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 place 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 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, eight years ago the King of Adarlan banned magic and all magical beings. In one fell sweep, magic disappeared from the continent. No one knows how, but folks whisper that the gods must have cursed them. The King began 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 any mortals with magic in their blood. Many Fae and magical creatures fled the continent and went 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
Celaena Sardothien is a young but highly-skilled assassin under Arobynn Hamel’s tutelage. She is sent on various missions around Erilea, but occasionally disobeys his orders and follows her conscience instead.
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Sam Cortland
Sam Cortland is 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
Ben is Arobynn's second-in-command and one of the few people Celaena trusts. He helped train her and always showed her kindness.
Gregori
Gregori is a fellow assassin in the Assassin’s Guild, not particularly close to Celaena.
Wesley
Wesley is Arobynn Hamel’s personal bodyguard and close friend to Sam Cortland.
Tern
Tern is one of Arobynn's assassins. He often uses poisons.
Mullin
Mullin is another one of Arobynn’s assassins and a sycophant.
Harding
Harding is another one of Arobynn's assassins and a brown noser.
Captain Fairview
Captain Fairview serves in Rolfe’s fleet, commanding the ship The Golden Wolf.
Captain Blackgold
Captain Blackgold also serves in Rolfe’s fleet, commanding the ship The Loveless.
Dia
Dia is a slave, who is able to speak the common tongue since his mother was from Bellhaven and his father from Banjali
Yrene Towers
Yrene Towers is a barmaid at the White Pig Inn, who dreams of becoming a healer.
Nolan
Nolan is the stingy and miserly owner of the White Pig Inn and Yrene's current employer.
Jessa
Jessa is Nolan’s favorite barmaid at the White Pig Inn.
Yrene's Mother
Yrene's Mother was a kind and gifted healer, who was killed during the King of Adarlan’s purge of magic.
The Merchant
The Merchant is originally from Adarlan but currently selling his precious wares in a Xandrian market.
Stygian Spiders
Stygian Spiders are giant spiders that are very intelligent and able to speak. They are known for their Spidersilk, a highly durable yet lightweight organic matter, that they trade with humans in exchange for intangibles such as dreams, hopes, youth, and memories.
Mute Master
The Mute Master is a renowned assassin and head of the Silent Assassins.
Ilias
Ilias is a Silent Assassin and son of the Mute Master. He is devoted to his trainings and meditations.
Mikhail
Mikhail is a Silent Assassin who is infatuated with Ansel of Briarcliff.
Lord Loch
Lord Loch is the self-anointed High King of the Wastes after he slaughtered the prior rulers of the Western Wastes.
The Silent Assassins
The Silent Assassins are 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
Lord Berick is the ruler of Xandria and is trying to expand his territories.
Ansel of Briarcliff
Ansel of Briarcliff is an ambitious assassin-in-training at the Silent Assassins’ fortress. She hails originally from the Flatlands by the Western Wastes.
Ansel's Sister
Ansel and her sister would often go on mini excursions through the Flatlands in their youth.
Maddy
Maddy was a friend of Ansel’s sister, who would join the two sisters on their mini excursions.
Asterion Horses
Asterion Horses are 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
Kasida is 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
Hisli is 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
Madame Clarisse DuVency manages a prestigious brothel in Rifthold and is known for her influence in the city’s elite circles. She is business partners with Arobynn Hamel.
Lysandra
Lysandra is a highly sought after courtesan under Madame Clarisse DuVency’s employment. She and Celaena have a bit of a rivalry.
Sam's Mother
Sam's Mother was one of the most successful courtesans in Rifthold. She wanted her son to be trained as an assassin after her death.
Benzo Doneval
Benzo Doneval is a powerful businessman from Melisande.
Leighfer Bardingale
Leighfer Bardingale is Benzo Doneval’s ex-wife, she opposes his illicit activities.
Philip
Philip is Benzo Doneval’s bodyguard.
Archer Finn
Archer Finn is a handsome courtesan, who had briefly trained as an assassin.
Madame Florine
Madame Florine is a retired dancer, who became an esteemed dance teacher and gives Celaena free lessons.
Helmson
Helmson is the master of the ceremonies and oversees the fighting pit at the Vaults.
Councilor Rensel
Councilor Rensel is a nobleman and member of Adarlan's royal court who presides over legal proceedings.
