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Publisher's Weekly hit it on the nose when they noted that this book has the political intrigue that reader's loved in the Graceling series, combined with the deadly competition from The Hunger Games. Usually when I see books compared so strongly to other books I read (and loved), I am a little skeptical that I will like the book as much as the books it is compared too. I read the book constantly comparing the plot and characters. I was pleasantly surprised by this book!
Yes, I could see how it could be compared to these books and to Game of Thrones (although I have not read that book yet, only caught the show once)... but I was so happy that this book still felt fresh and not copied. I don't know if that will make sense to some of you, but sometimes I feel like I am reading the same book over and over again only with the names, setting, and some minor details changed.
I admit that it did take me a few chapters to warm up to characters and to let myself take in the world that Maas created, but after that I was totally sucked into the story.
I loved how Maas created characters who were more than their titles and reputation would have them be. I loved how strong, but also how vulnerable Celaena was. She shares qualities with Katsa and Katniss, but has a playfulness to her that the others don't have.
I also think that Publisher's Weekly was right to compare these three books. I found that they do share a similar theme... which is that women can be tough (and deadly), but also be sensitive and if you get to know someone you may find that there is more to the story than just what they may appear to be or what other's want them to be.

I may have found my favorite book of 2013 in this one. Definitely recommend this on to the masses, especially those of us who liked Graceling and Grave Mercy.