Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, 2)

I LOVED THIS BOOK. The first one started a bit slow and like I said in my review, it was a bit repetitive, BUT man… this one was INCREDIBLE. I swear. “A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached. It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend.” In this book we pick up right where we left off in Throne of Glass. Celaena has been named the King’s Champion and she now must fulfill his every wish. His every evil wish: kill this, kill that, and Celaena can’t do anything about it… or can’t she? She’s been told to do anything and everything in her power to uncover the King’s plans and the evil that surrounds her and everyone she cares about. Good think she’s smart. This book was so, so, SO good. I absolutely loved it. The pace picked up a lot more than it did in the first book, so it was easier to get into the story. The character development was incredible. Every single character had me guessing what they were going to do next and sometimes they turned out to be completely different than I expected. Some others turned out to be exactly what I hoped they would be. The plot twists. OMG. I didn’t see some of them coming!!!!!!! So I was a bit shocked at first, but then realized how much sense they make to get the story going. And this world. Man, this world is just so freaking awesome. Every single detail is well-thought and they are so important to the story. I loved reading every single word of this book. Celaena keeps being her sarcastic and badass self, but in this book you get to see her in her element. She fights like a true assassin, so she can be scary as hell sometimes, but the beauty of this character is that she’s the combination of a badass woman and sweet girl. She is able to recognize the good and the bad. She knows what side she’s on, even if it takes her a bit longer to come to terms with it. I think I understood her a lot more in this book. I also loved seeing her letting her guard down for a bit, and it felt completely different from what happened before. The stolen looks and stolen kisses. Meaningful words and memories. It felt deeper in this book. And I loved it, because she managed to show her vulnerable side without being weak. Not that I would think that she’s weak, of course. “But he had no idea what sort of darkness lurked inside her, or what sort of monster she was willing to become in order to make things right.” Now, let me tell you a little more about the mess this book has made out of me. I’ve always talked about how strong I am when it comes to picking a boy in the books I read. It’s always easy. There’s always something to hate about one of the boys, making it easy for me to pick one and stay true to that one boy. But this? I knew this was going to be hard. I knew it the moment Dorian kissed her for the first time. I knew it the moment Chaol reacted out of passion and protectiveness. I knew it when I noticed both of these guy’s look towards Celaena. These two characters are beautiful and passionate and just so freaking lovable: One is pure heart and magic. He’s just sweet and attentive and such beautiful and trusting soul. There’s magic within him. There’s power that he doesn’t know exists yet, but I know he’s destined for good. He is good in all the ways his father is bad. “He would move on. Because he would not be like the ancient kings in the song and keep her for himself. She deserved a loyal, brave knight who saw her for what she was and did not fear her. And he deserved someone who would look at him like that, even if the love wouldn’t be the same, even if the girl wouldn’t be her.” The other one is all about protecting those he care about, no matter the cost, all without exaggerating. He’s all about giving them the best of him, and making sure they are ok. He recognizes his mistakes for what they are and knows when to give some space. He’s passionate and trust-worthy. He’s reliable, even when he thinks he’s not. “I worry because I care. Gods help me, I know I shouldn’t, but I do. So I will always tell you to be careful, because I will always care what happens.” And I think, no I know, it will only get harder as the story goes on. Now, the plot. OH MY GOD. There are a lot of things going on and you MUST pay attention to the details. They will show you the way to understand this amazing world and see it through the character’s eyes. Also, we have some shocking plot-twists that had me jumping up and down. Some I expected and some I didn’t, but that’s part of the beauty of this story. I love all the possibilities this book has given me. There are queens and kings in the making. There is love that goes deep, but even so, it’s still fragile. There are truths, half truths and lies. There are mysterious and different kinds of magic. I must thank you, Sarah J. Maas. You have created such a wonderful and magical place and characters. Each character and their story is interesting by itself, but as a whole, they manage to fit perfectly. This is definitely the kind of book that will keep you reading until there aren’t any more pages, and it will leave you wanting more. So, do I recommend this series? So far, YESSSSSSSSS.

