AND ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!
The infamous Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas is known to many many many readers worldwide. It's one of the most popular series to date and has taken the world by storm... literally. However, it has come to my attention that this wonderful series has fallen under a long list of other books that have been turned into TV shows and movies. On that list are other popular books and series such as The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, Divergent by Veronica Roth and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
I don't know what I'm more upset about, the fact that this wonderful series is being turned into a show or that it's only going to be on Hulu. Hulu?? Who uses Hulu? I'm not going to go out of my way to buy a Hulu account to watch one TV show.
Although one could argue that this series is finally getting the air time it deserves, I can't overlook the fact that most book to movie adaptations (not all) have destroyed books in the past. But if there's one thing I'm glad about, it's their decision to turn it into a TV show instead of a movie. Oh boy, what a disaster that would have been.
I can't deny that this is an incredible feat for Miss Sarah J Maas. It has proved how much work she's put into her writing and the production company saw great potential in a series that is backed by so many loyal fans. Well done! Before going into this post, please acknowledge that I am in no way hating on the author of the book series. This post is simply regarding the fact that my favorite book series is going to be turned into a TV show.
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I don't know what I'm more upset about, the fact that this wonderful series is being turned into a show or that it's only going to be on Hulu. Hulu?? Who uses Hulu? I'm not going to go out of my way to buy a Hulu account to watch one TV show.
Although one could argue that this series is finally getting the air time it deserves, I can't overlook the fact that most book to movie adaptations (not all) have destroyed books in the past. But if there's one thing I'm glad about, it's their decision to turn it into a TV show instead of a movie. Oh boy, what a disaster that would have been.
I can't deny that this is an incredible feat for Miss Sarah J Maas. It has proved how much work she's put into her writing and the production company saw great potential in a series that is backed by so many loyal fans. Well done! Before going into this post, please acknowledge that I am in no way hating on the author of the book series. This post is simply regarding the fact that my favorite book series is going to be turned into a TV show.
This GIF is literally most of the Throne of Glass fandom...
Book adaptations that have made me want to flip my shit...
However, on the other hand, there have been some good turnouts...
It's hard to tell this early on whether Hulu will do Sarah J Maas' series justice. My main concern with the adaptation, in line with my concerns about the TMI TV show adaptation, is that they're taking quite a large series and condensing it. During the Shadowhunters season premiere, the entire fandom was shitting about how much they changed from the books. Of course, I know that the directors can't take exactly what's inside the book and translate it on the screen. Changes are necessary. We get that. I watched the first season of Shadowhunters and it was subpar, to say the least. Most of the show's focal point was its delicious cast of characters, rather than the plot and Clary's self-discovery. It would be an understatement to say that I didn't like it.
And maybe I'm comparing the TMI TV show adaptation to how their going to make the Throne of Glass one, but I can't help but have this irrational fear that they're going to destroy one of my favorite series of all time. Now, we haven't seen the casting yet but if there's one thing this announcement can do to redeem itself it would be through the casting. The cast will make or break the show. We've already seen how bad casting can go through Shadowhunters. They've got the two leading characters all wrong! Clary, or Katherine McNamara, is a real kicker but she adds no depth to the Clary Fray the fandom knows so well. We barely see any of the emotional baggage she's supposed to carry after she realizes her mom is in danger and she's a part of an ancient race that keeps demons from wreaking havoc on the human world. Jace, played by Dominic Sherwood, although very very very good looking, doesn't do the brooding and mysterious Shadowhunter justice at all. Did the directors and producers think they could just put teenagers in leather and skinny jeans and they'd magically become Shadowhunters?
The truth is... I'M TERRIFIED. I honestly think I have a right to be since Hollywood doesn't have a particularly great track record when it comes to adaptations. The TV show in the making has been titled 'Queen of Shadows'. All we know so far is that is has been picked up by the Mark Gordon Company, one I'm not familiar with. Kira Snyder, who is set to write the adaptation, gives me all the hope in the world to be happy about the show. Kira was the writer of 'The 100', one of my all-time favorite shows. I have no doubt that she'll do good on yet another action-packed series.
Things 'Queen of Shadows' Must Get Right To Appease the Fandom
- Casting - The casting of Celaena, Chaol and Dorian must be done right, down to the last detail. They must find that golden actress that can handle Celaena's snark without trying too hard or Chaol's indifference to Celaena without being too forced. They must find the actor with soft features and the kind face of Dorian, but still regal-looking.
- Portray Celaena's inner struggles - The assassin part of Celaena doesn't make up her entire character. That's one part of her life she can't change or fight. I don't want this show to turn into some YA love fest where the producers only care about getting the two characters together. I really want to see Celaena carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. From the death of Sam Cortland, the shit Arobynn put her through and to the year she spent in Endovier, I want to see the scarred and beat up person that Celaena is. I definitely think this is the most challenging part for the creators because the only way I can think of them sufficiently putting in Celaena's past is with the use of flashbacks. I have sort of a love hate relationship with flashbacks, especially in TV shows.
- World building - The immense world-building and creation of Erilea is 70% of what makes up the Throne of Glass series. I imagine vast open spaces with mountains, deserts, and jungles. They can't leave out the hint of magic that is in the atmosphere of the world. I expect most of their budget to be well-spent on world-building and sets.
- Wicked action scenes- The fandom loves how Maas never shows her characters mercy. The fight scenes are pretty brutal and the characters barely make it out alive in the book.
- And please please please don't change the plot on us!
So I may not be this show's number one supporter, but I can't not be excited about my favorite series coming to life. At this point, I can only presume from what I know about adaptations in the past. I'm ready to see Celaena and Chaol spar, Fleetfoot, Manon and ALL THE FREAKING FANCY-ASS DRESSES CELAENA IS GOING TO HAVE.
