When Should I Read The Assassin's Blade
Okay, let’s talk about The Assassin's Blade. You know, the prequel to the Throne of Glass series by the super-talented Sarah J. Maas. This little gem is a collection of short stories, and it’s all about our favorite assassin, Celaena Sardothien, before she became, well, Celaena Sardothien as we know her. Now, the burning question on everyone’s lips, or at least on the lips of every Throne of Glass fan who’s ever Googled “when to read The Assassin’s Blade,” is… when, exactly, is the perfect time?
Some people will tell you, with the fervor of a knight defending a castle, that you must read it first. Like, day one. Before you even crack open book one. They’ll say it’s the only way to truly understand Celaena’s pain, her motivations, her… everything. And bless their organized little hearts, they’re not wrong. It absolutely provides context. It’s like getting the backstory for your favorite superhero. You learn how they got their powers, why they’re so grumpy, and who stole their favorite cape.
But here’s my slightly controversial, possibly unpopular opinion. And before you grab your virtual pitchforks, hear me out! What if… what if you don’t have to read it first? Gasp! I know, I know. It feels like heresy. But think about it. Sometimes, knowing the entire tragic backstory right away can, dare I say it, dampen the initial spark of discovery.
Imagine meeting someone new. They’re mysterious, they’re a little bit rough around the edges, and you’re immediately intrigued. You want to peel back the layers, find out what makes them tick. If they immediately launched into their entire life story, every single embarrassing moment and every single heartbreak, would you still be as fascinated? Maybe not! Sometimes, the mystery is the point. The gradual unveiling is the fun.
And that’s what reading the first couple of Throne of Glass books without The Assassin’s Blade can be like. You meet Celaena, the notorious assassin, and you’re like, “Whoa, what is her deal?” You see her sass, her skills, her incredible ability to get into and out of trouble. You start to wonder, “What happened to her?” And then, BAM! You read The Assassin’s Blade later, and it’s like a glorious, tear-jerking, “Aha!” moment. It’s the payoff. It’s the extra sprinkle of fairy dust on an already amazing story.
It’s like watching your favorite movie for the first time, and then getting a whole bonus disc of deleted scenes and director’s commentary. It enhances the experience, but it doesn’t necessarily ruin the first watch.
Think of it this way: If you read The Assassin’s Blade first, you know all the big, sad stuff. You know the betrayals, the losses, the sheer weight of the world on a young girl’s shoulders. And then you go into the main series, and while you still appreciate it, you’re already pre-loaded with all the feels. It’s like having the spoiler alert for your own emotions.
When you read the main series first, you experience Celaena’s current struggles and triumphs, and you get hints of her past. You see her coping mechanisms, her walls, her vulnerability, and you’re left to piece together the puzzle. It’s an active participation in her character development. You’re invested in who she is now, and then who she was becomes this fascinating, almost forbidden knowledge that you get to uncover.
So, my unpopular opinion? Read the first book, or maybe the first two, of Throne of Glass. Get to know the Celaena who is fighting for her freedom, the one who is sharp-tongued and fierce. Let her current journey grab you. Then, when you’re itching to know why she’s like that, when you’re truly desperate to understand the scars that shaped her, then dive into The Assassin’s Blade.
It’s like saving the best, or at least the most emotionally devastating, treat for last. It’s a reward for your dedication. It’s a deeper dive into a character you’ve already started to root for. You’ll cry harder, you’ll understand her resilience on a whole new level, and you’ll probably want to give her a giant hug. And isn’t that what we all want for our fictional favorites?
Ultimately, there’s no wrong way. The magic of Sarah J. Maas is that her stories are so compelling, you’ll probably end up reading everything anyway. But if you’re looking for a slightly different, perhaps even more impactful, reading experience, consider letting The Assassin’s Blade be your reward, your revelation, your deep dive into the heart of a legend. It’s your journey, after all. So, read it when it feels right, when your curiosity is at its peak, and when you’re ready for all the feels. Happy reading!