The Assassin's Blade: The Throne of Glass Prequel Novellas

By Sarah J. Maas

'One of the best fantasy book series of the past decade' TIME

The twist of a knife. The birth of a legend.

Step into the world of the #1 bestselling Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas with this collection of prequel novellas.

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. But when Arobynn dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, Celaena finds herself acting independently of his wishes and questioning her own allegiance.

If she hopes to escape Arobynn's clutches, Celaena will have to put her faith in her wits and her blade ... knowing that if she fails, she'll lose not just a chance at freedom but her life.

A prequel to the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass, this collection of five novellas explores the history of this cunning assassin and her enthralling - and deadly - world.

Included in this volume:
The Assassin and the Pirate Lord
The Assassin and the Healer
The Assassin and the Desert
The Assassin and the Underworld
The Assassin and the Empire

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: Mar 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781408852590

Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Crescent City, Court of Thorns and Roses, and Throne of Glass series. Her books have sold millions of copies and are published in thirty-eight languages. Sarah lives with her family in New York City. sarahjmaas.com facebook.com/theworldofsarahjmaas instagram.com/sarahjmaas

Reviews for The Assassin's Blade

[ilonita50 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I love that cover is within the same artist as the rest of the books, it's same Celena.However, I found this book dragging, it was too slow and knowing the story in the next books added up to "not bothered" reading through, although it promised to discover the personality she has and adventure events that "will seal her fate". I went through half of the book and with small plot climaxes it doesn't bring it more interesting.I used to love and this is one of my still favourite book series and I would still recommend it, BUT it has to change the writing style! No more endlessly slow story with cliff endings at each book, leaving the last pages in fast moving, completely different than the rest of the story's writing.The Assassin's Blade was a huge disappointment.

[karenvg3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Although this was not my favorite of any of the series so far, it did fill in plenty of gaps and gave more insight to the entire story line. For me, I really dislike novellas due to their short and choppy ways. Just when you get into a story it's over. I have never been a fan. Still for what it's worth, I enjoyed it. 3.5 ⭐️.

[lauren2013_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Assassin's Blade
4 Stars

Series Note: This is a collection of 5 prequel novellas. While each story is standalone, it is recommended that they be read in order for the character development.

Sarah J. Maas's world building is intriguing and reading these novellas has made me even more interested in learning about Erilea and its history, particularly as it pertains to the heroine's backstory.

Celaena is an amalgamation of opposites. On the one hand, she is arrogant, insolent and self-absorbed, but on the other, she is loyal (perhaps to a fault) and obviously cares about those who are weak and helpless. With regard to her skills as an assassin, if the author had not described her as such, it would be very difficult to believe due to her tendency not only toward recklessness and impulsivity, but also her inability to follow orders, which are inconsistent with this characterization.

Despite her faults, Celaena is a compelling heroine and one cannot help rooting for her even though her prickly personality leaves much to be desired.

The secondary characters are well-fleshed out (an excellent sign as this is rare in a novella), and the hints at manipulative villains and secret agendas only whet the appetite for more.

In sum, this collection of short stories is a satisfying introduction to the Throne of Glass series and I look forward to reading more of Celaena's adventures.

[margaraawr-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Amazing. Enough said.

[laurochka-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed learning more details of Celeana's backstory. Although many of the events had been referenced in the books, this filled in the details and we got to meet Sam.

[urph818 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the Throne of glass series, so it's probably not much of a surprise that I loved these prequels to the series. Taking place during Celaena's years as an elite assassin working for her master, Arobynn, this grouping of prequels sheds a lot of light on the events molding Celaena into the woman we met in 'Throne of Glass'. It is no wonder that she avoids relationships as her story is heartbreaking!Celaena spends her time trying to run from a past that haunts her, while simultaneously trying to gain the love and approval she lost when her parents were brutally murdered. Yet, despite her desperate need to feel loved, she is uncompromising in her values and sense of morality. This is probably my favorite thing about Celaena. She stands up for what she believes is right.Way to go Sarah Maas!Jack Murphy

[bookjunkie777 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sometimes novellas don't really add to the overall series and then there are times when they do....this collection does. It provides the background to the first book and likely sets the stage for additional books. The characters are well developed and the story lines are well crafted. I really like this series!

