Thursday, July 24, 2014

Review: Crown of Midnight

CROWN OF MIDNIGHT
Throne of Glass #2
Sarah J. Maas
Young Adult/Fantasy
420 pages
Bloomsbury
Available Now
Source: BEA 2013

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie...and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.


MY THOUGHTS
Crown of Midnight is a story that manages to escape all the pitfalls so common in second installments, improving upon the very best elements of Throne of Glass and completely doing away with the aspects that were perhaps more of a struggle for those (like myself) who didn’t have the benefit of Celaena's history as outlined in the prequel novellas. Ms. Maas gives us Celaena at her finest in this sequel, her brutality as much a focus as her vulnerability; the two a swirling combination of character perfection that has her stealing a part of our hearts and forever locking it away in the pages of her story.

Where the Celaena of Throne of Glass seemed to be a young woman who bought a bit too much into her own press, touting her accomplishments and her abilities to any and all who would listen, the Celaena of Crown of Midnight is closer to the woman found in the pages of the prequel novellas, her mind every bit as sharp as her blades and her heart surprisingly open despite all that’s happened to her. Previously, we couldn’t help but grimace at her arrogance, but in this newest book we do nothing but smile at her confidence and pity all those who continue to underestimate her in terms of both her lethality as well as her humanity.

Celaena is a beautiful tapestry of scars–physical and emotional–and they are on display in all their painful glory in Crown of Midnight. Our hearts ache for her as past and present collide, history delivering a brutal sucker punch of repetition to send her reeling once again, but though she staggers with every blow she’s dealt, she never once stays down. Despite the villainous king she serves and the court of liars and social climbers surrounding her, she stays true to who she is–good and bad; blackest pieces and brightest facets–always seeking to help those around her even when they question her motivations and judge her actions. She doesn’t play games with Chaol or Dorian, following her heart even as memories of the love she let herself have once before plague her, and doing so in such a way as to mitigate the damage done to the one whose affection she cannot fully return.

With the love triangle safely put to bed with minimal angst and drama, and the over-the-top ego of Throne of Glass reduced to a charmingly inflated sense of self, the best parts of Ms. Maas’s ability to tell a story are able to shine through, making us immeasurably happy and devastating us in turn until we’re nothing but an emotional mess staring dumbly at the last page wishing futilely for more. Crown of Midnight is gritty and glorious, giving us a protagonist who is a hero in the end but often a villain in the means used to achieve it, and there’s absolutely nothing more satisfying than walking side by side with her as she journeys through every shade of gray.

Rating: 4.5/5
 

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This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review
I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

49 comments:

  1. See I told you, the series is just getting better and better!!! I'm so happy you read and loved this book! Wasn't it fantastic?

    I was also so happy when we got rid of the Love Triangle, nothing good would have come out of it .. ..

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    1. You were right! I just had such a rocky start with book one, I wasn't sure I wanted to continue. I SHOULD HAVE TRUSTED YOU!!! So good:)

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  2. I really need to start this series. I have teens who absolutely love this series and I feel so left out! I must correct that soon. So glad this one avoids the middle book syndrome and that you liked it a lot better than book one, Jenny!

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    1. YES!! I would definitely recommend starting with the prequel novellas though Rummanah, they really made me understand Celaena and why she was the way she was in Throne of Glass. Without getting to know her first, she came across as all talk and no action in the first book for me.

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  3. You know I haven't even read Throne of Glass yet. Normally I don't read reviews for sequels as I figure I wouldn't quite get the same impact since I don't know what's going on, but what you said about the sequel being better than the first has me interested. I love series that improve with each book because I think those are the best kinds of journeys, you know? One that leaves you more satisfied the more you read. Plus, I love fantasy and I feel like I've been reading a bit too much paranormal lately, so I have to balance it out. I'll be putting Throne of Glass AND Crown of Midnight on my wishlist! Thank you!
    -Ashley
    What's Your Story?

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    1. I would definitely read this series in order Ashley, but start with the prequels. Luckily they're all in one nice and handy hardcover book now so you can read them all together:) I'm just such a fangirl now!

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  4. Yay for a more vulnerable side. If it's even possible, that makes me even more excited about CoM. Heh, I liked her arrogance in ToG, it gave this.. realness to her assassin status, but I agree that confidence is much better than arrogance and I badly need to witness this. CHAOL. Oh gawd. I've heard hints and stories and everything and I NEED THIS TO HAPPEN OKAY. *freaks out* *fans self* Ok. I'm ok. *breathes* I'm so glad that you finally saw the magic this series is made of and I hope you enjoy Heir of Fire just as much if note more. Gorgeous, gorgeous review, Jenny!

