Status
Missing
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Bloomsbury YA (2015), 432 pages
Description
As the royal assassin to an evil king, eighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien must decide what she will fight for--survival, love, or the future of a kingdom.
User reviews
LibraryThing member DarkFaerieTales
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.
Quick & Dirty: This is one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. A magical world filled with amazing characters, beautiful heartfelt moments, epic romance, and an unforgettable story.
Opening Sentence: The shutters swinging in the storm winds
The Review:
Celaena survived the horrible Salt Mines, to become a slave in a different way. She is now the king’s personal assassin, and she does his bidding without question, at least the king thinks she does. Instead of killing the king’s victims she is faking their deaths and letting them disappear. By doing this she is putting her life and all the lives of those she cares about in serious jeopardy, but she will not butcher innocent people. Her next victim is someone from her past that is part of a rebellion to unseat the king. She starts to wonder if there is hope that one day the people will be able to live freely without a tyrant for a king. Magic disappeared years ago from the land, but there are dark forces gathering and they are bringing a new type of magical power into play. Celaena’s entire world is in danger and she has to make a choice. Who and what is she willing to fight for?
Celaena is one of my favorite heroines ever created. She can kick some serious booty when she needs to and she has some killer instincts. But she also has a very kind and gentle side to her. She has had so much heartache in her life, but she still had hope that there is good worth fighting for. She has her faults as well, like being very selfish at times, but it makes her more relatable in that way. Most people in her profession have lost all sense of right and wrong; this is not the case for Celaena. She really tries to do what’s right and spare as many lives as she can. She is a loyal person and she would do anything for the few people she cares about. I love her self confidence, but she also has a lot of insecurities that make her human. Honestly, she is one of those characters I wish I could be more like.
Chaol seriously melted my heart and I fell completely in love with him. He is noble, attractive, kind, and just a good overall person. He tried to keep his distance from Celaena because he knew that falling for her would come with consequences, but you can’t help who you love. He challenges Celaena and gives her hope that there are still good things left in this world. Their romance was developed slowly and it was so beautifully done. There is great sexual tension between them, and so many cute stolen moments. Like everything in life, love is never easy, but it is worth fighting for. Their relationship has gone through so much but I hope that in the end they get a happy ending. So suffice to say, I am most definitely Team Chaol.
Dorian is an amazing guy as well. Of course he totally gorgeous and charming, but he has some big flaws as well. He is the Crown Prince and to his credit he is nothing like his father. He actually has a heart and really cares about people, but he is weak. He won’t stand up to his father because he is too afraid. He has a lot to learn and he grows up a lot in this book. I have really high hopes for Dorian and I think that he will make a great king eventually. He is still very much in love with Celaena, and they have a lot in common. I see Dorian as more of a friend right now, but a lot can happen between now and the end of the series.
It is actually hard to put into words how amazing this book is. Throne of Glass was an incredible book, and I had really high expectations for Crown of Midnight. Let’s just say that it really went above and beyond anything I had hoped for. There were so many unexpected moments that kept me excited and left me wanting to read more. I got so attached to the characters that I could literally feel their emotions when things would happen to them. At the beginning, there were moments that just made my heart melt into a gooey puddle, then all the sudden I felt like it was ripped from my chest and shredded into tiny pieces. Than just as things started to mend the books ends with a jaw dropping revelation that will leave readers begging for more. This book made me fall in love with reading all over again. It is one of those stories that just captivates and intrigues you the whole way through. I would highly recommend this series to anyone, especially if you like fantasy. Give it a try, you will be so glad you did.
Notable Scene:
The kiss obliterated her.
It was like coming home or being born or suddenly finding an entire half of herself that had been missing. His lips were hot and soft against hers—still tentative, and after a moment, he pulled back far enough to look into her eyes. She trembled with the need to touch him everywhere at once, to feel him touching her everywhere at once. He would give up everything to go with her.
She twined her arms around his neck, her mouth meeting his in a second kiss that knocked the world out from under her.
FTC Advisory: Bloomsbury USA Childrens provided me with a copy of Crown of Midnight. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: This is one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. A magical world filled with amazing characters, beautiful heartfelt moments, epic romance, and an unforgettable story.
Opening Sentence: The shutters swinging in the storm winds
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were the only sign of her entry.The Review:
Celaena survived the horrible Salt Mines, to become a slave in a different way. She is now the king’s personal assassin, and she does his bidding without question, at least the king thinks she does. Instead of killing the king’s victims she is faking their deaths and letting them disappear. By doing this she is putting her life and all the lives of those she cares about in serious jeopardy, but she will not butcher innocent people. Her next victim is someone from her past that is part of a rebellion to unseat the king. She starts to wonder if there is hope that one day the people will be able to live freely without a tyrant for a king. Magic disappeared years ago from the land, but there are dark forces gathering and they are bringing a new type of magical power into play. Celaena’s entire world is in danger and she has to make a choice. Who and what is she willing to fight for?
Celaena is one of my favorite heroines ever created. She can kick some serious booty when she needs to and she has some killer instincts. But she also has a very kind and gentle side to her. She has had so much heartache in her life, but she still had hope that there is good worth fighting for. She has her faults as well, like being very selfish at times, but it makes her more relatable in that way. Most people in her profession have lost all sense of right and wrong; this is not the case for Celaena. She really tries to do what’s right and spare as many lives as she can. She is a loyal person and she would do anything for the few people she cares about. I love her self confidence, but she also has a lot of insecurities that make her human. Honestly, she is one of those characters I wish I could be more like.
Chaol seriously melted my heart and I fell completely in love with him. He is noble, attractive, kind, and just a good overall person. He tried to keep his distance from Celaena because he knew that falling for her would come with consequences, but you can’t help who you love. He challenges Celaena and gives her hope that there are still good things left in this world. Their romance was developed slowly and it was so beautifully done. There is great sexual tension between them, and so many cute stolen moments. Like everything in life, love is never easy, but it is worth fighting for. Their relationship has gone through so much but I hope that in the end they get a happy ending. So suffice to say, I am most definitely Team Chaol.
Dorian is an amazing guy as well. Of course he totally gorgeous and charming, but he has some big flaws as well. He is the Crown Prince and to his credit he is nothing like his father. He actually has a heart and really cares about people, but he is weak. He won’t stand up to his father because he is too afraid. He has a lot to learn and he grows up a lot in this book. I have really high hopes for Dorian and I think that he will make a great king eventually. He is still very much in love with Celaena, and they have a lot in common. I see Dorian as more of a friend right now, but a lot can happen between now and the end of the series.
It is actually hard to put into words how amazing this book is. Throne of Glass was an incredible book, and I had really high expectations for Crown of Midnight. Let’s just say that it really went above and beyond anything I had hoped for. There were so many unexpected moments that kept me excited and left me wanting to read more. I got so attached to the characters that I could literally feel their emotions when things would happen to them. At the beginning, there were moments that just made my heart melt into a gooey puddle, then all the sudden I felt like it was ripped from my chest and shredded into tiny pieces. Than just as things started to mend the books ends with a jaw dropping revelation that will leave readers begging for more. This book made me fall in love with reading all over again. It is one of those stories that just captivates and intrigues you the whole way through. I would highly recommend this series to anyone, especially if you like fantasy. Give it a try, you will be so glad you did.
Notable Scene:
The kiss obliterated her.
It was like coming home or being born or suddenly finding an entire half of herself that had been missing. His lips were hot and soft against hers—still tentative, and after a moment, he pulled back far enough to look into her eyes. She trembled with the need to touch him everywhere at once, to feel him touching her everywhere at once. He would give up everything to go with her.
She twined her arms around his neck, her mouth meeting his in a second kiss that knocked the world out from under her.