Rebellion is coming. Can you feel it? Do you see it? Is it too late? In the second instalment of Sarah J. Maas's death defying, blood curdling, heart a pumping series we are sucked back into the world of assassins and magic as Celaena must endure the King's wrath as he makes her do his bidding..she is the Kings Champion after all. If you haven't read the first one, well you need to! Like go and do it now..stop reading this. GO! Spoilers ahead: Anyway..sorry about that. Where was I..oh yes. I truly loved this sequel, especially because we are over the whole setting up of the story and the world etc..(all that first book good stuff) and now can really enjoy the mysteries and marvellous plot points created in the imaginative brain of Maas. I still love Celaena as a main character, she is truly everything a heroine should be. The fact that she has this softer side, erkrm Chaol, but at the same time maintains her sense of power is riveting to read. She is unique in that she is so deadly but at the same time develops this conscience, I guess, that enables her to grow as an individual. When we realise how much Nehemia gave up to push Celaena into embracing a higher purpose it gutted me. Why? well because I was the sap who wouldn't believe that she had actually d.i.e.d. She was so brutally murdered that I figured it was staged and she had finally escaped..but in fact she had sacrificed herself in the hopes that Celaena would take a step toward the path destiny had planned for her. Can I say what a woman, or what? I really, truly, upmostly love this world. Just the intricacies amaze me as Maas builds the layers of the castle, or describes the items of clothing, even the fighting scenes just immerse you and pull you under. If you can't imagine yourself there, well then. Concentrate a little bit harder readers and let this world encompass your imagination. The whole Chaol and Celaena thing I find to be ok. Yes I found their relationship to be uber cute and all sorts of sweetness, but I think I am a Dorian fan. Don't hate me. Maybe it is his charm and well, Chaol is such a nice guy, like a really nice guy. He gives up a possible future with the one he loves so that Celaena can uncover the truth about her magic and save the masses..he is truly a great guy. I think i'm just more attracted to Dorians smartassiness and his storyline with discovering his powers. Although I do think he should have fought for her a little bit more, or just at least get angry at Chaol..but he didn't because he too is a nice guy but oh so witty. (Also he realised that 'it had always been about Chaol and Celaena) I do wonder if he isn't actually the Kings son..if his mother lied about the conception if you catch my drift. Or maybe because Elena had waited all of this time to break through the barriers in the other worlds, that it is just a symbol of everything changing. Such mystery. These Wyrdgates are really interesting, and since Celaena can open them without the keys I'm sure the next book will be amazing as well. I like that we now know how the King has conquered realms so quickly, and overthrown the rulers of Terresan. Is his final goal just to be an all powerful ruler? He hasn't yet succeeded in taking over realms across the seas, I wonder if this would help the rebellion? Maybe he wants to unleash the demons back onto this world.? The manipulation of Katlain and Roland is really interesting, and I think the 'flapping wings' are actually the winged beasts that Celaena saw in the first book when she was drugged..of course I could be wrong. But maybe the mind melding due to the black rings can mess with your mind, and give you the sight or something..like what Nehemia had..although I think that was due to her families power. On a side note I thought Celaena had a bit of a stupid moment, since it took her forever to see the connection between Roland and Katlain. I don't like it when I figure things out way before the characters do..especially something so obvious. There is so much happening with Celaena being the rightful ruler (which I so saw coming...:p), the revolution, the Kings ultimate plans and these weapons he apparently created also his creepy monster...OH! And why couldn't the King have the sword? Maybe it chooses its owner..only the purest of hearts may wield it or something. Oo and I can't wait until Arobynn comes back into the picture...maybe Sam isn't dead after all. Someone who has died must come back...so I can be happy and not sad like with Nehemia. But now that Celaena can open portals we might get to see her again. Yesss. Loved this one, can't wait for the next one. Curse your world for the lengthy wait I now must endure. *shakes fist at no one in particular..just the air really*

