Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas Novella Reviews

So, there are FOUR novellas that have been released prior to the release of Throne of Glass. Instead of doing a review for each one separately, I decided to mash them all together in one post! I've never done this before but I've also never seen this many amazing novellas released all around the same time!

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord by Sarah J. Maas
(Throne of Glass, #.1)
Release Date: January 13, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury; 63 pages

On a remote island in a tropical sea, Celaena Sardothien, feared assassin, has come for retribution. She’s been sent by the Assassin’s Guild to collect on a debt they are owed by the Lord of the Pirates. But when Celaena learns that the agreed payment is not in money, but in slaves, her mission suddenly changes—and she will risk everything to right the wrong she’s been sent to bring about.

I read Throne of Glass before diving in to these novellas and I'm glad I had. I already knew what would come out of these novellas but I knew I had to read them anyway. I wanted to know more about Sam and Celaena and more importantly, I just needed more of Celaena. This girl is so kickass it hurts.

In this novella, you get to see how much of a heart Celaena has, even though she is one of the best assassins ever. She still has feelings and still knows the difference between right and wrong. This is also when we get to see her feelings toward Sam change. I couldn't help but root for her to understand them more, let your heart love.

She is extremely skilled and incredibly intelligent. A deadly combination. This is one girl you do not want to mess with or get on her bad side.

The Assassin and the Desert by Sarah J. Maas

(Throne of Glass, #.2)
Release Date: March 30, 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's; 86 pages

The Silent Assassins of the Red Desert aren’t much for conversation, and Celaena Sardothien wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s not there to chatter, she’s there to hone her craft as the world’s most feared killer for hire. When the quiet is shattered by forces who want to destroy the Silent Assassins, Celaena must find a way to stop them, or she’ll be lucky to leave the desert alive.

She's sent away after betraying the King of Assassins by reuining his deal with the Pirate Lord. She was beaten then forced to join the silent assassins in the red desert. She's miserable and slightly broken. She has a month to get a letter of approval but there's so much more going on here than she was expecting.

She found her first best friend. She's never known what having a friend meant but she's so grateful to have found someone now. There is a boy who shows interest in her but her heart isn't in it because all she can keep thinking about is the boy back home. The boy who had to watch her get beaten to pulp. Sam.

She is betrayed and forced to choose saving herself or saving the silent assassins.

I really didn't know if I'd like this one or not because there was no Sam. (Yes, I'm a sucker for the romance, sue me) I am surprised to say I really loved this without him in it because it's when she realized how she truly felt about him. What's that saying, distance makes the heart grow fonder or something? Totally true. Once she realized how she felt I couldn't wait for her to get back home and see what happened. Again, another surprise, I wasn't actually all that eager for her to leave. Looking back at these novellas, I think this may just be my favorite one.

The Assassin and the Underworld by Sarah J. Maas
(Throne of Glass, #.3)
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's; 92 pages

When the King of the Assassins gives Celaena Sardothien a special assignment that will help fight slavery in the kingdom, she jumps at the chance to strike a blow against an evil practice. The misson is a dark and deadly affair which takes Celaena from the rooftops of the city to the bottom of the sewer—and she doesn’t like what she finds there.

This novella was filled with so many emotions, not just for Celaena but for the reader as well. She is given a mission with hardly any details at all. She has to trust the King of Assassins and takes on this mission knowing this will be her last with him. She's about to buy her freedom.

This mission turns out to be extremely dangerous. She nearly loses her life at one point but of course, her knight in shining armor appears. I was never more relieved than I was at that moment to see Sam come to her rescue. I mean, obviously she wasn't going to die since I had read Throne of Glass but still, it was scary. (Don't judge me lol)

Speaking of Sam. There's a lot of back and forth between the two of them throughout this novella. Her jealousy is quite apparent and I was shocked. She never, ever came off as the jealous type to me, so it was a nice surprise. The jealousy was totally worth the end result, though ;)

*highlight to view spoiler* Oh, and did I mention there's a masquerade ball? No? Well there is. Did I also mention that a certain Prince and his right hand man make an appearance? No. Well, they do and let me tell you - I was literally squealing when I read this. Literally. I kid you not. *end spoiler*

The Assassin and the Empire by Sarah J. Maas
(Throne of Glass, #.4)
Release Date: July 20, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children; 96 pages

Celaena Sardothien is the assassin with everything: a place to call her own, the love of handsome Sam, and, best of all, freedom. Yet, she won’t be truly free until she is far away from her old master, Arobynn Hamel; Celaena must take one last daring assignment that will liberate her forever. But having it all, means you have a lot to lose . . .

Heartbreaking. There are no other words to describe this novella than that. I knew what was coming, I knew it was going to be hard as hell to read and yet, I read it. I love to torture myself. It really sucks. You go into a book (or in this case, a novella) knowing what the outcome is going to be, thinking that'll numb the pain but it doesn't hurt any less.

I've grown quite attached to Sam. He's nothing like the Crown Prince or Chaol but he's something fantastic. He's perfect for Celaena because not only is he a good guy but he comes from the same upbringing as she, seeing as they're both assassins.

*highlight to view spoiler* To find out, in detail, how Sam died is disturbing and painfully depressing. To find out who betrayed Celaena is even worse. To the point where I want to make sure he suffers far worse than anyone has ever suffered before. I surely hope she gets the revenge she deserves. Not just for herself but for Sam as well. *end spoiler*

Now I want to read Throne of Glass all over again. I just read the first chapter, since it was at the end of this novella and I didn't want it to stop. Which is quite sad seeing as I've already read the book. That just shows you how good it truly is.