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Throne of Glass #0.4
The Assassin and the Underworld
When the King of the Assassins gives Celaena Sardothien a special assignment that will help fight slavery in the kingdom, she jumps at the chance to strike a blow against an evil practice. The mission is a dark and deadly affair which takes Celaena from the rooftops of the city to the bottom of the sewer--and she doesn't like what she finds there.
102 pages, ebook
First published May 1, 2012
1241 people are currently reading
84619 people want to read
About the author
Sarah J. Maas
105 books528k followersSarah J. Maas is the #1 bestselling author of the Throne of Glass, Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City series. Her books have sold millions of copies and are published in thirty-eight languages. She lives in New York City with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,623 reviews
January 6, 2021
"My name is Wind. And Rain. And Bone and Dust. My name is a snippet of a half-remembered song. I have no name. I am whoever the keepers of my fate tell me to be".
Celaena ha vuelto del Desierto Rojo tras cumplir su misión de entrenar con los Asesinos Silenciosos. En Rifthold, Arobynn Hamel la espera con un centenar de regalos que, piensa, lo redimen por la gran paliza que le dio antes de partir. Tras unos momentos de tranquilidad, el Rey de los Asesinos le encarga un nuevo trabajo a Celaena: debe asesinar a un mandatario para evitar que un gran negocio de trata de esclavos prospere en todo el Reino de Adarlan. Ansiosa por salvarle la vida a cientos de esclavos, Celaena acepta... pero olvida que su maestro es un experto en el arte de la manipulación y el engaño.
No puedo decirles lo frustrante que es saber desde el momento uno del relato que van a traicionar a Celaena, que ella no se dé cuenta hacia qué está caminando y no poder hacer nada con respecto a eso. Sarah J. Maas crea un personaje absolutamente genial en Arobynn Hamel, pues tiene las dosis exactas de misterio, peligro, dulzura y ambigüedad. Es uno de esos personajes que, aunque sabes que te van a traicionar al final, sigues manteniendo a tu lado a base de autoengaño puro y duro. Arobynn es tremendamente inteligente y sabe cómo manipular a Celaena sin que ella se dé cuenta, haciéndole creer que las decisiones importantes las está tomando ella, cuando en realidad el que ha guiado todo es él. Es un gran maestro de las marionetas.
A pesar de la sensación de perdición inminente que rodea a este relato, en él también encontramos una faceta que no conocíamos de Celaena, y es su faceta tierna. Poco a poco, la Asesina de Adarlan se da cuenta de que lo que siente por Sam no es una simple amistad y que, durante todo el tiempo que estuvo por fuera y no supo si estaba vivo o muerto, lo pasó francamente mal, pues no se imagina su vida sin ese chico letal y alegre a su lado. Y Sam... ay, Sam. Todos los que hemos leído Trono de Cristal sabemos qué te pasa y sabemos que esta ilusión de felicidad es sólo eso... una ilusión pasajera. Pero ni tú ni Celaena lo saben, y creo que cuando sabemos que algo va a acabar es cuando más lo atesoramos y por eso adoré profundamente todas las palabras, todos los gestos y todas las caricias que compartieron.
Ahora, he leído muchas reseñas de The Assassin and the Underworld, pero en ninguna he leído que alguien haya notado la presencia de Dorian y Chaol en el relato. ¿HOLAAA? ¡Pues claro que aparecen! De hecho, Celaena baila con Dorian en el baile de máscaras en el que se infiltra... y de allí es la cita que puse al inicio de esta reseña. Y, por supuesto, luego aparece Chaol para separarlos porque piensa que el Príncipe ya ha hecho demasiado el idiota. ¡Y nunca dicen sus nombres! Pero las descripciones y el detalle del color de sus ojos dan todas las pistas que necesito para saber que eran ellos. ¡A mí nadie me engaña!
En general, este es un relato que te deja con un gran sabor agridulce pues te abruman el amor y la ilusión de libertad, pero al mismo tiempo sabes lo que está por llegar... y vaya que es malo.
Celaena ha vuelto del Desierto Rojo tras cumplir su misión de entrenar con los Asesinos Silenciosos. En Rifthold, Arobynn Hamel la espera con un centenar de regalos que, piensa, lo redimen por la gran paliza que le dio antes de partir. Tras unos momentos de tranquilidad, el Rey de los Asesinos le encarga un nuevo trabajo a Celaena: debe asesinar a un mandatario para evitar que un gran negocio de trata de esclavos prospere en todo el Reino de Adarlan. Ansiosa por salvarle la vida a cientos de esclavos, Celaena acepta... pero olvida que su maestro es un experto en el arte de la manipulación y el engaño.
No puedo decirles lo frustrante que es saber desde el momento uno del relato que van a traicionar a Celaena, que ella no se dé cuenta hacia qué está caminando y no poder hacer nada con respecto a eso. Sarah J. Maas crea un personaje absolutamente genial en Arobynn Hamel, pues tiene las dosis exactas de misterio, peligro, dulzura y ambigüedad. Es uno de esos personajes que, aunque sabes que te van a traicionar al final, sigues manteniendo a tu lado a base de autoengaño puro y duro. Arobynn es tremendamente inteligente y sabe cómo manipular a Celaena sin que ella se dé cuenta, haciéndole creer que las decisiones importantes las está tomando ella, cuando en realidad el que ha guiado todo es él. Es un gran maestro de las marionetas.
A pesar de la sensación de perdición inminente que rodea a este relato, en él también encontramos una faceta que no conocíamos de Celaena, y es su faceta tierna. Poco a poco, la Asesina de Adarlan se da cuenta de que lo que siente por Sam no es una simple amistad y que, durante todo el tiempo que estuvo por fuera y no supo si estaba vivo o muerto, lo pasó francamente mal, pues no se imagina su vida sin ese chico letal y alegre a su lado. Y Sam... ay, Sam. Todos los que hemos leído Trono de Cristal sabemos qué te pasa y sabemos que esta ilusión de felicidad es sólo eso... una ilusión pasajera. Pero ni tú ni Celaena lo saben, y creo que cuando sabemos que algo va a acabar es cuando más lo atesoramos y por eso adoré profundamente todas las palabras, todos los gestos y todas las caricias que compartieron.
Ahora, he leído muchas reseñas de The Assassin and the Underworld, pero en ninguna he leído que alguien haya notado la presencia de Dorian y Chaol en el relato. ¿HOLAAA? ¡Pues claro que aparecen! De hecho, Celaena baila con Dorian en el baile de máscaras en el que se infiltra... y de allí es la cita que puse al inicio de esta reseña. Y, por supuesto, luego aparece Chaol para separarlos porque piensa que el Príncipe ya ha hecho demasiado el idiota. ¡Y nunca dicen sus nombres! Pero las descripciones y el detalle del color de sus ojos dan todas las pistas que necesito para saber que eran ellos. ¡A mí nadie me engaña!
En general, este es un relato que te deja con un gran sabor agridulce pues te abruman el amor y la ilusión de libertad, pero al mismo tiempo sabes lo que está por llegar... y vaya que es malo.