The perfect sequel! A thrilling, highly addicting read. Crown of Midnight was one book I had a hard time putting down. It has all the elements I love in a sequel and then some. If you read Throne of Glass you know how enticing Sarah's writing is. She weaves together these exciting plot twists, and complex characters that I can't help but want to know more about them, to create a simply irresistible read. Between the secrets, forbidden romance, betrayals, shocking deaths and danger that lurks within the walls of the castle, Crown of Midnight kept me glued to the pages until the last word. Now I'm wishing book three was already in my hands. I need more! Celaena has already endured so much. Now an assassin for the King, her role in this complex story takes a twisted turn. Nothing is quite as it seems, and it's hard to gage who's a friend and an enemy. One thing is for certain, Calaena isn't the only one with secrets. Celaena's relationship with the crown Prince, Dorian, gets complicated, as does her relationship with the swoon worthy Captain of the Guard, Chaol, whom always seems to be there when she needs him most. Her relationship with Princess Nehemia is the one that harbors the most secrets, and is also one of the most stable things she has in her life. One thing is for certain though, each of these characters plays such a crucial role in Celaena's life. Celaena is a character who grows a lot in this story. Her past makes her hold her head high, and the untold future is what drives her. A character with many secrets of her own, things unravel quickly around her as she uncovers the many hidden secrets of the castle that could forever change her fate, as well as those around her. Celaena herself is a character who I felt I got to really see her true self. She's a character who holds so much in, and closely guards the secrets that could kill her. She comes across as fierce killer whom most wouldn't cross, but when betrayals happen, and someone close to her is killed, something snaps in her. It's during this time that my heart broke for her. She makes choices I can't say I blame her for making, and man alive does Sarah rip my heart out during this time. It's also during this time that Celaena finds that inner strength she's always had, and becomes more determined than ever in her quest to reclaim that which is her destiny. Though it was hard to read some of the things she deals with, I loved the journey Celaena goes on. She is more driven than ever to get answers. I loved the friendships and relationships in this book. I don't know how many times I find myself swooning over the forbidden relationship she and Chaol have. I loved their friendship. They have this fabulously written hot chemistry. Their stolen glances, and slight touches were awesome. Not to mention a few other things that happen *evil grin* You'll have to read the book to find out more.... The relationship Celaena and Nehemia have is so well written. I loved that these two could confide in each other, but at the same time, they both kept secrets from each other. They also had this friendship that felt real. Prince Dorian is a character I'm really anxious to find out what he does in book two. My feelings toward him are changing. I was seriously surprised at some of the things he does. Crown of Midnight is a book rip with betrayal, fueled by love and loyalty, and given plenty of action. There isn't a moment in this book that there isn't something going on. Every moment has a purpose. Each character in this book is there for a reason, and I loved seeing how some thing unraveled, and how other things still aren't answered, as it keeps me wanting more from this series. Nothing is what it seems, and even I was shocked at some of the turn of events. Normally I find it easy to figure out what's going to happen next. Sarah J. Maas has done a fabulous job with keeping me wanting more. I loved this book! I can't wait for more. Crown of Midnight is a must read!

Crown of Midnight absolutely broke me into little pieces. Sarah J. Maas takes everything established in Throne of Glass and shatters it, rebuilding the story into something darker, sharper, and far more devastating. This book marks the moment the series stops hinting at danger and instead reveals that a big evil is coming—or perhaps it’s already here. Queen Elena’s warning to Celaena sets the tone: she must use her position as the King’s Champion to set things right, even as she’s forced to serve a ruler whose cruelty is spreading like a stain across the kingdom. That tension—duty versus truth, survival versus justice—drives the entire book. When Celaena receives her next assignment from the King, everything changes. She’s ordered to kill someone from her past, someone who is part of a secret group working to stop the King from unleashing something truly horrific. What should have been a straightforward task becomes a tangled web of loyalty, rebellion, and impossible choices. The consequences of this mission spiral into a complication Celaena could never have foreseen, and the fallout is brutal. The emotional weight of this book is immense. The relationships Celaena has built—with Nehemia, Chaol, and Dorian—are tested in ways she never imagined. Trust fractures. Hearts break. And the grief that follows is raw and lingering. Maas doesn’t pull punches; she lets the characters bleed, and you feel every cut. And then come the big revelations—the kind that don’t just twist the story but reshape the entire series. Secrets about Celaena’s identity, her past, and her future explode across the final chapters, sending shockwaves that will ripple far beyond this book. The heartbreak does the same, carving a new path for her that feels both inevitable and terrifying. By the end, I felt gutted but also electrified. I’m more than ready for the next task of the King’s Champion, knowing it will propel Celaena toward her destiny—one she’s only beginning to understand.

