REVIEW: The Assassin and The Pirate Lord by Sarah J. Maas
THE ASSASSIN AND THE PIRATE LORD
(Throne of Glass #0.1)
by Sarah J. Maas
PUBLISHER: Bloomsbury
RELEASE DATE: 13th January 2012
FORMAT: Kindle, 63 pages
GENRE: Fantasy, Young Adult
A Throne of Glass novella. On a remote island in a tropical sea, Celaena Sardothien, feared assassin, has come for retribution. She’s been sent by the Assassin’s Guild to collect on a debt they are owed by the Lord of the Pirates. But when Celaena learns that the agreed payment is not in money, but in slaves, her mission suddenly changes—and she will risk everything to right the wrong she’s been sent to bring about. (Goodreads)
REVIEWER: Becs
Sarah J. Maas has published four e-novellas to promote her first book, Throne of Glass, which is released soon. After reading Throne of Glass I wanted to learn more about Celaena as an assassin, so quickly purchased THE ASSASSIN AND THE PIRATE LORD.
Celaena is a sixteen year old beautiful, over confident girl who is highly dangerous. Celaena even at sixteen has a huge reputation but she protects her identity by wearing a mask, this mask also gives her an intimidating edge and a menacing presence. Celaena’s arrogance is very obvious although some of her attitude is due to the competitive nature that exists between all of the assassins. We meet Sam who is second to Celaena even though he is a year older, and their master Arobynn uses their competiveness to his advantage.
After two assassins have been murdered and the pirate lord, Captain Rolfe, is the main suspect, both Sam and Celaena are expected to work together to retrieve compensation from Rolfe. With Sam always trying to undermine Celaena their relationship is set to be tense during the collection of this contract.
However, during the first negotiations they find that they have been deceived and sent to collect on a different contract, they are expected to bring slaves home so their master Arobynn can start a slave trade. Celaena and Sam disagree with slaves and both become united in their desire to do the right thing and free the slaves.
The relationship between Celaena and Sam improve as they plan and carry out their plot and Celaena starts to notice what an asset Sam actually is and I enjoy how the relationship started to evolve. I find it entertaining that assassins of all people decide to have a conscience, however, we do get an insight into how both Celaena and Sam became in the assassins guild and why they have such a strong conviction against people’s freedoms being taken away.
“We have a choice,” she breathed. “Maybe not when we were children-when it was Arobynn or death-but now…Now you and I have a choice in the things we do. Those slaves were just taken. They were fighting for their freedom, or just lived too close to a battlefield, or some mercenaries passed through their town and took them. They’re innocent people.”
Celaena reason for helping the slaves despite the danger it would put her life in shows the admirable qualities she has, mainly integrity and courage.
Rolfe’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Why?”
“You’ll have to clarify that.”
He took a breath. “Why go to so much trouble for slaves?”
“Because if we don’t fight for them, who will?”
With that sentence we see the care Celaena has for innocent people, giving her strength to make difficult decisions and follow her heart. It is obvious that Celaena has a heart although it is mostly hidden behind her arrogance streak and I hope she will start to soften. Celaena and Sam work very well as a team and I’m hoping that their relationship will change from friends into something more.
VERDICT:
THE ASSASSIN AND THE PIRATE LORD is a pleasant little novella that showed even though Celaena is a young assassin she has high morals and remains true to her conscious. I think it’s an admirable quality that Celaena possesses to be true to one’s self, despite being expected to follow orders regardless if she agrees with them. I’m looking forward to picking up The Assassin and the Desert to see if Celaena and Sam’s realise their relationship is changing but first they have to survive displeasing Arobynn by not fulfilling this contract.
RATING: 
SARAH J. MAAS ONLINE
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BOOKS IN SERIES ORDER
0.1 The Assassin and The Pirate Lord
0.2 The Assassin and The Desert
0.3 The Assassin and The Underworld
0.4 The Assassin and The Empire
1. Throne Of Glass
BUY THE BOOK
8 Comments
I never used to be a fan of novella’s or short stories, but I’m finding that I’m reading them more and more. Sometimes you just want to short read, especially if in a reading slump like I find myself quite often.
Another fab review
x
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Yes novella’s are great to get you back in the mood for reading. I like novella’s to back up a main book but I find I have to read the main book first.
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REally interesting review and withh each little snippet I’m being drawn in to the books.
I have to admit that I thought they were related to the Assassin Creed Video games, which I am a huge fan of. These do look good and I will get round to reading them eventually
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Assassin Creed Video games sounds an interesting fun read, I think you have a great idea there Gemma. Now for an author to produce a book for us.
These are pleasant little reads but I would read the THRONE OF GLASS first as I think you have to like Celaena before seeing the more arrogant side of her.
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There are a few assassin creed game books on the market. haven’t read any of them though
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I think I need to play the game, I haven’t had my PS3 out in ages. I bet I’ll be better at reading the books though
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Like Carolyn I never really used to be a fan of novellas, but also find myself reading them more lately. They are great to give extra little tid bits to a series.
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I agree, I think they fill in holes and help you understand characters better. On the whole I enjoy short stories when they add another dimension but it’s a pet peeve when all the novellas add is a hole in your pocket
thanks x
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