The Adarlan Royal Guard
The Adarlan Royal Guard is an elite corps of soldiers sworn to defend the king and uphold the laws of Adarlan.
The King of Adarlan
The King of Adarlan is 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 across Erilea.
Handsome Stranger
The handsome stranger is a mysterious man attending the riverfront house party with a small entourage.
Handsome Stranger Guard
The handsome stranger seems to be accompanied by a personal guard who is reluctant to be at the riverfront house party.
The Lord of the North
The Lord of the North is the spirit of Terrasen, often depicted as a white sun stag with flames between its antlers. It lives in the Oakwald Forest. 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
Silba is the Goddess of Healing and Gentle Deaths, she is symbolized by the color lavender, the owl, and water. Many healers from the Southern Continent are descended from her and she is the de facto main goddess of the "god-city," Milas Agia or Antica.
Kiva
Kiva is the God of Atonement. Those burdened by guilt or seeking forgiveness and repentance often turn to him in their time of need. Arobynn Hamel surprisingly visits his temple often to make peace with his past transgressions.
Lani
Lani is the Goddess of Dreams, veiled in mystery and whispered of only in ancient tales, her worship carried on by an isolated order of white-haired priestesses who guard her secrets and may be seen at the markets in Xandria selling perfume.
Who are the antagonists in The Assassin's Blade?
Arobynn Hamel
Arobynn Hamel is the 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
Ioan Jayne is the biggest crime lord in Rifthold. He is immensely wealthy and well connected with a vast network of spies throughout the city.
Rourke Farran
Rourke Farran is Ioan Jayne’s second-in-command, he is notorious for his brutal torture methods and regarded as a sociopath.
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Captain Rolfe
Captain Rolfe is 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. As a pirate, he has done many questionable things.
Where does The Assassin's Blade take place?
Adarlan Kingdom
Adarlan is the dominant empire on the continent of Erilea. It is a militaristic and expansionist kingdom ruled by House Havilliard. Over the last eight years, the King of Adarlan embarked on an aggressive conquest to take over the other kingdoms on the continent.
Rifthold
Rifthold is 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
The Assassin's Keep is 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 Dead Islands
The dead islands are an archipelago off the eastern coast of Erilea. They are a lawless group of islands that act as safe havens for various pirates, slavers, and criminals. The main city and port is Skull’s Bay, ruled by Captain Rolfe.
Skull's Bay
Skull's Bay is 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.
The Loveless and The Golden Wolf
The Loveless and the Golden Wolf are two large, imposing vessels under Captain Rolfe’s control that he uses to transport cargo across the seas.
The Sea Dragon
The Sea Dragon is Captain Rolfe’s personal tavern and headquarters, which he named after his prized ship. The tavern serves as his base of operations, frequented by pirates, mercenaries, and travelers alike.
Ship-Breaker
Ship-Breaker is the powerful defense mechanism located in Skull’s Bay that is made up of a gigantic chain that hangs across the entrance to the bay that prevents ships from entering or exiting without permission.
Bellhaven
Bellhaven is the capital of Fenharrow and is located on the eastern coast of the pastoral kingdom. It is a wealthy port city, home to many thriving merchants that foster much maritime trade.
The Wastes
The Wastes refers to the inhospitable northwestern region of Erilea made up of the Western Wastes and the Frozen Wastes further north. Much of the region is untamed and home to dangerous creatures.
The Flatlands
The Flatlands run along the coastal region of the Western Wastes and are a nondescript, flat, and austere region with little wildlife or growth due to their close proximity to the cursed Witch Kingdom.
Fenharrow
Fenharrow is the kingdom directly south of Adarlan and is a quieter, more rural region known for its beautiful plains and farms. It is home to many small hamlets and settlements. It borders the Great Ocean to the east and its capital is the wealthy port city of Bellhaven.
Southern Continent
South of Erilea lies the Southern Continent, a vast and arid landmass dominated by sandy deserts under a scorching sun. It is ruled by the Khaganate, a 300-year old empire currently led by the Great Khagan Urus, whose reign has brought in an era of peace and prosperity to its people. The continent's customs and traditions differ greatly from those of Erilea.