Okay, truth...my daughter is 10 and in the 5th grade. Grandpa, an avid reader like myself, went out on a limb and bought the book for her last Easter. We struggle to find books that are in her 8.4-9.5 reading level, have age appropriate content with a plot she has the life experiences to connect to and comprehend, that are also challenging AND interest her...tall order. We have read all the popular series - adore Harry Potter, of course; tore through the "Greggor the Overlander" series, etc. - so even though in previewing the series I noticed it contains some very minor-vanilla...no F-bombs or S$$T level, mature-type language, and there are a couple scenes that hint at an intimate relationship in book 2 (trying not to spoil books), I gave the book a green light. We started reading it together, taking turns reading aloud, and were BOTH immediately, read 30-40 pages at a time, wake up needing to see what happens to Celena, come home from school hoping to fit in a read and "see what Celena has gotten up to now" before dance, hooked like I have never seen her before!!! And while she is an awesome reader, she is not, by any means a sit & read person, preferring to dance, sing, socialize, game, etc...yet another challenge to add to the list. The challenged are important to note because the way Maas has crafted the characters has achieved what NO OTHER series has for my daughter, and that is to draw her in to the point she NEEDS to keep reading, every single day. The characters are beautifully developed to the point where my daughter was crying when she thought her favorite character died, and was angry at who did die. Maas has painstaking developed 3-dimensional characters that are ever evolving, and that are relatable to all ages. She has also created an entirely new setting that is similar enough to other books of the same genre, like Hunger Games (she has read/watched all), yet it is entirely new & fresh. The writing is clear & thought-provoking, and she weaves in asides & flashbacks that challenge and engage readers. We have had the most incredible conversations and my daughter has made multiple connections to other texts, movies, life, and especially music/song lyrics while reading. These connections are the reason I personally & professionally recommend the series to children beginning at age 10 who are reading at a 6.5-7+ grade level, primarily due to the challenging vocabulary. The twists and turns, the co afflicts & themes, character interactions, vivid & selected detailing, and obviously careful/thoughtful word choices make this series, in my opinion, an award winning, best selling series. As a reading specialist and 18 year veteran teacher of struggling readers, I fully give not just this book, but the entire series 5 stars! I could rave on and on...but I don't want to give away a single detail and only, sincerely hope what I have shared has piqued your curiosity enough to give the series a try yourself, along with a loved one, and that through sharing our personal experiences with the books I have helped answer the question of reader age appropriateness & interest level. Buckle up...it's a wild, wonderful ride through Adarlan! Added info for Book 2... Please note: I am reading the series aloud with my daughter, so as we go we just naturally, out of habit, change cuss words to "gosh" and "darn.," and the intimacy scenes were handled as follows: "A., this next chapter has Choal and Celeana interacting like a married couple sometimes do in private. Shall we read or skip?" Reply, "Well, um is it very like detailed?" Me: "Nah, it's pretty vague." A: "Well, I know she shouldn't be doing that stuff because they are not married, but let's just read it...it's not like I'm embarrassed or going to act like that myself...ewwww!" (Love the sweetness this age!) Basically, here is my point and yes I have one... if you take the time to first, preview what you will read with your child later; second, spend the time to read aloud with your child; third, talk to your child & maintain open dialogue, all the time, about everything, just as though they are the adults-in-training they really are (not saying talk like you are buddies, peers, or equals), the content of a fictional novel is not going to become controversial or be outrageous to them, throwing them into a tizzy of misadventure and exploits! So yes, while, the series is for ages 14+, I still maintain that WITH parental supervision/accompaniment, this is an incredible series to read together!

Book rating: 4.2/5 Series rating: 5/5 It hurt to read this book - though in a good way. Picking up from the final events of book 1, the story and world somewhat expand to give us an idea of the bigger stakes at play. There is romance (brief and sad), betrayals, coming to terms with reality and an awareness of dark secrets. There were scenes that gave me chills (maybe because I was reading late at night) and others that made me really sad. One thing I will say for the series as a whole is that SJM is a masterclass at evoking emotions from a scene.

