Crown of Midnight

The second book in the Throne of Glass series built upon the first and smashed my expectations by a wide margin. While not a literary masterpiece by any stretch, I thought Sarah J. Maas' writing was greatly improved in Crown of Midnight, making for a more engaging read than Throne of Glass. In addition to the general improvement in the writing and storytelling, there's more of everything in this one - intrigue, humor, fight scenes, and yes, romance.

The trio of friends, and sometimes love triangle of Celaena, Chaol, and Dorian all grow by leaps and bounds in this one, while not losing that spark that made them fun, compelling, and sometimes maddening characters to begin with. Celaena remained a badass with skills and a personality to be reckoned with, but I really enjoyed Chaol and Dorian's development in this one. Chaol started the series as a pawn for the royalty with unwavering loyalty but spends most of the second book struggling between his loyalty and oath to the royal family and his loyalty to Celaena and his own personal desires. Dorian, on the other hand, is still the same handsome and lovable prince, but comes into his own as a man, stepping into his power and more openly disagreeing with his father. I found myself screaming internally at Celaena's recklessness, Chaol's often misplaced loyalty, and Dorian's lack of secrecy despite his station in life and what's at stake.

Crown of Midnight was a wonderful story that kept me engaged throughout to the point where I started the book and finished it in about 30 hours. There seemed to be much less "downtime" in this one compared to Throne of Glass, and with the chapters being on the shorter side, it was very easy to keep tapping away on the Kindle app on my phone.

I loved this book. Chances are if you're reading this one, you're reading through the whole series anyway, but if you read the first and were unsure if you wanted to continue, please keep going and give Crown of Mightnight a read.

The King’s champion is sent far and wide to eliminate enemies of the crown. The once Ardalan’s Assassin, Celaena, is now that champion and she carries out the King’s orders without question. Even if it means it drives a wedge between her and her friends. But her public mask is hiding a secret, one that would get her killed if the King found out. When he orders the assassination of a man Celaena once called a friend, she asks for a month to uncover information on the rebels and their plans.

Throne of Glass made into on my best of 2012 list so Crown of Midnight had a lot to live up to. Somehow it managed to smash my expectations and be even better than the first book. These books deliver everything I think I want from epic fantasy (but struggle to find in 800+ page books) and it is easy to forget this is a young adult story. Celaena is so past a teenager in what she’s gone through and the prose never feels like it’s aimed at a young reader.

Picking up from the final events of Throne of Glass, Celaena and Chaol are still dancing round each other romantically. The first half of the book puts a lot more focus on their relationship but their bond becomes a really important factor into what happens next. It’s slow moving and sweet and…awww! And unlike other love-triangles, Dorian is sensible and mature about things and doesn’t become a third wheel or intrusive. I liked him much better as someone who could see the best for his friends. Yes, he admits to jealousy, but it doesn’t turn him into a Bad Person.

Somewhere in the middle something momentous happens and from then on it’s an action packed, emotional roller coaster of a read. It turns the whole book so far on its head. There will be frustration, I warn you. A certain reaction seemed a bit too extreme but by the end I think I could piece together the justification, even though I was pretty mad at the character in question. Don’t plan to sleep until you’ve reached the last page and then you’ll still want more. I think my jaw literally dropped in certain places.

There’s a lot more magic too. This seems to be a thing with epic fantasy…start off with the world building which is like an alternative version of medieval Europe and then bring in the actual fantasy in dribs and drabs. Celaena’s been learning the Wyrdmarks and there’s a slow realisation that magic is perhaps not as dead as everyone thinks. Which as a reader, we knew already, but it’s good to see the characters catching up.