Throne of Glass, #1
Throne of Glass
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter 8
Overview
Celaena’s tour with Chaol sharpens her escape planning while revealing unsettling features of the castle, especially a grim clock tower and a mysterious symbol. The discovery of the vast royal library gives Celaena a rare source of pleasure and opens a playful written connection with Dorian. By the next day, Celaena also learns court gossip is already targeting her, prompting her to retaliate and prepare to face the palace in style.
Summary
Celaena convinces Chaol to give her a tour of the stone castle under the excuse of boredom, but Celaena uses the outing to study possible escape routes before the competition begins. Celaena refuses to enter the glass addition because the thought of glass floors unsettles her, and Chaol grows impatient as Celaena keeps probing for interesting places and information about the royal household.
During the tour, Celaena and Chaol pass Queen Georgina’s court, discuss the absent younger prince Hollin, and enter a garden dominated by a harsh black clock tower built around Dorian’s birth. Celaena notices a strange symbol carved into a tile beneath a gargoyle that seems to point at it, but Chaol dismisses the mark as decoration and pulls Celaena away, leaving Celaena disturbed by the tower’s watchful presence.
Chaol then brings Celaena past the kitchens to a set of dragon-flanked doors, where Celaena discovers the royal library. The enormous collection overwhelms Celaena with delight and briefly eclipses her escape plotting. Chaol tells Celaena that the books belong to the king and require permission to borrow, so Chaol drags Celaena away when Celaena argues that unused books deserve readers.
After supper, Celaena grows restless in her rooms and writes to Dorian asking permission to borrow books. Dorian responds by sending seven books from his personal library, granting Celaena access to the castle library, and requesting that Celaena read his selections first so they can discuss them. Celaena is pleased by Dorian’s playful reply and spends the night reading.
The next morning, Celaena wakes at noon to the clock tower’s chimes and realizes Chaol has not arrived for the competition’s expected start. From her balcony, Celaena watches guards below and overhears a richly dressed raven-haired noblewoman speculating jealously about the unknown girl Dorian brought to Rifthold. When the noblewoman calls Celaena the prince’s harlot, Celaena drops a flowerpot at her; although the pot misses, it frightens and humiliates the woman, and Celaena returns inside to demand her finest gown.
Who Appears
- Celaena SardothienMaps escape routes, delights in the library, writes Dorian, and retaliates against court gossip.
- Chaol WestfallEscorts Celaena through the castle, dismisses her concerns, and restricts library access.
- Dorian HavilliardGrants Celaena library access and sends books with a playful note.
- Raven-haired noblewomanJealous court lady in red who insults Celaena and is nearly hit by a flowerpot.
- Ladies-in-waitingTwo blonde attendants accompany the noblewoman and react to her complaints.
- Palace servantCarries Celaena’s note to Dorian and returns with his books.
- Palace guardsWatch Celaena’s balcony closely and aim crossbows when she appears outside.