FTC Advisory: Bloomsbury USA Childrens provided me with a copy of Crown of Midnight. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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LibraryThing member Bookswithbite
High fantasy is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres. Surpassing all my expectations, I adore this book!
Plot: This plot moves quickly yet it has so much to get into. From emotions ranging from happy to anger, fights that lead to the death and an ultimate betrayal that will make you gasp, this
Love: O.M.G. This part is another amazing areat of the book that I totally felt invested in. I think the full range of emotions that the author gives the reader makes it easy to feel invested. I knew the characters. Celaena is my type of gal. Kick-butt and strong, she doesn’t play around or take crap from anyone. She tells it how it is and her threats aren’t threats. There are promise that she will fulfill whatever she says. Watching this love form between Calaena and the guy is like watching a train wreck happen in slow motion. It starts off good, then goes faster and then the crash. Oh man, the crash. When I read that scene, I actually put my face in the book and said,” NOOOOOO!” I really hope that things can be fixed but Calaena is tough girl and doesn’t forgive easily. But just so you know, I”m anxious for the next book already.
Ending: You think after reading soo many heavy revelations that the author will give an easy ending right? HECK NO! The ending not only ripped me to shreds but HOLY CRAPOLA!! That revelation stunned me like a statue. I’m pretty sure I re-read the last page several times just to make sure I read that scene correctly. The author did a beautiful job, connecting every piece of the puzzle slowly but at the right time. I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW PLEASE!
Crown Of Midnight is an dashing story you don’t want to miss. A perfect fantasy that is easy to divulge in, Crown Of Midnight matures into a blooming story setting the bar high for the next book. Slick and action-packed, Crown Of Midnight is full of win!!
Plot: This plot moves quickly yet it has so much to get into. From emotions ranging from happy to anger, fights that lead to the death and an ultimate betrayal that will make you gasp, this
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plot does not let up. There is no stopping once you read this book. All the sarcastic comments, fights, and love is forever etched into my mind like a movie that I want to rewind and watch again. I read this book driving up to the Houston Book Rave. My husband was driving and bored so he ask me what I was reading. I told him, describing scene by scene. Before we knew it, we had this back and forth thing going where I would read a few chapters then fill him in. At one point he was like, “Are you done yet? Tell me what happen!” And I’m like,”Dude! I’m reading as fast as I can!” And he’s all like,” Well hurry up! I want to know if she is going to kill the guy!” Then he asked me several times if it is a movie. I told him no. He made a sad face.Love: O.M.G. This part is another amazing areat of the book that I totally felt invested in. I think the full range of emotions that the author gives the reader makes it easy to feel invested. I knew the characters. Celaena is my type of gal. Kick-butt and strong, she doesn’t play around or take crap from anyone. She tells it how it is and her threats aren’t threats. There are promise that she will fulfill whatever she says. Watching this love form between Calaena and the guy is like watching a train wreck happen in slow motion. It starts off good, then goes faster and then the crash. Oh man, the crash. When I read that scene, I actually put my face in the book and said,” NOOOOOO!” I really hope that things can be fixed but Calaena is tough girl and doesn’t forgive easily. But just so you know, I”m anxious for the next book already.
Ending: You think after reading soo many heavy revelations that the author will give an easy ending right? HECK NO! The ending not only ripped me to shreds but HOLY CRAPOLA!! That revelation stunned me like a statue. I’m pretty sure I re-read the last page several times just to make sure I read that scene correctly. The author did a beautiful job, connecting every piece of the puzzle slowly but at the right time. I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW PLEASE!
Crown Of Midnight is an dashing story you don’t want to miss. A perfect fantasy that is easy to divulge in, Crown Of Midnight matures into a blooming story setting the bar high for the next book. Slick and action-packed, Crown Of Midnight is full of win!!
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LibraryThing member AboutToRead
Crown of Midnight was an excellent follow up to Throne of Glass. The first chapter or so was a little rough for me because it was assassin-centric and I thought that the series was taking a turn into a direction I wasn’t going to like. Fortunately, I was wrong and quickly remembered why I loved
Sarah J. Maas has created a really fascinating world filled with magic and war. Honestly, the tyrant king and his agenda isn’t that interesting to me, but the way Celaena’s story lines play out always keep me glued to the book. I am dying to know more about the magic that existed before the king took over most of Celaena’s world. We are just scratching the surface with Crown of Midnight and it is clear that there is much, much more for us to learn about.
My favorite part of Crown of Midnight was really the love story. I had no idea where it would go after I finished Throne of Glass and I wasn’t even 100% sure where I wanted to go, but I can say that it worked out perfectly and I couldn’t be happier. It was completely swoon-worthy and I can’t wait for more.
Crown of Midnight has everything I loved about Throne of Glass and maybe a little more. Chaol, Celaena, and Dorian are as wonderful as they always were and I loved the additional glimpses into the magical aspects of their world. It’s going to be a long wait for the next book, but I’m sure it’ll be worth it. Definitely a must read!
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this series so much. The characters are great, the romance is amazing, the plot is fantastic, and I am really fascinated by the world building.Sarah J. Maas has created a really fascinating world filled with magic and war. Honestly, the tyrant king and his agenda isn’t that interesting to me, but the way Celaena’s story lines play out always keep me glued to the book. I am dying to know more about the magic that existed before the king took over most of Celaena’s world. We are just scratching the surface with Crown of Midnight and it is clear that there is much, much more for us to learn about.
My favorite part of Crown of Midnight was really the love story. I had no idea where it would go after I finished Throne of Glass and I wasn’t even 100% sure where I wanted to go, but I can say that it worked out perfectly and I couldn’t be happier. It was completely swoon-worthy and I can’t wait for more.
Crown of Midnight has everything I loved about Throne of Glass and maybe a little more. Chaol, Celaena, and Dorian are as wonderful as they always were and I loved the additional glimpses into the magical aspects of their world. It’s going to be a long wait for the next book, but I’m sure it’ll be worth it. Definitely a must read!
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LibraryThing member AllBookedUpYA
So, I know I join a lot of you when I say that I have been waiting for Sarah J. Maas' Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) for what feels like FOREVER. That being said, I had the amazing and wonderful privilege of being included in Literary Lushes ARC Tour for this long awaited read, and let me
Crown of Midnight picks up right where Throne of Glass left off with Celaena deep in action as the King's newly appointed Champion, but there is more than meets the eye with this story and Celaena has secrets of her own; secrets from the King, secrets from her friends and secrets even from herself. Who can she trust and where do her loyalties truly lie? Can Celaena finally find something worth for? This installation is so packed with revelations, twists and turns that will keep you engaged from page one until the very end.
Mass does an amazing job by further developing the complexity of the characters throughout this novel. There are still remnants of the Celaena-Dorian-Chaol love triangle, but it has dissolved slightly. Don't get me wrong, there are still super steamy moments that will leave you breathless but not as much of the "she's mine" "no she's mine" moments. We learn more about what really is behind the actions these characters make and learn that the trio really do have each other's best interests at heart but they each also have their own separate and distinct drama within their own story that they are trying to sort out.
The storyline is so wonderfully complex that you will fall deep into this web and still come out in one piece! Maas is a master at weaving a perfect and seamless tapestry that has such intricate detail up close but when you step away tells a full and robust story that will pull you in, chew you up and spit you out and you will still ask for more!
If you liked Throne of Glass you will fall in love all over again with Crown of Midnight! Between Celaena's wonderfully complex and sometimes (ok all the time) arrogant personality and witty banter and her ever-increasing bad-assness and of course the swoon-worthy moments (and let me tell you they are IN HERE) you will absolutely be left breathless by the end. If you are still on the fence and are considering this book (which really, have I not convinced you yet?), stop and add to your TBR pile now! The only drawback is that you will have to wait another year for #3 to release....