June 22, 2024
Confession time: for most of this novella, I couldn't remember why I hated this one so much more than all the others. There are sincere emotional moments, Celaena is by and large more bearable, mostly because this remains the only story where an anti-slavery viewpoint is actually woven into the character. The romance is ridiculous, but honestly at this point I handwave ridiculous romance in YA as long as it's not AWFUL romance. Plus, we get actual backstory on Celaena (which is actually sort of a problem: we should have this information in the series, not have to read companion novels for it, but that's a different issue entirely). True, Celaena hated all other women for being women still, so it was getting docked points for that, but except in one specific case it was milder than other novellas.
Then, dear readers, I hit the last chapter.
Remember that one specific case? That case is Lysandra. Those who have read the later books know that Lysandra and Celaena eventually become bosom buds, partly because the novels can't seem to stop commenting on Lysandra's bosom but also because the novels decide that Lysandra feels bad for unspecified behavior and apologizes, and in turn Celaena apologizes for throwing a knife at her head.
I mean I, personally, would find knife hurling an overreaction in response to behavior not involving, say, murder or torture or rape, but these books like to think knife throwing and fire hurling are appropriate responses for mild jabs and appropriate commentary, so whatever. In this novella, we learn about the knife throwing incident.
The knife throwing incident is in response to Lysandra telling Celaena something she already knew, ie that Arobynn used the money Celaena gave him to buy off her indenture from him to pay for Lysandra's 'Bidding' (aka, purchasing the first time Lysandra has sex)(the books' definition of sex is a narrow one, before you ask).
The novella treats this as a 'take that'. Please keep in mind that Lysandra has been raised by Arobynn in a way similar to Celaena without the status of getting to call herself his niece (which indicates to me at least that he was specifically grooming Lysandra, which is supported in the novels themselves). She was also purchased as a small child to be raised that way. Could Celaena not have realized this? I would consider it possible, if we did not in fact know that Celaena is in possession of this information. SO THAT'S GREAT.
Furthermore, the entire sordid affair is treated by Celaena, Arobynn, Sam, Lysandra, AND THE BOOK, as a personal wrong done to Celaena, because Arobynn used the money she paid off her indenture with. Is she upset that he used her money to continue a terrible practice akin if not outright identical to slavery? No. She is upset that he used the money to win Lysandra's Bidding specifically. The quote? "He'd spent her money on a person he knew she hated."
Take a chill pill, Celaena and Novella. Consider for two seconds how traumatizing it must have been for Lysandra to have her virginity bought and 'taken' by her father figure and then maybe consider that you're both tied for The Actual Worst.
Then, dear readers, I hit the last chapter.
Remember that one specific case? That case is Lysandra. Those who have read the later books know that Lysandra and Celaena eventually become bosom buds, partly because the novels can't seem to stop commenting on Lysandra's bosom but also because the novels decide that Lysandra feels bad for unspecified behavior and apologizes, and in turn Celaena apologizes for throwing a knife at her head.
I mean I, personally, would find knife hurling an overreaction in response to behavior not involving, say, murder or torture or rape, but these books like to think knife throwing and fire hurling are appropriate responses for mild jabs and appropriate commentary, so whatever. In this novella, we learn about the knife throwing incident.
The knife throwing incident is in response to Lysandra telling Celaena something she already knew, ie that Arobynn used the money Celaena gave him to buy off her indenture from him to pay for Lysandra's 'Bidding' (aka, purchasing the first time Lysandra has sex)(the books' definition of sex is a narrow one, before you ask).
The novella treats this as a 'take that'. Please keep in mind that Lysandra has been raised by Arobynn in a way similar to Celaena without the status of getting to call herself his niece (which indicates to me at least that he was specifically grooming Lysandra, which is supported in the novels themselves). She was also purchased as a small child to be raised that way. Could Celaena not have realized this? I would consider it possible, if we did not in fact know that Celaena is in possession of this information. SO THAT'S GREAT.
Furthermore, the entire sordid affair is treated by Celaena, Arobynn, Sam, Lysandra, AND THE BOOK, as a personal wrong done to Celaena, because Arobynn used the money she paid off her indenture with. Is she upset that he used her money to continue a terrible practice akin if not outright identical to slavery? No. She is upset that he used the money to win Lysandra's Bidding specifically. The quote? "He'd spent her money on a person he knew she hated."
Take a chill pill, Celaena and Novella. Consider for two seconds how traumatizing it must have been for Lysandra to have her virginity bought and 'taken' by her father figure and then maybe consider that you're both tied for The Actual Worst.
August 11, 2024
Sam ❤️ 😭 😭
it's impossible not to love Celaena and Sam. They are so young and sweet and adorable together. ❤️
I want to cry right now. My poor babies. 😭😭
Also, I didn't thought that it would be possible for me to hate Arobynn even more than I did after reading Queen of Shadows, but this novella did it. I HATE him.
0.1 The Assassin and the Pirate Lord ⭐⭐⭐⭐
0.2 The Assassin and the Healer ⭐⭐⭐.5
0.3 The Assassin and the Desert ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I love you,” he repeated, shaking her again. “I have for years. And he hurt you and made me watch because he’s always known how I felt, too. But if I asked you to pick, you’d choose Arobynn, and I. Can’t. Take. It.”
it's impossible not to love Celaena and Sam. They are so young and sweet and adorable together. ❤️
“In the silence of her bedroom, she swore an oath to the moonlight that if Sam were hurt, no force in the world would hold her back from slaughtering everyone responsible.”
I want to cry right now. My poor babies. 😭😭
Also, I didn't thought that it would be possible for me to hate Arobynn even more than I did after reading Queen of Shadows, but this novella did it. I HATE him.
0.1 The Assassin and the Pirate Lord ⭐⭐⭐⭐
0.2 The Assassin and the Healer ⭐⭐⭐.5
0.3 The Assassin and the Desert ⭐⭐⭐⭐
February 10, 2017
"How can I convince you to stay?"
"You can't."
This novella was so emotional I couldn't even think straight. I loved the vibes of this city and the sewerage systems were breathtaking that I turned the pages quickly to see how it ends. The Assassin and the Underworld would be the 4-star read for me if it was not for that predictable twist and ending. Sam, in this novella, is lovable. I saw a new side of him and liked it. The way he declared his love for Celaena is cute and undeniably touching.
Anyway, I was so scared when I finished this short story because I'd already known about what was going to happen and I was not ready. Mercy me.
“I love you," he repeated, shaking her again. "I have for years. And he hurt you and made me watch because he's always know how I felt, too. But if I asked you to pick, you'd choose Arobynn, and I. Can't. Take. It.”
June 2, 2019
A sneak peek into the dysfunctional dynamics between Arobynn and Caelena.
Q:
Seconds passed, then minutes. Her plans for a grand speech with sweeping gestures faded into silence. (c)
Q:
Of all the people in the world, only Arobynn knew the absolute truth. (c)
Q:
She couldn’t tell what was worse: a quick beheading, or yielding to the king. (c)
Q:
The Mute Master had told her that people dealt with their pain in different ways—that some chose to drown it, some chose to love it, and some chose to let it turn into rage. (с)
Q:
The history that lay between them, dark and twisted and full of secrets, was forged by more than just gold. (c)
And into her being so very fond of gifts with which he's trying to ingratiate himself into good terms with her. Does she love her trinkets!
