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May 11, 2020librarianjessica rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Throne of Glass is an experience more than it is a book. I live it every single time I read it, and this was no exception. I love these characters with my entire heart, for so many reasons. First off, I just have to commend SJM for the scope of this series. The world-building, the plot/storyline, the characters' growth - all of it is just so apparent after this reread. There are hints of what's to come even now, in this first book, that won't manifest for two or three books, and the planning that had to have gone into this is absolutely mind-boggling. Erilea is a world that comes off as mysterious but familiar enough that I can so easily lose myself in it. Despite that ease, I know that behind the scenes, the authorial decisions and meticulous planning are so carefully constructed, and I just want to give SJM the hugest high five. This is stunning work and I am always in awe of her. Celaena is one of my favourite fictional characters. She's hilarious, and the dynamics between her and literally every character are so well-developed. She's always so completely herself whether she's interacting with Dorian or Chaol or the King or Nehemia, and she's multifaceted and so real to me. Dorian and Chaol are such precious babies in this first book; I forgot how hard I shipped Dorian and Celaena, and how my heart ached for Chaol with the events that take place here. And Nehemia. Sweet, angry, cunning, viciously smart Nehemia. My heart also can't handle the love I have for her. It hurt me to read Celaena's suspicions of her this time if only because I just want them to be best friends forever and live in a land where nothing hurts and everything is always fine. I know there are numerous reviews that have said that this first book is not great while the rest of the series makes up for it. I disagree. Even upon second reading, I found this first instalment to be completely engaging and full of likeable (and not-so-likeable) characters that deal with fantastical shit that never stops coming. It does feel somewhat similar to Red Queen and the Hunger Games, but it's because it works. The structure of the plot makes it impossible to put down, and knowing everything that's coming for these characters just made me love this even more. I so admire SJM for her brilliance and creativity.