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tell you, it is definitely worth the wait! Crown of Midnight, which releases August 27th, 2013, will not disappoint you eager readers who are longing for more action-filled adventure, deceit, love and magic. Maas really hits a home run with her second installment in the Throne of Glass series that will keep you urgently turning pages until the very last page (and even after the last page I kept flipping the page hoping there was more)!Crown of Midnight picks up right where Throne of Glass left off with Celaena deep in action as the King's newly appointed Champion, but there is more than meets the eye with this story and Celaena has secrets of her own; secrets from the King, secrets from her friends and secrets even from herself. Who can she trust and where do her loyalties truly lie? Can Celaena finally find something worth for? This installation is so packed with revelations, twists and turns that will keep you engaged from page one until the very end.
Mass does an amazing job by further developing the complexity of the characters throughout this novel. There are still remnants of the Celaena-Dorian-Chaol love triangle, but it has dissolved slightly. Don't get me wrong, there are still super steamy moments that will leave you breathless but not as much of the "she's mine" "no she's mine" moments. We learn more about what really is behind the actions these characters make and learn that the trio really do have each other's best interests at heart but they each also have their own separate and distinct drama within their own story that they are trying to sort out.
The storyline is so wonderfully complex that you will fall deep into this web and still come out in one piece! Maas is a master at weaving a perfect and seamless tapestry that has such intricate detail up close but when you step away tells a full and robust story that will pull you in, chew you up and spit you out and you will still ask for more!
If you liked Throne of Glass you will fall in love all over again with Crown of Midnight! Between Celaena's wonderfully complex and sometimes (ok all the time) arrogant personality and witty banter and her ever-increasing bad-assness and of course the swoon-worthy moments (and let me tell you they are IN HERE) you will absolutely be left breathless by the end. If you are still on the fence and are considering this book (which really, have I not convinced you yet?), stop and add to your TBR pile now! The only drawback is that you will have to wait another year for #3 to release....
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LibraryThing member brandileigh2003
Given it has been a bit from reading Throne of Glass, honestly all I remember was that I loved it, Celaena was kick ass and I adored her, and there was a love triangle that I liked and I think I was rooting for the underdog. All my recollection from before I began, but it quickly came back to me.
I loved Chaol even more in this one. It is becoming apparent to even Dorian how much he cares for Celaena, and he can't stand it when she is off on the dangerous missions for the king. He wants to protect her and wishes that the line drawn by his position and hers wasn't there. But I lived for their stolen moments, of how steamy it can even be for him to just hold her. It is touching how he cares for her so much he just wants to throw caution to the wind, but I am glad that he is smart about it.
Dorian was present in this one, but thankfully wasn't really a factor into the triangle like in the first, but he is there as a friend to Celeana when she needs one the most. He stepped up in many ways, but still has a long way to grow as royalty. But he is harboring a secret in this one that I had no inkling would happen, but it means big things.
I will say that Sarah almost made me cry, and def shocked me at some of the turn of events that happened. There were so many twists in this one, things that I never saw coming, and that I am still even at the end, not sure exactly what the implications will be but I know that I can't wait to find out. The climax and ending left me breathless and wanting more from this beautifully written novel with so many layers.
Botto-m Line: Layered and exciting 2nd book of a series with an awesome and dangerous femalemain character.
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Celaena is tough, smart and witty, and I admired her. She goes about everything in such a calculated manner, and she has this ability to see and treasure the good, and have no limits for injustice. I couldn't believe but thought it was exactly like her in the ways that she was defying the king. I knew that she was walking a very narrow road, but admired her all the same. I honestly had forgotten about the Elena theme from the last one, but it also emerged in this one, and I enjoyed that storyline as it challened Celaena even more. I loved Chaol even more in this one. It is becoming apparent to even Dorian how much he cares for Celaena, and he can't stand it when she is off on the dangerous missions for the king. He wants to protect her and wishes that the line drawn by his position and hers wasn't there. But I lived for their stolen moments, of how steamy it can even be for him to just hold her. It is touching how he cares for her so much he just wants to throw caution to the wind, but I am glad that he is smart about it.
Dorian was present in this one, but thankfully wasn't really a factor into the triangle like in the first, but he is there as a friend to Celeana when she needs one the most. He stepped up in many ways, but still has a long way to grow as royalty. But he is harboring a secret in this one that I had no inkling would happen, but it means big things.
I will say that Sarah almost made me cry, and def shocked me at some of the turn of events that happened. There were so many twists in this one, things that I never saw coming, and that I am still even at the end, not sure exactly what the implications will be but I know that I can't wait to find out. The climax and ending left me breathless and wanting more from this beautifully written novel with so many layers.
Botto-m Line: Layered and exciting 2nd book of a series with an awesome and dangerous femalemain character.
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LibraryThing member kissedbyink
Had you been in my house while I was reading Crown of Midnight, you would have heard me yelling, laughing, almost crying. To quote my goodreads.com review, “So many emotions wrapped up in this story. I can’t even think right now of how to describe just how much I loved Crown of Midnight!”
The
The
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reader is taken through such a harrowing journey. One that has us rooting for one character or another (Dorian or Chaol). It doesn’t really matter whose side we’re on, what matters is who will win the battle between good and evil. We won’t know the answer to this question until the series ends! I can’t wait to continue reading! Show Less
LibraryThing member krau0098
This is the second book in the Throne of Glass series. I loved the first book and all the novellas written for this series and was very excited to receive this book for review through NetGalley(dot)com. This book was even better than the first book; it was an excellent epic fantasy. I absolutely
Celaena is now the King’s Champion, a fancy name for being his royal assassin. She is trying to carry out her duties as requested but when she finds that the people she are sent to destroy are actually decent people, she starts playing a dangerous game by smuggling them out of the country. It’s a game she has to be careful to hide both from Chaol and Dorian. Then Celaena is sent to kill someone from her past and she finds that a rebellion really does exist. With magic stirring again Celaena finds herself in the middle of some tough decisions.
I love this book so much that I dread writing this review, because I am just don’t think I can adequately put into words how much I love this book.
Celaena is a wonderfully complex heroine. She is tough and vicious, yet caring and loyal too. In this book we find out more about her secrets and past. She is one of my favorite fantasy heroines ever. She is just so interesting to read about and I am completely engaged in her story. Her snarky sense of humor adds a lot of fun to the story as well.
Chaol is also a wonderful character in this book. He is just so good and tries so hard to not act on his love for Celaena. He is loyal and steadfast. He is forced to choose between his loyalty to the King and his love of Celaena. We learn a lot more about background in this novel. Again he is a wonderful character that is completely engaging to read about.
Dorian also becomes a much more likable character. He is in a tough spot as the son of such a vicious King. I was surprised at how much I grew to like Dorian in this book. He makes some very mature decisions and you start to see inklings of the ruler he could become if only given the chance. There are some wonderful developments to his character that really add to his complexity.
There is a lot of action and intrigue in this book. Lots of political maneuvering and twists and turns. It makes for a complex story, but the story never gets confusing or hard to follow. There are a number of moments that make you gasp in surprise.
Magic makes an increased appearance in the story. We learn more about how the King got to be as powerful as he is and we learn the trials Celaena will have to go through to stop him.
There are a number of mentions of things in Celaena’s past in this book. Most of these events are gone through in great detail in the four novellas that were published as prequels to the first book. If you were a big fan of the first book I strongly recommend going back to read those four novellas before reading this book. It will add to your understanding when the events are mentioned in passing in this book. Especially when Celaena talks about Sam.
Overall this book was incredibly engaging and easy to read. I absolutely could not put it down, it was just a spectacular read. I absolutely loved the first book and this book was even better. The world is complex and intriguing, as are the characters. The plot is full of surprising twists and turns but is never confusing or contrived feeling. I highly recommend this series to fantasy lovers of all ages.
