I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve devoured 'Throne of Glass' and its companion stories, so let me dive into this. 'The Assassin’s Blade' is absolutely a prequel to 'Throne of Glass', and it’s one of those rare collections that adds so much depth to the main series. It’s a compilation of novellas that explore Celaena Sardothien’s life before the events of 'Throne of Glass', giving readers a raw, unfiltered look at her brutal training as an assassin and the emotional scars she carries. The stories aren’t just background noise—they’re essential for understanding her hardened exterior and the vulnerabilities she hides later. If you’ve ever wondered why she’s so fiercely independent or how she earned her reputation, this book spills all the bloody details.
The beauty of 'The Assassin’s Blade' lies in how it humanizes Celaena. We see her make mistakes, fall in love, and suffer betrayals that shape her into the razor-edged woman we meet in 'Throne of Glass'. The novellas also introduce key characters like Sam Cortland, whose relationship with Celaena ripples through the main series. Reading it after 'Throne of Glass' feels like uncovering secrets—you’ll catch references and nods that suddenly click. But honestly, I recommend reading it first. It’s like watching a storm build on the horizon; you know the lightning is coming, and when it finally strikes in 'Throne of Glass', the impact is electrifying. The pacing is relentless, the emotional stakes are sky-high, and it’s impossible not to root for Celaena even when she’s at her most ruthless. This isn’t just a prequel; it’s the heart of her story.
Some fans debate the best reading order, but for me, 'The Assassin’s Blade' is non-negotiable. It’s where Celaena’s defiance, her love of music, and her lethal precision all make sense. You’ll see her in Adarlan’s underworld, taking jobs that blur the line between survival and morality, and it’s impossible not to admire her resilience. The book also sets up the political tensions that explode later—like her feud with Arobynn Hamel, which is pure fire. If 'Throne of Glass' is the crescendo, 'The Assassin’s Blade' is the symphony tuning up. Missing it would be like skipping the first act of a play; you’d still follow the plot, but the emotional weight just wouldn’t land the same way.
2025-07-04 14:03:15
7
View All Answers
Scan code to download App
Related Books
Assassin of Alpha Academy
Allisonslau1986
10
2.1K
“Tell me you hate me,” Cassian whispered, his mouth close enough to make my body betray every thought in my head.
I should have shoved the dagger into his heart.
That was what I had been trained for.
That was why Aurelia sent me to Alpha Academy.
But Kael’s hand was on my waist, cold and possessive, his golden eyes burning into mine like he already knew every lie I carried beneath my skin.
“You were sent here for a reason, little human,” Kael said. “The question is… was it to kill us, or belong to us?”
⸻
Lyra was raised in Aurelia, the last human stronghold, where werewolves were enemies and mercy got people killed.
Her mission was simple: enter Alpha Academy, get close to the powerful werewolf heirs, and kill them before they inherited the packs threatening her people.
Rowan, her best friend and the only person who truly knows her, is the one thing keeping her tied to the life she came from.
But the Blood Moon Marking changes everything.
Lyra is dragged into the ritual and bound to the very heirs she was sent to destroy.
Kael, the cold Snow Pack heir, sees through every lie.
Cassian, the dangerous Arrow Pack heir, tempts her toward every wrong choice.
And Rowan refuses to let the wolves take the girl who was his before fate sank its claws into her.
Now Lyra is trapped between duty, desire, loyalty, and a bond that should never have existed.
If she chooses her mission, she may have to destroy the men fate tied her to.
If she chooses the bond, she may betray the only home she has ever known.
And when her truth comes out, will they protect her…
Or turn on the assassin sent to end them?
**** BOOK 1 OF THE ASSASSIN SERIES****
Selene never wanted a mate, even her wolf agreed that her destiny lay with the assassin's guild. Her work was blessed by the Goddess. Sent by the King to eliminate a threat to the kingdom, the haze drives her to make a fatal mistake. Her target is none other than her fated mate.
Alpha Lucas had turned down the King's proposal to wed his daughter. The king was after his land, but Lucas just wanted a true mate. He found her in the darkness, her intent clear before the haze took them and forced the mate bond into completion, but can she overcome the lies whispered by her King and give in to the bond, or will her obsession with duty end them both?
To kill is to live.
Elena has been living by that principle since she was fifteen, when she was disowned by her parents for the sole reason that she was not a son who could continue their family's legacy. The night she was thrown out, she was chased by a pack of wild hybrid dogs down the woods, and almost died if not for the help of Henry. He brought her to the House of Spades, an infamous guild of the most priced assassins. Even after knowing what place she was into, Elena accepted the offer to be an assassin. She wants to prove to everyone, especially to her parents that as a female, she can be a strong and skilled fighter that could equal a man. Blood flowed from her hands the moment she learned how to use sword.
