After having read the first four novels in the series, I decided to start this while waiting for the next book. I didn't think I'd enjoy a prequel, but I was WRONG. I cried while reading it. I might have to read the entire series again now! ( )

Meh.

Maybe I should’ve read this as book 8 instead of before Throne of Glass. I might’ve enjoyed it more, potentially. ( )

Although it’s been effectively impossible to avoid spoilers for this series, given its popularity, this book still managed to blow me away. What a beginning. What an ending. ( )

While I’m glad I read this before starting ToG, it was really difficult to get through. Having it split into novellas was off putting and I really struggled through this. Only the final story was worth reading, honestly. ( )

A collection of novellas, covering Celaena from age 16 as she confronts a pirate about the mission from her master through when she's sentenced to the salt mines of Endovier. I've no idea the timing of when they were originally released (as ebooks), but it feels like a natural enough progression with nods to the previous story as it goes on.

From my other reviews, y'all know I'm not very fond of Celaena, and I guess if we're demonstrating how much she's grown over time, bb!assassin Celaena is a brat. Through other characters she's made aware of how selfish/pampered she is, and yet still has a heart of gold to Do Right by the smallfolk, even if she bemoans living somewhere without running water or luxuries. It's okay to have unlikable protagonists, but I feel like it works better if the author really convinces me that there's growth, that one Power of Friendship isn't going to instantly turn the ship around.

Probably should individually put notes for each novella:
The Assassin and the Pirate Lord-
16 year old Celaena is v. v. smug about being the World's Best Assassin (or Adarlan's anyway, but who cares about the rest of the world amirite) but she finds out the deal between her master & this pirate guy involves slaves and because it's wrong and she's got an inner heart o' gold, works to free them.

The Assassin and the Healer-
Very short. One shot of Celaena in a podunk town as she travels en route to the southwestern part of the continent for training after failing to complete the pirate deal. She's disdainful of the village and bored enough to go out and find fights to get into, but saves the barmaid and gives her the means to escape to where she's meant to be. Still don't really get how Celaena squares 'blending in' with her love of finery, but maybe it's because she's 17 idk.

The Assassin and the Desert-
hooboy. Lots of interesting elements here, a whole other assassin school/compound that does things a lil' differently out in the desert. Unfortunately, the novella smacks of orientalism (in the truly classical sense) with racing horses through the desert, a mute master training her to move like animals, admiring embroidered shoes in the market, etc. It's not enough for me to go "bluh this is trash" but I wonder if anyone else noticed it... I digress from the main point though: Celaena makes her first true female friend, a mirror in many ways, but then betrayal happens. Foil is very much who Celaena could've become had she made other choice, but even Celaena draws the line somewhere. I'd love a series set here, but I wouldn't trust Maas to do it justice.

The Assassin and the Underground-
We finally see Celaena on her home turf, at the height of her Adarlan's Assassin form. While she's grateful for what she learned in the desert, she sighs in relief at coming back to "civilization" aka her silks and jewels- at least she's consistent? I once again question how good she is at infiltrating fancy parties if she also wants to wear exquisite gowns, and although she's the Bestest Teen Assassin she once again belatedly realizes she acted on the wrong information and was betrayed by someone close. How does she keep missing obvious set ups? [rhetorical, she just doesn't do enough research]. Sam's declaration of love feels sudden- maybe if the reader's in Celaena's shoes it's not obvious but... eh. Teenage feelings?

The Assassin and the Empire-
We begin with the Skyrim opening, Celaena chained in a cart on her way to Endovier. We then back up eleven days and cover the One Last Job she and Sam take (though mostly Sam) to earn enough money for them to leave Rifthold and start over somewhere else. As we saw in the previous novella, Celaena loves this city and its amenities- indoor plumbing if you can afford it! The theater! Her favorite shops! but Sam correctly points out as long as they try to be independent of the Assassin's Guild, they're never truly free. Unfortunately for them, this job is ALSO A SET UP and they're betrayed. There's a theme here... I can kinda sympathize with Celaena in that nice things are nice to have, but if it were between that and independence... girl weigh your priorities. :/

I don't like DNFing so still going to continue reading the series. ( )