Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)

by Sarah J. Maas

The action-packed, heart-wrenching and fantastically addictive sequel to Sarah J. Maas's epic YA fantasy debut THRONE OF GLASS.

Eighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien is bold, daring and beautiful - the perfect seductress and the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But though she won the King's contest and became his champion, Celaena has been granted neither her liberty nor the freedom to follow her heart. Celaena faces a choice that is tearing her to pieces: kill in cold blood for a man she hates, or risk sentencing those she loves to death. Celaena must decide what she will fight for: survival, love or the future of a kingdom. Because an assassin cannot have it all ... And trying to may just destroy her.

• ISBN10: 161963063X
• ISBN13: 9781619630635
• Publish Date: 27 August 2013 (first published 15 August 2013)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
• Format: eBook (EPUB)
• Pages: 336
• Language: English
• URL: http://bloomsbury.com/

Reviews

[Amber]

This review was originally posted on Books of Amber

Crown of Midnight is a book that I hadn’t planned on reading at all. I read Throne of Glass when it was first released, and I liked it. And that’s it. It was an okay book, but nothing particularly stood out to me. And then Epic Recs started and Judith sent me a copy of the book, so I couldn’t not read it because that would be rude. And the British are never rude. (*snorts*)

I liked Celaena a lot more in this book. I think it’s because Maas made her a slightly more sympathetic character compared to how she was in Throne of Glass. We got to read about some more of Celaena’s background and upbringing, and the focus was more on her than it was about the plot or the other characters. Because Celaena, to an extent, was the plot. And this was great. We got see her do her badass thing, but we also saw the softer side of her and, as we learnt more about her, I grew to kind of really, really like her. Which shocked me, because I didn’t feel either way about her in Throne of Glass.


I did not, however, warm up to Chaol. I didn’t like him in Throne of Glass, and I don’t like him all that much in Crown of Midnight because he is so bloody boring. I hope he actually does something in Heir of Fire, because the poor guy needs a decent storyline. Maybe that would be enough to make me like him, but right now I am so bored of his presence.

Dorian, on the other hand, is hella interesting. He’s my favourite of the two leading guys, obviously, because he actually has a personality. I always enjoy his sarcasm and the banter between him and Celaena is fabulous. Plus, Dorian actually has stuff going on. He’s learning more about himself and uncovering secrets and mysteries, and I want to read about ALL THE DORIAN AND CELAENA. And none for Chaol, bye.

I’m looking forward to the characters developing more as the series progresses, because Maas did a great job in Crown of Midnight and I’m sure that, with four more books to come, the characters are all going to get the storyline and development that they deserve. Yes, even Chaol. *rolls eyes*

I find myself really enjoying this fantasy world as we explore it in bits and pieces. The magical elements are very much underlying throughout much of the book, since magic is a no-no, and when the fantastical elements do come into play everything gets crazy and they have a huge impact on everyone, including the reader.

I cannot wait to explore more of the world that Maas has created, and I am sure that, thanks to the ending of Crown of Midnight, we’re about to see a lot more of it. I would liken it to the characters moving out of King’s Landing and going to explore Essos and the North. (I’m still reading A Dance With Dragons, hence the comparison.)

The plot was fast paced and action packed, and it felt a lot tighter than Throne of Glass. Sarah J. Maas’ writing and storytelling has greatly improved, and I think it’s going to get even better in Heir of Fire.

I think that even if you didn’t enjoy Throne of Glass all that much (as long as you didn’t hate it), you should probably check out Crown of Midnight to see if you end up enjoying it more, like I did. Judith @ Paper Riot forced me into reading Crown of Midnight, even though I had assured her over and over again that the first book was very average and unmemorable, and I gave in and read it, and I ended up really liking it. The ending is crazy, and the thrilling story in this one is enough to get you hooked. I can’t wait to read Heir of Fire in the autumn!

[ladygrey]

A part of me wants to give this 2 stars just out of spite. It's really not that bad of a book. But the things I didn't like, I just so didn't like.

