The Assassin and the Desert follows Celaena on her trek through the desert to meet with the Mute Master and gain his approval or be disowned by Arobynn back in Rifthold. Put in close quarters with strangers for the first time in a long time, Celaena needs to learn what she really wants.
This story started out long and boring, Celaena being spoiled and full of complaints as usual. However, it picked up as Celaena got more and more comfortable with Ansel and Mikhail and even Ilias. This one was a story about patience, and what loss and pain can do to a person. It showed Celaena being given a real choice at how she chose to live her life as she was faced with Ancel, a girl who faced the same fate Celaena had as a child, and what that violence did to her. It made Celaena feel more human to me which is something that I’ve found rather laking in her character.
The only downside I found in this story was Celaena realizing she loves Sam after Ilias tries to kiss her. Maybe it’s just me but the romance plots are not great in this series. Things are getting better in the central plot now that Rowan is around, but still. There’s a lot to be desired there. I do look forward to the next story, and I hope we get to know what happened to Sam after Celaena got beaten (if only so she’ll stop moping about it) and give him a chance to be a person I can care about.
Overall, four and a half out of five!
[This post first appeared on Lucien's blog.]