Friday, August 17, 2012

Review: The Assassin and the Desert by Sarah J. Maas


The Assassin and the Desert

Series: (Throne of Glass 0.2)






The Silent Assassins of the Red Desert aren’t much for conversation, and Celaena Sardothien wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s not there to chatter, she’s there to hone her craft as the world’s most feared killer for hire. When the quiet is shattered by forces who want to destroy the Silent Assassins, Celaena must find a way to stop them, or she’ll be lucky to leave the desert alive.











Celaena is back about a month after Skull's Bay. Skull's Bay is the setting to the first book The Assassin and the Pirate Lord see my full review HERE.

Celaena is sent to the desert as a form of punishment for her behavior in Skull's Bay. She is sent here to learn discipline and obedience, for her actions. Nestled between two sand dunes in the middle of the parched desert, lays the fortress were the Mute Master rules. Celaena must earn respect and must gain the mute masters approval in the form of a letter, to be able to go back home, without the letter she is forbidden to ever return. The Mute Master reminds me of Mr. Miyagi of The Karate Kid, he chooses not to speak, but his aura is felt within the fortress. He is respected and disciplined. 

Now, gaining the mute master's trust is not an easy fete, as there are plenty whom have lived in the fortress and have never been trained by him. Celaena wants to be rid of this whole place and she tries to find out why, he doesn't train her, frustrated she decides to make friends with a girl about her age, Ansel. They become roommates and fast friends, as Celaena, never really had a girl as a friend, she enjoys Ansel's company.
 After, a short time Ansel and Celaena are sent off to a mission of sorts, and wind up in trouble, but thru no fault of Celaena's. She does protect Ansel, and earns respect from the mute master, and training sessions with him.
Now, I'm not going to spoil the rest of this novella for you. I will say its a good edition to The Throne Of Glass series and showcases more of Celaena's backstory, and her growth as she learns about friendships and how things are not always what they seem. While I enjoyed this novella, I did miss the interaction between Celaena and Sam.
I will be continuing on with the next novella
The Assassin and the Underworld
4/5 Stars





3 comments:

  1. Great review. I kind of want to read these books but I am so darn hung up on romance these days. I haven't come up for air in awhile but when I do this series is on my list.

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  2. I so want to read these! Where do I start? Throne of Glass or do I start with the Novellas? What do you think?

    Great review with NO spoilers - just the way I like it :)

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