Should I Read The Assassin’s Blade First?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You are new to Leigh Bardugo’s universe and prefer bite‑size introductions. The Assassin’s Blade is a collection of prequel novellas that give you a quick, action‑driven glimpse of Celaena Sardothien without the longer commitment of the full Throne of Glass novel.
• Good fit: You enjoy reading stories out of chronological order to see character development retroactively. Starting with the novellas lets you experience how Bardugo built Celaena’s reputation before the main plot unfolds, enriching later reading.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: You prefer a linear narrative that starts at the series’ official beginning. The first published book, Throne of Glass, already incorporates much of the same plot points, so reading the novellas first may feel redundant.
• Warning sign: You are limited on time and want the full story arc as quickly as possible. The Assassin’s Blade adds three to four hundred pages of reading before you even reach the main series.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Provides a low‑stakes entry point that can help you decide if you want to invest in the longer series.
• Offers richer context for Celaena’s motivations, making later character decisions more meaningful.

Cons

• Potentially repetitive content; many events are revisited or summarized in Throne of Glass, so you might reread similar scenes.
• Delays reaching the core plotline, which could be frustrating if you’re eager for the main storyline’s political intrigue and romance.

Decision Checklist

• Do I prefer short, self‑contained stories to test a new author before committing to a longer novel?
• Am I comfortable reading material that will later be partially retold in the main series?
• Do I have the time to read an extra 300‑400 pages before the primary narrative begins?

Alternatives to Consider

If you’re unsure, you could start with Throne of Glass and use the novellas as supplemental reading after the first book. Another option is to sample the first chapter of The Assassin’s Blade (often available on retailers’ preview pages) to gauge your interest without full commitment.

Final Recommendation

For readers who like bite‑size introductions and want to explore Celaena’s early exploits, reading The Assassin’s Blade first is a sensible choice. Those who prefer a streamlined experience and want to dive straight into the central plot should begin with Throne of Glass and treat the novellas as optional side material. As always, weigh your reading goals, available time, and tolerance for overlapping storylines before deciding.