Where to Buy
Buy on Bookshop.org →Supports independent bookstores. Affiliate link — I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Quick Overview
Throne of Glass
This is exactly the kind of fantasy I love recommending.
Spoiler-Free Summary
Celaena Sardothien is the kingdom's most infamous assassin—but after a year in a brutal labor camp, she's offered an impossible bargain: compete against the empire's deadliest criminals in a tournament to become the king's champion, and earn her freedom after four years of service.
As competitors begin dying under mysterious circumstances, Celaena realizes there's something far more dangerous lurking inside the glass castle than the tournament itself.
My Thoughts
Despite its reputation as romantasy, Throne of Glass starts as a murder mystery wrapped inside a fantasy competition. The romance is present, but it supports the story rather than driving it. What kept me reading was the mystery, the political intrigue, and trying to figure out what was really happening inside the castle.
Celaena is also one of my favorite protagonists because she's confident, capable, and genuinely fun to follow. She's flawed without being frustrating, and watching her slowly reveal different sides of herself made me even more invested in the story.
The ending completely changed my expectations for the rest of the series and made me want to pick up the next book immediately.
What I Loved
- ⚔️ Tournament-style competition.
- 🔍 Strong mystery woven through the plot.
- 👑 Political intrigue.
- 🗡️ A confident, memorable main character.
- 📚 Romance stays in the background.
- 👏 Fantastic setup for the rest of the series.
What Didn't Quite Work for Me
The first book is much smaller in scope than the rest of the series. If you're expecting epic battles and world-spanning stakes right away, it takes some time to get there.
Read This If You Like
- Fantasy mysteries
- Strong female protagonists
- Competition stories
- Political intrigue
- Slow-burn fantasy series
- Plot-first fantasy