Which To Read First: Assassin's Blade or Throne of Glass

The ever prominent question of which to read first has invaded forums all over the interwebs, leaving readers either satisfied or more confused than ever. Today, we hope to answer that question - adequately - so that you can finally get on with reading the series.

(photo source: aedionashryver from instagram)

What is Assassin's Blade? Is it the first book? 

Assassin's Blade is a book of five novellas that transpired before Throne of Glass.

It is NOT the first book, but it did happen before the first book.

Should I even read Assassin's Blade? Can I ditch it altogether?

Reading or not reading Assassin's Blade will not hinder you from understanding the series.

But my recommendation, for whatever it's worth, is that you should read it. I personally enjoyed Assassin's Blade tremendously more than Throne of Glass. It'll also help you get an in-depth view of what Celaena went through and who she was before her time in Endovier.

Besides, you'll get to know SAM sexy fcuking ass CORTLAND.

So Throne of Glass is the first book? Not Assassin's Blade?

Yes.

But if I were to list the books chronologically, it would go like this.

• Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass #0.5)
• Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1)
• Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2)
• Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3)
• Throne of Glass #4 
• Throne of Glass #5
• Throne of Glass #6

So should I read Throne of Glass first?

Now this is where it gets tricky. If you're the kind of person who doesn't like spoilers, at all, then I'd recommend you read Assassin's Blade first. If you don't mind them that much then go on ahead and read Throne of Glass. But see, Assassin's Blade isn't all that exciting, around three-fourths of the book is about Celaena gallivanting around the desert and the best parts come around the last leg of the book (cough Sam Cortland cough). So if you're the kind of person who risks ditching a book in the middle of it then I'd highly recommend you read Throne of Glass BEFORE Assassin's Blade.

Bottom line 

It doesn't matter which way you read it, as long as you read both.

But be warned that Throne of Glass hints a few spoilers about Assassin's Blade. Also be warned that Assassin's Blade can be very, very, very painful. Here's a survival guide.

Read Post

Pronunciation Guide: Terms and Names

I know how hard it can be reading without knowing the pronunciations. It's like looking at a painting without seeing the colours, like hearing music muffled by a wall. So frustratingly near perfect, but not quite.

With that said, say good-bye to those mis-pronounced names, because we've got their pronunciations lined up just for you!

NAMES:

Celaena Sardothien: Sell-lay-nah Sar-doth (like "cloth") -ee-en

Chaol Westfall: Kay-all West-fall

Dorian Havilliard: Door-ee-en Have-ill-yard

Nehemia Ytger: Neh-heem-ee-ah Yet-gerre (like "Garrison")

Kaltain Rompier: Cal (like "Calcium")-tane Rom-pee-ay

Arobynn Hamel: Arrow-behn Heh-mel

Elentiya: Elle-len-tee-yah

PLACES/TERMS:

Eylle: Eel-way

Erilea: Err-rel-yah

Terrasen: terra-sen

Adarlan: Ah-dar-len

Endovier: En-do (like "dough") -vee-er

Orynth: Or-rinth

Anielle: Annie-elle

Melisande: Mell-iss-sand

Wendlyn: Wend-lin

Wyrd: Word

Wyrdmarks: Word-marks

If you have any other inquiries about pronunciation, you can leave a comment and I'll try to get back to you!

(source: Sarah J. Maas' blog)

Read Post

Survival Guide to Assassin's Blade

I don't know about you but Assassin's Blade brought me to tears. Sure it was only five novellas, five novellas, but hell, that ending was NO EASY READ. So here's a survival guide to all of you who haven't read it yet. (by the way, you should read it, right away.)

Oh but before the Survival Guide.

You're probably wondering why you should read the Assassin's Blade if it's "just a bunch of novellas," well it's not, okay, it's not just a bunch of novellas, it's the bunch of novellas. If you think it doesn't do you any good when reading Throne of Glass, think again, it does you plenty good. It paints you a better picture of who Celaena was before spending time in Endovier, and better yet, it shows you who Sam sexy freakin ass Cortland is.

If you're worried about which to read first, Throne of Glass or Assassin's Blade, we wrote an article about the right way of reading them here.

Carrying on to the Survival Guide…

1. Towels: tissue doesn't cut it.

2. Let people know: before hand, you should inform your parents, family, boyfriends, friends etc. that you will be undergoing a traumatic event and that they shouldn't worry because it won't last longer than forever.

3. Water-proof mascara: to fight those unwanted mascara tear stains!

4. Comfort object: a pillow or stuffed toy (or person) you can hug during those "oh my god that didn't happen, no, no, no" times.

5. Water: gotta stay hydrated!

6. Charger: can't have that device dying on the good (or sad) parts!

7. Cheerful music: something's gotta cheer you up!

8. Don't read in public: for obvious reasons

9. Comfort food: LISTEN UP, I don't care if you're on a diet. Screw the diet! You'll need this, you will need it! Trust me, you'll finish that bag of chips and can of soda like your life depended on it.

10. Do you ever get over it? Not really, no.

[slowly wipes away tear] there you have it, I hope you have a much, much easier time reading The Assassin's Blade than I did. 

Read Post