Q:
But she couldn’t contain her squeal when she opened the box and found two gold hair combs glinting at her. They were exquisite, formed like sharp fish fins, each point accentuated with a sliver of sapphire. (c) Oh, gosh)
Q:
... she beamed at her reflection. Exotic, beguiling, imperious. (с)
Q:
An emerald-and-gold brooch glittered in the gray afternoon light. It was stunning, the work of a master craftsman—and she instantly knew what dresses and tunics it would best complement. (c)
Manicure troubles insight:
Q:
when her attention shifted to her hands—to her shredded cuticles and jagged nails. She let out a low hiss, (c)
Q:
She glanced again at her hair and nails. A very unkempt, wild-looking pet.
She strode into her dressing room. She’d decide what to do about Doneval and his agenda later. For now, not even the rain would keep her from a little pampering. (c)
Q:
... they didn’t trade in gold. No, they coveted things like dreams and memories and souls. (c)
And many other breathtaking things:
Q:
“You look beautiful. Though I bet you already know that.” She most certainly did. (c)
Q:
She was Adarlan’s Assassin; she’d freed slaves and stolen Asterion horses and won the respect of the Mute Master. Surely she could do something better than go to bed early. (c)
Q:
Some things are more important than death. (c)
Q:
“My name is Wind... And Rain. And Bone and Dust. My name is a snippet of a half-remembered song.”...
“I have no name, ... I am whoever the keepers of my fate tell me to be.” (c)
Q:
I don’t know how to be your friend yet. I don’t know if I know how to be anyone’s friend. (c)
Q:
The rooftop of her new apartment looked out over the Avery River, and Celaena sat on the walled edge, her legs dangling off the side. The stone beneath her was chill and damp, but the rain had stopped during the night, and fierce winds had blown the clouds away as the stars faded and the sky lightened.
The sun broke over the horizon, flooding the snaking arm of the Avery with light. It became a living band of gold. ...
She inhaled the damp morning air, letting it wash through her. Seated on the roof ledge, she felt wonderfully insignificant—a mere speck in the vastness of the great city. And yet all of it was hers for the taking.
Yes, the party had been delightful, but there was more to the world than that. Bigger things, more beautiful things, more real things. Her future was hers, and she had three trunks of gold hidden in her room that would solidify it. She could make of her life what she wanted.
Celaena leaned back on her hands, drinking in the awakening city. And as she watched the capital, she had the joyous feeling that the capital watched her back. (c)
Q:
Seconds passed, then minutes. Her plans for a grand speech with sweeping gestures faded into silence. (c)
Q:
Of all the people in the world, only Arobynn knew the absolute truth. (c)
Q:
She couldn’t tell what was worse: a quick beheading, or yielding to the king. (c)
Q:
The Mute Master had told her that people dealt with their pain in different ways—that some chose to drown it, some chose to love it, and some chose to let it turn into rage. (с)
Q:
The history that lay between them, dark and twisted and full of secrets, was forged by more than just gold. (c)
And into her being so very fond of gifts with which he's trying to ingratiate himself into good terms with her. Does she love her trinkets!
Q:
But she couldn’t contain her squeal when she opened the box and found two gold hair combs glinting at her. They were exquisite, formed like sharp fish fins, each point accentuated with a sliver of sapphire. (c) Oh, gosh)
Q:
... she beamed at her reflection. Exotic, beguiling, imperious. (с)
Q:
An emerald-and-gold brooch glittered in the gray afternoon light. It was stunning, the work of a master craftsman—and she instantly knew what dresses and tunics it would best complement. (c)
Manicure troubles insight:
Q:
when her attention shifted to her hands—to her shredded cuticles and jagged nails. She let out a low hiss, (c)
Q:
She glanced again at her hair and nails. A very unkempt, wild-looking pet.
She strode into her dressing room. She’d decide what to do about Doneval and his agenda later. For now, not even the rain would keep her from a little pampering. (c)
Q:
... they didn’t trade in gold. No, they coveted things like dreams and memories and souls. (c)
And many other breathtaking things:
Q:
“You look beautiful. Though I bet you already know that.” She most certainly did. (c)
Q:
She was Adarlan’s Assassin; she’d freed slaves and stolen Asterion horses and won the respect of the Mute Master. Surely she could do something better than go to bed early. (c)
Q:
Some things are more important than death. (c)
Q:
“My name is Wind... And Rain. And Bone and Dust. My name is a snippet of a half-remembered song.”...
“I have no name, ... I am whoever the keepers of my fate tell me to be.” (c)
Q:
I don’t know how to be your friend yet. I don’t know if I know how to be anyone’s friend. (c)
Q:
The rooftop of her new apartment looked out over the Avery River, and Celaena sat on the walled edge, her legs dangling off the side. The stone beneath her was chill and damp, but the rain had stopped during the night, and fierce winds had blown the clouds away as the stars faded and the sky lightened.
The sun broke over the horizon, flooding the snaking arm of the Avery with light. It became a living band of gold. ...
She inhaled the damp morning air, letting it wash through her. Seated on the roof ledge, she felt wonderfully insignificant—a mere speck in the vastness of the great city. And yet all of it was hers for the taking.
Yes, the party had been delightful, but there was more to the world than that. Bigger things, more beautiful things, more real things. Her future was hers, and she had three trunks of gold hidden in her room that would solidify it. She could make of her life what she wanted.
Celaena leaned back on her hands, drinking in the awakening city. And as she watched the capital, she had the joyous feeling that the capital watched her back. (c)
May 28, 2024
━━♡ full anthology review
[2024 reread] ★★★
i mean this in the nicest way possible, but celaena is so annoying in this short story. she is finally back in rifthold, after being gone training for three months, and arobynn apologies and sends her on a mission to make up for the abuse that came after the first story in this anthology. celaena starts following the clues about the slave trade and safe houses during her mission and (painfully slowly) starts to figure out maybe not all is what it seems.
we also get introduced to lyssandra in this story, and it really did make my heart hurt to read. this story really emphasizes how arobynn is a gross predatory man, who is grooming and abusing these young adults in many different ways. celaena and sam actually do become a thing in this installment, after a lot of push and pull, but it did taste rather bittersweet because the reader knows what is to come. but the spidersilk really was a sweet twist and made me smile.
trigger and content warnings: extreme physical abuse in past, abusive relationships / unhealthy power dynamics, grooming (and its very uncomfortable to read), predatory men, gaslighting, manipulation, slavery, battle/violence, blood, vomit, mention of loss of mother in past, sex work shaming, drowning, suicide/sacrificing one’s life.
[2016 first read] ★★★★★
Be still, my heart. This novella was everything I wanted from this bind-up and more! Celaena is finally back in Rifthold after her three month journey away. Celaena and Sam discover how much they missed each other, and after a few high sexual tension scenes, they realize how much they like each other.
