An assassin in chains, a prince's bargain, and a castle that kills its champions.
Who drives the story
Adarlan's most notorious assassin, eighteen, dragged from the Endovier salt mines to fight for her freedom. She wins the King's Champion title, buries a prince's love, and swears an oath she plans to betray.
The Crown Prince who buys Celaena out of Endovier with a deadly bargain. He lends her books, falls for her, and is gently refused.
The stern, honorable Captain of the Guard who trains and protects Celaena while distrusting her past. He kills the ridgerak and gives her a ruby ring.
Eyllwe's princess, secretly working against the King, who knows Celaena's true identity. She leaves Celaena the Eye of Elena and a promise to help her people.
A brutal, massive competitor favored to win, who cheats with forbidden dark magic. He savages Celaena in the final duel and loses to her hidden strength.
The ghost of Adarlan's first queen, who haunts a hidden tomb. She warns Celaena of the ridderak and urges her to rise in the arena.
A jealous noblewoman who glares at Celaena at the ball, and worse: she uses a Wyrdstone to summon the ridgerak, manipulated by Duke Perrington.
Dorian's father, a tyrant who has conquered much of the continent, outlawed magic, and rules by fear. He gains a Champion who intends to undermine him.
How they are connected
Celaena SardothienThe King of Adarlan
Adarlan's most notorious assassin, eighteen, dragged from the Endovier salt mines to fight for her freedom.
Dorian HavilliardCelaena Sardothien
The Crown Prince who buys Celaena out of Endovier with a deadly bargain.
Chaol WestfallCelaena Sardothien
The stern, honorable Captain of the Guard who trains and protects Celaena while distrusting her past.
Princess Nehemia YtgerCelaena Sardothien
Eyllwe's princess, secretly working against the King, who knows Celaena's true identity.
Princess Nehemia YtgerQueen Elena
She leaves Celaena the Eye of Elena and a promise to help her people.
He savages Celaena in the final duel and loses to her hidden strength.
Queen ElenaThe King of Adarlan
The ghost of Adarlan's first queen, who haunts a hidden tomb.
She warns Celaena of the ridderak and urges her to rise in the arena.
Kaltain RompierCelaena Sardothien
A jealous noblewoman who glares at Celaena at the ball, and worse: she uses a Wyrdstone to summon the ridgerak, manipulated by Duke Perrington.
The King of AdarlanDorian Havilliard
Dorian's father, a tyrant who has conquered much of the continent, outlawed magic, and rules by fear.
Go deeper
Freedom as a bargain · Identity worn as a mask · Friendship across enemy lines · The old magic under the new order
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
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