The whole thing with Chaol... it was just so unsubstantiated and so drastic, even though it was a slow burn. I mean the entire last book was all about her and Dorian. And they were cute and fun and flirty and it was obvious Chaol liked her but there was no real inclination that she liked him. Then she ended it with Dorian so abruptly with no good reason at all. I thought this book would be all about the angst and the two guys coming in and out if focus for her. But no, suddenly Chaol is her soulmate and we're told it's been that way all along. But that's the problem - we're told that she's deeply in love with him but I didn't see it. Liking to hang out in his room and going running together doesn't translate into him being the other half of her to me. The character can tell me she's found the other piece of herself all you want, but if you want me to believe it you have to show me why; show me the flirting and the romance; show me her shifting emotions (and admit that they're shifting - they have not been there all along and I have an entire other book to prove it). And in this case you have to work even harder to convince me she's unequivocally in love with him because you have to overcome all the work you put into the last book to get me attached to the other guy. And it wasn't enough. It was never really enough for me to buy it.

All if that might have been easier to manage if I didn't also have issues with Caelena. She goes on these emotional riffs I just can't follow. Not the big stuff but the times in a simple conversation where she reacts out of no where in a way that doesn't seem to have anything to do with the conversation. It's so disjointed. It doesn't help that she's petulant and irrational and then she's also this badass assassin and that's so discordant. The assassin part I get and I like her like that. But then the petulant and irrational just doesn't seem believable as characteristics that fit at all with who she's supposed to be and she spends more time like that which was really annoying.

But I like the guys. Dorian and Chaol are both cool (except the whole stupid letting go thing) and the world is good and the story's actually not bad if you can separate out the annoying parts.

But then the end was lame. I saw the big shocking revelation coming miles ago so it doesn't really end on a cliffhanger so much as it peters out telling me things I already knew as if I should be excited about them.

I know, I'm being unduly harsh. I'm just so bitter about the whole stupid Chaol thing and Caelena spending so much of a good story being a dumbass. But you know I'm still going to read the next one. ETA: Nope. No desire to read the next one or any of this series at all ever again.

Better than the first book, Celaena was bearable and wasn't as annoying or self-centered as she was in book one. I still have doubts about this series but this book was more believable than the first. Although it wasn't as exciting for me

The major reveal at the end? Yeahh I had guessed this in book one! In fact I thought it was the most obvious thing in this storyline, I would have been more surprised if it hadn't have happened. I do wonder what will happen now though.

[liz089]

Maybe I even loved this one more the second time ? I don't know, it is all so tragic and horrible... They are all so innocent (or well less then they were at the end of the last one)... Feel sorry for them knowing what will happen..
Also, it has been 5 years, so I am really pleased I deceided to start this one over ! So many details I would have missed if I just continued...

[kimbacaffeinate]

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas is the second book in the Throne of Glass series and this, this my friends is what all second books should aspire to be! Not since Dark Triumph have I been so impressed by a second book. Maas gave us a story within a story and captured my attention from page one. Three word review: brilliant, intense, and captivating.

Celaena is now doing the king’s bidding as his champion while she works to solve puzzles, unearth conspiracy and seek her own personal revenge. Something is loose in the castle as Celaena pieces more clues together. Her relationships with Dorian, Nehemia and Chaol all develop further as Maas entwines our hearts to these characters. The tale is dark, the character growth is fantastic and the tale that unfolds will have you so completely enthralled the rest of the world will slip away.
Celaena is Ardalan’s greatest assassin and Maas reveals the complexity of Celaena’s personality to us. I love how she swaggers into a room, the ruthless way that she hunts her prey and the devious ways in which she handles situations. She can kill you before you take your next breath and yet she feels deeply and is capable of intense love. She struggles with the responsibilities forced upon her and we experience her raw emotions and fearlessness as she moves towards answers. We experience so many emotions and feel Celaena’s pain that she becomes flesh before our eyes. Prince Dorian and the Captain of the Guard, Chaol Westfall, are part of Celaena’s circle and she cares for them both. The author reveals to us her choice in this love triangle and for a brief moment we find happiness and see her dream of a bright tomorrow. What I really enjoyed was the friendship that develops with the other and I am hoping that we see Celaena open up and trust more. The romance was hot, sweet and intense as it gave us moments of intense laughter, tenderness and joy. An old woman from the traveling carnival was frightening and fascinating. Other characters within the castle and from Celaena’s past help advance the plot and added some interesting and intense threads.