And freakin' Lysandra is in this story! Her and Celaena are just starting to hate each other, but, oh my gosh, it was so amazing to see these girls at seventeen, knowing how their paths will eventually twists together into something beautiful. Also, Arobynn is such a gross man!
blog | instagram | youtube | kofi | spotify | amazon
1.) Throne of Glass ★★
2.) Crown of Midnight ★★★★
1.) A Court of Thorns and Roses ★★★★
2.) A Court of Mist and Fury ★★★
3.) A Court of Wings and Ruin ★★★
3.1) A Court of Frost and Starlight ★★★
4) A Court of Silver Flames ★★★★
1.) House of Earth and Blood ★★★
2.) House of Sky and Breath ★★★
3.) House of Flame and Shadow ★★★
[2024 reread] ★★★
i mean this in the nicest way possible, but celaena is so annoying in this short story. she is finally back in rifthold, after being gone training for three months, and arobynn apologies and sends her on a mission to make up for the abuse that came after the first story in this anthology. celaena starts following the clues about the slave trade and safe houses during her mission and (painfully slowly) starts to figure out maybe not all is what it seems.
we also get introduced to lyssandra in this story, and it really did make my heart hurt to read. this story really emphasizes how arobynn is a gross predatory man, who is grooming and abusing these young adults in many different ways. celaena and sam actually do become a thing in this installment, after a lot of push and pull, but it did taste rather bittersweet because the reader knows what is to come. but the spidersilk really was a sweet twist and made me smile.
trigger and content warnings: extreme physical abuse in past, abusive relationships / unhealthy power dynamics, grooming (and its very uncomfortable to read), predatory men, gaslighting, manipulation, slavery, battle/violence, blood, vomit, mention of loss of mother in past, sex work shaming, drowning, suicide/sacrificing one’s life.
[2016 first read] ★★★★★
Be still, my heart. This novella was everything I wanted from this bind-up and more! Celaena is finally back in Rifthold after her three month journey away. Celaena and Sam discover how much they missed each other, and after a few high sexual tension scenes, they realize how much they like each other.
And freakin' Lysandra is in this story! Her and Celaena are just starting to hate each other, but, oh my gosh, it was so amazing to see these girls at seventeen, knowing how their paths will eventually twists together into something beautiful. Also, Arobynn is such a gross man!
blog | instagram | youtube | kofi | spotify | amazon
1.) Throne of Glass ★★
2.) Crown of Midnight ★★★★
1.) A Court of Thorns and Roses ★★★★
2.) A Court of Mist and Fury ★★★
3.) A Court of Wings and Ruin ★★★
3.1) A Court of Frost and Starlight ★★★
4) A Court of Silver Flames ★★★★
1.) House of Earth and Blood ★★★
2.) House of Sky and Breath ★★★
3.) House of Flame and Shadow ★★★
December 5, 2020
“I love you,” he repeated, shaking her again. “I have for years. And he hurt you and made me watch because he’s always known how I felt, too. But if I asked you to pick, you’d choose Arobynn, and I. Can’t. Take. It.”
*sobs*
“In the silence of her bedroom, she swore an oath to the moonlight that if Sam were hurt, no force in the world would hold her back from slaughtering everyone responsible.”
*sobs even more*
I know what's coming next and I'm not ready😭
Shame on you SJM for MAKING ME LOVE SAM SO MUCH.🥺
*sobs*
“In the silence of her bedroom, she swore an oath to the moonlight that if Sam were hurt, no force in the world would hold her back from slaughtering everyone responsible.”
*sobs even more*
I know what's coming next and I'm not ready😭
Shame on you SJM for MAKING ME LOVE SAM SO MUCH.🥺
January 7, 2020
4 STAR'S
“I love you," he repeated, shaking her again. "I have for years. And he hurt you and made me watch because he's always know how I felt, too. But if I asked you to pick, you'd choose Arobynn, and I. Can't. Take. It.”
This novella was really freaking good! The Assassin and the Underworld takes place where The Assassin and the Desert left off. I was hooked and just really enjoyed this read :) Arobynn gives Celaena a mission she can't refuse but... let's just say things do not go as planned and Arobynn isn't quite done with her punishment just yet and thing's get really DIRTY!! The twist and turns and the ending were a bit too predictable though. At the same time, I for reals couldn't put this down. Celaena and Sam, Sam and Celaena! Ahhh... I just can't get enough of these two. You get to see a whole other side to Sam Cortland and it's impossible not to fall for the guy. He's just the sweetest. I love Celaena and Sam so so much! They are so stinking cute and I just melted over Sam's confession of love for Celaena. I don't even want to think about what's coming because it's gonna ruin me 😭. This is a must-read.
“You’re a damned idiot,” she breathed, grabbing the front of his tunic. “You’re a moron and an ass and a damned idiot.” He looked like she had hit him. But she went on, and grasped both sides of his face, "Because I'd pick you."
And then she kissed him.
“I love you," he repeated, shaking her again. "I have for years. And he hurt you and made me watch because he's always know how I felt, too. But if I asked you to pick, you'd choose Arobynn, and I. Can't. Take. It.”
This novella was really freaking good! The Assassin and the Underworld takes place where The Assassin and the Desert left off. I was hooked and just really enjoyed this read :) Arobynn gives Celaena a mission she can't refuse but... let's just say things do not go as planned and Arobynn isn't quite done with her punishment just yet and thing's get really DIRTY!! The twist and turns and the ending were a bit too predictable though. At the same time, I for reals couldn't put this down. Celaena and Sam, Sam and Celaena! Ahhh... I just can't get enough of these two. You get to see a whole other side to Sam Cortland and it's impossible not to fall for the guy. He's just the sweetest. I love Celaena and Sam so so much! They are so stinking cute and I just melted over Sam's confession of love for Celaena. I don't even want to think about what's coming because it's gonna ruin me 😭. This is a must-read.
“You’re a damned idiot,” she breathed, grabbing the front of his tunic. “You’re a moron and an ass and a damned idiot.” He looked like she had hit him. But she went on, and grasped both sides of his face, "Because I'd pick you."
And then she kissed him.
March 6, 2025
|| 3.5 stars ||
We finally get to see what Celaena’s life looked like when she got back to Rifthold; what happened in the days before everything went to hell. And it’s a pitiful picture we see. Celeana obviously had no idea what horrors would await her, who she would lose, who would betray her. It’s so devastating, frustrating, and absolutely angering on her behalf.
She reunites with the King of the Assassins, Arobynn Hamel, and her frenemy/lover, Sam Cortland. The main focus of this story is definitely on what her feelings for these two men are and how they develop.
She learns to despise her old master, Arobynn, probably more than she ever would have thought possible, while in the meantime she examines her new-found respect and growing love for Sam.
I definitely appreciated that we got more interactions with Sam here, because I have been waiting for more face-to-face scenes with him ever since I started these novellas.
The way Celeana has spoken about their love in the original series, I have always imagined their romance to be a beautiful and heartfelt story. And I don’t want to say I’m disappointed perse, but the truth is that I kind of am. And it isn’t Sam’s fault, because he is lovely. He is devoted, he is caring, he is loving. He is everything we could have hoped for.