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loved it.Celaena is now the King’s Champion, a fancy name for being his royal assassin. She is trying to carry out her duties as requested but when she finds that the people she are sent to destroy are actually decent people, she starts playing a dangerous game by smuggling them out of the country. It’s a game she has to be careful to hide both from Chaol and Dorian. Then Celaena is sent to kill someone from her past and she finds that a rebellion really does exist. With magic stirring again Celaena finds herself in the middle of some tough decisions.
I love this book so much that I dread writing this review, because I am just don’t think I can adequately put into words how much I love this book.
Celaena is a wonderfully complex heroine. She is tough and vicious, yet caring and loyal too. In this book we find out more about her secrets and past. She is one of my favorite fantasy heroines ever. She is just so interesting to read about and I am completely engaged in her story. Her snarky sense of humor adds a lot of fun to the story as well.
Chaol is also a wonderful character in this book. He is just so good and tries so hard to not act on his love for Celaena. He is loyal and steadfast. He is forced to choose between his loyalty to the King and his love of Celaena. We learn a lot more about background in this novel. Again he is a wonderful character that is completely engaging to read about.
Dorian also becomes a much more likable character. He is in a tough spot as the son of such a vicious King. I was surprised at how much I grew to like Dorian in this book. He makes some very mature decisions and you start to see inklings of the ruler he could become if only given the chance. There are some wonderful developments to his character that really add to his complexity.
There is a lot of action and intrigue in this book. Lots of political maneuvering and twists and turns. It makes for a complex story, but the story never gets confusing or hard to follow. There are a number of moments that make you gasp in surprise.
Magic makes an increased appearance in the story. We learn more about how the King got to be as powerful as he is and we learn the trials Celaena will have to go through to stop him.
There are a number of mentions of things in Celaena’s past in this book. Most of these events are gone through in great detail in the four novellas that were published as prequels to the first book. If you were a big fan of the first book I strongly recommend going back to read those four novellas before reading this book. It will add to your understanding when the events are mentioned in passing in this book. Especially when Celaena talks about Sam.
Overall this book was incredibly engaging and easy to read. I absolutely could not put it down, it was just a spectacular read. I absolutely loved the first book and this book was even better. The world is complex and intriguing, as are the characters. The plot is full of surprising twists and turns but is never confusing or contrived feeling. I highly recommend this series to fantasy lovers of all ages.
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LibraryThing member A_Reader_of_Fictions
My love for Throne of Glass is well known, but, after reading some reviews, I started wondering if the book was quite as good as I remembered. There were some fair criticisms, things I'd not even considered. In Crown of Midnight, Maas really hits those elements that were missing from the first, and
One of the criticisms I'd seen was of Celaena being proclaimed a heartless assassin, but that not really ever being shown. Instead, she's going to balls and eating candy. Of course, I love that the assassin has a softer side, but I did agree retroactively that it would have been good to see more of her dark side. In Crown of Midnight, you get to see Celaena living up to her reputation, and, when this girl is on a killing spree, it's a thing of bload-soaked beauty. She may like frilly dresses, but she's also totally cool with being covered in blood. Being able to see all of the facets of Celaena really adds depths to her character.
The other main criticism of the first book that I agreed with was that the King, clearly the villain, didn't have much of a role. He just sort of cackled evilly every so often. In Crown of Midnight, we get to see more of him and learn about his plans, still only the very slightest understanding, but it's enough to make him one intensely creeptastic villain.
The plotting of the story becomes much more complex in Crown of Midnight. Actually, I was really surprised by the direction that the story has gone, very different from the more basic fantasy roots of the first. There are a number of twists, none of which I really saw coming, though I felt really dumb that I missed the biggie, since there were a lot of hints. The plot is full of twists and turns, and full of betrayals. I do have some quibbles with the world building, but they're minor enough I can't really draw a line to any one thing.
Of course, there's also the romance. The age of Dorian is over and now it's all about Chaol (as it should be). All I can really say about what happens here is that I approve wholeheartedly. This is why I love guys like Chaol, all cool and collected on the outside, but so much passion on the inside. *sighs happily*
Maas impressed me with her willingness to be cruel and heartless to the characters. To be honest, I really didn't get the impression from Throne of Glass that she would be willing to kill off characters, but I'm thrilled to be wrong. Oh, she's brutal. Mwahahaha. And, no, I won't tell you who dies, so have fun sitting on the edge of your seat the whole time. As you may know, I find killing off a beloved main character a mark of good fantasy.
Sarah J. Maas really proves her talent in Crown of Midnight, deftly avoiding any sort of second book syndrome. Instead, she greatly amps up the world building, plot and intensity. In my opinion, this series is a must read for fantasy fans. The third book is poised to be epic and heartbreaking, and I am so excited.
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ups the stakes to an incredible degree. This sequel is a must read for those who loved Throne of Glass and perhaps even for those who were on the fence.One of the criticisms I'd seen was of Celaena being proclaimed a heartless assassin, but that not really ever being shown. Instead, she's going to balls and eating candy. Of course, I love that the assassin has a softer side, but I did agree retroactively that it would have been good to see more of her dark side. In Crown of Midnight, you get to see Celaena living up to her reputation, and, when this girl is on a killing spree, it's a thing of bload-soaked beauty. She may like frilly dresses, but she's also totally cool with being covered in blood. Being able to see all of the facets of Celaena really adds depths to her character.
The other main criticism of the first book that I agreed with was that the King, clearly the villain, didn't have much of a role. He just sort of cackled evilly every so often. In Crown of Midnight, we get to see more of him and learn about his plans, still only the very slightest understanding, but it's enough to make him one intensely creeptastic villain.
The plotting of the story becomes much more complex in Crown of Midnight. Actually, I was really surprised by the direction that the story has gone, very different from the more basic fantasy roots of the first. There are a number of twists, none of which I really saw coming, though I felt really dumb that I missed the biggie, since there were a lot of hints. The plot is full of twists and turns, and full of betrayals. I do have some quibbles with the world building, but they're minor enough I can't really draw a line to any one thing.
Of course, there's also the romance. The age of Dorian is over and now it's all about Chaol (as it should be). All I can really say about what happens here is that I approve wholeheartedly. This is why I love guys like Chaol, all cool and collected on the outside, but so much passion on the inside. *sighs happily*
Maas impressed me with her willingness to be cruel and heartless to the characters. To be honest, I really didn't get the impression from Throne of Glass that she would be willing to kill off characters, but I'm thrilled to be wrong. Oh, she's brutal. Mwahahaha. And, no, I won't tell you who dies, so have fun sitting on the edge of your seat the whole time. As you may know, I find killing off a beloved main character a mark of good fantasy.
Sarah J. Maas really proves her talent in Crown of Midnight, deftly avoiding any sort of second book syndrome. Instead, she greatly amps up the world building, plot and intensity. In my opinion, this series is a must read for fantasy fans. The third book is poised to be epic and heartbreaking, and I am so excited.
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LibraryThing member jacquiemak
I read Throne of Glass and gave it a 3.5, mostly cuz I wasn't sure if it was going in a good or bad direction. I read the prequels which just sucked me in. Then I re-read Throne of Glass again and re-rated it with a 4.5. I just read Crown of Midnight and gosh darn it, it deserves a 5.
This story and
Wow. I am so impressed and so happy that this series has not only gone in a good direction, but an amazing one. It's packed with adventure, surprises, magic, badassery, and just plain awesomeness. Even if fantasy ain't your genre, the brilliant storytelling and its wonderful cast will grab you.
