of this story, she takes off her mask and reveals her face to Rolfe.

This particular story in the book seems slightly unrealistic given that Rolfe is now the one person in the world that can identify Celaena and she just lets him live. It seems like Rolfe might come back later in the series.

The Assassin and the Healer

(Story Two)

As punishment for disobeying Arobynn, Celaena is traveling to the Red Desert and stops at Innish, a small, backwater town along the way to rest before continuing her travels. While staying at a rundown inn, Celaena meets a young woman named Yrene. Yrene is saved by Celaena when a group of thugs try to rob and kill her.

While healing Celaena after the rescue, Yrene reveals that she was originally traveling to the southern continent to attend the Torre Cesme (the place where the best healers in the world train) when she ran out of money. Upon her departure, Celaena leaves Yrene a bag of gold and an encouraging note to fulfill her dream.

Celaena shows a softer side in this story, encouraging the dream of a stranger, when she herself is dealing with her own rough life. Yrene seems like an important character that may return in the series later on.

The Assassin and the Desert

(Story Three)

Celaena arrives at the Silent Assassin’s keep in the Red Desert after her pitstop in Innish. Here she trains with the Mute Master of the Silent Assassins, digs into her feelings about Sam a bit more, and befriends a young assassin named Ansel. During her time here, she learns humility and grows in compassion (at least a little bit), and makes friends along the way.

After a grave betrayal, the keep comes under attack. Celaena fights alongside the Silent Assassins and ultimately saves their lives - including the Mute Master and his son.

This story was very intriguing and meaningful to read. Mixed in with all the crap that Celaena has been going through up until this point, these people are a breath of fresh air. I could definitely see Ansel being a return character later on.

The Assassin and the Underworld

(Story Four)

Traipsing about on another mission of Arobynn’s, Celaena is given the opportunity to prevent more slave trading in Adarlan and across the continent. As per usual, Arobynn does not give Celaena the full information (nor the right information, actually). Upon discovering the truth, Celaena does not like what she finds. During this mission, Celaena and Sam’s relationship develops further as does her and Arobynn’s.

NOW! Can I just say that Celaena is so obtuse?! Gah! I just want to smack her upside the head. She is so overly trusting and extremely ignorant. As well as arrogant. Ugh! I just can’t with her in this story… but I guess it’s why she is currently the way she is in the series, so I get it……. I guess.

The Assassin and the Empire

(Story Five)

This is the final prequel story of The Assassin’s blade and man is it a sad note to end on. But depending on the order in which you read this prequel with the rest of the series, it’s not so surprising. Sam’s fate is sealed. Arobynn is… Arobynn. And everything is awful.

A deep betrayal occurs in Celaena’s life (can she not catch a break?!) and her entire life course alters irrevocably.

As a side note, it strikes so odd that Celaena is SO susceptible to being tricked… my goodness.

But overall, it is SUCH a good story. Given the order this one was read in the series, the ending of this one is so bitter sweet. And it essentially ends one year before ToG starts.

TheReview

This prequel was read in the “Romantic Order” - as the fourth book, after Heir of Fire and before Queen of Shadows. While it was fine, I would recommend reading it second in the series, if not first. Reading it fourth snatched me out of the (very interesting!) series storyline. It would have been nice to be more emotionally invested in some of these characters. But since I read it fourth, I knew a little too much about the characters, the stories, and their endings.

As a whole, this book gives color to the details referenced in earlier books. It’s a very in depth look into Celaena’s background and the main events that made her into who she is. You could get through the series without this book but it gives color to Celaena’s past. I would recommend reading it if you want to get the full Throne of Glass experience. But make sure to read it first or second. And it wasn’t that great of a book, to be honest. I just like having the whole story when reading a series.