The Assassin’s Blade is the prequel and first book chronologically in the eight-book Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. It is a collection of five novellas that dive into the origins of Celaena Sardothien. At only 8 years old, Celaena is brought into the ruthless Assassin’s Guild under the tutelage of Arobynn Hamel, a power-thirsty and manipulative master. He trains her to become one of the kingdom’s most feared assassins and while she undertakes dangerous missions that take her from pirate islands to deadly deserts, Celaena begins to question his orders. In a world where no one should be trusted, she finds herself unwittingly growing closer to her fellow assassin, Sam Cortland. However, as their bond deepens, their boldness and defiance against Arobynn places both their lives at risk.
NOTE: This page contains minor spoilers.
Table of Contents
What is the world in The Assassin's Blade?
The Throne of Glass series takes place in Erilea, a land rich in history and magic. To the far east of Erilea and beyond the Great Ocean lies the continent Wendlyn and to the south lies the Southern Continent. Over time, Erilea has seen the rise and fall of powerful kingdoms alongside the ebb and flow of magic. Originally, the first inhabitants were the immortal Fae and they coexisted peacefully with lesser faeries and humans for centuries. However, ten years ago magic disappeared. No one knows how, but folks whisper that the gods must have cursed them. Regardless, the King of Adarlan capitalized on the disappearance of magic and began a campaign to conquer Erilea. He initiated a campaign of destruction unlike anything the continent had ever seen, destroying and burning ancient texts, sacred sites, and anyone associated with magic, including magical beings and mortals with Fae heritage. Many Fae and magical creatures alike were forced to suppress their powers or flee and go into hiding as the continent fell under the oppressive rule of the King of Adarlan. The fall of magic in Erilea was a catastrophic and devastating tragedy with the loss of countless lives and priceless knowledge.
What are the individual titles in The Assassin's Blade?
- The Assassin and the Pirate Lord
- The Assassin and the Healer
- The Assassin and the Desert
- The Assassin and the Underworld
- The Assassin and the Empire
Who are the main characters in The Assassin's Blade?
Celaena Sardothien
A young but highly-skilled assassin under Arobynn Hamel’s control. She is sent on various missions around Erilea, but occasionally disobeys his orders and follows her conscious instead.
Sam Cortland
A fellow assassin, who is at times Celaena’s rival, and at other times her closest companion.
Who are the minor characters in The Assassin's Blade?
Ben
Arobynn's second-in-command and one of the few people Celaena trusts. He helped train her and always showed her kindness.
Gregori
A fellow assassin in the Assassin’s Guild, not particularly close to Celaena.
Wesley
Arobynn Hamel’s personal body guard and close friend to Sam Cortland.
Tern
Arobynn’s second-in-command and a lethal assassin.
Mulling
One of Arobynn’s assassins and henchmen.
Harding
One of Arobynn’s assassins and henchmen.
Captain Fairview
A captain in Captain Rolfe’s fleet, he is the captain of the Golden Wolf.
Captain Blackgold
Another captain in Captain Rolfe’s fleet, he is the captain of the Loveless.
Dia
A slave, who is able to speak the common tongue since his mother was from Bellhaven and his father from Banjali
Yrene Towers
A barmaid at the White Pig Inn, who dreams of becoming a healer.
Nolan
The stingy and miserly owner of the White Pig Inn.
Jessa
Nolan’s favorite barmaid at the White Pig Inn.
Yrene's Mom
A kind and gifted healer, she was killed during the King of Adarlan’s purge of magic.
Merchant
An Adarlan merchant searching for a Stygian Spider that stole his youth, he is determined to reclaim what he sees as a bad trade.
Stygian Spiders
Giant spiders that are highly intelligent and able to speak. They are known for their Spidersilk, a highly durable yet lightweight organic matter, which they trade to humans in exchange for intangibles such as dreams, hopes, youth, and memories.
Mute Master
A renowned assassin and head of the Silent Assassins.
Ilias
A silent assassin and son of the Mute Master.
Mikhail
A silent assassin who becomes infatuated with Ansel of Briarcliff.
Lord Loch
The self-anointed High King of the Wastes, he slaughtered the prior rulers of the Western Wastes.
The Silent Assassins
An elite, oath-bound order of assassins based in the Red Desert, known for their deadly skill and vow of silence. They are also referred to as the Sessiz Suikast.
Lord Berick
The ruler of Xandria, he tries to lay claim to the Red Desert, despite the objections from the Silent Assassins.
Ansel of Briarcliff
An ambitious assassin-in-training at the Silent Assassins’ fortress. She hails originally from the Flatlands by the Western Wastes.
Ansel's Sister
Ansel’s older sister, together they use to go on mini excursions.
Maddy
A friend of Ansel’s sister, she use to join the two sisters on their mini excursions.
Asterion Horses
An incredibly valuable breed of horses, they are said to have been made from the four winds - spirit from the north, strength from the south, speed from the east, and wisdom from the west.
Kasida
An Asterion mare belonging to Lord Berick. Her name means Drinker of the Wind in the desert dialect, a name that indicates her exceptional speed and agility.
Hisli
A beautiful Asterion mare belonging to Lord Berick. The mares are more valuable than stallions, since lineage within the breed is passed down through the mother's line.
Madame Clarisse DuVency
The madame of a prestigious brothel in Rifthold, known for her control over the women she "owns" and her influence in the city’s elite circles.
Lysandra
A courtesan under Madame Clarisse DuVency’s employment. She and Celaena have a rivalry to gain Arobynn’s favor.