The world building in Crown of Midnight was bloody brilliant, from the pacing to the way all of the threads come together. Maas led our emotions on a carefully tethered string and my heart burst and ached and cried for more. Ever word, every thread, every experience enhanced the tale. We are beginning to get a very clear picture of the characters, the Wyrdmarks and Celaena’s role in this world. I love the magic and some of the elements that are used to guide Celaena on her quest from talking object to clues hidden in poems. It has a whole Da Vinci Code vibe to it and I quickly gobbled these moments up. I adored the banter between the characters, the drama that unfolded as Maas filled my heart with joy and at other times had me weeping and feeling total despair. It was completely enthralling and gave me that high I chase each and every time I pick up a book. The blending of fantasy, magic, dark and light was beautifully done. The book has some very dark moments both emotionally and in displays of brutal violence. Maas made all of it believable and the character’s voices remained true throughout. The ending left me feeling so many emotions ranging from sadness to hope to fear and set us up perfectly for the next book.

Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[limabean74]

I'm not even sure where to start with this book. It took 10 pages, yes, 10 pages for me to realize this was going to surpass the first book. More amazing? I called the first book EPIC is there a word better than EPIC? I don't know, I am just going to say it's beyond EPIC!!!

This one starts off pretty much were the last one left off (give or take a month or two).
So now that Celaena is the Kings Champion, her mission is to find out what groups of people are trying to get the king removed from the throne. The king will give her one name at a time for her to find and kill. Celaena knows she must do what the kings asks, her friends lives are in danger.

The first person she is asked to kill is someone she has history with, Archer Finn. They have known each other since she first started with Arobynn Hamel but he hold secrets and know things that could destroy everything Celaena knew and hoped for.

She spends a lot of time with her BFF Princess Nehemia and they really get a lot closer.
She meets a doorknocker named Mort in Elena's Tomb. He is hilarious and just a great addition to the character.

The chemistry between her and her two love interests are more intense and emotional in this book. At the end of the last book she tells Dorian (the Crown Prince) that nothing can happen between them and she only wants to be friends. At some point in this book she starts to realize she has feeling for Chaol, who I adore by the way he is the perfect guy. I seriously just love him. I am 100% team CHAOL!!!! The interactions between them grow more and you really get a sense of how much they care about each other.

Love, loss, betrayal, mystery, heartbreak (I was in TEARS), secrets revealed and a shocking end that will make you desperate to read the next one.

OMG there is so much going on in this book. So fast paced and super exciting.
The writing was amazing. The chemistry between ALL the characters was intense. I found myself laughing, rooting for them and at some point in tears.

I believe I loved this one more than the first and I LOVED the first one. 5 starts are not enough for this book. I haven't been this excited for a third book since Harry Potter. Sarah J. Maas has written something really amazing and I will recommend it to anyone, ANYONE, looking for an amazing book with action, mystery, fantastic romance and pure emotion.

I will say it again I completely and totally recommend this book for anyone wanting to read the most amazing book they ever read in their entire life...Seriously :)

Find more reviews at http://love2readalways.blogspot.com/

[Suz @ Bookish Revelations]

I don't even know how to start this review for Crown of Midnight, because I have so many FEELS for this novel...I can't even words right now! Seriously, hands down, this is THE BEST book that I have read so far this year and definitely one of the most anticipated. I was literally up until all hours of the night reading this, I absolutely could not bring myself to put it down. Crown of Midnight is so completely enthralling and filled with so much mystery, suspense, and dangerous twists and turns around every corner that you'll be completely captivated by the story Sarah J. Maas has created. The plot, the characters, and imagery are phenomenal and kept me drooling all over the pages as I devoured this book.