I hereby declare CROWN OF MIDNIGHT by Sarah J. Maas the most worthy sequel of all sequels that have ever been written. Alright, perhaps I don't exactly have the authority to make such a declaration, but the beautifully-written, thrilling and mysterious sequel to the 2012 release, Throne of Glass, is more than deserving of the praise. I read both Throne of Glass and CROWN OF MIDNIGHT in an (almost) marathon, with only one book in between. I cannot believe I waited so long to start this series! Now that I've read these first two books, I am already waiting with bated breath for the next installment. The wait each year, until the sixth and (at the time of this write-up) final book is released in 2017, will be pure torture, I tell you... Pure torture. With that said, I guess you'd probably like to know why I love CROWN OF MIDNIGHT so much. I loved this second installment even more than I did the enthralling Throne of Glass, though that feat seemed near impossible at the time I was reading it. For anyone who enjoys good fiction - not just fantasy or magic or historical-type novels, but plain old good fiction - CROWN OF MIDNIGHT is a must-read. In this single novel you have the perfect combination of an original premise, a well-thought out cast of characters that you can root for as well as despise, a clash of kingdoms/enemies and allies, an unpredictable mystery, plenty of romance, action and adventure and so much more. If I had to make a comparison, after reading just the first two installments I can already see the Throne of Glass series doing for young adults (and adults) what Harry Potter did for kids (and adults) in the last two decades. What did I like most about CROWN OF MIDNIGHT? I'd say the writing, since the book is full of so many quotable passages and is highly "readable" for any lover of fiction. The descriptions the author uses to develop her world, her mythology and a history of magic are far more convincing than anything else I have read in fantasy fiction lately. Her dialogue conveys the character's personalities and emotions, while allowing the readers to fill in the blanks and develop our own opinions about their motives. The fact that the author excels in her writing style and skills is undeniable, but that is not the only reason I loved this novel... I also loved how solid every single element of the story feels. CROWN OF MIDNIGHT takes the introductions to both the characters and the world from book one and progresses those items into a solid story that, albeit fantastical, we as readers can 100% believe in. Actions and reactions roll off on each other like the swell of waves on steady seas. As with any ocean, those waves must come crashing into the shore at some point. In CROWN OF MIDNIGHT that crash comes with such force, at a point when the reader is most invested in the story, that it feels like the waves are crashing against our own heart. Because the author has created such a solid story, cast and world, both the good and the terrible things that happen within these pages are felt and believed in with every fiber of the reader's being. But that's not all... I'm always pleased when we get to see a romance progress before the final installment. I also love it when enough time has passed that the romance progresses in a realistic way, rife with uncertainty, passion and discovery. The "love triangle" that appeared in book one is quickly resolved in CROWN OF MIDNIGHT. But that is not to say that things are all unicorns and glitter for our pair of lovers... This book contains plenty of romantic swoons, I can't deny that. But we must keep in mind that we're talking about a romance involving a hired assassin for a tyrannical king, so things can (and will) go wrong for anyone who hopes for happiness... I love (LOVE) that the romance in this book feels just as solid as every other element of the story, despite its ups and downs. Can I just talk about the characters for a moment? There are so many within these pages, both old and new. In Throne of Glass I came to like the four main characters, Celaena, Chaol, Dorian and Nehelemia, as I gradually got to know them. While reading CROWN OF MIDNIGHT, my love for (and connection to) the characters just exploded! Trust me when I say that Throne of Glass was a mere build-up to the direction in which each of their lives were taken in book two. CROWN OF MIDNIGHT trumps all. Hands down. We see so much more assassin "bad-assery" out of Celaena in CROWN OF MIDNIGHT. (In Throne of Glass, I just wasn't convinced. But now.... NOW I AM.) This girl kicks some serious bad guy butt, guys. Celaena balances the fine line between good and evil with finesse, but all the while I love where her heart is in every move she makes. I never thought that I would back a killer as much as I do the young and extremely dangerous Celaena, but there you have it: I totally support every kill she makes and would totally take her on as my own personal Champion. I wish I could go on and on about my love for CROWN OF MIDNIGHT, but since it is full to the brim with surprises and new developments, to say more would be to spoil the story for you. If you have not yet read the first book, Throne of Glass, you really need to get on that ASAP. For those who are eagerly awaiting this installment, trust me, the wait is worth it. Be glad you have yet to experience the awesomeness that is CROWN OF MIDNIGHT. I'm sad that I will never again have a "first read" of it, but then again... I guess there will be at least four more "first reads" in this series, won't there? Can. Not. Wait. My favorite passage from CROWN OF MIDNIGHT: "Enough! We have enough enemies as it is! There are worse things out there to face!" Celaena slowly turned to him, her face splattered with blood and eyes blazing bright. "No there aren't," she said. "Because I'm here now."

