Many readers regard author Sarah J. Maas as one of the best fantasy (or “romantasy”: fantasy with a heavy focus on a romantic subplot) authors publishing today. Throne of Glass, her most famous series besides the adult Beauty and the Beast retelling A Court of Thorns and Roses, is an eight-book fantasy series set in a world where the ruthless king has banned magic and is conquering nearby nations at an alarming rate.
The first installment, Throne of Glass, follows eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien, whom the Crown Prince Dorian removes from prison to fight in a competition to become the King’s Champion. Although Celaena wants nothing to do with the evil king, she tries to win the competition nonetheless, because after serving as the King’s Champion for four years, he will grant her freedom for the rest of her life. A series of mysterious murders that result in the gruesome deaths of many of her competitors, however, complicates her goal. The novel’s intriguing plot and endearing characters explain Throne of Glass’ beloved status among readers.
One of the novel’s best characteristics is its ability to not only capture but maintain the reader’s attention throughout. Maas’ use of short chapters speeds the book’s pace along, keeping the reader feeling that they are making progress through the novel. All the scenes included either contribute to the plot or the development of a relationship, which further ensures that the reader does not get bored while reading. Although the mystery of the murders of the other contestants is a bit predictable, Maas’ ability to communicate the high stakes of this plot point and the competition as a whole maintains the tension of the novel regardless.
Maas also succeeds at creating believable and endearing characters. Many of them are multi-dimensional: Celaena, for example, is often a fierce competitor, but in other situations, she acts more like an eighteen-year-old; she enjoys reading, playing games, and teasing those around her. Showing her humanity allows the reader to connect to her more and thus root for her success as a protagonist.
Where the protagonists are portrayed as multi-dimensional, however, many of the antagonists are not. At least in the first book, the villains are very black-and-white, which strips the novel of further possible complexity. Additionally, some of the developments in the relationships and the characters’ motivations for liking each other seem forced or rushed, especially when it came to Celaena quickly befriending the Captain of the Guard and the Crown Prince, who she grew up hating. The reader can still enjoy these relationships, however, once they are established, and is curious by the end of the novel where they will continue to develop to as the series progresses, so this flaw is not one that greatly impacts the reader’s potential enjoyment of the novel or series.
Throne of Glass evidently deserves the hype that the book community has given it. Despite its few minor flaws, the novel’s gripping plot and likable characters make it a strong start to the series. The engrossing story continues for seven more books, including a prequel about Celaena’s time as an assassin. If you’re looking for a fantasy to take you to a world away from your studies this semester, Throne of Glass might be the perfect book for you.