THRONE OF GLASS

THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass is book one in the Throne of Glass series and follows assassin Calaena Sardothien's attempt to become the King's Champion in a competition.

 Imprisoned as a slave in the Salt Mines of Endovier, winning the competition would mean winning her freedom and never returning to the prison that would most likely claim her life. But Calaena is in a struggle. This king is ruthless and responsible for the deaths of many innocent people. The only way she could serve him is to keep her mind on the ultimate prize of freedom, but first she must win.

Competing with 23 other criminals and soldiers, Calaena is surviving the tests and slowly gaining ground. Then someone or something starts killing off the contestants one by one, and these killings don't appear to be committed by a human hand. The state of the bodies suggest something more animalistic in nature. When rune type signs are found around the bodies the question of ritualistic killings is considered.

Calaena isn't just a warrior, she's a woman and a beautiful one at that. Now the Crown Prince and the Captain of the Guard are both paying attention to her and things continue to become more and more complicated.

Calaena needs to figure out who she can trust, who is killing the competitors, and win the competition before it's too late.

HEADS UP- While this is a "cleaner" YA book there are still some things to be aware of. There is a light sprinkling of language. The Crown Prince is known for his womanizing. References are made that allude to the idea that he has bedded several maidens in the past. There is magic involved. The king has banned the use of magic, but it is clear with what is happening that something unearthly is being used in these killings. There is also goddess worship mentioned that I find mimics Christianity. The goddess has a son and everyone partakes in a holiday known as Yulemas. While perusing the next volumes in the series I have discovered they are spicy with sexual content, so unfortunately this is as far as I'll go in the series.