So for those who don't know, I used to be an avid reader on fictionpress. Also dabbled in writing for a bit... which reminds me, I need to finish those damn stories. It's like leaving half way through while singing a song, albeit a bad song. But nevertheless, it still needs to be finished.

So before fictionpress was overrun with badly written Twilight wannabe/vampire/paranormal a la Fifty Shades of Grey type stories, there were a few gems. One of them was 'Queen of Glass' written by S.J. Maas. It was a MONSTER of a piece and I still remember staying up till some ridiculous hour trying to polish it off. Anyway, S.J. Maas took it off fictionpress and ended up getting it published under the title of 'Throne of Glass'.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Anyway, I bought it today and I did enjoy it. I remember the champions' competition being my favourite part of the story, so I was glad that the book was rewritten to have this part drawn out more. I have to admit that I felt slightly disillusioned with the inclusion of the weird paranormal creature-like things that were being summoned. The supernatural part of the story seemed to be hastily added in and when I found out who was responsible, I couldn't help but feel a little cheated out of a proper antagonist. Also, the latter part of the story was slightly Tamora Pierce's The Song of the Lioness cum Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. 

And Celaena! How frustrating she was. I was cheering for Chaol and almost had my heart broken when she made out with Dorian. Whilst that part of the plot was highly engaging for me, I must say that Maas should tread very very very carefully, or else she will end up with a Edward-Jacob-Bellaesque love triangle... and by the end of that particular love triangle, I wanted to murder all three in a fiery blaze.

p.s. am I the only one who thinks the name Chaol reminds me of Smeagol? I honestly could not stop picturing Chaol as this creepy elf thing with loose strands of hair until halfway through the book. Whhhhhhy couldn't she have picked a more attractive name? His personality was attractive enough, luckily enough for him.

Things I enjoyed:

- the mystery of the murders (the explanation was however, rather shoddy)

- Nehemia's character/storyline

- Chaol and Celaena teaming up against Kaltain
- characterisation of the King of Adarlan

- Nox's character

- The Duke of Perrington and whatever scheme he has with the King; twas a nice fish hook, Ms. Maas

Things that should be changed:

- Chaol's name

- more background to the supernatural aspects because when that dream/vision occurred, I was wtf. And when she killed that creature, I was even more dumbfounded 

- need more fighting! She's meant to be a master assassin so I would like some more action plz. Celaena hardly breaks a nail in her duels

- more sexual tension between Celaena and Chaol... we have had enough of these near-kiss Dorian encounters. I was cheering for Chaol because Celaena's an ungrateful bitch and it took Chaol to kill a certain somebody to make her realise how much he loves her while Dorian stands idly by... I think it's time Chaol got some Celaena action, yeeeeaaaas?

Also, Dorian's character reminds me of Prince Jonathan in the The Song of the Lioness series.

So, to finish: I will read the sequels but pleasepleaseplease S.J. Maas, don't make me read the rest of the books just so that I can say that I have read all of them. Because that is what Stephanie Meyer/E.L. James did and I ended up questioning my sanity.