The Assassin’s Blade goes back in time and shows Celaena Sardothien as one of the most skilled killers in Rifthold’s Assassin’s Guild. This book consists of five novellas that provide a look into Celaena’s life before being crowned the King’s Champion. As Celaena begins to rethink her loyalty to her master, Arobynn Hamel, she finds herself becoming closer to a fellow assassin, Sam Cortland. As Calaena is sent on dangerous missions through islands and deserts, she meets fierce rivals and unexpected allies, all while discovering her personal morals and building deep connections.
I both loved and dreaded getting to know Caleana’s history through a story full of strength and heartache. My favorite part of this book was being able to take a step away from Rifthold and explore more of the kingdom of Erilea. The world-building in this book was one of the best in the whole series, and the emotional rollercoaster is like no other. Although these series of novellas seemed to drag on at times, the world-building proved to be vital for the rest of the series, and overall, this book successfully sets the stage for a captivating story.