[Originally published on my Medium page: link here]
I may or may not have a love-hate relationship with book series that holds over 3 books. Either I love the story from the first installment or I push through the first couple of books before I can actually admit that I’m obsessed or just wasted my time waiting for the epic moment that’ll convert me into a fan. I’ve heard a lot of great things about Sarah J. Maas and mostly it culminates in the thousands of TikTok’s that have praised all of her series (ACOTAR is on the “To Be Reviewed” List, while I still have to read the others). I wanted to start with Throne of Glass because it’s her earlier series and I’d like to think authors get better the more books they write. Might not want to judge this book too harshly; it is a young adult fantasy, which means a highly more subjective review.
Honestly, didn’t really like the book at first, most of the characters seemed too cliche and got an awkward vibe (which I will pass as new book jitters). I will say that the book grew on me.
Celaena Sardothien is not the typical heroine read about. She’s a trained assassin taken out of her prison sentence by the prince in order to compete with others to serve the king. That’s the plot, and it’s not half bad. In between the testing/competition, champions are mysteriously killed off and Calaena wonders what exactly is happening around her. I think the key element that made me cringe-smile was how unapologetically themselves the characters were; Dorian a playboy prince who dislikes his father, Calaena the assassin who is still very much a 17-year-old girl, and Chaol an honorable friend and solider. Prince Dorian and Captain Chaol bring forth the ever-important love triangle, which did not overpower the story — might hold off on that for the next book. I’ll say that as of now, I’m preferring Chaol over Dorian. While the main plot was to win the competition, I found the extensive amount of loose ends amusing. It started with a competition, then a murder mystery, and now we’re at a place that is not entirely safe, but better from where we started. I won’t spoil anything, but I’d love to see how every component concerning wyrdmarks and magic plays out later. As the first book to a long series, I will say it’s an okay introduction. We’ve covered the basics of what’s occurring, but Maas doesn’t give out as much information hence why I’m already ordering the 2nd book.
Read this book if the plotline interest you and you’d like to see what all the fuss is about over on BookTok, but I get the sense that the hype might be for things further along.
Rate: 3/5
Time: About 3–4 days
Book-shelf Worthy: I think I’m going to have to read the rest of them to see
Quoteworthy
My name is Celaena Sardothien. But it makes no difference if my name’s Celaena or Lillian or Bitch, because I’d still beat you, no matter what you call me.
Libraries were full of ideas — perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of all weapons
We all bear scars,… Mine just happen to be more visible than most.
♦ DARK. EXPLICIT. 18+. You’re responsible for the media you choose to consume ♦
The interrogation room you’re left in is cold and unfamiliar, the drab gray walls rousing nothing but discomfort. You feel unmoored by the silence, the emptiness of your space. It’s usually filled with Steve and Bucky, their warmth, their presence, their smiles.
Summary: You’re a particle physicist working your dream job at Stark Tower but Steve Rogers, that obnoxious bully, can’t seem to leave you alone to do your job. He’s just… always there. Watching. And you’re confused as to why.
Pairing: Dark! Steve Rogers x Scientist! Reader with social anxiety
Warnings: Dark fic, Workplace harassment and bullying, NON-CON
A/N: Another update! Guess I’m on a roll. Thanks a lot for the outpouring of support. You guys are too kind. As usual, comments and reblogs are so so appreciated.
♦ DARK. EXPLICIT. 18+. You’re responsible for the media you choose to consume ♦
Throughout the day, your nerves buzz with dread, your sanity hanging by a flimsy thread. Steve’s gaze haunts you, seeming to follow your every move. Even when you think you’re alone, Steve’s never too far behind.
Summary: You’re a particle physicist working your dream job at Stark Tower but Steve Rogers, that obnoxious bully, can’t seem to leave you alone to do your job. He’s just… always there. Watching. And you’re confused as to why.
Pairing: Dark! Steve Rogers x Scientist! Reader with social anxiety
Warnings: Dark fic, Workplace harassment and bullying, NON-CON
Rating: Explicit (for the series overall)
A/N: I’m sorry it’s been so long. I even hesitated to post cause I’m not sure anyone cares at this point. I’m gonna try to not take too long to post the next one as I want to wrap up this series this month if possible. No promise but I will try.
♦ DARK. EXPLICIT. 18+. You’re responsible for the media you choose to consume ♦
The freezing cold seeps through your skin as you fidget in front of the tent. You massage your arms and dart alarmed glances inside. It’s more spacious than you imagined. Yet, knowing who you’ll be coerced to share it with, it feels dreadfully small.
Your heart thunders in your chest and you hold your breath. Thoughts of what could go wrong already whirl in your head. This is your nightmare materializing right before you. You had one teensy request. And it was bluntly denied.
The scorch of shame digs a hole inside you as you type. There’s an alertness hovering below your fingertips, one that propels the words forth in a frantic, misspelled heap. Adrenaline keeps you wide awake. Turns out fear of imminent danger is a fairly effective psychostimulant, even more so than coffee.
The pitter-patter from the bathroom douses you in fear, each drizzle of the spray against the tile causing your pulse to rush. You can’t pinpoint how long he’s dwelled in there.
His skin has to be melting by now. It feels like an hour, maybe less. Maybe.
Your mind is so fraught with terror, your sanity unzipping at the seams, that the clock hung on the opposite side of your bedroom keeps blurring in your vision.
♦ DARK. EXPLICIT. 18+. You’re responsible for the media you choose to consume ♦
Each day blurs into a haze of ache and sorrow, dolefully indistinguishable from the next. Time becomes an abstract. It grows infinite in the cold white room. And you’re lost in this infinity of woes, mind cloistered in fright and uncertainty.
♦ DARK. EXPLICIT. 18+. You’re responsible for the media you choose to consume ♦
Sweat drips down your brow as you fan yourself with a magazine. Despite opening all the windows of the bus, the sweltering heat renders you a little dizzy. Most of the pintsized troublemakers are thankfully napping in their seats.
While you’re fond of your job as a kindergarten teacher, it’s not often you get peaceful stretches of time. So you let yourself enjoy the quiet.
“Bucky, what’s wrong?” you inquire, tilting your head quizzically from your spot down the stairs. Despite his heightened hearing, Bucky didn’t hear you, which is highly uncharacteristic. He’s always aware of your every move through the house, to a terrifying degree.
Wide, stunned ocean eyes take you in. Bucky stops mid-spin, fuzzy tail the color of the night sky still caught between inhumanly sharp teeth. It twitches in his jaw while his eyebrows raise to his hairline.
