Crown of Midnight

Crown of Midnight

By Sarah J. Maas

Published on August 27th 2013
Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Source: Netgalley

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?

This book was EXPLOSIVE.  I absolutely loved Throne of Glass and I was a little afraid of reading Crown of Midnight.  Usually when I love a first book, the second can be awful and even a little boring.  There was absolutely no boring moments in Crown of Midnight.  It was exciting, heartbreaking and hands down the most shocking book I have read in a long time.  A lot of the twists and turns I didn't expect and Celaena's story goes far deeper than I first realized.  I appreciate that the author doesn't reveal all of her secrets immediately- there are parts at the end of the book where I was gaping and thinking, "What in the world?"

Celaena finally gets to be in love and be happy in Crown of Midnight... well sort of.  I don't want to ruin any parts of the plot, but I will put it this way- the author is pretty unmerciful when it comes to Celaena.  Even after reading the book, I feel like I need to read it again to catch everything- there was so much!  A ton of new characters are introduced, and some of our old favorite characters are killed.  This is a brutal, passionate tale where noone is safe or left untouched.

Crown of Midnight is an electrifying and stunning sequel.  I cannot wait to read the third book- I don't know how I am going to be able to wait for a year!