The Assassin and the Desert
The Assassin and the Desert is the second novella in Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass prequel series, chronicling the early adventures of Celaena Sardothien before the events of Throne of Glass.
After being punished by the King of the Assassins for defiance, Celaena Sardothien is sent to the Red Desert to train with the Silent Assassins. There, she must earn their trust and learn the skills she needs to survive—not only physically, but politically.
Isolated, tested, and far from everything she knows, Celaena must navigate a new world of danger, shifting alliances, and ancient secrets. But even in the harsh desert, her resolve burns brightly.
This thrilling novella reveals a formative chapter in Celaena’s past—and sets the stage for the fierce heroine she is destined to become.
Description
- “The Assassin and the Desert” by Sarah J. Maas is a novella in the Throne of Glass series, following Celaena Sardothien, a skilled assassin sent to train with the secretive Silent Assassins in the Red Desert as punishment. After a failed mission in Skull’s Bay, Celaena must prove herself under the harsh desert conditions while navigating the guild’s strict hierarchy. When the Silent Assassins come under attack, she is forced to uncover the conspirators and protect the guild to survive. The story explores themes of discipline, loyalty, and survival, while contrasting the brutal methods of Adarlan’s Assassins with the Silent Assassins’ code. This installment sets up key character dynamics and world-building elements for the broader series.
FAQs
- What is “The Assassin and the Desert” about?
- • The novella follows Celaena Sardothien as she travels to the Red Desert to train with the Silent Assassins. Her mission is to hone her skills, but she soon faces threats that endanger the guild, forcing her to take action to protect them or risk never leaving the desert alive.
- Is this book part of a series?
- • Yes, The Assassin and the Desert is the second of five prequel novellas in Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series. It is labeled as #0.2 in the series order.
- When was “The Assassin and the Desert” released?
- • It was first published as an e-book on March 30, 2012, and later included in the print collection The Assassin’s Blade.
- What themes or elements make this novella stand out?
- • Readers praise its rich world-building, intense training sequences, and Celaena’s character development. The story also introduces key conflicts and allies that shape later events in the Throne of Glass series.
- Where does this novella fit in the Throne of Glass reading order?
- • It’s recommended to read the prequel novellas (The Assassin’s Blade) before the main Throne of Glass series for chronological context. The order is:
- The Assassin and the Pirate Lord (#0.1)
- The Assassin and the Desert (#0.2)
- The Assassin and the Underworld (#0.3)
- … followed by the main series starting with Throne of Glass (#1).
- How is the pacing of the story?
- • Reviews highlight its fast-paced, engaging narrative, with a balance of action, intrigue, and emotional depth that sets the stage for the broader series.
- Can this novella be read as a standalone?
- • While it works as a self-contained adventure, it’s best enjoyed as part of the Throne of Glass universe due to its ties to the overarching plot and character arcs.
Quotes
- “Words could be just as deadly as steel.” — Sarah J. Maas
- “If you can learn to endure pain, you can survive anything.” — Sarah J. Maas
- “An assassin’s greatest weapon is not their sword, but their mind.” — Sarah J. Maas
- “My name is Sam Cortland, and I will not be afraid.” — Sarah J. Maas
- “Some things are more important than death.” — Sarah J. Maas
- “And Celaena felt it.” — Sarah J. Maas
- “Remember that you are a wolf. And you cannot be caged.” — Sarah J. Maas
- “You could rattle the stars.” — Sarah J. Maas
- Chapter One 2,244 Words
- Chapter Two 1,875 Words
- Chapter Three 1,884 Words
- Chapter Four 2,279 Words
- Chapter Five 2,417 Words
- Chapter Six 2,000 Words
- Chapter Seven 2,234 Words
- Chapter Eight 2,245 Words
- Chapter Nine 2,153 Words
- Chapter Ten 1,906 Words
- Chapter Eleven 2,246 Words
- Chapter Twelve 2,037 Words
Quotes
“Words could be just as deadly as steel.”
— Sarah J. Maas
“If you can learn to endure pain, you can survive anything.”
— Sarah J. Maas
“An assassin’s greatest weapon is not their sword, but their mind.”
— Sarah J. Maas
“My name is Sam Cortland, and I will not be afraid.”
— Sarah J. Maas
“Some things are more important than death.”
— Sarah J. Maas
“And Celaena felt it.”
— Sarah J. Maas
“Remember that you are a wolf. And you cannot be caged.”
— Sarah J. Maas
“You could rattle the stars.”
— Sarah J. Maas
FAQs
What is “The Assassin and the Desert” about?
• The novella follows Celaena Sardothien as she travels to the Red Desert to train with the Silent Assassins. Her mission is to hone her skills, but she soon faces threats that endanger the guild, forcing her to take action to protect them or risk never leaving the desert alive.
Is this book part of a series?
• Yes, The Assassin and the Desert is the second of five prequel novellas in Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series. It is labeled as #0.2 in the series order.
When was “The Assassin and the Desert” released?
• It was first published as an e-book on March 30, 2012, and later included in the print collection The Assassin’s Blade.
What themes or elements make this novella stand out?
• Readers praise its rich world-building, intense training sequences, and Celaena’s character development. The story also introduces key conflicts and allies that shape later events in the Throne of Glass series.
Where does this novella fit in the Throne of Glass reading order?
• It’s recommended to read the prequel novellas (The Assassin’s Blade) before the main Throne of Glass series for chronological context. The order is: