Sam wasn't killed he was taken prisoner by Arobynn Hamel and Celaena thinks he is dead. When he finds out she is alive be escapes and is put into the competition for a place to be one of the king's champions.
Clary is stranded on an island with her friend Simon, three Shadowhunters - Jace, Alec and Isabelle - and a not-so-perfect girl Celaena and her dog Fleetfoot. They face a strange, mythical creature called a Ridderack and Celaena's true self will be exposed.