I cannot say enough good things about this amazing and thrilling sequel to, Throne of Glass. Maas really did hit it out of the park with this, by bringing in more danger and super complex complicated games that will have loyalties tested at every available opportunity imaginable. Mysterious and edgy, you are going to absolutely fall in love with Crown of Midnight. Talk about a nail biter, this one definitely fits the profile. What more could you ask for in such a perfect follow up to an amazing start? Dark suspicion, adventurous and daring danger, intrigue, swoon-worthy boys, and romance.

Oh, the romance and the boys! How could you choose, Chaol or Dorian!? Dorian or Chaol?! One's dark and broody and the other one is oh so, tricksy. It's just...Guh! And they're both absolutely kickass and for spoilers sake, I won't say what happens or who Celaena picks, but there's definitely a connection between her and both of them. You'll just have to read to find out what it is.

If you love kickass fantasy, amazingly strong and brilliantly developed characters, and intriguing plot suspense then this is the novel for you. Seriously, it is! So, you should go pick it up as soon as it hits shelves in bookstores near you. It is the absolutely perfect, most super genius, fantasy filled world that I've seen written in a while and that's saying a lot! Mostly I like fantasy, but this book absolutely made me fall in love with fantasy. This is absolutely how it's supposed to be done.

So, what are you waiting for?! You should go pre-order this...NOW!

[lizarodz]

Wow! Throne of Glass is one of the best books I read last year, and Celaena is one of the best and more complex characters that I have read about in a while. If you want a test of this amazing series, you can start with the novellas and you can determine if fantasy is your thing or not. It is definitely mine!

The book starts a few months after the ending of Throne of Glass, and finds Celaena working as the Royal Assassin. So much goes on during Crown of Midnight that I don’t even know where to start! I really don’t know how she can break and knit herself together over and over again. It seems like her life alternates between happiness and deep sorrow and hurt. Celeana is really an amazing character, she is loyal to those she loves, and she is ruthless to those who threaten her or her loved ones. She is light and dark, and she provokes others to strong emotions.

Chaol and Dorian are the love interest, but this is not a love triangle because, from the beginning (and if you paid attention during the first book), you know there is a clear favorite. I’m so happy for Celaena and I hope that everything works out at the end (*pretty please*). Dorian did a lot of growing up and also went through many changes that I hope help everyone at the end.

Some things happen in this book that made me, well, cry. I will not spoil it for you, but this book is so intense, so unbelievably good, that it’s even better than the first book. I wish it were possible for me to describe the magic of the series, of Celeana’s world, these characters and the writing that makes it all come alive. The story is told in the third person, from multiple points of view, but mostly from Celeana, Dorian and Chaol’s.

What a plot! I started reading the Crown of Midnight as soon as I got to the hotel from BEA and I couldn’t put it down. The story is SO incredibly good! I was practically at the edge of my seat and I was sad, happy, mad, scared. I love this world, even though we don’t see quite as much of it in this installment. Many truths were revealed in this book (I suspected some of them ;) and I’m sure many more will be uncovered.

The ending was kind of a slight cliffhanger and I cannot wait for the next installment of this amazing series, it doesn’t matter how many books it ends up being.

Some quotes for you: (please be aware that these come from the ARC and might be different in the final book)

“… I’m bored to tears and nearly dead with cold”, she said, dropping her cloak.
He remained atop the stairs, just watching her.
“And it’s your fault,” she went on, stuffing her hands into her pockets. “You made me come out here, and someone left the balcony door open, so I could hear all that lovely music.”… “So you should really reconsider who’s to blame. It was like putting a starving man in from of a feast and telling him not to eat…” - Celeana to Chaol

“…Is that …chocolate cake?”
“I thought you might need some.”
“Need, not want?”
A ghost of a smile was on her lips, and he almost sagged in relief as he said: “For you, I’d say chocolate cake is most definitely a need.” – Celeana and Chaol

There is so much more I would like to tell you, but I’m trying my best to not include spoilers!

About the cover: I like the cover, it keeps with the theme of the assassin, and Celeana looks so bad ass, right?