[liindasnow97 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I will rate each story in a separate manner, because I feel as if each created different emotions within me... (I excuse myself for the constant Sam-fangirlism)>The Assassin and the Pirate Lord (4/5)Well, hello there, Sam Cortland.This story grabbed me quickly and re-introduced Celaena Sardothien as the person she was before Endovier. Here we see a Celaena that's not as touched by grief as in TOG. Plus, SAM. I mean, SAM CORTLAND.The story was interesting enough, and the action had me glued to the page.>The Assassin and the Filler. Eh, I mean, Healer (2/5)As much as I liked the first novella, this second one felt like an anime filler. You know, those episodes where there's a short, irrelevant story about a character you'll probably not care about? Well, yeah, that's this.I'm guessing Yrene's going to be important at some other point of the series, 'cause if not, this was definitely not worth it.And that's not to say I didn't like it; I just don't think it was *that* important. Yes, it shows Celaena is not a heartless person, but, really?>The Assassin and the Dessert (4/5)This one's probably my favorite. I liked the growth Celaena shows in just 100 pages, and the characters presented in this one are amazing. Don't know what else to say without giving away details (Gosh, reviewing short stories is HARD), but just know that you will want to know more about the Silent Assassins.>The Assassin and the Underworld (3.5/5)Boy, did this one made me ANGRY...In the good sense of the word, of course. I didn't like this one as much as the first or the third one, but I enjoyed watching Celaena stand for something good (as much as an assassin can, I guess). Plusssss! SAM! COURTLAND! Amiright? I was so glad to see him alive (and so mad at seeing Lysandra the same way...). The story in this one didn't grab me as well as the others, but other than that it's great.>The Assassin and the Empire (?/5)I don't know how to rate this 'cause... Well, read it. I won't spoil anything.I don't remember much of Throne of Glass (seeing as I read it about 3-4 years ago), but I do remember there being mentions of the events that happen in the novellas in this collection, and it was nice knowing what they meant, as well as the added deep of Celaena's story and personality. Overall, a nice read and a great way to start my rereading of TOG and catching up with the series

[ericanneri · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I didn't think this series could shatter my heart more than it already had, but boy was I wrong. By the end of these novellas, I was basically a puddle on the floor. All the emotions and the fierceness behind Celaena later on in the series makes sense once you read these short stories. I definitely recommend reading this, but I would read it after Heir of Fire or Crown of Midnight, just so you know the character's more. Plus you can totally freak out when characters in the future books have small appearances in the novellas. Read this book now, unless you haven't read the Throne of Glass series yet, then go start reading that first!

[mirandalg14 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I usually don't really enjoy short stories, but reading them all together like this made it more like one complete story instead of 5 short ones, and it worked great for me. It brought all of the characters together in a new way and set up Throne of Glass, which I've already read, in a great way. It was horrible in the end to read about her waiting for Sam to return and already knowing what had happened. Can't wait for book 3!

[katieheflin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sarah J Maas is just killing it! This was such a fun roller coaster ride and it left me begging for more. I wasn't quite sure what to expect because I have never read a novella but this, this was fantastic. There were 5 short stories of how Caelena got from head assassin to working in a slave camp for the king. Each story took you on a new and different adventure and we got to learn about her love for Sam, fall in love with him and then mourn for him. I was a huge fan of Chaol until I read the novellas and then I was hoping that maybe, just maybe he is still alive. My favorite was the Assassin and the Red Desert. Oh the betrayals, oh the blood lust. I hope we get to see more of that particular character in the books to come.

[acargile-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas is a series of short stories for the Throne of Glass series. They tell of Celeana's life before Throne of Glass.You can read each individual story or get the set by reading Assassin's Blade. I read them before reading book three. I usually do not care for short stories and feel financially ripped off by these "in-between" stories, but these stories are nothing like this. They show who Celeana was and how she was trained. We also meet Sam and learn what happened to him.I highly recommend reading these stories if you have read the Throne of Glass series.