No, Sam is not the problem. I think the problem for me comes from the fact that Celaena doesn’t seem to care enough. Maybe she cares now, but I would have preferred her to have cared for the many years they’ve known each other. It would have given their relationship more depth if her love didn’t happen so quickly and only for such a short amount of time. Maybe that’s just me, though.
All in all, I thought this was a story we all needed from this series. We needed to see what happened in these final days, how her feelings for Sam and Arobynn shaped themselves, and most of all, what all of this meant to Celaena.
'Throne of Glass' series:
1. Throne of Glass - 4.0 stars
2. Crown of Midnight - 4.5 stars
3. Heir of Fire - 4.0 stars
4. Queen of Shadows - 3.5 stars
5. Empire of Storms - 3.0 stars
6. Tower of Dawn - dnf
7. Kingdom of Ash - 3.0 stars
Novellas:
0.1. The Assassin and the Pirate Lord - 2.5 stars
0.2. The Assassin and the Healer - 3.5 stars
0.3. The Assassin and the Desert - 4.0 stars
0.4. The Assassin and the Underworld - 3.5 stars
0.5. The Assassin and the Empire - 3.0 stars
Other Sarah J. Maas books:
‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ series - var. ratings
‘Crescent City’ series - var. ratings
Catwoman: Soulstealer - 4.0 stars
We finally get to see what Celaena’s life looked like when she got back to Rifthold; what happened in the days before everything went to hell. And it’s a pitiful picture we see. Celeana obviously had no idea what horrors would await her, who she would lose, who would betray her. It’s so devastating, frustrating, and absolutely angering on her behalf.
She reunites with the King of the Assassins, Arobynn Hamel, and her frenemy/lover, Sam Cortland. The main focus of this story is definitely on what her feelings for these two men are and how they develop.
She learns to despise her old master, Arobynn, probably more than she ever would have thought possible, while in the meantime she examines her new-found respect and growing love for Sam.
“Why can’t you let it go?”
“Because I love you!” Her mouth fell open. “I love you,” he repeated, shaking her again. “I have for years. And he hurt you and made me watch because he’s always known how I felt, too. But if I asked you to pick, you’d choose Arobynn, and I. Can’t. Take. It.”
“You’re a damned idiot,” she breathed. “You’re a moron and an ass and a damned idiot.” He looked like she had hit him. But she went on, and grasped both sides of his face, “Because I’d pick you.” And then she kissed him.
I definitely appreciated that we got more interactions with Sam here, because I have been waiting for more face-to-face scenes with him ever since I started these novellas.
The way Celeana has spoken about their love in the original series, I have always imagined their romance to be a beautiful and heartfelt story. And I don’t want to say I’m disappointed perse, but the truth is that I kind of am. And it isn’t Sam’s fault, because he is lovely. He is devoted, he is caring, he is loving. He is everything we could have hoped for.
“I care what you think of me. I care enough that I stayed at this disgusting party just for you. And I care enough that I’d attend a thousand more like it so I can spend a few hours with you when you aren’t looking at me like I’m not worth the filth beneath your shoes.”
No, Sam is not the problem. I think the problem for me comes from the fact that Celaena doesn’t seem to care enough. Maybe she cares now, but I would have preferred her to have cared for the many years they’ve known each other. It would have given their relationship more depth if her love didn’t happen so quickly and only for such a short amount of time. Maybe that’s just me, though.
All in all, I thought this was a story we all needed from this series. We needed to see what happened in these final days, how her feelings for Sam and Arobynn shaped themselves, and most of all, what all of this meant to Celaena.
'Throne of Glass' series:
1. Throne of Glass - 4.0 stars
2. Crown of Midnight - 4.5 stars
3. Heir of Fire - 4.0 stars
4. Queen of Shadows - 3.5 stars
5. Empire of Storms - 3.0 stars
6. Tower of Dawn - dnf
7. Kingdom of Ash - 3.0 stars
Novellas:
0.1. The Assassin and the Pirate Lord - 2.5 stars
0.2. The Assassin and the Healer - 3.5 stars
0.3. The Assassin and the Desert - 4.0 stars
0.4. The Assassin and the Underworld - 3.5 stars
0.5. The Assassin and the Empire - 3.0 stars
Other Sarah J. Maas books:
‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ series - var. ratings
‘Crescent City’ series - var. ratings
Catwoman: Soulstealer - 4.0 stars
January 29, 2025
The story just keeps building and building!!!!
I feel like this novella is the best yet, creating a start to finish feeding frenzy for my eyes. I wanted to see where this story was headed and I was not disappointed.
I appreciate that the romance has slowly crept in given how young the deadly assassin is, and I’m highly interested in seeing where the storyline goes now that she has made some drastic changes in her life.
I have to say, the author did a wonderful job in this one evoking emotion, because I felt them all.
I feel like this novella is the best yet, creating a start to finish feeding frenzy for my eyes. I wanted to see where this story was headed and I was not disappointed.
I appreciate that the romance has slowly crept in given how young the deadly assassin is, and I’m highly interested in seeing where the storyline goes now that she has made some drastic changes in her life.
I have to say, the author did a wonderful job in this one evoking emotion, because I felt them all.
April 7, 2023
I'm in love with Sam. He is such a sweetheart and ahhhh the way he was jealous and protected Celaena 😩🫶🏼. I'm enjoying this series so much. Can't wait to meet the other Characters. Especially Rowan, Aelin, Dorian, and the list goes on. Also, where are the faes? AHHH CAN'T WAIT FOR THEM.
“𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘩𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵. 𝘐𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯.” [...] “𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘬,”
𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘚𝘢𝘮 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵, 𝘯𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳���𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦.
“𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. “𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵, 𝘵𝘰𝘰. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘬, 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘺𝘯𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐. 𝘊𝘢𝘯’𝘵. 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦. 𝘐𝘵.”
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘐 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘺𝘯𝘯, 𝘊𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘦𝘯𝘢?” 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘚𝘢𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘦. “𝘔𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦’𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘐 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘐’𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵.”
• Just random:
There was a masked guy and Celaena thought this: ❝𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬, 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞.❞ I NEED TO KNOW WHO HE IS?
(っ◔◡◔)っ I need the other novella 😩
“𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘩𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵. 𝘐𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯.” [...] “𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘬,”
𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘚𝘢𝘮 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵, 𝘯𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳���𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦.
“𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. “𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵, 𝘵𝘰𝘰. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘬, 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘺𝘯𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐. 𝘊𝘢𝘯’𝘵. 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦. 𝘐𝘵.”
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘐 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘺𝘯𝘯, 𝘊𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘦𝘯𝘢?” 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘚𝘢𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘦. “𝘔𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦’𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘐 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘐’𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵.”
• Just random:
There was a masked guy and Celaena thought this: ❝𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬, 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞.❞ I NEED TO KNOW WHO HE IS?
