It is always a delight to find a series, especially a a fantasy series, that you really enjoy! Recently, I am finding that I am getting more picky, or just not willing to commit to a fantasy series unless I really enjoy the characters or if I find the plot and world making in-cohesive. Maas is a well established fantasy writer and I tried her fantasy series about a fairy empire (A Court Thrones and Roses) but found the main character petulant and whiney and gave up part way through the first book. But my daughter recommended the Throne of Glass series and I am really glad I did!

In a land without magic, Celaena Sardothien, an assassin, is summoned from prison to the castle by the prince. The king needs a new King’s Champion and the prince is tasked with running the competition to become the Champion. Celaena must defeat twenty three competitors- warriors, thieves and murderers and if she does she will earn her freedom and have the honor of serving the king.

But when her competitors begin to die one by one under mysterious circumstances, Celaena begins to suspect that something evil has infiltrated the castle. Along with the Captain of the Guard who is her training partner and a princess from a foreign country, Celaena begins to uncover the mysterious deaths and the strange circumstances that caused the kingdom to lose its magic. As she gets closer to finding answers, she realizes that this is no longer a competition but a fight for her very survival!

The series contains the following books : The Assassin’s Blade (prequel novella), Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, Queen of Shadows, Empire of Storms, Tower of Dawn and Kingdom of Ash.  Maas has created many engaging characters who are complicated and motivated in different ways. As we follow the various characters who go on different missions to find answers to the evil that seems to taking over the land, the plot lines begin to weave back and forth as new information, new alliances, new enemies and new challenges emerge. Maas is a good writer, and her world building is very comprehensive, although there were times when I wished the war sequences could have been a bit more concise, over all I really enjoyed all of these books!

Brenda’s Rating: **** (4 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend these books to: Lauren, Marian and Sharon

Book Study Worthy? Yes

Read in ebook format.