The Assassin's Blade

Celaena Sardothien’s story is one of fierce will, audacious defiance, and a relentless longing for freedom. Raised among ruthless killers, she has survived by her skill, her sharp mind, and her refusal to break. But survival has taught her hard lessons — about the difference between cruelty and strength, loyalty and submission. When Arobynn Hamel, the powerful and dangerous master of the Assassin’s Guild, sends Celaena on a crucial assignment to the heart of pirate territory, it seems like just another test of her deadly talents. At her side is Sam Cortland, a fellow assassin whose quiet loyalty is beginning to mean more to her than it should. Yet what awaits them is far more dangerous than either of them imagined, and Celaena soon finds herself forced to choose between obedience and the chance to claim a life of her own.
But defying Arobynn comes at a cost — and he does not forgive betrayal. Armed with a keen blade, a quicker wit, and the courage to risk everything, Celaena may finally be ready to fight not for a master, but for her own future.