Celaena Sardothien is one of the most feared assassins in the kingdom—or at least she was, before betrayal landed her in the brutal salt mines of Endovier. After surviving a year of backbreaking labor, she’s offered a deal: compete in a deadly tournament to become the King’s Champion, and she’ll win her freedom. It’s not exactly a fair trade—serving the king she despises—but it’s better than dying in a mine. As Celaena trains for the competition under Captain Chaol Westfall’s watchful eye, she begins to uncover something sinister happening within the palace walls. Competitors are being brutally killed, and Celaena realizes ancient magic, long thought to be gone, may be involved.
Meanwhile, her relationships with those around her grow increasingly complicated. Prince Dorian’s charm softens her defenses, but Chaol’s quiet loyalty keeps her grounded in unexpected ways. Through it all, Celaena battles not just her opponents, but also the weight of her past and her desire to reclaim her identity. The tournament reaches a nail-biting finale as Celaena outsmarts and overpowers her enemies to claim victory. But as the new King’s Champion, she knows her fight is far from over. Secrets are still buried, and her journey is only just beginning.
I was hooked from page one. Sarah J. Maas knows how to write a story that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. Celaena is one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve read in a while. She’s deadly and confident but also loves beautiful dresses and gets excited about desserts. That balance between fierce and vulnerable makes her feel so real. The murder mystery running alongside the competition kept me flipping pages late into the night, and the hints of magic added just the right amount of intrigue without overshadowing the human drama.
What I loved most, though, were the relationships. The banter between Celaena, Dorian and Chaol brought so much life to the story. Dorian is all easy charm, while Chaol is more reserved, but both of them challenge Celaena in different ways, making her more than just “the assassin.” And while there are romantic sparks, the book never lets those moments take over the bigger picture. It’s a story about survival, resilience and figuring out who you are when the world tries to define you. I’d recommend this to anyone who loves strong heroines, dangerous secrets and a bit of romance mixed with their action. Celaena has officially stolen my heart and I cannot wait to read the full series.