[mariahsidhe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such wonderful stories. Each unique and perfect way to look into the hows and whys of Celaena Sardothein. I wish to know more about the healer, I really hope her life intersects with Celaena's once again so I may see how she has grown as a person. I reared up during the last installment. Knowing the details, even after guessing what happened, is still horrible. It's good to know that she survives her ordeal but I am saddened to know that such a bright soul is marred by so much tragedy, but it forges one into a greater person, so once my copy of Queen of Shadows arrives I shall read it knowing more of what makes one of my most favorite characters who she is with great hopes into what she shall become!

[beammey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First off I want to say this cover is gorgeous. I love this cover. That said, this was my first time jumping into the world Sarah created and I have to say that I wasn't disappointed. I figured out the big twist at the end early on, but actually reading it and seeing I was right made me angry, really, in a good way! I was angry for Celaena and what had happened to her. This is for sure worth the read and I really enjoyed this book. 4.5 out of 5 stars. I would recommend it.

[sbshepherd · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sometimes novellas don't really add to the overall series and then there are times when they do....this collection does. It provides the background to the first book and likely sets the stage for additional books. The characters are well developed and the story lines are well crafted. I really like this series!

[elizabeth1929-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

To be honest, I never intended to read this book, but after finishing Heir of Fire, and realizing I'd have to wait an eternity to read Queen Of Shadows, I thought I'd give it a shot. Plus, I just happened to see it at the library.

First off, I liked the novellas because I really got a more in depth look at characters that were not constantly present in the main series. Characters like Arobynn Hamel. Sam was also a very nice addition to the story. Since I read the Throne of Glass series first, I only remember vague mentions of Sam, with this book, I got to witness first hand what really happened to him...it was so sad. Besides that, I also got a taste of what Celaena Sardothien was like before The Salt Mines of Endovier, and all the adventures she had, and people she met.

What I didn't like was the ending. Not sure if this counts as a spoiler, but just in case, I'm going to put my next words in the spoiler thing:
Sam dies. How sad....I've already accepted it, and I don't mind it too much since I've already learned that there will be other people in the Throne of Glass series. But what I really didn't like was that Sam died without much of a spectacular ending. I hoped that before Celaena went to the Salt mines, Celaena would have had one last chance to speak with him. His spirit, anyways. But, no. There was no spirit. No reconciliation with him, and I was unsatisfied...humph

All in all, not a bad compilation of novellas, it read like a regular book, the way a regular book would.

[kassilem · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This reads more as a novel than as five separate novellas because each leads right into the next. I actually liked that because it seemed like a prequel novel all by itself which was nice to read before heading into the next and latest book in the series. I can't quite remember how Celaena learns about Arobynn's treachery in the series but at least she does. He is a nasty character who hides behind sweetness, something I can't stand. Celaena sometimes feels out of character with her occupation to me, but it is something that has been consistent throughout the whole series, and is something I have learned to just deal with to enjoy the story. But the rest is a great story. I'm glad I got to see her and Sam's relationship. That was a treat. Recommended if you've read the series. Maybe read book one and two first before coming to this prequel though.

[anyaejo · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Don't hate me! I think my expectations were just too high for this one. I had heard that this was the book where I would be convinced that Celaena is a badass for real and I just didn't see it. Celaena really bugs me to be honest; she talks A LOT about being the best and does very little to prove it. There is shockingly little assassinating in this, just one major one that I can think of, maybe two. Celaena doesn't even train for that much of the book, how can she possibly be the best when she doesn't train?? She also is getting rescued and/or tricked a lot of the time :-/. Anyway, I liked seeing more of the world, but I'm still not convinced that Celaena is anywhere near the best assassin in the country. I'll still be reading Crown of Midnight because everyone assures me that's the one where it all becomes awesome ;-). *baa baa black sheep*

[catherinehsu · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Actual Rating: 1,000,000,000,000This book is actually my favorite out of the entire Throne of Glass series - and ironically, it's a prequel and not part of the actual series.Okay, but still. This book is beautiful. B E A U T I F U L.Sadly, it's not a full length novel, but the novellas were formatted and organized very well and Sarah J. Maas was able to write something amazing, as usual.My number one reason for loving this book has to be Sam.I LOVE SAM. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. AND YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY TEARS I HAVE SHEDDED OVER THAT BOY.I know Celaena has new love interests in the other books in the series, but my OTP will always be Sam and Celaena.I am really not okay.

