Throne of glass
Throne of glass —Throne of glass, from its original title in English— is the first volume of a series of novels young adult A young adult fantasy and romance novel written by acclaimed American author Sarah J. Maas. The work was first published in 2012 by Bloomsbury Publishing. In 2020 it was translated into Spanish by Guiomar Manso de Zúñiga.
That year, Hidra marketed the book for the Spanish-speaking market, adding a large reading public to Sarah J. Maas's already large fan base. After the massive success of Throne of glass, six more books were published: assassin's sword, The Assassin and the Pirate Lord, The assassin and the healer, The assassin in the desert, The assassin in the underworld y The assassin in the empire.
Synopsis of Throne of glass
The ephemeral concept of freedom
The plot of throne of glass revolves around Celaena Sardothien, a young eighteen years old who, after being trained as an assassin since childhood, has fallen into disgrace and is imprisoned in the salt mines of Endovier, one of the most brutal places in the kingdom of Adarlan. After enduring a year of punishment and suffering, she is presented with an unexpected offer.
The crown prince, Dorian Havilliard offers him his freedom if he agrees to compete in a tournament to become the king's champion. The tournament brings together the kingdom's finest assassins, thieves, and warriors, and Celaena must face them in a series of deadly trials. If she wins, she will work as the king's official assassin for several years, after which she will be free.
However, The competition gets complicated when the contestants start turning up dead. mysteriously. As Celaena tries to uncover who is behind the murders, she must also contend with her own secrets, court intrigue, and an ancient, dark power that threatens to resurface.
Main characters
Celaena Sardothien
She is a highly trained assassin since childhood.. Initially, Celaena comes across as an arrogant and bloodthirsty girl. However, as with the protagonists in Mass's later books, throughout her journey, that sarcastic, strong and brave character is left hanging. In short, Celaena is the typical "Sarah J. Maas" girl: too much talk and not enough action.
Dorian Havilliard
He is introduced as the crown prince of Adarlan, Dorian is charismatic and compassionate, in stark contrast to her tyrannical father. Though charming and eager for change in his kingdom, he is all about praising how strong, independent, and beautiful the protagonist is, relegating her “evolution” to the author’s signature stiff, always-nice man.
Chaol Westfall
He is the captain of the royal guard, as well as Dorian's best friend. He behaves like a serious man, loyal and protective. Throughout the story, his relationship with Celaena becomes more than just a need to care for a young girl in danger, which at the same time makes him the most complex character in the book.
Central themes of the work
The series young adult throne of glass stands out for the diversity of its themes, which revolve around the struggle for power, redemption and destiny. Among the most important ones are:
Power and corruption
The monarchy of Adarlan, led by a cruel and ruthless king, serves as the epicenter of corruption and tyrannyCelaena and other characters must navigate political intrigue and power struggles in a world where control is everything.
Identity and redemption
Celaena struggles with her identity as a killer, her past traumas, and her desire for freedom.Her personal journey is one of the pillars of the narrative, transforming from a deadly and cold young woman into someone seeking justice and revenge.
Magic and mythology
Although magic is initially forbidden in Adarlan, it is gradually reintroduced into the series. Maas creates a world rich in mythology, where ancient powers, creatures and forgotten realms re-emerge.In fact, Sara's universe-building tends to be the most interesting part of her narrative.
Narrative style and world design of the work
Sarah J. Maas is known for her engaging and detailed writing style. In Throne of glass, manages to combine a fast-paced, action-packed narrative with moments of introspection and emotional development. His ability to create physically appealing and nuanced characters, especially in the case of Celaena, is one of the reasons why the saga has captured so many young readers.
The construction of the universe in Throne of glass is equally remarkable. Maas introduces readers to a vast kingdom with different cultures, political systems, and mythologies. The world of Erilea, with its majestic cities, desolate landscapes, and magical beings, comes to life in a latent way, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the story.
Impact and reception
Since its publication, Throne of glass has received praise from critics and readers alike. The series has been compared to other great successes in young adult fantasy literature.as the The Hunger Games y Divergent, but with a unique twist thanks to the mix of romance, action and magic. The success of the work led Maas to expand the story into a collection of seven main books.
These were followed by several prequels and companion novels that explore different aspects of the world and its characters. Over time, The series has become a benchmark in the youth fantasy genre., consolidating Sarah J. Maas as one of the most influential authors of her generation.
About the author
Sarah Janet Maas was born on March 5, 1986, in New York, United States. She studied at Hamilton College in Clinton, her hometown, where she graduated in Creative Writing and Religious Studies. He began his literary career when he was sixteen years old.At that time, he wrote the first chapters of Throne of glassAfter having several scenes finished, he uploaded them to the website fictionpress.com.
Her project subsequently became widely popular, although she later scrapped it in an attempt to get it published by a publisher. In 2012, the story was bought by Bloomsbury. Soon, the series became a worldwide phenomenon, being sold in fifteen countries. and translated into twenty-three different languages.
Other books by Sarah J. Maas
Saga Bound
- A Court of Thorns and Roses — A Court of Thorns and Roses (2018);
- A Court of Mist and Fury — A Court of Mist and Fury (2018);
- A Court of Wings and Ruin —A Court of Wings and Ruin (2019);
- A Court of Frost and Starlight — A Court of Frost and Starlight (2019);
- A Court of Silver Flames — A Court of Silver Flames (2021)
Extras
- A Court of Thorns and Roses Coloring Book (2017)
Saga Crescent City
- House of Earth and Blood — House of Earth and Blood (2020);
- House of Sky and Breath — House of Sky and Breath (2022);
- House of Flame and Shadow — House of Flame and Shadow (2024)
Other
- Catwoman: Soulstealer (2018);
- The Starkillers Cycle (Developing);
- Twilight of the Gods (Developing).