Throne of Glass: Setting

I have recently begun reading Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, one of the few recommended books I've actually started to read. As I am only thirty pages in, I can't speak for the whole book, but thus far I really enjoy reading it.

Throne of Glass is set in fantasy land that was once filled with magical creatures and people with strange abilities. Unfortunately the King of Adarlan began to hunt down and imprison magical creatures, burning most of the forests they occupied. The magical creatures that were 'lucky' enough to be imprisoned rather than killed, were sent to Endovier to work in the mines. This is where main character Celaena Sardothien has spent the last year of her life, working in the salt mines with no hope of freedom.

What is Endovier?
Endovier is a slave-labor city that uses the prisoners' labor in the salt mines to profit King Adarlan.  Endovier's salt mines are found within a bone colored mountain on the far side of a prison compound. The walls surrounding all four sides of the compound and the sentries stationed near the wall eliminate the possibility escape.

Celaena is allowed to leave Endovier, she has been chosen to compete to be the King's champion and win her freedom. This gives her the opportunity to leave for a training camp in Rifthold, accompanied by the prince and his royal guard. While traveling, the group stops in the Oakwood Forest, one of the few remaining forests that the King hasn't destroyed.
Oakwood Forest is different from the other forests.
Magic remains within the forest.
The royal guards are unnerved by how peaceful and quiet the forest is, and hope the King will burn the forest soon.
Celaena sees the beauty of the forest.
Celaena describes the forest saying, "leaves dangled like jewels-tiny droplets of ruby, pearl, topaz, amethyst, emerald and garnet; and a carpet of such riches coated the forest floor around them." Oakwood forest has a unique beauty created by the magic that dwelt within the forest. Oakwood is one of the few places that still possess this type of beauty, most of this has been destroyed by the same men who fear it. The forest inhabitants are magical creatures, most have vanished but the old inhabitants were "gnomes, sprites, nymphs, goblins, more names than anyone could count or remember."

While I have only begun Throne of Glass I already have a good understanding of the setting due to the detailed imagery Sarah J. Maas uses.