“You could rattle the stars,” she whispered. “You could do anything, if you only dared. And deep down, you know it, too. That’s what scares you most.”

Hello! Okay, I admit it. I caved. With the current circumstances and international pandemic we are experiencing, I made a decision over the Easter Weekend. It had been coming for a while; with the release of Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood, my Maas appetite had been teased out. I first read the Throne of Glass series in early 2019 (so late to the game – I know?!) and soon after got through A Court of Thorns and Roses also. I think I got through all 10 books in about a month and a half? They were that good. I couldn’t believe I had gone so long having not discovered S. J. Maas or reading her work – however was also chuffed to bits that I had managed to wait long enough to binge all 7 books and then all 3 of ACOTAR. My confession here is this, though. I have a terrible habit of skim-reading books. I think it’s a skill I picked up throughout university and have unfortunately transferred it to my reading of books I actually enjoy!!!

From this, we hit the re-read desperation. 1 year on – I realise that I can’t remember HALF of what went down in ToG and ACOTAR because I skimmed them and read through so quickly! And so, here we are. The review series you never asked for, and hopefully never realised you wanted. Until you see what I have to say. Kicking us off – Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.

Throne of Glass

You know what? The first time I read this book – I gave it 3 stars. I have now bumped that up to 4. This is a fantastic debut novel for the Throne of Glass series. I didn’t realise it the first time, but I’m acknowledging it now.

Celeana is an absolute fiend, is she not?! Just, impeccable powerful female protagonist writing. I wish I was as forward, assertive, sassy and down-right no bullshit in character as her. Half her statements make me laugh out loud with a “Sheesh – slayed.” vibes. She is also intrinsically good, the Robin Hood of her series and utterly relatable (Not her assassin tendencies, obviously, but her emotions, relationships, desire for justification and righteousness!

Now, I’m not going to spoil this, but since I have read this series before I do know what the outcome of her relationships with Chaol and Dorian are. What this re-reading gave me was a different perspective on both characters and wanting a different outcome for them both. As Tower of Dawn (6th instalment in series) has such a frontal focus on Chaol, it was really Dorian who I saw in a different light and he is just dreamy. So sweet and I feel his story is going to be a great one. And one which, I’ll confess, I skimmed over the first time.

I think that’s the true beauty of S. J. Maas’ writing, with both Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses, she introduces so many characters in depth, with enticing story-lines and traits that are both fundamentally flawed and desirable at the same time. As such, I want to read this story, and every other, over and over again to focus and hone in on different characters and portrayals.

So excited to read the next one again. Crown of Midnight coming up!