The Assassin and The Underworld by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass 0.3 Novella
Published in May 2012 by Bloomsbury USA.

The cavernous entrance hall of the Assassin's Keep was silent as Celaena Sardothian stalked across the marble floor, a letter clutched between her fingers. No one had greeted her at the towering oak doors save the housekeeper, who'd taken her rain-sodden cloak - and , after getting a look at the wicked grin on Celaena's face, opted not to say anything.


Goodreads Summary
When the King of the Assassins gives Celaena Sardothien a special assignment that will help fight slavery in the kingdom, she jumps at the chance to strike a blow against an evil practice. The misson is a dark and deadly affair which takes Celaena from the rooftops of the city to the bottom of the sewer—and she doesn’t like what she finds there.

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Firstly I have to admit my  personal act of stupidity here. I downloaded and read this, convinced it was the second prequal novella to Throne of Glass and only realised on writing this review that it was the third. So I have missed one out and I need to go back and read it. However, on reading this I didn't feel like I was missing something as the story gives details of the previous tale.

These little novellas are pure magic! They have worked me up into a frenzy and I can't wait to read Throne of Glass now. I adore the relationship between Sam and Celaena, he really is the calm before her storm. She can be such a head strong, vicious little sniper, who often appears her age, showing her naivety and vulnerability, that you only really begin to love her when Sam thaws her ice cold heart. Sam is utterly gorgeous! 

The uneasy and almost indescribable relationship between Arobynn and Celaena will have you running around in circles. Seriously, Celaena really doesn't know where she stands with him, as he swings up and down the kindness chart in a nano second. She doesn't know whether to worship him or stab him. He really is the most mysterious character I have come across in a long time; a real threatening presence that  often appears soft and lovable.

By the end of this book, you realise just where Celaena is heading and I almost whooped with excitement at the developments.

This series is definitely one I would recommend. I would happily stand in Waterstones giving out copies of these books! Sarah J. Maas is about to put her stamp on the world of YA fantasy.