*flails* This book was so good. I liked Throne of Glass, but I LOVED Crown of Midnight. (!!!) Watch out below for some spoilers if you haven't read Throne of Glass yet. Ten Likes/Dislikes: 1. (+) Celaena, the protagonist - Celaena and I haven't had the best of pasts. When I first read Throne of Glass, I thought she was too arrogant - so arrogant that I found it hard to identify with her, so arrogant that I never really believed in the danger that she faced. My wishes were granted, though: you do find out more of Celaena's past, and you do get more into her head in Crown of Midnight. She's still bold and brash, clever and witty, strong and assertive, and yes, quite able to defend herself (and thus proves herself as an assassin and King's Champion)--but where she shines in this novel, it's none of those things. It's when she finally shows some vulnerability, some doubt, some emotion, and that actually made me want to hug her. That got me rooting so much for her that it was nearly inconceivable that I didn't like her before. So if you loved Celaena in Throne of Glass, you will ache for her in this novel. If you weren't her greatest fan in Throne of Glass, maybe you'll like her in Crown of Midnight. 2. (+) World-building - You wanted more on Adarlan and life outside the court and in Rifthold? How about the political system? How about the magic and the King's nefarious plots? How about Elena's history and the beasts we found in Throne of Glass? There's that and much, much more. One of my favorite things about the Throne of Glass series is that there's so much to be discovered in the world, little details about the food and city that give it a different feel besides the usual medieval aspects of high fantasy. These are the kind of details that you can feel and appreciate as a reader but don't have to analyze (though Shannon does quite well in the linked blog post). Yeah, there are some epic fantasy cliches, but they never feel old and too much. Ms. Maas does a great job reinventing old tropes into her own world. 3. (+) Romance - Undoubtedly, the romance will anger some fans as Celaena makes a clear decision in this novel but isn't too tactful about that decision. Personally, I wasn't a huge fan of the non-interest (not just romantic-wise but also character-wise), so while I recognized that Celaena and Chosen One could have done better, I still reveled in the slow-burn that soon came to pass. Most of all, I was just happy that there wasn't the same level of love triangle as in the first book. Both Dorian and Chaol spend some parts in the beginning fantasizing or moping about Celaena but not for too long. And the best part of it is that the romance is one of a few things that forces development of these three characters and fits unexpectedly into the plot. This novel is a much darker, more mature novel than its predecessor, so if you were concerned about that in Throne of Glass, take this as a warning for Crown of Midnight, though I personally think that Ms. Maas was tasteful about both the action and the romance scenes. 4. (+) Plot - Ooh, wow. All the different plot threads of this beauty. The plot improved greatly from the Competition in the former book. There's still the loose threads introduced by the creatures Celaena previously encountered, the romantic threads, the threads of Celaena's past, Celaena as King's Champion, the King's plans and other events that are set into motion by all of the above. So much is happening in this novel, and all the threads come together beautifully. Some of the twists are a bit more predictable than others, but their predictability didn't take away any enjoyment (for me). 5. (+) Character Cast - Nehemia's friendship with Celaena is one of my favorite female friendships in YA. I especially love that it's made clear that Nehemia has her own motivations, her own set of beliefs--a past and a personality before she meets Celaena. Other side characters from Throne of Glass who I didn't expect to be reintroduced are brought back to reinvigorate the plot in unexpected ways. Some new characters are introduced, though am I allowed to consider a talking doorknob a character? 6. (+/-) Incorporation of Previous Work - Have you read the Throne of Glass prequel novellas? (Side note: they are being bound and made into a print book, if you're interested). If you haven't read them, there are some mentions in this novel that might confuse you (especially novella #2, in the desert). On principle, I dislike the feeling of inside jokes (from the novellas) that you won't understand as a regular reader and figured I ought to warn others of this, though I did think that Ms. Maas had a sneaky and cool way of incorporating the novellas and Throne of Glass (not just the events and relationships and plot details but other details I hadn't remembered until they came up again). 7. (+/-) Themes - I think this is a book that will make some fans cry and rage with its careful exploration of the domino effect of choices and manipulation. The themes of love and loss also come into play a lot more fully in this novel than they did in Throne of Glass. That being said, there was one event in particular that I personally didn't think sent the best of messages, though I'm still not sure what else could have happened to have had as propulsive of an effect on character development. 8. (+) Writing - The writing reminds me of that in Angelfall - not because they're from the same type of POV (they're not), but because they have a similar, cinematic effect that allows me, a non-visual reader, to picture clearly what is happening. There are a few fully-fledged narrative scenes and dream sequences, but overall they were so minor in light of the entire plot that I thought they actually sometimes helped. 9. (+) Pacing - This book starts with action and ends with a bang. There's really no dull moment or unused scene. A lot of things contribute double time towards building the tension for the climax. 10. (+) The Cover - I'm actually a fan of the new covers, though the pose for this one is quite awkward. On the flip side, you have Celaena in a dress, so you get both sides of her and the dramatic fiery colors work well for the book's content. All in all, Crown of Midnight does exactly what a sequel should do: advances the plot while developing the characters, world, and themes and maintaining high stakes. If you are a fan of Throne of Glass, you simply cannot miss out on Celaena's latest adventure. Highly recommended.