This story and
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this world just became that much bigger. If you thought after reading the first book that this series is just a light fantasy, read this and reconsider. I am completely in love with this world, and completely in love with its characters. It has expanded into such a wonderful cast, good AND bad (I appreciate them all)…. and none of them are wasted space. I love how Sarah J. Maas' world slowly creeps up on you. She introduces everything with such craftiness and, unlike George R.R. Martin, doesn't spring a hundred characters on you at once and expect you to keep up and keep track of who is who. Because when that happens, I find that I don't really care. (Ok the HBO series I admit is addicting but I could not get into the books. Sorry.) However, Ms. Maas takes her time building up who these people are, and really takes her time in showing you different facets of who they are and who they may become…. Archer, Dorian, Chaol, Nehemia, and even our superstar Caelena. Wow. I am so impressed and so happy that this series has not only gone in a good direction, but an amazing one. It's packed with adventure, surprises, magic, badassery, and just plain awesomeness. Even if fantasy ain't your genre, the brilliant storytelling and its wonderful cast will grab you.
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LibraryThing member danitronmc
Assassins AND magic? What more could you want out of a story? Here’s a summary from Goodreads, which will tell you about the plot of the story better than I ever could (and this is once again the second book in a series, so go forth and read Throne of Glass first!):
After a year of hard labor in
This book is so chalk full of information and thickening plot lines that you can’t help but devour all the meat you’re given. It keeps you on your toes about who you should trust, and what the king’s plans are and those of rebel groups. There’s just so much to find out, even up to the very last pages–who is Celaena, really? Not to mention all the action, blood and death that comes from an assassin heroine. Oh, AND the whole Celaena/Chaol/Dorian dynamic–that’s something to read for. Right as I finished and was left HANGING FROM A CLIFF at the ending, I screamed out loud because I am SO desperate to read the rest of Celaena’s story (which I sadly must wait for, considering CoM just came out last month). A killer 5/5 stars ;)
After a year of hard labor in
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the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king’s contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes. Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king’s bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she’s given a task that could jeopardize everything she’s come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon — forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice. Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?This book is so chalk full of information and thickening plot lines that you can’t help but devour all the meat you’re given. It keeps you on your toes about who you should trust, and what the king’s plans are and those of rebel groups. There’s just so much to find out, even up to the very last pages–who is Celaena, really? Not to mention all the action, blood and death that comes from an assassin heroine. Oh, AND the whole Celaena/Chaol/Dorian dynamic–that’s something to read for. Right as I finished and was left HANGING FROM A CLIFF at the ending, I screamed out loud because I am SO desperate to read the rest of Celaena’s story (which I sadly must wait for, considering CoM just came out last month). A killer 5/5 stars ;)
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LibraryThing member emmyson
Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. OH MY GOSH. I can't even. I just can't. Did NOT see THAT coming. The feels...oh, the feels!!
Full Review:
*Many thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for allowing early access to this title*
This is one of THOSE books. You know, the ones that kick you in the teeth and laugh
I loved every minute of it.
Seriously loved it.
I feel like I'm a book sadist. I mean, how many of THOSE books have I read lately? Lots. I'm a glutton for punishment, but really, it's punishment of the best sort.
I loved the story arc in Crown of Midnight. I loved where it started, I loved where I was halfway through, and I ADORED the ending. Sure, it left me with LOADS of questions, but they'll eventually be answered. I think. I hope.
THOSE QUESTIONS BETTER BE ANSWERED!!!
The ending...
It made me a little twitchy and crazy. But also hopeful, which is WAY better than where I was in the latter half of the book when I cried on about every page and resolved to never be happy again.
Can we take a minute and talk about characters?
Oh, the characters!! Everyone here has such depth to them. They're completely fantastic and amazing. Just when you think you have someone all nicely labeled and shelved, they go all ninja and surprise you. Every single person in this book did that to me. I've resolved to not even TRY to figure people out in the next books, because it does me no good whatsoever.
Okay, Chaol. I'm still 100% Team Chaol. LOVE that man. Oh, how I wish he was a real guy. I NEED a guy like Chaol in my life. One who puts me first, even when it looks like he isn't. One who is strong on his own, but stronger with me. One who is pretty much amazing in every way. I ADORE Chaol.
Celaena: Well. Didn't see THAT coming. Really didn't see it. Obviously, I can't say what IT is, but you'll know. Oh, you'll know. She goes through hell in CoM and comes out stronger for it. She'll chew you up and spit you out and laugh all the while, but she's got a sensitive side as well. We see a little more of that in CoM, and I liked it. It made her much less superhero assassin to me and more superhero assassin with heart. :)
While we're at it, how about the developments between Chaol and Celaena?????
Seriously, I did the happy dance.
Dorian: Dorian continues to surprise me. I was kind of eh about him in Throne of Glass, but I loved him in CoM. He's becoming dynamic to me and I'm finding depth to him that I didn't think he had. He's really growing on me, and I hope that there are legions of good things coming for him. I'm sure he'll be dragged through hell first, because hey, that's what tends to happen in this series, but I hope he comes out well in the end.
I don't know what else to say, other than this is one of my favorite books of the year. This series is definitely at the top of my favorites list and makes me a bit giddy.
5 Eiffel Towers
Content Advisory
Language: Moderate
Sexuality: Moderate
Violence: Heavy (Dude. She's an assassin. OF COURSE THERE IS VIOLENCE.)
Full Review:
*Many thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for allowing early access to this title*
This is one of THOSE books. You know, the ones that kick you in the teeth and laugh
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hysterically while doing it. The ones who destroy you bit by bit until you can't even begin to see straight and don't even try to put you back together. The ones who secretly enjoy your pain and try their hardest to bring it on even MORE.I loved every minute of it.
Seriously loved it.
I feel like I'm a book sadist. I mean, how many of THOSE books have I read lately? Lots. I'm a glutton for punishment, but really, it's punishment of the best sort.
I loved the story arc in Crown of Midnight. I loved where it started, I loved where I was halfway through, and I ADORED the ending. Sure, it left me with LOADS of questions, but they'll eventually be answered. I think. I hope.
THOSE QUESTIONS BETTER BE ANSWERED!!!
The ending...
It made me a little twitchy and crazy. But also hopeful, which is WAY better than where I was in the latter half of the book when I cried on about every page and resolved to never be happy again.
Can we take a minute and talk about characters?
Oh, the characters!! Everyone here has such depth to them. They're completely fantastic and amazing. Just when you think you have someone all nicely labeled and shelved, they go all ninja and surprise you. Every single person in this book did that to me. I've resolved to not even TRY to figure people out in the next books, because it does me no good whatsoever.
Okay, Chaol. I'm still 100% Team Chaol. LOVE that man. Oh, how I wish he was a real guy. I NEED a guy like Chaol in my life. One who puts me first, even when it looks like he isn't. One who is strong on his own, but stronger with me. One who is pretty much amazing in every way. I ADORE Chaol.
Celaena: Well. Didn't see THAT coming. Really didn't see it. Obviously, I can't say what IT is, but you'll know. Oh, you'll know. She goes through hell in CoM and comes out stronger for it. She'll chew you up and spit you out and laugh all the while, but she's got a sensitive side as well. We see a little more of that in CoM, and I liked it. It made her much less superhero assassin to me and more superhero assassin with heart. :)
While we're at it, how about the developments between Chaol and Celaena?????
Seriously, I did the happy dance.
Dorian: Dorian continues to surprise me. I was kind of eh about him in Throne of Glass, but I loved him in CoM. He's becoming dynamic to me and I'm finding depth to him that I didn't think he had. He's really growing on me, and I hope that there are legions of good things coming for him. I'm sure he'll be dragged through hell first, because hey, that's what tends to happen in this series, but I hope he comes out well in the end.
I don't know what else to say, other than this is one of my favorite books of the year. This series is definitely at the top of my favorites list and makes me a bit giddy.
5 Eiffel Towers
Content Advisory
Language: Moderate
Sexuality: Moderate
Violence: Heavy (Dude. She's an assassin. OF COURSE THERE IS VIOLENCE.)
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Much poking at secrets, some of which bite back.
