Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas (Book Review)

Title: Crown of Midnight
Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series: This is book #2 in the Throne of Glass series. Read my review of Throne of Glass!

Release Date: August 27, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's
Format: eARC
Source: Free from the publisher through Netgalley. (Thanks!)
Buy It: Amazon
Add It: Goodreads

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 really enjoyed Throne of Glass, and was very excited when I was approved for Crown of Midnight on Netgalley! I dropped everything that I was doing, and began reading immediately. Sarah made me a fan of epic fantasy, and I'm still a huge fan after Crown of Midnight! As always, my main points are bolded. :) 

1. Celaena is such a strong female character, and I absolutely love reading about her. We get to learn more about her and her past in this book, as well as her future and what she is capable of. She's much more magical and mysterious that I thought she was in Throne of Glass! And even though she's supposedly this ruthless assassin, she has a conscience. She's not just the king's lap dog. She does what she wants. And she likes to giggle, she can down chocolate cake faster than most people, she loves pretty things, and she is obsessed with books. There are so many sides and facets to her, and I'm enjoying getting to know her. 

2. Chaol and Dorian are still both vying for Celaena's heart, but there's no wishy-washiness on her part. She knows who she wants and she sticks with it, which is a true testament to her strong personality. I really, really like Chaol. He's sweet and concerned... protective and romantic. But I also really like Dorian. He's finally having to grow up and find the answers to his own questions. He's spent his life watching his dad hand out killings and death, and now that it's Celaena doing it, he's having a REALLY hard time with that. He has seen her go from a silly little girl to a hardened assassin, and he's not sure if she's the same person he fell for, or if she is still the same deep down inside. He's becoming more noble, and beginning to stand up for what's right now, and I found that to be a really attractive quality in him. It doesn't hurt that he's the suave, debonair prince. I've always been a fan of Prince Charmings. :)

3. Crown of Midnight is heartbreaking. I'd heard a little scuttlebutt about things, and how this book would be sad, and I was like, "I highly doubt it. My heart is strong." While I did not cry, things happen that are just downright sad! There is so much emotion and feeling instilled within the book's pages, and it all ends up a rather rough roller coaster. Celaena, Chaol, Nehemia, and Dorian go through a LOT of stuff. 

4. There is SO much magic, and I loved it! This glass castle is definitely enchanted, and more people know it than are letting on. It holds so many secrets within its walls, hidden in the library, lurking in dark corners, sequestered behind locked doors. We get to explore the castle a lot more in Crown of Midnight, and it makes for a creepy adventure. 

5. The writing is just gorgeous. The descriptions put you RIGHT THERE. The feelings are written so perfectly that you feel them yourself. I didn't read this book, I was a part of this book.

I'm keeping this review short, because I don't want to spoil anything! Basically, Crown of Midnight is an amazing sequel to Throne of Glass, and even though it just broke my heart, everything that happened needed to happen in order to make Celaena progress in her mission. I've seen a lot of comments floating around from people who are worrying that Crown of Midnight will be a huge letdown, with no real plot, a focus on a love triangle, and a bunch of emptiness. Let me ease your fears! I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Don't be scared to read Crown of Midnight, especially if you loved Throne of Glass! I'd recommend this series to anyone who loves amazing world building, strong characters, tons of action, and even those who claim to not like epic fantasy. I think Sarah will change your mind like she did mine.