Live, Laugh, Love with Gladz: Book Review: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas | Throne of Glass #2

“Some things you hear with your ears. Others, you hear with your heart.”

Celaena's story continues as she finally become the King's Champion (a nicer term for the King's assassin). Anyway, as she fulfill her duties, she has her own way of accomplishing her targets, which if found out, will definitely cause her and everyone around her, their death. As she pursuits her next target, revelations about the King's vile power came to light and a tragedy occurred that have totally awaken her deeper purpose in life.

Crown of Midnight is the second installment in the Throne of Glass series. This book is good. No. It's actually great. Greater than the first book, but I can't help but ask, Where were all this angst came from? Celaena drastically evolved from the Celaena in Throne of Glass. Her character has totally developed from a former notorious assassin turned slave turned to a fighter-with-a-feminine-taste and then finally turned to a revenge-seeking-assassin.

With all that said, expect more action, more character development, more surprises, more complications and more revelations in this story. But with a fiercer and bloodier journey for our heroine.

“Why are you crying?"
"Because, you remind me of what the world ought to be.
What the world can be.”

Throne of Glass started with a story about the journey of an assassin. But as revelations came to light, it made us realize that becoming an assassin is just a way for Celaena to fulfill her true destiny.

There are high expectations in the first book, but unfortunately, for me, it did not fulfill its promise. But Crown of Midnight is definitely a redeeming sequel. It has somehow gave satisfaction to the cravings of its readers for more action. There are still a couple of disappointment as to Celaena's assassin duties, but it is totally understandable. S.M have made sure that Celaena will not be seen as a totally heartless assassin. Yet, once triggered, Celaena can be a ruthless killer in a snap.

“I worry because I care. God 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.”

The love-triangle in this sequel is still present but in a moderate way. Celaena has stood with her decision to have Dorian as her friend. But her bond with Chaol has totally deepen as the protective, and unexpectedly sweet, funny but fierce and strong Captain of the Guards emerges as a special person close to her heart.

"Dance with me, Celaena."

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That dialogue in that one scene totally deserve a lot of exclamation mark. I never thought how those four words will have a very high impact on me. It totally made my heart melt and giggle altogether.

I've been looking forward on a truly romantic scene between Celaena and Chaol in Throne of Glass, and it never happened and here it was, S.M has given a very swoon worthy scene.

On the other hand, Dorian emerges as a very interesting character in this book. His importance in the story has become totally intriguing as his character developed. And I totally look forward on what his capabilities could bring to the story as I continue on reading the series.

"There was a time when people valued honor and loyalty -
when serving a ruler wasn't about obedience and fear."

Oh... Nehemia - a very powerful secondary character, brave, ambitious yet selfless. Her importance to Celaena is surprising, but because of her, our heroine made a reasonably right decision that we all have been waiting for.

"What she went through is a blessing compared to what most endure."

I never imagine that her friendship with Nehemia would mean so much to her. But I understood her, the way things have been left, it would really have a high impact on her. It just shows how much of a person our heroine is, how she values friendship, and unlike what has been implied on the first book, her priorites are not herself nor her freedom anymore but way beyond that.

The story is kind of slow at the first half of the story but all went interestingly fast on the second half. The imagery and the complexity of the story has been fascinating yet truly captivating. A part of the revelation at the end is sort of predictable but the way S.M did it, is astonishing, the way everything came to light is magnificently done. It is a cliffhanger that did not leave the reader totally hanging. S.M. has written this book with a very tempting ending. That the knowledge will surely make anyone devour the next book. That's why I can't wait to start on reading the next one.

Lead Characters: Celaena Sardothien, Chaol Westfall and Dorian Havilliard
Point of View: Multiple

Ratings

Heroes: 4.5 stars
Heroine: 5 stars
Intimate scenes: 4.5 stars
Imagery: 5 stars
Setting: 4.5 stars
Narration: 4.5 stars
Dialogue: 5 stars
Plot: 5 stars
Climax: 5 stars
Ending: 5 stars
Story: 5 stars
Overall Rating: 5 stars

Do I recommend this book? Definitely Yes! if you have doubts on starting the series just like I did. Please don't! It's totally worth it!
Will I re-read this book? Probably once the final book is released.
Will I read other books from the same author? Most definitely.

Throne of Glass Reading Order: