Note: this review may contain spoilers for the previous book in the series.

TL;DR: the series grows up and reveals an epic scope. Celeana is no longer only a pawn in the plans of others, she makes her own now. But friendship, love and loyalty can twist the best-laid plans especially when everyone has different goals.

This is one of those books where I would like to yell at the characters: "Communicate, you idiots!" Which makes for a good read. And also sometimes (un-)predictable turns.

After reading [b: Throne of Glass|7896527|Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335819760s/7896527.jpg|11138426] I was rather sure I was dealing with the average YA fantasy series. However, this sequel managed to surprise me in that regard.

In the first book Celeana fights to become the evil king's champion. She finds friends and with their help, she wins the contest. While the gloomy setting already hints at the epic scope this series takes on, for now the plot keeps to the glass castle and its inhabitants. Her friends teach her that something besides death and revenge matters.

In this second book, she has won that contest and must now find a way to protect those she loves while also defying her new master. (She does have a thing against masters or so it seems). But now all her relationships seem to turn into conflicts, and she must find a way out of a labyrinth of deceit, lies, and untold secrets. And while I was afraid throughout the first book that I might be reading about a bunch of Mary Sues, (minor hint at what's to come => )this book reveals that some of the strengths of the protagonists can quickly turn into deadly liabilities. Loyalty is great. Blind loyalty - not so much. Bravely wanting to make the world into a better place, wonderful. Killing to spur your friends into action? Horrible. The deeper I got into the dense drama of this book, the more the contest from the first was like a walk in the park.

I enjoyed the first book because it was an easy fun read with a nice collection of classic fantasy elements put together in an entertaining way. The second book was much better because it grows out of the initial clear-cut path where the goals are defined and the obstacles visible. In book one the reader knows exactly who to blame, who is evil and who is good. In Crown of Midnight the evil are still evil. But the flaws of those who are good become more pronounced and their differing goals are revealed. Romance plays only a minor role in this book, which is just the way I like it.

Definitely adding the series to my recommendations list.