Now that she's nineteen, she's ought to do the biggest mission she ever had: To kill the Raven Pack's Alpha. She had everything planned for the big night. She will kill the Alpha at night of the pack's celebration when everyone is most likely distracted. However, when she went to the Alpha's chamber that night to slaughter him, she was surprised when the Alpha was anticipating her arrival, calmly sitting on the bed, eyes gold and blazing.
Elena didn't want love in her life, let alone love. That's why when she wasn't able to resist him on that one night, she's willing to move mountains just to avoid him. They met in the city again, but this time she was filled when regrets when Rage died in front of her. A hundred years later, they were reincarnated as normal people in human world and had completely forgotten about their past life. Will they have their happy ending this time?
Born of Ash and Night
She was never meant to exist.
Born of wolf and vampire, hidden in ash and blood, she should have died with her parents. Instead, she survived—and grew into something the world doesn’t know how to control.
Two princes stand in her path.
One bound to her by fate she never chose.
One tied to her by a bond that burns hotter the closer they get.
As kingdoms fracture and old gods stir, she must decide what she’s willing to burn to claim her future.
Because this time, she won’t kneel.
Not to fate.
Not to crowns.
Not to the night itself.
Cassana has only wanted two things: to be a wizard and to get away from her small village. However, certain circumstances have been holding her back. Now it seems like she's going to be stuck in her hometown forever, but she is not quite ready to give up on her dreams yet.
Minos is not a difficult man to like, charming, eloquent and brash, he has all the makings of a swashbuckling adventurer. So when the mysterious Prince of Zephyrus called for an expedition to find the missing Sword of the Godslayer, the only weapon known to have killed a god, Minos was the first one to step up to the task.
Cassana and Minos met under stressful conditions, and it's made evidently clear that they don't like each other. But if they both want to achieve their goals, then they have no other choice but to put aside their differences and learn how to work together.
Once, Seraphina Ardentia was the promised queen of the Valorian Kingdom, beloved fiancée to the crown prince and heir to a legacy of light.
Then came betrayal.
Her sister stole her crown.
Her fiancé condemned her name.
Her family left her to die when the monsters came.
But the gods were watching.
And one, the forgotten Goddess of Balance, offered her something far crueler than mercy:
“Rise, child of ruin. Devour what wronged you.”
Now reborn with silver hair and a mark that whispers of fate, Seraphina hides behind a false name and begins to rebuild her power, one lie, one thread, one death at a time.
The friendship dynamics in the prequels with the other assassins also pay off way later. When certain characters reappear in 'Tower of Dawn' and 'Kingdom of Ash,' if you’ve read the prequels, it’s a reunion. If you haven’t, it’s just another new ally. The emotional weight is completely different. For maximum payoff in the final books, you need that backstory.
Reading 'The Assassin’s Blade' feels like unlocking a treasure chest of backstory for Celaena Sardothien. It’s a collection of five novellas that dive deep into her life before the events of 'Throne of Glass'. Chronologically, it sits first in the series, even though it was published after the first few books. The stories follow Celaena’s time as Adarlan’s most feared assassin, her complex relationship with Arobynn Hamel, and the events that lead to her imprisonment in Endovier.
If you’re new to the series, I’d honestly recommend starting here—it gives so much emotional weight to her journey later on. The betrayal, the friendships, and even the seeds of future romances are all tucked into these pages. Plus, seeing how ruthless and vulnerable she is makes her growth in the main series even more satisfying.
I absolutely adore books that mix romance with high-stakes action, especially when assassins are involved. 'Throne of Glass' is one of my favorites, and if you're looking for something similar, 'Grave Mercy' by Robin LaFevers is a fantastic choice. It follows a young woman trained as an assassin in a medieval setting, with a slow-burn romance that feels earned. The political intrigue and deadly missions keep the tension high, while the romance adds depth. Another great pick is 'Daughter of the Pirate King' by Tricia Levenseller, which has a fierce female lead and a enemies-to-lovers dynamic that’s incredibly satisfying. These books deliver the perfect blend of danger and heart.
'Throne of Glass' holds a special place in my heart. It's not just the first book in the series but the gateway to an epic world crafted by Sarah J. Maas. The story follows Celaena Sardothien, a badass assassin with a sharp tongue and even sharper skills. The way Maas builds her world from the first page is incredible, blending action, intrigue, and a dash of romance. If you're new to the series, starting with 'Throne of Glass' is a must. It sets the stage for everything that comes next, and trust me, once you start, you won't want to stop.