Celaena Sardothien is juggling love and duty, trying to do what she must to survive while at the same time trying to find ways around the orders she has been given to save those who want the best for the kingdom. She's determined that she will succeed
I like this series. I want more of it.
Celaena Sardothien is juggling love and duty, trying to do what she must to survive while at the same time trying to find ways around the orders she has been given to save those who want the best for the kingdom. She's determined that she will succeed
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and while, sometimes the relationships are a bit overblown, she is a great character.I like this series. I want more of it.
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LibraryThing member ellsie98
I'll admit, when I first finished Throne of Glass, I was sort of dreading reading the sequel. Throne of Glass set the bar so high I stayed up until 2am to finish it.
I am happy to say that Crown of Midnight smashed that bar into oblivion.
Can there be another star rating added? I don't want to have
Not only do we *finally* get some Celaena/Chaol action, but more is revealed about Ardalan's Assassin's history than ever before. My mind literally exploded. Along with my voice, squealing, "I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!" as I reached the heart-gripping finale. More beautiful descriptions, dresses with I am entirely envious of and a glimpse into the cold heart of the girl who survived in Endovier.
My only issue with it is that I didn't write it myself.
REREAD 5TH OCT 2014 - Still amazing.
I am happy to say that Crown of Midnight smashed that bar into oblivion.
Can there be another star rating added? I don't want to have
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to go through my entire read list and move down all the books by a star, because trust me; this book is in a league of it's own.Not only do we *finally* get some Celaena/Chaol action, but more is revealed about Ardalan's Assassin's history than ever before. My mind literally exploded. Along with my voice, squealing, "I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!" as I reached the heart-gripping finale. More beautiful descriptions, dresses with I am entirely envious of and a glimpse into the cold heart of the girl who survived in Endovier.
My only issue with it is that I didn't write it myself.
REREAD 5TH OCT 2014 - Still amazing.
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LibraryThing member Alissa-
Nice. I liked the thick-head protagonists finally decided to make a couple of sensible choices, even if those didn't last the week. I've enjoyed this book, in my opinion there are some simplistic turns of events sometimes, and a bit of forced help lying around, but I truly liked the quick pace,
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hard decisions and good unobtrusive fanservice. Recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookwormdreams
The stakes are up for all our favorite characters: assassin Celaena Sardothien, crown prince Dorian Havilliard and captain of the guard Chaol Westfall.
Celaena, who always avoided politics and only cared to survive, finds herself in the middle of court intrigues and treachery. We learn a lot about
"What will you stand for? Or will you only stand for yourself?"
I was never a big fan of prince Dorian, he seemed too superficial to me, but chapters narrated from his point of view revealed deeper aspects of his personality and made me respect him and better understand him.
And then there is Chaol Westfall, quiet and honorable captain of the royal guard – he really shines in this book. There were so many times when his thoughts made me: “Awwwww…” Thanks to him swoon-factor of Crown of Midnight really hit the roof. As you can see I'm still TEAM CHAOL all the way. I think that he’s the perfect match for Celaena and hope that they will get their happily ever after in the end, although with Sarah J. Maas’ flare for the dramatics we will probably have to wait until the last book in the series for that to happen.
When you start reading Crown of Midnight prepare for a lot of action and heart-melting romance. I had a hard time putting Crown of Midnight down because there was always some big earth-shattering revelation just around the corner. And too soon, the end came and there were so many things that I still needed to know. Sarah J. Maas left me with so many teaser I will spontaneously combust from curiosity! Sequel to the Crown of Midnight is definitely a book I can't wait to get my hands on in 2014.
IN THE END...
If you ever need an example of how to write a good sequel, you can point at Crown of Midnight and say: “That’s how it’s done!”. Sarah J. Maas took all the good stuff from Throne of Glass like action and romance, increased them tenfold and added great insight into characters and elaborated on previously hinted history of fae ancestors and magic abilities. Throne of Glass was fun book to read, but Crown of Midnight pushes this series to the top of young adult fantasy genre.
If you like high fantasy with court intrigue, kick-ass heroine & strong romantic sub-plot or you enjoyed Graceling by Kristin Cashore, I highly recommend you give this series a chance.
Celaena, who always avoided politics and only cared to survive, finds herself in the middle of court intrigues and treachery. We learn a lot about
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the past of mysterious notorious assassin of Adarlan and, trust me, there will be a lot of surprises. But even more is Celaena is going to discover about herself when the crucial question is asked:"What will you stand for? Or will you only stand for yourself?"
I was never a big fan of prince Dorian, he seemed too superficial to me, but chapters narrated from his point of view revealed deeper aspects of his personality and made me respect him and better understand him.
And then there is Chaol Westfall, quiet and honorable captain of the royal guard – he really shines in this book. There were so many times when his thoughts made me: “Awwwww…” Thanks to him swoon-factor of Crown of Midnight really hit the roof. As you can see I'm still TEAM CHAOL all the way. I think that he’s the perfect match for Celaena and hope that they will get their happily ever after in the end, although with Sarah J. Maas’ flare for the dramatics we will probably have to wait until the last book in the series for that to happen.
When you start reading Crown of Midnight prepare for a lot of action and heart-melting romance. I had a hard time putting Crown of Midnight down because there was always some big earth-shattering revelation just around the corner. And too soon, the end came and there were so many things that I still needed to know. Sarah J. Maas left me with so many teaser I will spontaneously combust from curiosity! Sequel to the Crown of Midnight is definitely a book I can't wait to get my hands on in 2014.
IN THE END...
If you ever need an example of how to write a good sequel, you can point at Crown of Midnight and say: “That’s how it’s done!”. Sarah J. Maas took all the good stuff from Throne of Glass like action and romance, increased them tenfold and added great insight into characters and elaborated on previously hinted history of fae ancestors and magic abilities. Throne of Glass was fun book to read, but Crown of Midnight pushes this series to the top of young adult fantasy genre.
If you like high fantasy with court intrigue, kick-ass heroine & strong romantic sub-plot or you enjoyed Graceling by Kristin Cashore, I highly recommend you give this series a chance.
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LibraryThing member KatieHeflin
Bring it on Maas. I read this one after I finished the Assassin's Blade and was thoroughly amped for more. This one was even better than Throne of Glass and I couldn't get enough. First off, I LOVE the bad characters in this book, the toothless witch reading palms by the castle. She's everything a
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bad guy should be and more. The ending of this book certainly left me hanging off a cliff and I am so excited for Caelena's upcoming adventures. Chaol though :( I love this series to pieces. Show Less
LibraryThing member stefferoo
Behold, the Young Adult sequel. This is where the real test is for me. First books of a series have the advantage of being new and shiny, and I can usually be won over by the prospect of exploring a brand new world full of fresh and interesting ideas. Second books admittedly have to work a little
So how does Crown of Midnight stack up? Well, in a nutshell, I can’t say it wowed me, and I probably liked it less than the first book. That being said though, I think it’s better than a lot of YA sequels, and despite the shameless rehashing of some of the same tired old tropes, there were still a couple of big surprises that kept the story entertaining.
The bottom line is, I am so done with YA romances. Girl meets boy, and if by book two they haven’t fallen in love already, this is where they will do so. Then invariably, boy will go and do something incredibly dumb – the result of a momentary lapse of judgment or just a gross failure of miscommunication – which causes girl to go ballistic on boy, throwing the entire future of their relationship in question, thereby also keeping the tension of a possible love triangle alive for just teensy bit longer. I can effortlessly name a handful of YA series that follow this pattern just off the top of my head, so I wasn’t surprised to see Crown of Midnight follow suit. Overused formulas suck. They have turned the romantic aspect into the weakest part the book. Nothing kills my enthusiasm and interest in the characters faster. And unfortunately, the book spends way too much time trying to shove the drama of Celaena and Chaol’s relationship down my throat. Maybe I’m just a bitter, jaded curmudgeon, but I just can’t find it in myself to care about such an artificial pairing.
