The Assassin’s Blade Review 🧚🏼♀️
✨ Book Review ✨
The Assassin’s Blade by SJM
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Celaena Sardothien is her kingdom’s most feared assassin. Though she works for the powerful Assassin’s Guild and its scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, she yields to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam.
At first I just wanted to get this over with to jump into the rest of the series but now I see why this is so necessary to read. It really shapes who Celaena into the bad ass she is in the series. We get a behind the scene look at the story before she gets locked away and for that I appreciate it so much! Now time to dive into Heir of Fire.
“My name is Celaena Sardothien,” she whispered, “and I will not be afraid”
QOTD: What is a series you’re working through or plan on getting to this year?
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Okay, so I just finished The Assassin's Blade and I seriously wish I hadn't put it off for so long! Like many of you, I initially thought, 'Do I really need to read these novellas?' But trust me, after turning the final page, I can confidently say that understanding Celaena's journey truly begins here. It's not just extra content; it's the very foundation of her character. One of the biggest takeaways for me was the incredible depth given to Celaena's relationship with Sam. Before this, I only knew Sam from mentions in Throne of Glass, but experiencing their dynamic firsthand? It's heartbreakingly beautiful and so pivotal. The queries about 'Sam Assassin's Blade' and 'Celaena and Sam' are absolutely on point – their bond is the emotional core of this prequel. You see her vulnerability, her loyalty, and the devastating consequences that shape her into the formidable assassin we meet later. And yes, for those wondering about that gut-wrenching question, 'does Sam die in Assassin's Blade,' the emotional weight of their story is exactly what makes Celaena's subsequent struggles so impactful. It's a journey you need to witness to truly appreciate her resilience. Beyond Sam, we get introduced to other crucial players like the manipulative Arobynn Hamel, the master of the Assassin's Guild, whose influence over Celaena is undeniable and complex. And I was so intrigued to meet Lysandra in these pages, seeing her origins and how she connects to Celaena's world long before her prominent role in later books. These stories truly flesh out the 'assassin's blade characters' and their intertwined destinies. Each of the five novellas in The Assassin's Blade felt like a punch to the gut in the best way possible. They're short but pack such an emotional wallop, detailing Celaena's missions and her growing disillusionment. While some might ask 'how many pages in Assassin's Blade,' don't let the shorter length fool you; the narrative impact is immense. It's not just about action; it’s about her moral compass, her friendships, and the betrayals that define her. Visually, the 'dark forest cover with a deer silhouette' (which I noticed on my copy, it’s so evocative!) perfectly captures the mysterious and dangerous world Celaena inhabits. Seeing it on my shelf next to Heir of Fire, Queen of Shadows, and Tower of Dawn really makes you appreciate how The Assassin's Blade perfectly primes you for the political machinations and epic battles to come in the main Throne of Glass series. It's the essential missing piece, providing context for her rage, her fear, and her unwavering spirit. If you're planning to dive into the Throne of Glass series or are already a fan, please, please don't skip this one. It makes everything else so much richer.