[stephergiggles · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Celaena Sardothien is an assassin. One of the best in Adarlan, with a long list of death credited to her name. During her sixteenth year, her master, Arobynn, King of Assassins, sends her on a mission to some remote islands under the premise of retribution with her fellow assassin, Sam. Once she discovers the true nature of her mission, however, she finds herself working against Arobynn's orders. Her betrayal leads her on a journey that makes her question her loyalties to Arobynn and the Assassin's Guild, as well as allowing her to open her heart to love and friendship.How far will Celaena go to stand up for what she believes in and what will the cost of these beliefs be?I read The Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) before reading The Assassin's Blade. I didn't do that for any particular reason besides my library didn't get The Assassin's blade until after I had already read The Throne of Glass. So I began reading this book knowing things were going to happen before they did. This, however, did not have a negative effect on my enjoying this book. As a whole, I enjoyed discovering what happened before Celaena became a prisoner in Endovier. The five separate stories present in this novel helped me to understand the character of Celaena so much more and, I might add, that it also allowed me to appreciate the person she truly is deep down. When I read Throne of Glass I was relieved that Celaena, Adarlan's Assassin, was more than just a cookie-cutter killing machine; she was a person, an eighteen year old female, to be precise, something other readers found fault with. And though I was happy to see a human being behind the swords, I wasn't able to fully gage the kind of human being she truly was. The Assassin's Blade allowed me to see more of the person she is. By the end of the book, however, I was greatly frustrated by the characters and somewhat mad at the author. This solely has to do with certain events in the book and not the writing or the flow of the story. The writing was wonderful, pulling me in and barely giving me time to fasten my seatbelt before riding the rollercoaster that this novel ended up being. I cannot wait to read Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2).I would recommend this novel to anyone who hasn't read it but has read any or all of the Throne of Glass series, as well as, anyone who loves assassin adventures, as long as they like their assassin's to be human beings. Great book.

[Parnika Aggarwal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Headstrong in the Youth.... Never a good sign... It's a good thing Hamel will rot in the pits of hell....

[Louise English · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have read this book before and enjoyed it both times.

[m_mozeleski · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well, this fills in the specifics of Celaena's story, and IT IS STILL NOT OKAY, SARAH J MAAS.

Yeah, that pile of weird red stuff splattered everywhere is MY BROKEN HEART.

[linyarai · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was perfect, I loved all of the stories and how they add so much more detail and feelings to Throne of Glass.

[completely_melanie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I decided to round this up, but my personal rating would be 3.75. I really enjoyed it though I am not certain that I would actually read this again. I do, however, look forward to continuing with the series.

[meaqhan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

These were nice. They added some depth to characters featured in the later novels, and I probably should’ve read them long before now.Celaena is SO dumb in these though, and it bothered me a lot. She made the exact same mistakes at least 5 times within the 4 stories, and it was annoying. I never really liked her character that much though, so eh. It was enjoyable despite my issues with her.

[Ann Yi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was by far one of the weaker novels .... or so i thought. Reading this novella before the Glass series is an absolute recommendation!
4 stars, because i think the book seen as itself is actually not that intriguing.
However, as part of a series, it explains a lot later on and you will definitly be glad, that you have read it!

[marolyn-14 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Many people ask if they should listen to The Assassin's Blade before Throne of Glass and I have and will always say yes, yes you should for sure. My opinion is you will lose information if you do not. I loved this book, as all the others in this series. Author has an amazing mind. Narrator is amazing and I choose books if she is Narrator, she is that good.

[Kyleigh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An emotive and inventive world with a believably flawed protagonist.

[ZeeZee OnTop · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I read Throne of Glass first and this is just awful. Seeing how arrogant and ignorant the main character is her, is a huge turn off