Now the King's Champion, Celaena is employed to eliminate enemies of the realm, and by doing so will win her freedom. But despite her training and her previous life as Adarlan's Assassin, she comes to realise that some things might be more important. With dark forces awakening within and without, she faces love, loss and magic, all of which threatens to tear her world apart.

This story seems to serve as the introduction to the wider arc of the rest of the series; I'm certainly seeing more layering of story points, worldbuilding and character development, and it has really made me look forward to the journey to come. As a result, this book feels perhaps more well rounded than 'Throne of Glass' as there's a wider focus on all aspects of the story.

I'll admit finding it hard to reconcile the two sides to Celaena; the ice cold killer versus the girl who loves pretty things, the methodical and calculated assassin versus the impetuous teen. But the character is so well drawn, she comes to life straight off the page. In my head, I have her looking and sounding very much like Killer Frost/Caitlin Snow from the DC TV series 'The Flash', and I react to the two characters in a very similar way - love with just a touch of eye rolling annoyance!

I absolutely adore the relationship between the three lead characters; Celaena, Dorian and Chaol -  I just hope that she doesn't do a Tamlin with either one of the boys; they both feel like good men to me! But the only thing that bugs me a bit is that they all seem like they should be much older than they are - Chaol particularly feels very much more mature. I know it's YA fiction, but I just want to age them all up 10 years!

This book continues to show me why Maas has become such a popular author. Hers may not be the most sophisticated writing on the planet, but the images and feelings she evokes through her words are nothing short of amazing. The ending of this book didn't come as a surprise as such, but at the same time I couldn't have told you what was coming - I just think her writing flows so well that it's more of a happy realisation when the twists and turns occur. Likewise, the darker side of the story and Celaena's actions is so vividly painted, I'd be wary of watching if it were a TV show!

I just hope the library delivers the next book sooner than September..