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    1. I didn't mind her arrogance necessarily Siiri, it's that she didn't seem to back it up at all until the very end. She totally deserves a big ego now that I know everything she's seen and done, but in that first book I just didn't "get" her. I do now though, and I'm madly in love with her:)

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  5. *fangirling mode ON* I'M SO SO SO SO SO HAPPY YOU LOVED THIS ONE!! No really, but this one was such an amazing read and you're totally right about her vulnerable side. It was so nice seeing it and somehow it was easier to relate to her even more. Needless to say Chaol *swoons* That guy is something else. Great review, Jenny :)

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    1. IT WAS EPIC TANJA!!!!! She and Chaol make my heart hurt:)

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  6. Yes another series I should try

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  7. YESSSS!! I'm so happy you loved this one!! What a wonderful review, Jenny!
    Crown of Midnight gave me the worst book hangover of last year, and I couldn't read anything else for a week!
    I agree that this book was better than ToG and it avoided any and all of the sequel issues that can pop up, I can only hope the progression stays constant and we'll be blown away once again with Heir of Fire!

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    1. IT WAS SO GOOD PILI! I'm actually really glad I didn't read it last year though, because I was able to read this and Heir of Fire back to back with no waiting. BEST THING EVER.

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    2. I'm SO ENVIOUS!! The wait for me is a killer!! I cannot wait till my copy of Heir of Fire gets hereeee!!

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  8. Do you know, Jenny . . . do you KNOW how much I love this series? I don't think you do. Honestly, I'm not convinced my love for this series is measurable. Can you measure the ocean? Can you measure the number of stars in the universe? Can you?! *snorts* But seriously--LOVE this series. I think I liked book 1 more though. I still loved (to hate) this one, but I read the prequels before reading ToG, so I think Celaena was a bit better developed for me than a lot of other readers. Whatever. The difference is negligible ;)

    PS: When you said, "So glad to know you loved it too!!!" did you mean so glad to know you loved it in addition to ToG and CoM, b/c I am so excited to read it for myself, or did you mean so glad you loved it like I did? B/c if you've already read HoF, I have something you NEED to see . . .

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    1. I definitely should have started with the prequels, but I wasn't aware of them before picking up ToG, and then I found out about them as I was reading and figured I should be okay without them. And I was, I just missed out on a lot of Celaena's character. Glad I remedied that this year though, and now I love her.

      And I have read Heir of Fire - SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD! So please show me what it is I need to see!

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    2. Behold:

      http://www.pinterest.com/pin/246853623297602305/

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  9. I wasn't a huge fan of Throne of Glass, Jenny, but it did make me want to read the sequel to see if it would be better. I haven't gotten around to reading this one yet but from the reviews I've read - and you apparently agree - it seems that a lot of complaints that were raised about the first book have been resolved with the second. Looking forward to giving this one a try hopefully soon!

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    1. Just wrote you an email Z! Definitely give this one a chance. many of the issues I had with book one were resolved fully, and I just loved it:)

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  10. Oh I have this one and book 1 but I still need to read them! I really should because I keep hearing amazing things about it!

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  11. I've only read Throne of Glass and lied it, but not to the point of 'rave.' I am so excited to read this one especially that you thought it's getting better. And I am glad that the love triangle isn't making the plot go on a downhill (but I really like Chaol for her.) Great review, Jenny! :D

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    1. I was not overly impressed with book one to be totally honest Abby. I felt like the only person who didn't get what the fuss was about, but then I read The Assassin's Blade (all 5 prequels) and this book and was blown away. Can't recommend this one enough!

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  12. I loved this one too, Jenny and I'm glad you did as well. I was reading Heir of Fire since yesterday and I've read about 200 pages, but unfortunately I can't seem to get into the storyline. I'm curious to see what you think about it.
    Although I thought similarly to you about the love triangle not coming back again, after reading HoF, I'm convinced that it will (nothing really happens in the book, but I'm just getting a strong feeling that it will with how Celaena feels about Chaol after the events of this one - DM me if you want to know why I feel this way!). Anyways, I did enjoy Celaena's growth. I think I'm going to wait for all 6 books to come out because I can't deal with this fear that my ship will not be end-game. I'm sick of that happening with series endings.
    I'm glad you enjoyed it, Jenny! :)

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    1. HoF is actually my favorite book yet Nick, but I understand where you're coming from. I could have done without the new character's chapters, I just wanted to stay with Celaena and Chaol/Dorian, but I loved how much Celaena grew in the book. I of course wanted her and Chaol together, but I felt like they needed that separation, and I have faith they'll end up with one another. I refuse to believe anything else!!!! And if one of them dies, I will quit series forever. ;-)

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  13. I like that, even though there's been a triangle, she doesn't mess with Chaol or Dorian. She tells it like it is. Celaena has so many scars but I do appreciate that she's doing her best to stick to her morals and beliefs, despite having to serve that arse of a king.

