Title: Crown of Midnight
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Romance, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Only that he’s added that little grub, Roland, to his council, and Roland seems to have been given the task of handling me.

CROWNED BY EVIL. BOUND BY DUTY. DIVIDED BY LOVE.

Celaena Sardothien, royal assassin, is the King Adarlan’s deadliest weapon. She must win her freedom through his enemies’ blood – but she cannot bear to kill for the crown. And every death Celaena fakes, every lie she tells, puts those she loves at risk.

Torn between her two protectors – a captain and a prince – and battling a dark force far greater than the king, Celaena must decide what she will fight for: her liberty, her heart or the fate of a kingdom…

This was a fantastic follow up to Throne of Glass. Not only did it extend on the themes of the first novel, it made you even more emotionally involved in the characters (I didn’t think it was possible, but believe me, it is!). Maas builds on her characters and storyline with incredible talent and it completely sucked me in – to the point that I spent an entire day reading (and finishing) this book.

Crown of Midnight takes us into Celaena’s past and even sees new friendships and characters. Finding out about why the main character is as tough and stubborn as she is fascinated me. The rare glimpses into her formation and training as an assassin (and what preceded this) was amazing.

The love triangle started in the first book was expanded on and I honestly think that it is one of my favourite love stories. There is a heavy theme of love, lust and loss throughout the story, but it doesn’t feel like a needy, teeny story. There is still strength and independence on the behalf of all of the characters. Especially Celaena. I always hate how in stories (like Twilight), the girl finds love and basically loses herself. This doesn’t happen in the Crown of Midnight. She ultimately choses a path other than love to follow which pulls at the heart strings but makes you feel proud of her power and strength.

This story ends in an amazing cliff hanger. I wouldn’t read this unless you have the third book, Heir of Fire, to reach for. I did… and I was incredibly grateful!

<- Throne of Glass

Heir of Fire ->

Image source: Fantasy Book Review