The Assassin’s Blade is a series of five novellas about Celaena Sardothien’s past missions before Throne of Glass. The novellas featured are called The Assassin and the Pirate Lord, The Assassin and the Healer, The Assassin and the Desert, The Assassin and the Underworld and The Assassin and the Empire.

My first thoughts going into this book was the reading order. It is wildly know that there are several different reading order you can do to have a specific reading experience. I however chose to read the novellas first because I want to know about the characters, I don’t want to have to have holes that I have to wait to find out and the real answer is that I would rather not have to go back in time. I think starting this first was great because I got to know the main character, Celaena, and important players in the beginning. I also did get an emotional attachment to her also.

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord

This story in my opinion was a way to start the novellas. Celaena explains who she is and what part she plays as Arobynns deadliest assassin. You meet Arobynn himself and Sam Cortland.

To be honest Sam was really unlikeable and quite frankly annoying. I felt like he was a rival to Celaena and would do anything to be in her spot. Throughout the story I figured out that maybe he was just playing a role.

In the beginning I felt that the story was slow and a little hard to get into but it was still interesting and held my attention the more I read.

The Assassin and the Healer

This story was quite boring. It follows the events following the Pirate Lord. Celaena is traveling to the Red desert in order to do a punishment following the events of the last novella.

Celaena meets Yrene and learns that they have more in common than she thinks. A different side of Celaena is shown in this story. She teaches Irene how to defend herself and gives her some money to free herself. She really didn’t know why she was doing it but she knows she does the right thing.

The Assassin and the Desert

Celaena has finally reached the Red Desert. Her main objective is to train with the Mute Master and bring back a letter saying that she has learned to be humble.

She quickly becomes friends with Ansel who teaches her how to have a little fun. While out on an adventure Ansel and Celaena get to know each other and confide in one another. Celaena thinks that she has made a true friend.

In the end of the story Celaena finds out that everything has a cost. She knows that she made her first friend and that you have to make sacrifices for the greater good.

The Assassin and the Underworld

This story if by far the most emotional. Our main character is greeted by Sam again and realizes that she does have feeling for him.

Throughout the story she feels jealousy and knows that there is a part of her that can love even if she hasn’t felt it since she was a child. This is the biggest character development that there is throughout the novellas.

To be honest, I cried my eyes out for hours when the final event happened.

The Assassin and the Empire

This is the final novella and it is exactly how Celaena ended up imprisoned, which if you read Throne of Glass first you know she was in the Salt Mines.

This novella is important because you get to know how she became captured and you start to get hints of who was a part of putting her in that predicament.

THOUGHTS

Overall, I am glad I started with this book in my first Throne of Glass read through. I loved that I got the facts before I started Throne of Glass and I know about the main characters and what made her who she is.

There are still somethings that need to be answered but I am sure that will come out through the rest of the series.

I have started Throne of Glass and know that if you start with this first you won’t be confused about what is going on. They do mention some of the things that happened during the novellas almost immediately.

If you guys decide to read this in a different order it really doesn’t matter. Do whatever you are comfortable with and will give you the best reading experience!

Hopefully, my first review is alright and I am looking forward to some constructive criticism. I will be back with you guys after I finish my next read!

HAPPY READING!!