The Assassin's Blade is basically a bunch of novellas, originally released as e-books back in 2014, stitched together into one book. This book spills all the tea on Celaena Sardothien’s life as an assassin. You get loads of juicy background, meet some fascinating new characters, and dive into potential lovestory. It’s like a behind-the-scenes special with all the best bits included. Now, let's be real. It doesn’t start off with a bang, and some plot points just don't land as well as they should. But once you get through the first two stories, it really kicks into gear. My personal favorite? The Assassin and the Desert—major plot twist and a fantastic found family vibe that’ll give you all the feels. And then there's The Assassin and the Underworld, which is perfect for anyone who loves a good sappy love story. Guilty as charged. Pro tip: read this after Heir of Fire instead of jumping in before Queen of Shadows. Seriously, the romantic/publication order makes way more sense and feels more satisfying. Sure, you could read it before the whole series, but Celaena might not grip you as much if this is your first introduction. All in all an enjoyable read.