Summary
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas is a collection of five interconnected novellas serving as a prequel to the author’s Throne of Glass series. It introduces the character Celaena Sardothien, Adarlan’s notorious assassin, who embarks on perilous missions throughout Erilea, and explores her complex ties with fellow assassin Sam Cortland. The novellas focus on themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the pursuit of freedom, which are essential to understanding Celaena’s later journey.
Plot
The Assassin's Blade comprises five novellas that serve as prequels to Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series. They explore the early life of Celaena Sardothien, outlining key events that influence her development.
In The Assassin and the Pirate Lord, Celaena Sardothien receives orders from her mentor, Arobynn Hamel, to negotiate with Captain Rolfe, the Pirate Lord of Skull’s Bay. With Sam Cortland, her rival, she discovers a plan to start a slave trade. Defying her orders, they collaborate to thwart the operation and free the captives. This rebellion shifts her relationship with Sam from rivalry to mutual respect.
In The Assassin and the Healer, after her act of defiance, Celaena travels to the Red Desert to train with the Silent Assassins. At an inn, she meets Yrene Towers, an aspiring healer. Celaena teaches Yrene self-defense and supports her ambitions, demonstrating her capacity for growth and kindness.
The Assassin and the Desert follows Celaena’s training with the Silent Assassins. She seeks approval from the Mute Master while building a friendship with Ansel, a fellow trainee. Ansel's betrayal forces Celaena to address issues of trust and justice, reinforcing her commitment to loyalty.
In The Assassin and the Underworld, Celaena returns to Rifthold and navigates Arobynn Hamel's manipulations. Tasked with a mission under false pretenses, she deepens her relationship with Sam and strives for their freedom. Arobynn's deceit drives a wedge between him and Celaena, pushing her toward independence.
The Assassin and the Empire concludes with a tragic turn. As Celaena and Sam plan to leave the Assassin’s Guild, they accept a perilous contract. The mission ends in betrayal, leading to Sam's death orchestrated by Arobynn. Celaena’s capture and imprisonment in Endovier's salt mines set the stage for her journey in Throne of Glass.
Throughout these novellas, Celaena transitions from a hardened assassin to a character more aware of her vulnerabilities and justice pursuits. Her evolving narrative sets the foundation for challenges in the main series.
Characters
Celaena Sardothien: The central figure in the prequel novellas. As an assassin, she navigates a dangerous world. She grapples with her skills and a developing sense of justice and identity.
Sam Cortland: Sam is both an ally and competitor to Celaena and ultimately her love interest. His loyalty and affection significantly influence Celaena. Sam’s death spurs her on a quest for vengeance.
Arobynn Hamel: Known as the King of Assassins, Arobynn exerts strong influence over Celaena and the guild. Their relationship involves both affection and betrayal, affecting Celaena's development.
Yrene Towers: An aspiring healer whose interaction with Celaena inspires her ambitions. Their meeting highlights Celaena’s capacity for kindness.
Ansel of Briarcliff: An assassin-in-training whose quest for revenge conflicts with Celaena’s struggles. Ansel’s betrayal tests Celaena's ideas about loyalty and trust, fostering empathy.
Captain Rolfe: The Pirate Lord involved in the slave trade. His clash with Celaena underscores her stance against injustice and exploitation.
Themes
Betrayal and trust
Betrayal impacts Celaena's experiences, particularly with figures like Arobynn Hamel and Ansel of Briarcliff. Arobynn's manipulations in The Assassin and the Underworld mean Celaena struggles with misplaced trust. This undermines her loyalty and pushes her toward independence. Ansel's betrayal in The Assassin and the Desert forces Celaena to confront the fragility of trust.
Freedom and autonomy
Celaena's quest for freedom reflects a battle for both physical and emotional autonomy. In The Assassin and the Pirate Lord, her actions against enslavement indicate a desire for justice. Her conflict with Arobynn over her destiny symbolizes a journey from subjugation to self-determination.
Identity and self-discovery
Celaena navigates her dual identity as a skilled assassin and a compassionate soul. This conflict is evident in her interaction with Yrene in The Assassin and the Healer. Her compassionate acts suggest a more complex identity beyond her lethal profession.
Love and moral dilemmas
Celaena's relationship with Sam Cortland brings themes of love and moral complexity. As Sam becomes her emotional anchor, especially in The Assassin and the Empire, she learns about trust and affection. Their challenges compel Celaena to reassess her priorities and the costs of her choices, indicating growth amidst adversity.
Quick facts
Published in 2014, The Assassin's Blade is a collection of five interconnected novellas acting as a prequel to Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series.
It explores the backstory and early years of protagonist Celaena Sardothien, highlighting her growth into Adarlan's most feared assassin.
The novellas reveal Celaena's complex relationship and emotional development, especially with characters like Sam Cortland and Arobynn Hamel.
Each novella takes place in varied geographical locations, including pirate domains and hostile deserts, contributing to rich world-building.
Key themes include freedom, betrayal, loyalty, empowerment, and ethical complexities surrounding power and authority.
'The Assassin and the Empire,' the novella concluding the collection, is particularly emotional, marking significant turning points in Celaena's life.
The collection provides crucial insights into Celaena’s character and motivations, enriching the narrative of the main Throne of Glass series.
Sarah J. Maas suggests reading The Assassin's Blade after the novel Crown of Midnight and before Heir of Fire.
Hulu acquired adaptation rights for the Throne of Glass series, potentially bringing Celaena Sardothien to the screen.
The book is acclaimed for its emotional depth, gut-wrenching themes, and strong character dynamics, receiving generally positive reader feedback.
Characters introduced in The Assassin's Blade, such as Yrene Towers, play significant roles later in the series.
About the author
Sarah J. Maas is an author of young adult and fantasy literature. She began her career with the Throne of Glass series, which gained attention for its complex storytelling and intricate world-building. Her books frequently feature strong female protagonists in magical and adventurous settings. Her subsequent works include the series A Court of Thorns and Roses and Crescent City, both exploring the possibilities of magic and the moral complexities of good and evil.