But that’s my rant and the last of the negativity you’ll hear from me. Apart from my issues with the romance, Crown of Midnight was actually a pretty good book. Celaena has won the contest and become the king’s Champion and assassin, but instead of carrying out the king’s orders, she finds increasingly more ways to secretly fight back against his evil will, letting her intended victims go instead (ever notice how YA assassin characters actually do very little killing?) It was a relatively slow plod through the first half of the book, but once you get past this stage with its many clichés and run-of-the-mill romance, things will start to pick up.
I have to say, the plot elements in the later parts saved this book for me. The structure of the story remains somewhat predictable, but it always impresses me to see all the amazing things a writer can do while staying within a certain framework. The second half of the Crown of Midnight becomes a lot more bold and daring, which are certainly qualities I admire in a YA novel. There were a couple of unexpected developments, darker places I didn’t think the book would go. Once the pesky romance was out of the way, you started to get a lot less fluff and a lot more substance. Sarah J. Maas seriously ups her game, building up her world by weaving history and lore and magic into the story, dialing up the intrigue and mystery.
So all right then, sign me up for the third book. Despite a shaky start to this sequel, Maas has built something worthy of continuing with here, and has done some incredible things with her main character. I probably won’t hold my breath for the romantic aspect to improve, but thank goodness there’s so much more to like about this story. It’s definitely going places (literally!) and I look forward to visiting a new setting in the next installment as well as seeing the outcomes of several massive revelations.
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harder, not only because my expectations are higher now, but also because so many sequel plots invariably end up falling into a very predictable pattern.So how does Crown of Midnight stack up? Well, in a nutshell, I can’t say it wowed me, and I probably liked it less than the first book. That being said though, I think it’s better than a lot of YA sequels, and despite the shameless rehashing of some of the same tired old tropes, there were still a couple of big surprises that kept the story entertaining.
The bottom line is, I am so done with YA romances. Girl meets boy, and if by book two they haven’t fallen in love already, this is where they will do so. Then invariably, boy will go and do something incredibly dumb – the result of a momentary lapse of judgment or just a gross failure of miscommunication – which causes girl to go ballistic on boy, throwing the entire future of their relationship in question, thereby also keeping the tension of a possible love triangle alive for just teensy bit longer. I can effortlessly name a handful of YA series that follow this pattern just off the top of my head, so I wasn’t surprised to see Crown of Midnight follow suit. Overused formulas suck. They have turned the romantic aspect into the weakest part the book. Nothing kills my enthusiasm and interest in the characters faster. And unfortunately, the book spends way too much time trying to shove the drama of Celaena and Chaol’s relationship down my throat. Maybe I’m just a bitter, jaded curmudgeon, but I just can’t find it in myself to care about such an artificial pairing.
But that’s my rant and the last of the negativity you’ll hear from me. Apart from my issues with the romance, Crown of Midnight was actually a pretty good book. Celaena has won the contest and become the king’s Champion and assassin, but instead of carrying out the king’s orders, she finds increasingly more ways to secretly fight back against his evil will, letting her intended victims go instead (ever notice how YA assassin characters actually do very little killing?) It was a relatively slow plod through the first half of the book, but once you get past this stage with its many clichés and run-of-the-mill romance, things will start to pick up.
I have to say, the plot elements in the later parts saved this book for me. The structure of the story remains somewhat predictable, but it always impresses me to see all the amazing things a writer can do while staying within a certain framework. The second half of the Crown of Midnight becomes a lot more bold and daring, which are certainly qualities I admire in a YA novel. There were a couple of unexpected developments, darker places I didn’t think the book would go. Once the pesky romance was out of the way, you started to get a lot less fluff and a lot more substance. Sarah J. Maas seriously ups her game, building up her world by weaving history and lore and magic into the story, dialing up the intrigue and mystery.
So all right then, sign me up for the third book. Despite a shaky start to this sequel, Maas has built something worthy of continuing with here, and has done some incredible things with her main character. I probably won’t hold my breath for the romantic aspect to improve, but thank goodness there’s so much more to like about this story. It’s definitely going places (literally!) and I look forward to visiting a new setting in the next installment as well as seeing the outcomes of several massive revelations.
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LibraryThing member RoseCrossed
This sequel might actually be better than the first novel in the series. Celaena is serving as King's Champion in this book. We learn more about her, as well as some of the wonderful secondary characters introduced in the first book. We also meet someone new and interesting.
The plot moves along at
The plot moves along at
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a good pace, the characters are interesting. And the tragedy that strikes is emotional. Plus the ending is insane! If you enjoyed the first book, I think you'd like this one as well. And the third one is coming out soon. (Which is not the end to the series! There will be at least 6 books). Show Less
LibraryThing member les121
I have feelings about Crown of Midnight, some good and some bad. Let’s start with the good. First of all, the romance between Celaena and Chaol is swoon-worthy. I seriously loved every minute of it. And, out of this, something unexpected happens: Dorian matures into this amazing character,
Now for the reasons why I can’t quite give this book five stars. The magic system isn’t explained all that well, and, once again, the quality of writing isn’t always consistent. But those are minor issues compared to the major bone I have to pick: the death of a major character. This person was one of the highlights of the series for me, and their death is used as nothing more than way to tug on readers' heartstrings and jumpstart Celaena into action. That’s it. The author just got rid of one of her most compelling characters - one with mountains of potential - and for what? This person could have been so much more than just a martyr. What a waste and a disservice.
Despite my reservations, I still enjoyed Crown of Midnight, and I think fans of the first book will be pleased. I’m extremely interested to see what happens in book three, Heir of Fire, coming out in September.
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developing his own unique storyline and relationship with Celaena that ultimately became one of my favorite parts of the whole book. It’s also satisfying to finally see Celaena kill some people (‘cause, you know, she's supposed to be an assassin), rectifying one of my biggest problems with the first book. Overall, Crown of Midnight is exciting and deeply emotional. Even though I can see the broad strokes of the story laid out ahead (and the big “surprise” at the end isn’t a surprise at all if you’ve been paying attention), I still have no idea where the plot of book three will take our main characters. I can't wait to find out.Now for the reasons why I can’t quite give this book five stars. The magic system isn’t explained all that well, and, once again, the quality of writing isn’t always consistent. But those are minor issues compared to the major bone I have to pick: the death of a major character. This person was one of the highlights of the series for me, and their death is used as nothing more than way to tug on readers' heartstrings and jumpstart Celaena into action. That’s it. The author just got rid of one of her most compelling characters - one with mountains of potential - and for what? This person could have been so much more than just a martyr. What a waste and a disservice.
Despite my reservations, I still enjoyed Crown of Midnight, and I think fans of the first book will be pleased. I’m extremely interested to see what happens in book three, Heir of Fire, coming out in September.
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LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
An excellent follow-up to Throne of Glass. The author is still clearly maturing as a writer, but I enjoyed this novel much more than the first. Celeana is a more developed character, who faces some very real challenges, including the death of a friend and a betrayal. Also, while predictable,
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Celeana's true identity is revealed. Fun reading, leaving me ready to dig into the next novel! Show Less
LibraryThing member margaraawr
"Some things you hear with your ears. Others, you hear with your heart.”
By the Wyrd, this book is awesome!! Crown of Midnight just blew me away! It exceeded my very high expectations. It's one of those books that after you read it, you'll ask yourself, "What will I do with my life now?!" Well,
I loved Celaena! Well, I liked her on the first book but she's so much better in this installment. Gaaaah. She's fierce and brave and foolish and full of pride. I admire her everything though, not just the good things but also the bad. Gaaaaah. When she broke, I am the saddest creature on Earth.
