The Assassin's Blade, by Sarah J. Maas

(5/5 stars)

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin's Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free? Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine to find out.

Let me start by saying that I seem to not be able to give anything written by Sarah J. Maas anything but 5 stars--guys, she's that good. I don't know what I was expecting in this set of novellas that prequel Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight, but sweet baby Jesus those stories gave me far too many feelings. 

What I liked: Sam Cortland. Oh Sam Cortland, I wasn't supposed to like you but I did. I liked you so much. You made my feelings for Chaol really complicated and I don't know what I'm supposed to think anymore and life is hard. I also really loved seeing Celaena before everything that went down in Throne of Glass. She's still the character that we love so much but now we know why she is the way she is. We get to see the hardships she faced, along with the heartbreak, and the struggles that defined her past. By learning so much about her, she becomes even more real to readers. It also gives us more information about the world and the kingdom--all things that are probably going to be super important in Heir of Fire (which by the way, I'm so increadibly excited for!!!!!). 

What I didn't like: There weren't enough novellas in the collection? I don't know, as per usual, I loved everything. Though, I would have liked to get a teeny tiny glimpse of Chaol or Dorian (though there was a lovely mention to the Captain of the Guard so there it is). Now, maybe it's just me, but I feel like Sam's death was a little open ended. Sure, we saw a body, but was it really Sam? Yes, I went there and I'm not sorry. I have theories... But maybe that shouldn't be classified under things that I didn't like about the novellas. 

More beautiful writing by Sarah J. Maas is always enough to brighten any day--even if the material is heartbreakingly painful. If you've read the series, you must read these wonderful novellas, especially if you're like me and are slowly counting down the days until Heir of Fire is released!

-Annie