The Assassin’s Blade
by Sarah J. Maas
Young adult · ages 14–18 · grades 9–12 · 820L · 512 pages · 2022
Why we'd hand it over
A sharp prequel that works as standalone; Maas's prose is tighter here than in the main series, and Celaena's voice—layered with trauma and wit—will hook teens who appreciate morally gray characters learning to trust themselves.