Monday, August 5, 2013

Review: CROWN OF MIDNIGHT by Sarah J. Maas

Author: Sarah J. Maas
Published: August 27th, 2013
Series: Throne of Glass #2
Genre: YA fantasy
Publisher: Bloomsbury
POV: 3rd, past, multiple POV's
Pages: 432
Format: electronic ARC
Source: Netgalley / Publisher
Rating: The Royal Library, Top Shelf
"An assassin’s loyalties are always in doubt.
But her heart never wavers.


After a year of hard labor in 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?"

I became a fan of Maas's writing after the first novella in the series was released, and I quickly devoured each novella until I finally managed to snag an advanced reader's copy of THRONE OF GLASS. While I enjoyed the first full-length novel, I was disappointed with Celaena's bratty demeanor and the lack of time spent during the action scenes. But, I still had high hopes for the sequel, and Maas delivered an outstanding story – so much so, I'm starting to wonder if I'd enjoy THRONE OF GLASS more if I reread it. CROWN OF MIDNIGHT dives equally, and headfirst, into action and emotion. This is one sequel that will pull you in, hold on tight, and never let go.

I'll be extremely vague about the story, and only give you the bare bones. Now the King's Champion, Celaena simultaneously has more and less power than ever before. In addition, Celaena, Chaol, Dorian, and multiple other characters are all struggling against the same beast – desire versus duty. They let it slither closer, wrapping some of them up entirely in a strangled hold, while others manage to break free from its grasp as they choose their side. Everyone has an agenda and a loyalty within this story, and each character is forced to question who they are in order to decide who they want to become. Compelling, humorous, romantic, and devastating,  CROWN OF MIDNIGHT is an exceptional sequel that will leave you begging Sarah J. Maas for the next novel, ASAP1.

Highlights: Danger, action, secrets, romance, and surprises, CROWN OF MIDNIGHT takes everything to the next level. Celaena has grown tremendously. She can still be bratty, but it feels more toned down in this novel. Instead, Celaena is fiercer, stronger, smarter, and somewhat terrifyingly darker. Maas takes Celaena and her readers for an emotional rollercoaster journey that jerks us up, down, and all around. Supporting characters were intriguing, especially in regard to the what is revealed about some of them. Chaol is fabulous2, Dorian is starting to grow on me a tiny bit, and Fleetfoot (coolest fictional dog ever) is made of awesome. 

Lowlights: It took some time to get into the story and to remember previous events. Nothing too problematic.

Rating: The Royal Library, Top Shelf. I love this book and it belongs on the top shelves in the royal library, where everyone can see it. I'd highly recommend this book, because it is an incredible story that only has a couple minor issues. All in all, CROWN OF MIDNIGHT needs to be on your to-be-read list!

1 No joke. If I thought begging SJM for the next novel would work, I'd be bowing down at her feet and begging right at this very moment. Book Three, WHY ARE YOU SO FAR AWAY??
2 As always. *swoons*


My reviews of other works by Sarah J. Maas: 
THE ASSASSIN AND THE PIRATE LORD (Throne of Glass #0.1)
THE ASSASSIN AND THE DESERT (Throne of Glass #0.2)
THE ASSASSIN AND THE UNDERWORLD (Throne of Glass #0.3)
THE ASSASSIN AND THE EMPIRE (Throne of Glass #0.4)
THRONE OF GLASS (Throne of Glass #1)

32 comments:

  1. I was not the biggest fan of the first book--it was okay but I agree about the brattiness of the MC and I wasn't a fan of the love triangle--but this sounds like Mass really stepped up her game! Yay!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I liked the first book, but Celaena got on my nerves with her attitude (and I wasn't overly fond Dorian), but I really loved this book. Celaena's going through more in this story, so she has less time to act all bratty - plus, there's way more Chaol, which didn't bother me a bit ;)

      If you read COM, I hope you enjoy it!

      Delete
  2. Oh, wow! I've actually seen mixed reviews on this one, but it sounds like it's epic! I didn't love the first, but your review of the second has me at least tempted to try! Great review, Lea :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm a huge fantasy fan, so that might be one reason why I loved this book (that, in addition to the fact that Celaena is a stronger and more likable MC in this novel). Plus, there's a lot that happens in this book - hope you enjoy it, if you get around to reading COM!

