Book Series Review - Throne of Glass
Hey, all!
So, I listened to a series of audiobooks recently—the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. And I have to say that I have mixed feelings about it. Let me explain.
The story focuses around Celaena Sardothien (I had to look up the spelling, since you can't see it in audio...), who is basically the best assassin in the world. When you read about her in action, it's easy to see why. But when she's called in from the slave mines for a tournament put on by the king, things get crazy for her. That's all I'll say.
Overall, I like her character. For most of the series. But toward the end, I really start having problems.
*BEGIN SPOILERS. IF YOU WANT TO SKIP, PLEASE DO*
As the series progresses, it feels like the story loses focus. Romance comes into the story, and it seems like she's taken in by every hot guy that comes by. The result being that she sleeps with most of them, and I started feeling like she was a slut.
One thing I thought was funny, though—and this isn't a bad thing was what I like to call "fashion porn." I'm pretty sure Ms. Maas is really into fashion, since pretty much every outfit Celaena has is described in the most minute detail. Whether that means Ms. Maas is a cosplayer or just really into dresses and that kind of thing, I don't know. But I think it's a fun quirk of the character. However, I don't know that the quirk is enough to make me overlook the other aspect of her being what I feel is a stand-in for romantic fantasies.
On the other hand, you can tell that Celaena has more going on in her head than sex. She is a complex character, and I can't take that away. There are several aspects throughout the series where I really had to step back and admire the things she was doing, whether it was social, political or professional.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that the characterization throughout progresses from a level-headed, ruthless assassin, to a gooey-eyed sex fanatic who hops into bed (sometimes graphically) with a couple different men. If I wanted to read porn, I'd read a bodice-ripper.
*END SPOILERS*
The world building is solid. I totally believe everything that happens within it, and I think the magic aspect is well-done. Perhaps not as good as some, but the ones I have in mind are... well, Sanderson, mostly.
I like that there are kingdoms throughout the world and other places that are referenced that we don't see, since it feels like we're just seeing a part of the large world. In that way, it feels like Song of Ice and Fire, since we just get a small slice of the big pie.
So, in all—and remember this is my OPINION—the character flaws and shifting focus of the story wound up ruining the series for me. I couldn't finish it. That's not to say they were bad, per se, but it just got to the point that I felt the books had deviated from developing her character a certain way, and only took one aspect of her and focused heavily on that.
Pros
Strong character
Great worldbuilding
Deep plotting
Cons
Character becomes two-dimensional
Two-dimensionality begins overshadowing plot
That said, I'd give the Throne of Glass series a 2/5. Not bad, but not something I would care to go back and read again.
Thanks for wreading!
Jeff
So, I listened to a series of audiobooks recently—the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. And I have to say that I have mixed feelings about it. Let me explain.
The story focuses around Celaena Sardothien (I had to look up the spelling, since you can't see it in audio...), who is basically the best assassin in the world. When you read about her in action, it's easy to see why. But when she's called in from the slave mines for a tournament put on by the king, things get crazy for her. That's all I'll say.
Overall, I like her character. For most of the series. But toward the end, I really start having problems.
*BEGIN SPOILERS. IF YOU WANT TO SKIP, PLEASE DO*
As the series progresses, it feels like the story loses focus. Romance comes into the story, and it seems like she's taken in by every hot guy that comes by. The result being that she sleeps with most of them, and I started feeling like she was a slut.
One thing I thought was funny, though—and this isn't a bad thing was what I like to call "fashion porn." I'm pretty sure Ms. Maas is really into fashion, since pretty much every outfit Celaena has is described in the most minute detail. Whether that means Ms. Maas is a cosplayer or just really into dresses and that kind of thing, I don't know. But I think it's a fun quirk of the character. However, I don't know that the quirk is enough to make me overlook the other aspect of her being what I feel is a stand-in for romantic fantasies.
On the other hand, you can tell that Celaena has more going on in her head than sex. She is a complex character, and I can't take that away. There are several aspects throughout the series where I really had to step back and admire the things she was doing, whether it was social, political or professional.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that the characterization throughout progresses from a level-headed, ruthless assassin, to a gooey-eyed sex fanatic who hops into bed (sometimes graphically) with a couple different men. If I wanted to read porn, I'd read a bodice-ripper.
*END SPOILERS*
The world building is solid. I totally believe everything that happens within it, and I think the magic aspect is well-done. Perhaps not as good as some, but the ones I have in mind are... well, Sanderson, mostly.
I like that there are kingdoms throughout the world and other places that are referenced that we don't see, since it feels like we're just seeing a part of the large world. In that way, it feels like Song of Ice and Fire, since we just get a small slice of the big pie.
So, in all—and remember this is my OPINION—the character flaws and shifting focus of the story wound up ruining the series for me. I couldn't finish it. That's not to say they were bad, per se, but it just got to the point that I felt the books had deviated from developing her character a certain way, and only took one aspect of her and focused heavily on that.
Pros
Strong character
Great worldbuilding
Deep plotting
Cons
Character becomes two-dimensional
Two-dimensionality begins overshadowing plot
That said, I'd give the Throne of Glass series a 2/5. Not bad, but not something I would care to go back and read again.
Thanks for wreading!
Jeff
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