“Who said anything about shame?" She gestured down to her naked body, even though it was covered by the blanket. "Honestly, I'm surprised you're not strutting about, boasting to everyone. I certainly would be if I'd tumbled me.
"Does your love for yourself know no
bounds?"
"Absolutely none.”
See why I loved her?
The relationships between the characters felt so real. I can feel their happiness, sadness, anger, hurt, fear and regret between the pages as if it's my own. I understand them somehow and that made me loved this book a little bit more. I can't help but sympathize with these characters. I laughed and cried with them. This book is just wonderful.
This book has so many twists and turns and I loved everything!! The secrets being revealed, not knowing who your true enemies are, getting myself giddy when Chaol and Celaena is having a moment.. Everything is amazing, at least for me. Words aren't enough! You have to read this for yourself in order to know what I'm talking about.
I totally recommend this series to everyone who wants to read a book having a kickass heroine, an awesome world building, and definitely swoon-worthy guys. Seriously. Just read this series. You're totally missing out if you don't.
“What does that mean?" he demanded.
She smiled sadly. "You'll figure it out. And when you do..." She shook her head, knowing she shouldn't say it, but doing it anyway. "When you do, I want you to remember that it wouldn't have made any difference to me. It's never made any difference to me when i came to you. I'll always pick you.”
By the Wyrd, this book is awesome!! Crown of Midnight just blew me away! It exceeded my very high expectations. It's one of those books that after you read it, you'll ask yourself, "What will I do with my life now?!" Well,
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I'm obviously exaggerating because I know what to do next (read the next installment duuh) but still... I can't help but feel sad that I'm finished with this already. I am in a state of shock.I loved Celaena! Well, I liked her on the first book but she's so much better in this installment. Gaaaah. She's fierce and brave and foolish and full of pride. I admire her everything though, not just the good things but also the bad. Gaaaaah. When she broke, I am the saddest creature on Earth.
“Who said anything about shame?" She gestured down to her naked body, even though it was covered by the blanket. "Honestly, I'm surprised you're not strutting about, boasting to everyone. I certainly would be if I'd tumbled me.
"Does your love for yourself know no
bounds?"
"Absolutely none.”
See why I loved her?
The relationships between the characters felt so real. I can feel their happiness, sadness, anger, hurt, fear and regret between the pages as if it's my own. I understand them somehow and that made me loved this book a little bit more. I can't help but sympathize with these characters. I laughed and cried with them. This book is just wonderful.
This book has so many twists and turns and I loved everything!! The secrets being revealed, not knowing who your true enemies are, getting myself giddy when Chaol and Celaena is having a moment.. Everything is amazing, at least for me. Words aren't enough! You have to read this for yourself in order to know what I'm talking about.
I totally recommend this series to everyone who wants to read a book having a kickass heroine, an awesome world building, and definitely swoon-worthy guys. Seriously. Just read this series. You're totally missing out if you don't.
“What does that mean?" he demanded.
She smiled sadly. "You'll figure it out. And when you do..." She shook her head, knowing she shouldn't say it, but doing it anyway. "When you do, I want you to remember that it wouldn't have made any difference to me. It's never made any difference to me when i came to you. I'll always pick you.”
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LibraryThing member sunset_x_cocktail
The first was good, although it took me a while to get into it, after some of the reviews I read I wasn't so sure, I started off thinking the series was trying to be The Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones, but Throne of Glass turned out to be pretty damn awesome in its own right.
Second in the
The story picks up shortly after the first book left off, Celaena is doing her duty as the King's Assassin, though with more than a few secrets of her own, her training with the Captain of the Guards Chaol continues and I got the impression that her friendship with Prince Dorian had turned a little frosty. There's political intrigue and the hint of forbidden magic continues as well as Celaena's friendship with the awesome Princess Nehemia. The first book was about winning and being the strongest, this one is more about personal relationships and where your loyalties lie as to what you're willing to do to defend your people and your beliefs. There's budding romance between Chaol and Celaena which when it finally happened was so well written my eyes actually misted over.
Just when you think everyone's on top of their game, plots are twisting nicely and the budding romance is going smoothly...a gut wrenching tragedy occurs and everything goes quickly to hell. I had a serious WHAT THE...???? moment and was devastated when it happened. As were the other characters, Celaena falls to pieces and sets out to right this horrible wrong.
In the mean time there is some fantastic world building and history in this fantasy novel, the forbidden magic, hidden rooms in the library, riddles to solve, murders to avenge, its hard to believe at some points things will ever work out. Nothing will ever be the same between the surviving characters.
The characters themselves are well rounded, they have their good points and bad points, they're flawed, no one's perfect. Good guys to route for and bad guys to despise against a wonderful fantasy landscape. This is easily my favourite YA fantasy series. I never thought I'd get approved for the galley of this in a million years and if I hadn't been at work when I got the approval email I would have let out a squee of delight.
It wasn't a happily ever after ending, (i believe there are 3 more books in the series) but it was satisfactory and let to the start of a new adventure for Celaena. With a good WTF thrown in for good measure and WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR FOR THE NEXT ONE?! from me.
so a huge thanks to Netgalley for approving me for the ARC on this one. Loved it so much I've preordered the paperback.
Second in the
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series was even better than the first. Absolutely phenomenally good. I was at 66% yesterday evening, and about 11 pm just before bedtime, I figured I'd read a few more chapters then go to bed as I needed to be up for work in the morning, I couldn't put it down and stayed up till midnight to finish. The story picks up shortly after the first book left off, Celaena is doing her duty as the King's Assassin, though with more than a few secrets of her own, her training with the Captain of the Guards Chaol continues and I got the impression that her friendship with Prince Dorian had turned a little frosty. There's political intrigue and the hint of forbidden magic continues as well as Celaena's friendship with the awesome Princess Nehemia. The first book was about winning and being the strongest, this one is more about personal relationships and where your loyalties lie as to what you're willing to do to defend your people and your beliefs. There's budding romance between Chaol and Celaena which when it finally happened was so well written my eyes actually misted over.
Just when you think everyone's on top of their game, plots are twisting nicely and the budding romance is going smoothly...a gut wrenching tragedy occurs and everything goes quickly to hell. I had a serious WHAT THE...???? moment and was devastated when it happened. As were the other characters, Celaena falls to pieces and sets out to right this horrible wrong.
In the mean time there is some fantastic world building and history in this fantasy novel, the forbidden magic, hidden rooms in the library, riddles to solve, murders to avenge, its hard to believe at some points things will ever work out. Nothing will ever be the same between the surviving characters.
The characters themselves are well rounded, they have their good points and bad points, they're flawed, no one's perfect. Good guys to route for and bad guys to despise against a wonderful fantasy landscape. This is easily my favourite YA fantasy series. I never thought I'd get approved for the galley of this in a million years and if I hadn't been at work when I got the approval email I would have let out a squee of delight.
It wasn't a happily ever after ending, (i believe there are 3 more books in the series) but it was satisfactory and let to the start of a new adventure for Celaena. With a good WTF thrown in for good measure and WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR FOR THE NEXT ONE?! from me.
so a huge thanks to Netgalley for approving me for the ARC on this one. Loved it so much I've preordered the paperback.
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LibraryThing member Mirandalg14
A great continuation of the series. Can't wait for the next.
LibraryThing member cay250
From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.
Keeping up the
Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie...and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.
Keeping up the
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deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie...and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.
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LibraryThing member Yogiboo
Excellent sequel to and excellent book. The unravelling of Celaena's past is really appreciated after long last. Am very keen to get started on the last book. So glad I waited for all three books to be written before I started on this adventure otherwise I'm not sure how I would have coped!
Awards
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2014)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2013-08-27
Physical description
432 p.; 6.45 inches
ISBN
1619630621 / 9781619630628
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DDC/MDS
| 813.6 |