Rezension Seit dem gewonnen Wettkampf ist Celaena Sardothien, Adarlan’s größte Assassinin, nun der Champion des Königs. Ihre Aufgabe: Seine Feinde zu eliminieren und ihm ihre Köpfe zu liefern. Und um ihre Freiheit wieder zu erlangen, muss sie vier Jahre in den Diensten des Königs stehen. Doch Celaena kann und will die Unschuldigen nicht töten – und täuscht deren Tode vor. Was passiert jedoch, wenn der König jemals herausfinden sollte, dass sie ihn hintergeht? Denn mit jeder weiteren Lüge die sie erzählt, ist nicht ihr eigenes Leben in Gefahr – sondern das der Menschen, die ihr am meisten bedeuten. Als es zudem zu einigen mysteriösen Ereignissen kommt, muss Celaena ihr Schicksal in die Hand nehmen und für ihre Ideale einstehen - auch, wenn das Opfer dafür groß ist… »If they wanted Adarlan’s Assassin, they’d get her. And Wryd help them when she arrived.« (Aus: Crown of Midnight, S. 215) Mit Crown of midnight schafft Autorin Sarah J. Maas einen beeindruckenden und phänomenalen zweiten Band ihrer Fantasyserie um Celaena Sardothien, welcher schon den sehr guten ersten Band der Serie, Throne of Glass, völlig in den Schatten stellt. Beeindruckende und unglaublich nahe Charaktere, eine extrem spannende Handlung und ein ausgeweiteter Rahmen, in welchem die Story ausgebaut wird, sowie die sich ständig verschiebenden und sich verstrickenden Charakterbeziehungen und Intrigen innerhalb der Handlung lassen den Roman zu einem grandiosen Pageturner werden, in welchem Celaena, Protagonistin der Geschichte, zu einer wahren Rachegöttin heranwächst, der sich nichts und niemand in den Weg stellen kann. Von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite wird der Leser dabei gefangen genommen in einer Geschichte, die ihn nicht zu lösen vermag, in der man sich völlig in dieser detaillierten und absolut glaubwürdigen Welt verliert. »Some things you hear with your ears. Others, you here with your heart. « (Aus: Crown of midnight, S. 168) Dabei stellt die Autorin nicht nur die voranschreitende Handlung oder gar die Dreiecksbeziehung der Charaktere, sondern vor allem deren Entwicklung untereinander und zu sich selbst dar. Nicht nur Celaena macht in diesem Roman eine enorme Entwicklung durch, sondern auch die beiden anderen Hauptfiguren, Chaol, Hauptmann der Leibgarde des Königs, und Prinz Dorian, erleben einige Überraschungen, welche sie in ihrem Tun und Handeln und in ihren Gefühlen beeinflussen. Das Besondere dabei ist vor allem, dass alle drei Charaktere einstecken müssen: Geheimnisse aufdecken, Verrat wegstecken und Brüche in den Freundschaften überstehen. Dabei gibt es riesige Gefühlsachterbahnen, Emotionen wie Verlust, Trauer, Hoffnung und Glück, Verrat und Vertrauen –alles Gefühle, mit welchen die drei Figuren zu den unterschiedlichsten Zeitpunkten zu kämpfen haben. Celaenas Arroganz leidet dabei und bricht ebenso, wie Vertrauen für sie neue Maßstäbe annimmt. Und dasselbe gilt auch für die beiden Männer, deren Herz an ihr hängen und eine neue Basis zu ihr finden müssen, um die schwierigen Zeiten zu durchstehen und sie alle ihren Weg zu sich selbst wiederfinden werden. Neben den unglaublich nahen Protagonisten schafft es die Autorin aber auch auf gekonnte Art und Weise Nebenfiguren zu inszenieren, die nicht nur die Handlung voranbringen, sondern auch ein gewisses Bild der Authentizität mit sich zu bringen wissen. Dabei erstreckt sich eine enorme Vielfalt an Figuren, welche weit entfernt von stereotypen Figuren verkehren und die Handlung umso spannender gestalten, eben weil sie nicht durchschaubar agieren. Und genau diese Mischung macht die Sympathie aus, welchen den Leser für die Figuren des Romans einnimmt. Und vor allem ist die Zeichung des Antagonisten, Prinz Dorians Vater und König von Adarlan, gelungen, denn weil so wenige Informationen über ihn preisgegeben werden, wirkt er nicht nur unberechenbar – sondern wird zu einem gefährlichen Gegner, den niemand unterschätzen sollte. »It was hard to care, she realized as she started the trek back to the castle. Incredibly hard to care, when you didn’t have anyone left to care about. « (Aus: Crown of midnight, S. 297) Neben den Charakteren ändert auch die Handlung sich deutlich gegenüber Band eins, welche durch ruhigere Phasen und das erste Setting doch sehr ausgeglichen war. Ganz anders kommt Crown of midnight daher. Als absoluter Pageturner wartet der Roman mit Rasanz, Spannung und Überraschungen auf. Immer wenn man denkt, man weiß was passiert, wird man vom Gegenteil belehrt. Unberechenbar ist die Handlung, wie auch die Hauptfigur selbst. Sehr gut gelungen ist der Autorin auch die detaillierte Zeichnung der Welt, auch wenn die Geschehnisse noch immer in Adarlan selbst passieren. Aber der Roman schafft einen Blick über den Tellerrand und bietet auf, was an Potenzial von Band eins noch liegen blieb. Mit voranschreitender Seitenzahl kann der Leser nur ungläubig den Kopf schütteln, denn die Geschehnisse sprudeln nur so vor sich hin und immer wieder wird man überrascht. Entsetzt, erstaunt, mitfühlend – so erlebt man als Leser die Geschichte hautnah mit und wird mit einem überragenden Ende belohnt, welcher es faustig hinter den Ohren hat. Fazit Crown of Midnight von Sarah J. Maas ist ein phänomenaler Roman und ein Pageturner ohnegleichen. Band eins war schon sehr gut – aber Band zwei ist einfach nur grandios. Sowohl Charaktere, als auch