Throne Of Glass Series - Part One

Well, Sarah J. Maas does it for me again - she has created a bad-ass female character that is both fierce and broken.

I have only gotten as far as Empire of Storms, but I absolutely love her main female character in the first few books. And just when I think I tire a bit about Celaena's journey she throws in two more female characters that again are so ferocious and conflicted and again, broken, that I am captivated with the story once more.

She starts this series concentrated on one story, one character - Celaena - and we live through her trials and triumphs and grow with her as her story progresses. We are focused on this one story until it takes a turn, and we are forced into other parts to the story, another journey - Manon Blackbeak - and I will not lie to you, I absolutely love this character. She has become my favorite character thus far. Her wavering focus from what she was raised to believe vs what she feels deep within her truly gives her character such conflict and pain. She is told to love and care for others is weakness yet deep down those feelings fight to surface. I am enthralled by her and cannot wait as her story continues.

I usually read my novels with empathizing with the female character but falling in love with the male characters. This story has me appreciating the males for their roles in these novels, but they are just pieces to the puzzle for me. Important in their own way, and essential to Celaena's journey. However, it the females that dominate this story. The women whose strength and power are driving this story forward. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I love a good kick ass female character. I love a female lead that is so strong but struggles as well, emotionally and with her decisions, because that is reality. What most men look at us as "weak" is what makes us so strong. A well written female lead shows that and Sarah J. Maas has nailed that in my eyes.

Now just as an FYI, there are some opinions about how to read this series - there is a "prequel" called The Assassin's Blade. I will tell you how I read it and what my thoughts are about it. I read Throne of Glass first and then Assassin's Blade. If you like chronological order and to read through a series without any questions, then yes, read Assassin's Blade first. If you like some mystery and to start off with some questions, then read it second or third. I enjoyed reading it second, because I was left with some important questions during Throne of Glass, but had them answered reading Assassin's Blade second. Then as I continued reading, things that were brought up in the rest of the books were like reliving memories with Celaena. Instead of having them become questions, they became, "Oh, yes I remember that. Boy that was tough," thoughts in my head. So, it really depends on how you enjoy your novels. Do you enjoy having questions come up that you will look forward to finding the answers or do you like having the answers already. I hope that helps!!

I have to take a break in this series to get to some TBR books that I really need to get to ASAP, but I cannot wait to continue with this series and let you know how I feel about the ending!!