BOOK REVIEW OF
Throne of Glass
Throne of Glass Series (Book 1)
Sarah J. Maas
Reviewed by Ella Law
Published January 6, 2026
Table of Contents
Content Rating
CSR Rating: 🟡 CSR-3 (Teen & YA – Contains Mature Themes)
Content Warnings: 🩸 Violence/Torture, ⚰️ Death & Grief, 🔪 Gore, 💊 Poisoning/Drugging
This book includes moderate to heavy violence and dark themes, though it avoids the explicit sexual content of a CSR-4. The protagonist, an assassin, engages in multiple duels involving swords and staves, resulting in broken bones and bloodshed. There are graphic descriptions of murder victims found with their “innards scooped out,” faces ripped off, and brains missing. Additionally, the narrative references the brutal slavery conditions in the Salt Mines of Endovier, including specific details of whipping scars on the protagonist’s back. The climax involves the protagonist being forcibly drugged with bloodbane during a duel, leading to hallucinations and physical trauma.
📖 Introduction & Why This Book Matters
Throne of Glass is a high-stakes fantasy that juxtaposes the glittering, artificial beauty of a glass castle with the rotting, dark magic lurking within its walls. The story is not just about a competition to find an assassin; it is a character study of a girl who has endured the worst of humanity yet refuses to be broken.
The book explores the concept of identity in a world that demands you wear a mask. The protagonist, Celaena Sardothien, must hide her true nature as Adarlan’s most notorious assassin behind the guise of “Lillian Gordaina,” a vapid jewel thief. Yet, despite her lethal reputation, she is a lover of books, music, and sweets, challenging the archetype of the soulless killer. The narrative matters because it asks a fundamental question: Can you serve a monster without becoming one? It weaves a tale of survival where the cost of freedom is servitude to a tyrant, and where the most dangerous enemies are not the warriors in the ring, but the shadows in the hallways.
✍️ Plot Summary
After enduring a year of brutal slavery in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien is offered a deal by the Crown Prince of Adarlan, Dorian Havilliard. He offers her a chance at freedom, but only if she acts as his Champion in a competition to find an assassin for his father, the King. If she defeats twenty-three other thieves, assassins, and warriors in a series of grueling tests, she will serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. If she loses, she returns to the mines to die.
Under the watchful eye of Captain Chaol Westfall, Celaena must train to regain her strength while concealing her true identity. But the glass castle holds deadly secrets. As the competition progresses, competitors are found brutally butchered, their bodies ravaged by a force that seems less than human.
Celaena soon realizes she is fighting for more than just a title. With the help of the foreign Princess Nehemia and the watchful eyes of the Crown Prince, she must uncover the dark forces lurking in the castle’s shadows before she becomes the next victim. To win her future, she may have to confront a past she has tried desperately to forget.
💡 Key Takeaways & Insights
The Duality of the Assassin Celaena subverts the expectation of a weaponized protagonist. While she is capable of ending a man’s life in seconds—evidenced by her history in Endovier—she is also defined by her capacity for beauty. She plays the pianoforte with soul-wrenching emotion, turning her grief for her lost lover, Sam, into music. She devours books in the library and revels in the luxury of fine dresses and chocolates. This duality suggests that survival is not just about physical endurance, but about retaining one’s humanity. Even after the brutality of the mines, she retains the ability to laugh and to desire, proving that her spirit was not broken by her enslavement.
The Facade of Power vs. True Strength The competition highlights the difference between perceived power and actual strength. Cain, the primary antagonist in the ring, relies on stolen strength summoned through dark Wyrdmarks and the consumption of other Champions to bolster his power. In contrast, Celaena’s strength comes from her own resilience and the alliances she builds. When she is drugged and beaten during the final duel, it is not brute force that saves her, but the intervention of her friend Nehemia and the spirit of Queen Elena. The narrative posits that true power is not taken; it is shared and supported by loyalty.
The Persistence of the Past The King of Adarlan has outlawed magic and attempted to erase the history of the Fae and the old world. However, the book demonstrates that the past cannot be simply legislated away. The Wyrdmarks remain etched in the castle stones, the library holds ancient books on dark rituals, and the tomb of the first King and Queen lies hidden beneath the castle, holding the legendary sword Damaris. Celaena herself is a remnant of the conquered kingdom of Terrasen. The story suggests that history and magic are resilient forces that will eventually rise to challenge those who try to suppress them.
Grief is a Form of Love Throughout the novel, grief acts as a motivating force rather than a debilitating one. Celaena’s memories of Sam, her parents, and the atrocities she witnessed in Endovier fuel her determination to survive. Similarly, Nehemia’s grief for the five hundred massacred Eyllwe rebels transforms into a cold, hard resolve to protect her people, even if it means spying within the enemy’s castle. The characters demonstrate that grief is the price of love, and honoring the dead means fighting for the living.
🤯 The Most Interesting or Unexpected Part
The most unexpected twist occurs when the unassuming Princess Nehemia reveals the depth of her power and knowledge. For months, Nehemia pretends to struggle with the common tongue, allowing others to underestimate her while she secretly gathers intelligence. Even more shocking is the revelation that she has been using Wyrdmarks, a form of forbidden magic, to protect Celaena from the dark forces Cain unleashed. When Celaena is attacked by the ridderak (a demon summoned by Cain) and bitten, it is Nehemia who heals her with glowing Wyrdmarks, revealing that she is not just a diplomat, but a wielder of ancient, dangerous power who has been fighting a secret war in the shadows.
🏛️ How This Book Applies to Real Life
Throne of Glass uses the lens of fantasy to explore the very real psychological toll of trauma and the fight for autonomy. Celaena’s struggle is not just against physical opponents, but against the dehumanization she suffered in Endovier. The book illustrates that recovery is nonlinear; strength can coexist with vulnerability.
Who should read Throne of Glass?
Fans of High Stakes Competitions: Readers who enjoyed Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn.
Mystery Lovers: The subplot involving the murdered Champions and the investigation into the “locked room” style mysteries adds a layer of suspense.
Political Intrigue Enthusiasts: The tension between the conquering King, the rebellious Princess Nehemia, and the internal court politics offers rich conflict.
📚 Final Rating: 4.3/5
This book is a compelling start to a saga, balancing visceral action with a deeply character-driven narrative. While some plot points regarding the “mystery” evil felt slightly prolonged, the emotional payoff during the final duel and the depth of the friendships formed make it a standout.
🎯 Should you read it? Yes. If you enjoy fantasy that prioritizes character resilience and complex female friendships over the typical “damsel” tropes, this is essential reading. However, be prepared for some graphic violence that may be unsettling for sensitive readers.
🔥 Final Thought: In a castle built of glass, it is the invisible things—loyalty, love, and ancient magic—that are the hardest to break.