Review: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Steph's Rating: 5 stars
Dani's Rating: 5 stars
Overall Rating: 5 stars

Format: Hardcover

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Publication Date: August 27th, 2013

Pages: 420

Goodreads Synopsis:

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?

Steph's Review: 

I did not expect to love Crown of Midnight as much as I did. Throne of Glass was a 4-starish book for me, but just let me say the COM makes it to the top of the 5-star list. I was thoroughly impressed by Sarah J. Maas's plotting this time. This is definitely one of my favorite reads of 2013...one that I forgot to finish reviewing...

Celaena Sardothien has won the title of royal assassin who answers solely to the king. She hardly follows her orders exactly though, a secret she must keep absolutely hidden or else she'll risk the lives of the few friends she has within the castle walls. The spirit of Queen Elena has given Celaena the task of finding the true source of the Kind of Adarlan's power, while a rebellion is brewing within the kingdom. It sparks old memories within Celaena's psyche, and she must decide where her loyalties really lie if they are not to the king. 

I know the Throne of Glass if going to take off and become an enchanting series. Sarah J. Maas knows how to put just the right touch of suspense to the amount of action in the book to give a fulfilling read. The protagonists are all awesome too--I don't dislike a single one of them! Celaena, Chaol, and Dorian each have their own unique voices, and it's very easy to tell who is narrating in a chapter even though Sarah doesn't say who's POV that chapter is in. 

Celaena is everything a girl looks for in a heroine story--she's got strength, smarts, and is daring enough to use both to the best of her ability. While I usually hate arrogant characters, Celaena just knows how to wear it correctly. It comes off as self-confidence instead of a pompous attitude. But despite this, I love how she's not faultless either. She has her fears and nightmares, her short temper, everything that keeps her real. If anything, one thing that really made me love Crown of Midnight is her expanding relationship with Chaol. In the first book, I hardly felt some kindling romance between the two even though Throne of Glass's synopsis hinted that there was going to be one in the first book. Chaol is just a true gentleman that I think every girl wishes they had, and I love him to pieces. 

Poor Dorian is slightly neglected by the two in this book, but I love Dorian so much more after this book too. As Prince of Adarlan, of course he has to be groomed to follow in his father's footsteps. Dorian really just grows a mind of his own in this book and starts questioning the beliefs he grew up on, and whether or not his father is a worthy ruler of the country. Dorian also has to keep a deadly secret at bay too--one that will be his death is anyone finds out. 

Fantasy books are common topic these days, but Crown of Midnight has a refreshing and clever voice amongst all of them. It is a well rounded novel with heart-melting romance, action, and apprehensive suspense. I seriously recommend reading this series!