Handlung und Grundidee können restlos überzeugen. Zweifler des ersten Bandes sollten sich bereithalten, denn hier wird alles ausgemerzt, was je als Kritikpunkt hätte gelten können. Ein absolut phänomenaler Roman, welcher es locker mit den Spitzentiteln der hiesigen Fantasyliteratur aufnehmen kann und viel Potenzial für weitere Folgebände bietet. Bitte, bitte mehr davon! Pro & Contra + Handlung verdichtet sich + Entwicklung der Figuren + Beziehungsstrukturen + Celaena als potenzielle Rachegöttin & unglaublich ambivalente Figur + Spannend von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite + Pageturner ohnegleichen +Tolle & passende Aufmachung + Überzeugende Grundidee + Überraschende und unerwartete Wendungen + Undurchsichtiger Antagonist + Unglaublich viel Potenzial Bewertung: Handlung: 5/5 Charaktere: 5/5 Lesespaß: 5/5 Preis/Leistung: 5/5

Calaena has won the competition and now is the King's Champion but she is far away from being loyal to the throne. The book takes off from Calaena's assignment to assasinate some noble lord. Through out the book she tries to prove her loyalty to the king while playing a very dangerous game. Relationships are formed and broken and there's betrayel annd loved one's are lost and so many secrets kept.Only to keep the one she loves safe. The friendship potrayed between Princess Nehemia and her is one of a kind.Two powerful kickass ladies bonded so strongly, what can be better than that. As the dark power looms and Calaena discovers secrets one after the another,everything threatening to destroy her ever so little hope of the world that once had been,the world she dared to hope would rise again. Dorian,Chaol,Calaena..all of them find out the truths either about themselves or the one they cannot imagine to lose.They all are playing a very dangerous game.One little hint to the King and everything will crumble to pieces. This book was such an enjoyable read.Each and every sentence writen in this book had a purpose to serve.So many twists and turns and it did manage to surprise me at times so i am highly impressed. Sarah j Mass is my favourite author and her books my favourite stories and the characters in them..my favourite people.. not all but most of them.I never related to any of the characters of any other books(even though i loved those book) like i do with characters that Sarah writes. I wish none of her series ever end. I am so glad i picked up TOG.

Amazing!! That plot...wow! Kept me riveted the whole way through. I think I liked it better than book one. And what a cliffhanger ending! As for the romance, it's phenomenal. I haven't seen one this good in YA in a while. The chemistry is amazing between Chaol and Celaena. I was a big gooey mess reading about them for the first half. Then about midway, it broke my heart. I won't say why. These two are definitely added to my favorite couples. Another thing I'm highly enjoying in regard to the romance is Dorien. While he still loves her, he's being good and stepping aside for Chaol. I respect that; you don't see that in many novels. And while she still cares for Dorien, it's more on the friend side. None of that "I love him and then him, and I want him but feel guilty..." You know that stuff you see all the time in love triangles. It's another reason I like this series so much--the romance is done tastefully. Anyone who likes high fantasy, action, romance, fairies, mystery and an all around amazing story, this is the one for you!

I'm a huge fan of the ACOTAR series and a couple of friends recommended I follow up with the Throne of Glass series. Although it does not have as much romance, the book is very well written and really engaging. Looking forward to the next book!

Ok, this book is spectacular! Everything that was in this book was just so well combined and it's just amazing how impressed I am, since I didn't enjoy Throne Of Glass. And I'm just very happy because everyone loves this series and I just didn't enjoy the first book! Caelena gets more bad-ass in every book and I loved her very much, she's totally my favourite character of the book! As the King's Champion she must kill people who are traitors to the crown and if she doesn't kill them, her closest friends at the castle will get killed. Chaol, Captain of the Royal Guards, grows to care more about Caelena - his best friend - and I like him more in this book just because he shows how much she cares for her and that he'd do everything for her. He's no more the serious and the dont-do-that-you-will-get-in-danger character. Dorian, the Crown Prince, isn't very present in the book.. You see him more in the last pages. I really like him and I would've loved to read more about him. Everything seems to go good and perfect but nothing is as it seems and when darkness comes into the glass castle, she's determined to find out what forces are awakening but this could break the balance of everything. With help of her friends she discovers unsolved misteries that, if in wrong hands, their knowledge will overthrow the entire world. Everything -when I say everything I mean everything - happens in this book and, as I usually do, I fell once more in love with the characters and I'm just so afraid Maas will kill one of them hahaha! You'll find: romance, action, mistery and sometimes even humor! Trust me this book is just gorgeous!! RATING: 5/5