C'è una forte nota stonata in questo racconto: la costruzione della protagonista, Celaena. Fin da subito si presenta, con molta modestia, la migliore assassina di Adarlan: arrogante, sprezzante e abile. Insomma, un'eroina con i controc***i.

La vicenda si sviluppa e assume le forme di una farsa. Celaena vive in un mondo di intrighi, veleni e pugnali nell'ombra e tutti riescono a fargliela sotto al naso. Prima il suo capo, Arobynn, poi Sam (che capisce subito come girano gli ingranaggi del suo cervello), poi pure Rolfe, il “cattivo” di turno, che non si lascia prendere per i fondelli dalla sua sceneggiata (salvo poi avere la peggio). Sembra l'ingenuità fatta persona per una addestrata per essere una letale assassina e per aver già ucciso. Il che non ha riscosso la mia approvazione.

Da come era iniziato il racconto, mi ero aspettata freddezza, spietatezza, brutale efficienza. Invece, Celaena sembra una bambina cocciuta e capricciosa che va in giro a vantarsi di essere la migliore assassina in circolazione quando, se non ci fosse stato Sam, non avrebbe cavato un ragno dal buco. ( )

Short and sweet introduction to Celaena. Celaena was okay, seemed a bit flat in some respects, kind of bland. But her heart seemed to be in the right place. And she grew on me the more I read. I liked Sam well enough. ( )

Is this what passes as teen lit these days?

The story was fun, the main character was predictable, and the ending was awful. She acted like a spoiled brat the whole time. I started reading the second one, and the beginning of the second novella makes the ending of this one even worse. I'm planning on continuing to read through these in order; I would like to get to the Throne of Glass eventually to see what all the talk is about.

It was fun to read, if a little frustrating at times. ( )

I would give it five stars, if not for Celaena's arrogance, especially at the beginning. The ending totally surprised me and even though I don't like novellas, I enjoyed this one very much.
I can't wait to read more about Celaena, Sam and the other characters! ( )

As Adarlan's greatest assassin she was the best, no one got near her, no one could stop her, no one - save a select few sworn to secrecy on pain of death - knew who she really was. Then her world was shattered, she was betrayed, captured and had spent the last year in the death camp otherwise known as the Endovier Salt Mines. The last thing she ever expected was to be rescued from hell by the son of the man who had sent her there to rot.

The King was holding a contest to find a Champion. With the entrants put forth by the courts council little more then thieves and assassins, what better way for Crown Prince Dorian to get back at his father then to enter the one person his father loathed, the girl Celaena Sardothien, better known as Adarlan's Assassin. But in doing so he would start a chain of events that will forevermore shape the future of his kingdom.

Throne Of Glass is a position of power in a kingdom that is broken, defiled and subjugated. As a powerful king seeks only more power, an assassin will be the only hope for a land in turmoil, for a people enslaved, for friend in need. In this addictive world of murder, magic, politics and secrets is an engaging story of an unlikely heroine. The first in a thrilling new series. ( )