If you’ve already started the Throne of Glass series and are wondering about Celaena’s mysterious past, The Assassin’s Blade is where you’ll find your answers. This prequel collection of five novellas delves into Celaena Sardothien’s life before Endovier, exploring the events that shaped her into the ruthless assassin we meet in Throne of Glass. It’s not just about her missions — it’s about her heart, her mistakes, and the tragedy that set everything in motion.
Fair warning: This is a FULL SPOILER RECAP of the prequel book. If you haven’t read it yet, turn back now unless you’re ready for all the major twists and reveals!
The Asassin’s Blade Book Recap – Prequel Book of Throne of Glass Series
1. The Assassin and the Pirate Lord
Celaena Sardothien, Adarlan’s most notorious assassin, is sent with her fellow assassin (and rival) Sam Cortland to Skull’s Bay on a mission for Arobynn Hamel, the King of the Assassins. Celaena is sixteen, arrogant, and confident — but that confidence is shattered when she learns that the “deal” Arobynn sent them to broker involves the slave trade.
Celaena is horrified when she realizes that Arobynn has arranged to buy 100 slaves from Captain Rolfe, the Pirate Lord. Sam initially protests, but Celaena convinces him to help her free the slaves. In a daring plan, they set the slaves loose and sabotage Rolfe’s ships, forcing the freed slaves to flee while the chain across the harbor is destroyed. Celaena defeats Rolfe in a brutal fight — but the damage is done. She’s humiliated Rolfe and lost Arobynn’s trust.
When Celaena returns to Rifthold, Arobynn is furious. He welcomes her home… then brutally beats her until she’s barely conscious. The message is clear: defying Arobynn comes with a steep cost. But Celaena doesn’t regret saving the slaves. Neither does Sam.
2. The Assassin and the Healer
After the fallout with Arobynn, Celaena is sent to a remote village, where she meets Yrene Towers, a young healer with dreams of traveling to the Southern Continent to train at the Torre Cesme. Yrene is kind and timid, working as a barmaid to save enough money for her journey.
Celaena senses Yrene’s vulnerability and potential — and when thugs attack Yrene, Celaena steps in, easily taking down the attackers with her blades. But it’s not just about protecting Yrene — Celaena teaches her how to defend herself, planting the first seeds of courage in Yrene.
Before leaving, Celaena gives Yrene a pouch of gold, enough to fund her trip to the Torre Cesme. Celaena tells her, “The world needs more healers.” Yrene never forgets this gift or the assassin who gave her a chance.
3. The Assassin and the Desert
Arobynn sends Celaena to the Red Desert to train with the Mute Master of the Silent Assassins as further punishment. Celaena resents being there — until she meets Ansel of Briarcliff, another young female assassin-in-training.
Ansel is beautiful and reckless, and she and Celaena bond quickly. For the first time in her life, Celaena feels like she has a friend. But Ansel is hiding something. She’s driven by revenge — her family was murdered by Lord Loch, a tyrant ruling over her homeland.
Ansel ultimately betrays the Silent Assassins, poisoning the Master and opening the gates for Loch’s forces. In a devastating confrontation, Celaena is forced to fight her friend. Ansel escapes, but not before Celaena spares her life — and Ansel leaves, promising that one day they’ll meet again, on better terms.
The Mute Master forgives Celaena and gifts her a horse, setting her on the path back to Rifthold. But Celaena is haunted by the loss of trust — and by the feeling that, once again, she was too soft when it mattered.
4. The Assassin and the Underworld
Back in Rifthold, Arobynn is waiting. He’s contrite — showering Celaena with gifts, including an exquisite dress and the promise of an important mission: to kill Doneval, a wealthy man who plans to sell sensitive documents to Adarlan’s enemies.
Celaena reconnects with Sam Cortland, who has been forced to endure brutal training under Arobynn in her absence. Their dynamic is different now — less antagonistic, more vulnerable. Celaena realizes that Sam might be the only person in her life who truly cares about her.
During the mission, Celaena learns that Doneval’s motives are not as sinister as Arobynn claimed. He was protecting the rebels — and Celaena has been manipulated into stopping him. Furious, she confronts Arobynn, but he dismisses her anger with a smile. He owns her — or so he thinks.
Sam comforts her after the betrayal, and in a charged moment, Celaena kisses him. After years of fighting and rivalry, the barriers between them finally fall.
5. The Assassin and the Empire
Celaena and Sam want out. They dream of leaving the Guild, escaping Arobynn’s control, and starting a new life together. Sam even secures enough money for them to buy their freedom — but the cost is steep. Their final job is to take down Rourke Farran, Adarlan’s most feared criminal lord, and his employer, Jayne.
Celaena is reluctant — it’s too dangerous — but Sam is determined to give them a future. They part on tense terms, with Celaena promising that they’ll have their life together once this is done.
Sam never comes home.
Arobynn tipped off Farran. Sam is tortured to death. When Celaena sees his mutilated body, something inside her shatters beyond repair.
Consumed by grief and rage, Celaena storms Farran’s house and kills him in a brutal, bloody fight. But when she returns to the Guild, Arobynn is waiting. He consoles her as if he had no hand in Sam’s death.
Celaena doesn’t have time to piece together the betrayal. She’s arrested for Farran and Jayne’s murders and sent to the salt mines of Endovier.
The last thing Arobynn tells her is that he’ll get her out.
Celaena vows that one day, she’ll kill him for what he did.
Final Moments
Celaena Sardothien, Adarlan’s Assassin, enters Endovier broken and heartless. Her love — her future — has been ripped away from her. She has nothing left. But this is not where her story ends.
Because Celaena is more than an assassin. She is a survivor.
And one day, she will rise again.
Interested what happened next? Check our book recap for Throne of Glass.
Where the key characters are at the end of Empire of Storms:
Captured after avenging Sam’s death; betrayed by Arobynn and sent to the salt mines of Endovier.
Tortured and killed by Rourke Farran after Arobynn tips off Farran about Sam’s mission.
Courtesan at Clarisse’s brothel. She and Celaena are bitter rivals at this point, with Lysandra resenting Celaena’s freedom and Celaena despising Lysandra’s manipulation of Arobynn. Their relationship remains hostile and unresolved.
Humiliated by Celaena after she frees the slaves and destroys his ships; vows revenge but doesn’t act on it yet.
Escapes after betraying the Silent Assassins; spares Celaena’s life and promises they will meet again.
Manipulates Celaena into taking out Doneval and betrays her by setting up Sam’s death; continues to control the Assassin’s Guild.
Inspired by Celaena’s gift and courage; uses the money Celaena gave her to travel to the Torre Cesme to become a healer..
Interested what happened next? Check our book recap for Throne of Glass.
Books in the Throne of Glass Series:
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