Sept 2016 Update:
I no longer support or recommend this series. Book 5 has taken a very unfortunate turn towards graphic sexual content that is not appropriate for the young readers this author and publisher are targeting. Reader beware!

4/5 stars

The Assassin and the Empire (Throne of Glass, #0.5) by Sarah J. Maas

8/15/2014
Supposedly these prequels were an afterthought, suggested by the publisher to the author as a way to sedate fans who were anxious for the first full length novel, Throne of Glass, to be published. These stories are so integral to the bigger story, I can’t believe they weren’t part of the original plan. They make a good story great.

8/10/2012
If you have previewed The Throne of Glass, you know what it is about–therefore, you know how this book ends. Getting to that end was fun, though, and absolutely will make the Throne of Glass much more interesting to read.

Just like the first three novellas, the action, intrigue, and romance is balanced well. It doesn’t feel like it’s a romance with some action, or an action story with some romance. It’s all those things together in a nice package.

The Throne of Glass is next!