The throne of glass  by Sarah J. Maas

406 pgs.
Target audience: Young Adult
Rating: Dragon

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan’s most notorious assassin. Why has she been retrieved from the slave mines of Endovier and brought to the king’s castle? She has been chosen to compete against other worthy opponents in a series of tests to become the king’s own champion. Victory ensures her freedom after serving four years as champion. The task seems simple enough to someone whose skills are that of legend. For this reason she is made to enter the competition under an assumed name so her opponents will only see a common female thief. The Captain of the Guard, Chaol Westfall, oversees her training while Prince Dorian has his own motives for supporting her. As the tests begin, an evil magic stirs in the castle and one by one the competitors are found brutally killed. What once started as a means to secure her freedom, now has become a race to find the culprit behind the attacks and avoid becoming it’s next victim. Celaena struggles with her growing feelings for her handsome trainer and Prince Dorian’s romantic overtures. This is a fabulous first entry in a compelling new fantasy series. It has mystery, suspense, adventure, magic and romance. What more could you ask for?