(っ◔◡◔)っ I need the other novella 😩
September 20, 2015
I just can’t stop admiring Sarah J. Maas. The series of novella in The Assassin’s Blade keeps getting better and better. More action, more intrigue– The Assassin and the Underworld made me speechless! Sarah J. Maas made such a raw and powerful job in this novella.
I felt so many emotions while reading this. I felt sad, thrilled, excited, anxious, angry, swooning– everything. I’ve never felt these mixed emotions in a long while but in this novella, I experienced such a ride. I didn’t expect to hate some of the characters here. I admit I already expected a betrayal and a deceit coming but still, what happened to Celaena broke me into pieces.
The pacing of this novella is also plus. It’s fast paced and the important details were perfectly framed together. Also, flawless plot! I also love the romance between Sam and Celaena. It was sweet and not forced. I ship them so bad! Oh Sam…
What more can be said about this novella? Everything is a form of masterpiece that only Sarah J. Maas can deliver!
Rating: 5 Stars
I felt so many emotions while reading this. I felt sad, thrilled, excited, anxious, angry, swooning– everything. I’ve never felt these mixed emotions in a long while but in this novella, I experienced such a ride. I didn’t expect to hate some of the characters here. I admit I already expected a betrayal and a deceit coming but still, what happened to Celaena broke me into pieces.
The pacing of this novella is also plus. It’s fast paced and the important details were perfectly framed together. Also, flawless plot! I also love the romance between Sam and Celaena. It was sweet and not forced. I ship them so bad! Oh Sam…
What more can be said about this novella? Everything is a form of masterpiece that only Sarah J. Maas can deliver!
Rating: 5 Stars
November 9, 2020
Dorian?
Chaol?
Pfft.
SAM KICKS YOUR ASSES.
He'll always be superior.
He's so adorable and cute and lovely and...
Can't believe his destiny!!!!!
And Celaena, come on... I liked you because one doesn't have to shout look behind you all the time!
I thought you were smarter than that, we all saw it coming.
Well, except for you.
Chaol?
Pfft.
SAM KICKS YOUR ASSES.
He'll always be superior.
He's so adorable and cute and lovely and...
Can't believe his destiny!!!!!
And Celaena, come on... I liked you because one doesn't have to shout look behind you all the time!
I thought you were smarter than that, we all saw it coming.
Well, except for you.
November 8, 2020
4.5★ Amazing!!
He’d given her everything, but he’d also taken
everything away. She could no sooner sort out her feelings toward the King of
the Assassins than she could count the stars in the sky.
All I'd say is you never know who you can trust. You know someone for years and they'll betray you, and you'll make a new friend because he/she seems so nice and all, but they'll stab you in the back too.
Especially the life of an assassin. Trusting is risking which they cannot afford to do that much.
Also, I just love Sam and Celaena totally shipping them.
. . . And you're a damned fool for not seeing it.
Seriously, I think she saw but didn't believe it and wasn't sure about herself too which is why she kept ignoring the thought.
I HATEEE Arobynn.
And I'd just say the novellas have been so good till now that I'm wondering how good the novels would be.
‼️ SPOILER ALERT ‼️
“I love you,” he repeated, shaking her again. “I have for years. But if I asked you to pick, you’d choose Arobynn, and I. Can’t. Take. It.”
“You’re a damned idiot,” she breathed grabbing the front of his tunic. “You’re a moron and an ass and a damned idiot." He looked like she had hit him. But she went on, and grasped both sides of his face. “Because I’d pick you.”
Since I read the novellas, I think Sam is really underrated. As are the novellas. I haven't seen much fanart of my lovely boy and even though there is art that isn't exactly like I imagine things, the effort in it is wonderful. And so here I'm sharing this art piece which imo is from when Celaena was with Sam in her apartment when she paid the debt to Arobynn.
He’d given her everything, but he’d also taken
everything away. She could no sooner sort out her feelings toward the King of
the Assassins than she could count the stars in the sky.
All I'd say is you never know who you can trust. You know someone for years and they'll betray you, and you'll make a new friend because he/she seems so nice and all, but they'll stab you in the back too.
Especially the life of an assassin. Trusting is risking which they cannot afford to do that much.
Also, I just love Sam and Celaena totally shipping them.
. . . And you're a damned fool for not seeing it.
Seriously, I think she saw but didn't believe it and wasn't sure about herself too which is why she kept ignoring the thought.
I HATEEE Arobynn.
And I'd just say the novellas have been so good till now that I'm wondering how good the novels would be.
‼️ SPOILER ALERT ‼️
“I love you,” he repeated, shaking her again. “I have for years. But if I asked you to pick, you’d choose Arobynn, and I. Can’t. Take. It.”
“You’re a damned idiot,” she breathed grabbing the front of his tunic. “You’re a moron and an ass and a damned idiot." He looked like she had hit him. But she went on, and grasped both sides of his face. “Because I’d pick you.”
Since I read the novellas, I think Sam is really underrated. As are the novellas. I haven't seen much fanart of my lovely boy and even though there is art that isn't exactly like I imagine things, the effort in it is wonderful. And so here I'm sharing this art piece which imo is from when Celaena was with Sam in her apartment when she paid the debt to Arobynn.
April 26, 2014
* I don't care if these are just novellas, these are just as great as the actual novels and if you at all felt any inkling of love towards the Throne of Glass series, then by Gods, what are you waiting for!? *
I've gone and done it guys. I've gone and done the stupidest thing of all things stupid. I've fallen for Sam.
I should know better, I really should....
Why did I fall in love with Sam's character when I know their story arc is doomed...
WHY!?!?!?
As a general rule, I don't usually give novellas more than 4 stars because they aren't fully developed stories with developing characters BUT there goes THAT rule because wow. I think this has to do with reading each of the novellas right after each other that makes it seem more like one entire book.
I couldn't believe... no wait, I could believe what an a-hole Arrobynn was. Even from Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight I kind of got that distinct feeling. But honestly, what an @!$%#@!!!. Read for your self and you'll see what I mean. You'll want to strangle him too.
So happy to see Dorian and Chaol make a small appearance in the book, even if it really wasn't all that significant. If anything they served as an impetus for the Sam/Celaena ship to be canon.
I've always liked Chaol best out of Dorian/Chaol, but I can't help but adore Sam just a tad bit more. What a sweetheart he is.
Ugh... I KNOW this isn't gonna end well with my heart, heck, it already hurts.
I've gone and done it guys. I've gone and done the stupidest thing of all things stupid. I've fallen for Sam.
I should know better, I really should....
Why did I fall in love with Sam's character when I know their story arc is doomed...
WHY!?!?!?
As a general rule, I don't usually give novellas more than 4 stars because they aren't fully developed stories with developing characters BUT there goes THAT rule because wow. I think this has to do with reading each of the novellas right after each other that makes it seem more like one entire book.
I couldn't believe... no wait, I could believe what an a-hole Arrobynn was. Even from Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight I kind of got that distinct feeling. But honestly, what an @!$%#@!!!. Read for your self and you'll see what I mean. You'll want to strangle him too.
So happy to see Dorian and Chaol make a small appearance in the book, even if it really wasn't all that significant. If anything they served as an impetus for the Sam/Celaena ship to be canon.