Sam's Mother
One of the most successful courtesans in Rifthold. She wanted her son to be trained as an assassin after her death.
Benzo Doneval
A powerful businessman from Melisande, involved in the slave trade.
Leighfer Bardingale
Benzo Doneval’s former wife, she opposes his illicit activities.
Philip
Benzo Doneval’s body guard.
Archer Finn
A young courtesan who had briefly trained as an assassin.
Madame Florine
A retired dancer who became an esteemed dance teacher and gives Celaena free lessons.
The King of Adarlan
The tyrannical ruler of the Adarlan empire, a man driven by a hunger for control and conquest. He is responsible for the brutal subjugation of both humans and Fae.
Dorian Havilliard II
The Crown Prince of Adarlan, Dorian is charming, clever, and a bit sheltered.
Chaol Westfall
The Captain of the Royal Adarlan Guard, Chaol is disciplined, loyal, and deeply committed to his role in protecting the Adarlan kingdom.
The Lord of the North
The spirit of Terrasen, often depicted as a white sun stag with flames between its antlers, lives in the Oakwald Forest. Sun stags were sacred to Mala Fire-Bringer and were later brought to Terrasen by Brannon Galathynius. The name also refers to a stag constellation that always points toward Terrasen.
Who are the gods and goddesses in The Assassin's Blade?
“Beings of a higher, different existence. For whom time was fluid, and bodies were things to be shifted and molded. Who could exist in multiple places, spread themselves wide like nets being thrown. They were as mighty and vast and eternal as a human was to a mayfly. They had not been born in this world.” – Elena Galathynius in Empire of Storms
Silba
Goddess of Healing and gentle deaths, symbolized by the owl, the color lavender, and the element of water. Many of the healers in the Southern Continent are descended from her.
Kiva
God of atonement. Arobynn Hamel often prays to him.
Lani
Goddess of dreams. Little is known about her other than that she is worshipped by white-haired priestesses.
Who are the antagonists in The Assassin's Blade?
Arobynn Hamel
King of the Assassins and head of the Assassin’s Guild, he is ambitious and controlling. He is always willing to take advantage of every situation.
Ioan Jayne
The biggest Crime Lord in Rifthold. He is immensely wealthy and well connected with a vast network of spies throughout the city.
Rourke Farran
Ioan Jayne’s second-in-command, he is notorious for his brutal torture methods and regarded as a psychopath.
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Captain Rolfe
The Pirate Lord, he is the leader of Skull’s Bay and the Dead Islands. He is famous for the tattooed map on his hands that can locate treasure, enemy ships, and more.
Where does The Assassin's Blade take place?
Adarlan
Sharing a border with Terrasen to the north, Adarlan is the dominant empire on the continent of Erilea. It is a militaristic and expansionist kingdom ruled by House Havilliard.
Rifthold
The glittering capital of Adarlan, built on the banks of the Avery River and with a harbor opening into the Great Ocean to the East. Despite its beauty, the city is a center of oppression.
Assassin's Keep
An elegant manor located in the upper-class neighborhood of Rifthold. Used by Arobynn Hamel as the central meeting place for his group of henchmen and assassins. Commonly referred to as the Keep.
The Royal Theater
A grand and opulent venue in Rifthold, known for its lavish performances and elite patrons. A symbol of the empire’s wealth and power, it serves as both a cultural centerpiece and a stage for political maneuvering.
Skull's Bay
A lawless pirate haven located in the Dead Islands archipelago, ruled by Captain Rolfe. The streets are lined with prostitutes, orphans, pirates, and ram shackled wooden buildings. It is renowned for its formidable defense system, the Ship-Breaker—a massive chain that can destroy any ships attempting to enter or exit the harbor without permission.
The Loveless and The Golden Wolf
Two large, imposing vessels under Captain Rolfe’s control that he uses to transport enslaved people across the seas.
Innish
A small port town in Melisande and home to the fine establishment the White Pig Inn. It’s shrouded in an ever-present fog and has a distinctly fishy smell reminiscent of all port towns.
The White Pig Inn
A small inn, which by regular standards would be considered pretty unremarkable, but given the limited options in Innish, is considered quite decent. Yrene works here as a barmaid.
Melisande
The smallest kingdom within Erilea and known for its craftsmen and tinkerers, who are famous for their clever little hands that make clever little knick knacks such as instruments, clocks, and toys.
The Red Desert
An expansive, arid landscape marked by endless dunes, scorching temperatures, and red sand. Isolated and treacherous, it is a place of silence and survival, home to the Silent Assassins.
Xandria
The de facto capital of the Deserted Lands, Xandria is a vibrant coastal city known for its lively markets and strategic importance in trade across the south of Erilea. Its sun-drenched streets and exotic wares give it an air of wealth and mystery, making it both alluring and unpredictable.
Southern Continent
South of Erilea lies the Southern Continent, a hot and arid landmass covered mostly in deserts. Ruled by the Khaganate under Khagan Urus, it’s culture is quite distinct from Erilea. It is also home to the Torre Cesme, a school and home for gifted healers.
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Endovier
A brutal slave camp and salt mine on the Adarlan and Terrasen border. Enemies of the state such as magic wielders, rebels, and criminals are sent to toil their lives away in the mines. Thousands of prisoners labor under harsh conditions and are monitored by cruel Overseers.
Does The Assassin's Blade have any bonus chapters?
Yes, there is 1 bonus chapter intended to be read after The Assassin’s Blade and before Throne of Glass. The Captain and the Prince is a conversation between Chaol and Prince Dorian discussing who will be chosen as the Prince’s champion.
Where to Buy The Assassin's Blade
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