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    1. YES! She's not a girl who can't make up her mind and I love that about her:)

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  14. Oooh, I'm so happy that you really enjoyed this. I've heard that the series just keeps getting better, so I'm eager to get back to it soon. It sounds like Celaena has some wonderful growth here. Beautiful review, Jenny :)

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    1. I completely agree - for me it's getting better as it goes and I couldn't love these books more!

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  15. I wasn't planning on reading this series even though everyone seems to be really enjoying it, but the last paragraph of your review totally sucked me in. Decisions, decisions!

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    1. I LOVE THIS SERIES CARMEL! But if you get stuck on the first book as I did, keep going and read book two:)

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  16. *creeps across your blog* Love triangle resolved, you say? I may have to get my hands on this series. *creeps away*

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    1. YES! The love triangle was a non-issue in this one, and and even bigger non-issue in book three. I think it will stay that way. Hopefully. Fingers crossed ;-)

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  17. AHHHHHHHH I LOVE THIS ONE! This was one of my favourite sequels in a series to date and Chaol! *swoons* I believe if I remember Chapter 22/23 was epic and just magic! I agree this one has the love triangle under control and I found that there wasn't a problem with it when I reading it! Lovely review, Jenny!

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    1. YES!!! SO GOOD EMMA!!! I need more of this series in my life:)

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  18. I didn't read the prequels as well but will have to because there are apparently some elements of it included in the third book or mentions of stuff that happened before. That's a pretty lovely review you wrote there, Jenny. ^^ I read the first book and bought this one in December. Ahh I know, sillly me to not read it. Will do will do. :)

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  19. Yes! Loved this book! I haven't read the novellas but I LOVE these books, they are SO good! I can't wait for book 3!

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  20. YES! *does a happy dance* So excited you are loving this series as much as I do Jenny. It is just fabulous! I have the third book and am so excited to start it. It is a long one though this time and that makes me nervous because I don't want anything bad happening to anyone I love.

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  21. Yay! So glad you liked this one, Jenny! I enjoyed it much more than THRONE OF GLASS, and I agree, the over-the-top ego was reduced considerably. Fabulous review!

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  22. Glad this one worked for you, I thought it was even better than the first. Gritty and dark but oh so good, and yes I was glad that the love triangle was resolved. I am eager to read the next one.

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  23. I love that 4.5 star rating. :D I'm currently reading Throne of Glass, well listening, actually, and so far I'm really enjoying it! It's not my typical read AT ALL so I'm really leaving my comfort zone with this one, but I'm keeping an open mind and I'm hoping that I enjoy it as much as everyone else has. I have books 2 and 3 as well, so hopefully I can shoot right through the series, all 3 in a row. :) Glad you enjoyed this one!

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  24. Even though I wasn't a fan of Throne of Glass I reallyyyyyy wanted to read this one since it sounds kick-ass, but the tepid reviews for Heir of Fire have me disappointed again. I don't want to launch into this series unless I know the next installments are going to maintain this level of excellence since ToG really didn't do much for me. Hopefully Books 4, 5, and 6 will be such major improvements from Book 3 that I'll wind up picking this one up after all. Fabulous review, Jenny!(:

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  25. I loved this book so much, and glad you did too! Your review is awesome, by the way. I love reading your blog.

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  26. I'll admit, I wasn't a huge fan of Calaena in book one. Like you said, she was more of a talker than a doer then. I've been hearing so many wonderful things about this sequel, and I'm so glad Calaena mans up in this one. I'm going to see if a good friend of mine will want to buddy read this with me! ^_^

    Awesome review, Jenny!

    Aimee @ Deadly Darlings

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  27. Ah! This was a perfectly written review for CoM! I agree that usually the sequel in a series tends to be the weakest of the bunch but in this case, like you said, CoM improved on all the good stuff ToG brought to the table! I was blown away by Celaena and her layered, rich character development! I already loved her in ToG but she truly blew me away in CoM ♥ I can't wait to see what you'll think of Heir of Fire :D Fantastic review Jenny ^^

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  28. Loved this one as well and am beyond excited for the sequel. I've actually only read one of the prequel novellas, but I'm hoping to finish them off before I start Heir of Fire. Great review!

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  29. This series is so flippin good! I'm so happy that you have enjoyed it.

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  30. I just skimmed your review because I haven't started the series yet. But I'm really happy to see that you loved this book and that the love triangle seems to dissipate. Have you read Heir of Fire yet? I'm so nervous that with a 6 book series that started as a love triangle, she's going to resurge it later on. I keep hearing rumors of different love interests popping up, so I'm afraid to invest. But I'm a huge fan of fantasy and this sounds in every other aspect to be a series for me. Plus I feel so left out with everyone gushing about it. I think I might have to wait for the whole thing to read them together, or at least book 4.

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