I've always liked Chaol best out of Dorian/Chaol, but I can't help but adore Sam just a tad bit more. What a sweetheart he is.
Ugh... I KNOW this isn't gonna end well with my heart, heck, it already hurts.
January 14, 2025
I just love Sam!
Seriously. I love him! Gah! It was amazing to see Celaena and Sam together again 🥹.
Basic plot: Celaena returns to Rifthold and is sent on a mission by Arobynn to kill a corrupt official. She begins to question Arobynn’s motives and realizes he manipulates her life. Celaena and Sam grow closer, and she decides to leave the Guild with Sam.
Now Sam. Ugh. Saaaam is just amazing! Not gonna lie, Lysandra kind of irritated me… but even though Celaena was jealous, Sam quickly made her feel secure (and HE also got jealous too when she mentions the Mute Master’s son 👀 🤣). I love seeing their relationship get stronger compared to like book 1 ❤️.
Seriously. I love him! Gah! It was amazing to see Celaena and Sam together again 🥹.
Basic plot: Celaena returns to Rifthold and is sent on a mission by Arobynn to kill a corrupt official. She begins to question Arobynn’s motives and realizes he manipulates her life. Celaena and Sam grow closer, and she decides to leave the Guild with Sam.
Now Sam. Ugh. Saaaam is just amazing! Not gonna lie, Lysandra kind of irritated me… but even though Celaena was jealous, Sam quickly made her feel secure (and HE also got jealous too when she mentions the Mute Master’s son 👀 🤣). I love seeing their relationship get stronger compared to like book 1 ❤️.
August 3, 2021
~ 4.5 stars ~
Not me genuinely liking, maybe possibly loving later on, a character I know is going to die. 🤡🤡🤡
But I do appreciate how these novellas have improved upon each other, and I have high hopes for the last one. Where was this energy for the main books?
Not me genuinely liking, maybe possibly loving later on, a character I know is going to die. 🤡🤡🤡
But I do appreciate how these novellas have improved upon each other, and I have high hopes for the last one. Where was this energy for the main books?
July 30, 2024
so much for adarlan's most notorious assassin when an old wrinkled bastard played you so easily.
what did celaena expect? arobynn sent her to a mission which was disguised as a slave trade, beat the living daylights out of her for freeing the slaves, sent her to the scorching red dessert as a punishment and after her return pretended to be all remorseful and a saviour AND CELAENA BOUGHT HIS BULLSHIT. he assigned her to assassinate two potential slave traders because all of a sudden he is a "messiah of slaves" and the funny thing is, adarlan's smartest, deadliest, wickedest assassin believed him without a single doubt and slaughtered them all without investigating the case by herself.
and then she had the audacity to be shocked after she got to know that she has been played by arobynn and those "slave traders" were in fact rebels 🤡🔫
girlypop i'm the farthest cause from an assassin but i still saw it coming from a mile away. maybe think before you act all cocky and arrogant and claim to be the best assassin in the world because you're not allat.
another disappointment from these novellas is celaena-sam's relationship build up. i thought the assassin's blade was more focused on this aspect of her past but that's not the case. i still love sam, very much so. but i wanted MORE.
anyways- live laugh love sam cortland!
“In the silence of her bedroom, she swore an oath to the moonlight that if Sam were hurt, no force in the world would hold her back from slaughtering everyone responsible.”
She halted when he spoke again. “You want to know what price I asked for forgiving Arobynn, Celaena?”
She slowly turned. With the ongoing rain, the hall was full of shadows and light. Sam stood so still that he might have been a statue. “My price was his oath that he’d never lay a hand on you again. I told him I’d forgive him in exchange for that.”
“I care what you think of me. I care enough that I stayed at this disgusting party just for you. And I care enough that I’d attend a thousand more like it so I can spend a few hours with you when you aren’t looking at me like I’m not worth the filth beneath your shoes.”
“Why can’t you let it go?”
“Because I love you!” Her mouth fell open. “I love you,” he repeated, shaking her again. “I have for years. And he hurt you and made me watch because he’s always known how I felt, too. But if I asked you to pick, you’d choose Arobynn, and I. Can’t. Take. It.”
“You’re a damned idiot,” she breathed. “You’re a moron and an ass and a damned idiot.” He looked like she had hit him. But she went on, and grasped both sides of his face, “Because I’d pick you.” And then she kissed him.
He brushed his lips against hers. “I love you,” he breathed against her mouth. “And from today onward, I want to never be separated from you. Wherever you go, I go. Even if that means going to Hell itself, wherever you are, that’s where I want to be. Forever.”
Celaena put her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, giving him her silent reply.
what did celaena expect? arobynn sent her to a mission which was disguised as a slave trade, beat the living daylights out of her for freeing the slaves, sent her to the scorching red dessert as a punishment and after her return pretended to be all remorseful and a saviour AND CELAENA BOUGHT HIS BULLSHIT. he assigned her to assassinate two potential slave traders because all of a sudden he is a "messiah of slaves" and the funny thing is, adarlan's smartest, deadliest, wickedest assassin believed him without a single doubt and slaughtered them all without investigating the case by herself.
and then she had the audacity to be shocked after she got to know that she has been played by arobynn and those "slave traders" were in fact rebels 🤡🔫
girlypop i'm the farthest cause from an assassin but i still saw it coming from a mile away. maybe think before you act all cocky and arrogant and claim to be the best assassin in the world because you're not allat.
another disappointment from these novellas is celaena-sam's relationship build up. i thought the assassin's blade was more focused on this aspect of her past but that's not the case. i still love sam, very much so. but i wanted MORE.
anyways- live laugh love sam cortland!
“In the silence of her bedroom, she swore an oath to the moonlight that if Sam were hurt, no force in the world would hold her back from slaughtering everyone responsible.”
She halted when he spoke again. “You want to know what price I asked for forgiving Arobynn, Celaena?”
She slowly turned. With the ongoing rain, the hall was full of shadows and light. Sam stood so still that he might have been a statue. “My price was his oath that he’d never lay a hand on you again. I told him I’d forgive him in exchange for that.”
“I care what you think of me. I care enough that I stayed at this disgusting party just for you. And I care enough that I’d attend a thousand more like it so I can spend a few hours with you when you aren’t looking at me like I’m not worth the filth beneath your shoes.”
“Why can’t you let it go?”
“Because I love you!” Her mouth fell open. “I love you,” he repeated, shaking her again. “I have for years. And he hurt you and made me watch because he’s always known how I felt, too. But if I asked you to pick, you’d choose Arobynn, and I. Can’t. Take. It.”
“You’re a damned idiot,” she breathed. “You’re a moron and an ass and a damned idiot.” He looked like she had hit him. But she went on, and grasped both sides of his face, “Because I’d pick you.” And then she kissed him.
He brushed his lips against hers. “I love you,” he breathed against her mouth. “And from today onward, I want to never be separated from you. Wherever you go, I go. Even if that means going to Hell itself, wherever you are, that’s where I want to be. Forever.”
Celaena put her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, giving him her silent reply.