      Delete
  3. I've heard so many amazing things about this series and I really want to start it soon :) The plot and Celaena as a character both sound great. Awesome review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celaena is very badass but has a good heart - she's a fascinating character! And the plot for this book? Excellent! I could barely pull myself away from the story!

      Thanks for stopping by :)

      Delete
  4. Great review :D I'm glad you loved this book. <3 I tried reading the first one over a year ago, and I couldn't get into it :\ might give it another try after I get my copy of this sequel :D Thank you for sharing. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The sequel was excellent! I hope you manage to enjoy TOG more the second time around :)

      Delete
  5. Yes, yes, yes! I loved this one. I think I enjoyed it even more than the first one - because let's face it, we all knew how it would end ;)

    Awesome review, Lea! I agree with your lowlights as well. And Chaol!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wasn't it incredible?! *swoons over Chaol*

      So happy that you loved CROWN OF MIDNIGHT too, Hafsah! :)

      Delete
  6. Great review, Lea! I love all the information you give about the book, and the way your reviews are formatted. I can't wait to start this series... it's on my list, along with so many others! hehe.

    Toni @ My Book Addiction

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! If you're a high fantasy fan, you'll love this series :)

      Delete
  7. This sounds like such an epic series! I tend to shy away from starting new series as they are such a commitment...but this is one I would consider!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is. Action, excitement, danger, romance - it has it all!

      You should give this series a try :)

      Delete
  8. I still don't know if I should wait until the final on is released. I hate trying to recall details in a complicated read after a year in between books. Great review, Lea. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this *might* be a long series (Goodreads shows six books, but they might be wrong). It's so hard to decide sometimes - read now and forget some details, or wait a long time until they're all published!

      If you do end up reading TOG, I hope you like it :)

      Delete
  9. SO GOOD GAHHH. Totally agree with your review. I can't wait for the next book!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I KNOW, RIGHT?! Loved this book! Let's hope the next novel is just as fantastic...and that it releases soon, because I'm dying to know what happens next ;)

      Delete
  10. Yay! So happy that you loved this.
    I didn't think I would love this book more than Throne of Glass, but I totally did. I liked how everything was amped up. I love your description of Celaena. She was so bad-ass!
    Great review! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed about how amped up the story was - it was incredible! There was never a dull moment :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  11. So excited for the release of this one!! I am so relieved this one delivers! I loved Throne of Glass so I'm sure to love this one as well! Thanks for never spoiling the book!! Great review!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It delivers! More action, more danger, more surprises...so good! I hope you love the story :)

      Delete
  12. OOH MAH GERD THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. TEAM CHAOL FOR EVER! I can't wait for the sequel, that ending blew me right of my feet.

    Lovely review, hon! <33

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *swoons over Chaol* I adore him so much :D

      That ending was WOW! I wish the third book was closer to releasing :(

      Glad you enjoyed CROWN OF MIDNIGHT, too!

      Delete
  13. I appreciate your lowlights section where you mentioned having some issues remembering things. I have this problem all the time so I think I will wait to read Throne of Glass until I can read them back to back. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They were small details, but I felt a little disorientated for a few chapters. That's the one problem with series - it's easy to forget the earlier details.

      Whenever you do get around to reading TOG, I hope you enjoy it! :)

      Delete
  14. I didn't think it was possible for her to be fiercer or more awesome, but totally agree it was pulled off. I had a bit of trouble remembering some stuff as well, but still loved this one

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maas really impressed me with this book - so fantastic!

      Glad you loved it, too! :)

      Delete
  15. Love Love Loved this book - it's one of my favorite reads of the year (so far)!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YAY! An amazing story, it blew me away. I think it will end up being one of my favorites of 2013, too! :)

      Delete
  16. Eeeee, this review makes me ECSTATIC! Because I can recall you weren't the biggest fan of the first one so to hear that you loved this sequel so - that's exciting! I know a lot of people didn't like Celaena in book 1 - I did, for some reason - so it's good to hear she maybe matures a bit. AND CHAOL. GAH, can't wait to get this in my hands (and then I will join you begging for book 3)! I was bummed because I was declined on NetGalley for this because I am neither from the US or the UK, but there isn't long left to wait!! Fantastic review, Lea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was barely at a 3.5 for the first book, but this book was WOW!! It was nice to see a different side to Celaena...and Chaol. It was very nice to see a lot of him in this book ;)

      Aww, that's too bad Netgalley wouldn't let you review it. At least it's releasing soon! Hope you love it when you read it!

      Delete