Throne of Glass is the smack-in-the-face suspense that fantasy fans have been waiting for since The Hunger Games. Raised by the leader of all assassins since age eight, Calaena Sardothien is the most notorious and feared assassin of Adarlan. After being imprisoned as a slave in the Salt Mines, the Crown Prince offers her the opportunity of a lifetime: compete against the most dangerous criminals of Adarlan for a seat at the King’s side as his Champion in exchange for the promise of freedom after four years. While living in the castle during the competition, Calaena’s opponents are brutally attacked in the middle of the night—but with large, deep claw marks, obviously not human. Calaena and her trainer for the competition, the Captain of the Guard, both work to identify the violent beast. The Captain of the Guard finds himself confused about why he trusts the renowned assassin, Celaena, and even more confused about why he feels a bubbling jealousy when he sees her spending private time with the Crown Prince. Readers come for the competition and stay for the love triangle in this gripping tale about a girl’s fight for freedom.

Annie Baker-Bauer, 2024