September 19, 2020
He got her the sheet music 😫 These Novellas are undoing me. Now I understand the Sarah J. Mass stans 😏💗
April 13, 2017
I think this is my favorite one , Arobynn you little shit !!
Read
February 13, 2025“Where you go, I go” 😭
This gonna hurt like hell…
This gonna hurt like hell…
September 17, 2020
Finally I am getting around to reading the adventures of my dear Celaena Sardothien. LOWKEY, I kind of love the assassin more than the queen, but that doesn't mean that I don't love the queen.
I wanted to read it before I read Empire of Storms BUT I kind of got distracted with other books that were coming out around the same time. I am not a huge fan of novellas, but I do know that some of the characters introduced in the last book were first introduced in some of these novellas in The Assassin's Blade. And because I love Sarah J. Maas's story telling and her writing, I am going to go ahead and read these beauties.
So, with that said, I am going to read and rate these so I can finally be completely caught up on The Throne of Glass Series: Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, Queen of Shadows, Empire of Storms, and Tower of Dawn.
The Assassin and the Underworld (Throne of Glass, #0.4)
I am set up for such heart break right now. I am completely and utterly in love with Sam. SPOILER ABOUT ME: I never really have shipped anyone with Celaena Sardothien. Dorian was cool and adorable, Chaol was a great rock for Celaena's personality, Rowan was LIFE to begin with, but then he kind of became "ehhh" to me. I mean, I am so happy that Celaena/Aelin is happy and with someone who cares about her and such, but I never really had an opinion if that makes sense.
Well, I have an opinion now. His name is SAM
Well, not that Sam but you know who I am talking about.
He cares SO MUCH for her, even when she is a little brat (which is most of the time).
"The moment I woke up after he beat me, I realized I had to leave. Because I was going to kill him if I didn't. But I couldn't." He studied her face. "Not until you came back. Not until I knew you were all right - until I saw that you were safe."
Just slit my heart open, Sam.
There is a lot of trickery in this book, but there is a lot of satisfaction as well. You'll want to kill Arobynn even more than you wanted to before you read this, but that is to be expected.
Oh and you'll also be setting yourself up for the worst thing in the world to happen, according to everyone I have talked to who has read the 5th installment of The Assassin's Blade. This should be horrible.
I wanted to read it before I read Empire of Storms BUT I kind of got distracted with other books that were coming out around the same time. I am not a huge fan of novellas, but I do know that some of the characters introduced in the last book were first introduced in some of these novellas in The Assassin's Blade. And because I love Sarah J. Maas's story telling and her writing, I am going to go ahead and read these beauties.
So, with that said, I am going to read and rate these so I can finally be completely caught up on The Throne of Glass Series: Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, Queen of Shadows, Empire of Storms, and Tower of Dawn.
The Assassin and the Underworld (Throne of Glass, #0.4)
I am set up for such heart break right now. I am completely and utterly in love with Sam. SPOILER ABOUT ME: I never really have shipped anyone with Celaena Sardothien. Dorian was cool and adorable, Chaol was a great rock for Celaena's personality, Rowan was LIFE to begin with, but then he kind of became "ehhh" to me. I mean, I am so happy that Celaena/Aelin is happy and with someone who cares about her and such, but I never really had an opinion if that makes sense.
Well, I have an opinion now. His name is SAM
Well, not that Sam but you know who I am talking about.
He cares SO MUCH for her, even when she is a little brat (which is most of the time).
"The moment I woke up after he beat me, I realized I had to leave. Because I was going to kill him if I didn't. But I couldn't." He studied her face. "Not until you came back. Not until I knew you were all right - until I saw that you were safe."
Just slit my heart open, Sam.
There is a lot of trickery in this book, but there is a lot of satisfaction as well. You'll want to kill Arobynn even more than you wanted to before you read this, but that is to be expected.
Oh and you'll also be setting yourself up for the worst thing in the world to happen, according to everyone I have talked to who has read the 5th installment of The Assassin's Blade. This should be horrible.
December 27, 2022
So gooodddddd
December 8, 2014
Shit shit shit. I hate Arobynn. I HATE him. He needs to die. Oh god, I hope Celaena gets to kill him in book 4. Please please pleaaase.
I don't think I can read the last story. I really don't want to go through that. I'm sure it'll be even worse than I expect it to be because.. god knows what horrible revenge Arobynn has planned for them. Ughhh.
I don't think I can read the last story. I really don't want to go through that. I'm sure it'll be even worse than I expect it to be because.. god knows what horrible revenge Arobynn has planned for them. Ughhh.
July 1, 2021
Why Celaena Sardotherin is an asshole
An essay by Nashita
* She has a big ego and calls herself the greatest assasin even though she doesnt do shit
* She has no empathy or basic regard for other humans
* She constantly looks down on Lysandra and other prostitutes not thinking about how much they have suffered
* She forgives Arobynn for hitting her
* She feels angry that her money was used for Lysandra's bidding, not considering the fact how Arobynn bought Lysandra against her will and is now going to use her
* Emphasis on tne point she doenst give a shit about other people until they worship her
Example.....She didnt care abt Sam before but since he started worshiping her, she decided to care abt him
Hence justified (:
⭐️⭐️
An essay by Nashita
* She has a big ego and calls herself the greatest assasin even though she doesnt do shit
* She has no empathy or basic regard for other humans
* She constantly looks down on Lysandra and other prostitutes not thinking about how much they have suffered
* She forgives Arobynn for hitting her
* She feels angry that her money was used for Lysandra's bidding, not considering the fact how Arobynn bought Lysandra against her will and is now going to use her
* Emphasis on tne point she doenst give a shit about other people until they worship her
Example.....She didnt care abt Sam before but since he started worshiping her, she decided to care abt him
Hence justified (:
⭐️⭐️
Read
February 9, 2019Knowing what happens in the final novella is almost enough to send me into cardiac arrest.
I want to pretend it won’t happen.
Especially as my ship has sailed and won’t make it far out of the harbour.
I want to be sane and emotionally stable when I finish this novella.
Especially as things ended so well for these two characters in the fourth one.
Can there be an alternative ending?
Please?
Pretty please?
I don’t want to go through that again.
*wipes premature tears away*
But I need to.
*deep breaths*
Here I go.
I want to pretend it won’t happen.
Especially as my ship has sailed and won’t make it far out of the harbour.
I want to be sane and emotionally stable when I finish this novella.
Especially as things ended so well for these two characters in the fourth one.
Can there be an alternative ending?
Please?
Pretty please?
I don’t want to go through that again.
*wipes premature tears away*
But I need to.
*deep breaths*
Here I go.
May 16, 2023
“wherever you go, i go. even if that means going to hell itself, wherever you are, that’s where i want to be. forever.” 🥹
February 7, 2017
I can’t help but love the way that Arrobyn Hamel is written. Don’t get me wrong, I hate him just as much as everyone else who has read these novellas, But I absolutely love a good villain. He is so evil that he makes Celaena and Sam better characters. I love the romance we get to see blossoming between Celaena and Sam also. Sarah J. Maas wrote their characters beautifully and their romance matches.
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