Antica
Antica is the largest city on the Southern Continent, a vibrant metropolis known as Milas Agia or "god-city," rumored to have been built by the gods and for its pantheon of 36 gods. Renowned for the Torre Cesme, a prestigious healing academy, Antica thrives as a cultural and architectural mosaic, with diverse peoples and traditions coexisting peacefully.
Torre Cesme
The Torre Cesme or Tower of Dawn in the Halha language, is an ancient structure in Antica that is home to the most gifted healers. It was constructed over 1,200 years ago by an ancient Queen who was grateful to the healers for saving her child’s life. As various empires have risen and fallen on the Southern Continent, the Torre Cesme has always been left in peace.
Melisande
Melisande is 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.
Innish
Innish is 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
The White Pig Inn is a small local establishment, which by regular standards would be considered pretty unremarkable, but given the limited options in Innish, it is considered quite decent.
The Deserted Land
Located in the southwest of Erilea, the Deserted Land is an unforgiving and harsh region made up of mostly sandy deserts with a few hospitable oases. It is home to the Singing Sands, a unique place where travelers must step carefully to ensure the sounds emitted by the sand are kept in harmony lest they become quicksand.
The Red Desert
Within the Deserted Land lies the expansive, arid landscape of the Red Desert, famed for its red sand, endless dunes, and scorching temperatures. Isolated and treacherous, it is a place of silence and survival, home to the Silent Assassins.
Silent Assassin Fortress
Located in the midst of the Red Desert is a fortress home to the Silent Assassins. It is a red sandstone stronghold that provides a surprising level of luxury given the austere environment. It is a highly private and elite institution for assassins-in-training.
Mute Master's Chamber
The Mute Master's chamber is an imposing but dimly lit, shadow-filled room where the Mute Master receives new guests and where all the current tenants may observe the newcomers.
Communal Baths
The Communal Baths in the Silent Assassin's Fortress are split by gender. The women's bath is made up of several natural springs, some steaming and bubbling.
Communal Kitchen
The Communal Kitchen in the Silent Assassin's Fortress is a co-ed space filled with rows of tables. This is one of the few spaces where the tenants may gather in larger groups and socialize.
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.
Xandrian Market
Xandria boasts numerous markets lined with colorful awnings, where merchants hawk silks, spices, gemstones, exotic fruits, and finely crafted wares such as curled-toe shoes from across the Southern Continent.
The Desert Cleaver
The Desert Cleaver is a massive stone formation within the Red Desert that is split down the middle with a huge fissure, forcing weary travelers to make long detours to cross to the other side.
The Royal Theater
The Royal Theater is 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.
The Riverfront House
The Riverfront House is an elegant mansion overlooking the Avery River, renowned for its lavish architecture, luxurious interiors, and sweeping views of the bustling waterfront. It is the perfect venue for a night of debauchery.
The Glass Palace
The Glass Palace is a dazzling, magical structure rising atop the original stone castle. Made of tempered glass and crystalline spires, it is home to House Havilliard and has 600 rooms, three gardens, a wildlife game park, and two stables.
The Vaults
The Vaults are a seedy pleasure hall in Rifthold, notorious for its illicit dealings, whispered secrets, and fighting pits. Known as a subterranean warren of sin, it draws the desperate, the dangerous, and those with coin to spend on indulgences better left unnamed.
Celaena's Apartment
Celaena's private apartment in Rifthold is located atop a fake warehouse filled with bottles of ink. It is remote and hidden away, allowing her to have a private refuge. She furnished it exquisitely according to her luxurious tastes.
The Black Cygnet
The Black Cygnet is a lovely and bustling local tavern in Rifthold. People come to enjoy the delicious food and the inviting atmosphere.
Terrasen
Terrasen was once a powerful and noble kingdom in the North of Erilea founded by Brannon Galathynius. It was overthrown by the King of Adarlan, but its people remain proud and resilient. It was famous as a center of magic and learning.
Orynth
Orynth was the capital of Terrasen and once home to House Galathynius. It use to be a thriving city but fell into decline after the royal family was overthrown, it is now a symbol of hope and resilience for the people of Terrasen. There use to be a famous library filled with books on magic, but that was destroyed during the Adarlan conquest.
Oakwald Forest
The Oakwald Forest is a beautiful and mighty forest that runs through much of the eastern half of Erilea, it is also known as Brannon Galathynius’ forest. Once home to many species of Fae before the King of Adarlan’s banishment of magic.
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Endovier
Endovier is 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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