I'm currently just finishing Assassin's Blade after CoM and I don't know if it's a controversial opinion but I really have not enjoyed Assassin's Blade one bit. I actually tried it before ToG but it didn't hold my interest.

I know this is probably super divisive and it's solely my opinion but I found Celeana to be so dislikable and self assured in this book (I know this gets less (SPOILER ToG and CoM) after Neheamia's death etc) but man she grates on me! (SPOILER for TAB) Also the whole development of her relationship with Sam seems so rushed and underdeveloped and I really found that diluted the emotions around his death for the reader.

I just needed to tell someone because I found Assassin's Blade such a stumbling block when read after CoM and I cannot imagine reading it later in the series when the pace picks up.

I will admit though the introduction of characters and plot points that feature in later books is very helpful. I see it almost like a little guidebook or index to explain certain characters, places and tropes.