Review: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2) by Sarah J.Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Publication date: August 15th, 2013
Number of pages: 432 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Eighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien is bold, daring and beautiful – the perfect seductress and the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But though she won the King’s contest and became his champion, Celaena has been granted neither her liberty nor the freedom to follow her heart. The slavery of the suffocating salt mines of Endovier that scarred her past is nothing compared to a life bound to her darkest enemy, a king whose rule is so dark and evil it is near impossible to defy. Celaena faces a choice that is tearing her heart to pieces: kill in cold blood for a man she hates, or risk sentencing those she loves to death. Celaena must decide what she will fight for: survival, love or the future of a kingdom. Because an assassin cannot have it all . . . And trying to may just destroy her.

Love or loathe Celaena, she will slice open your heart with her dagger and leave you bleeding long after the last page of the highly anticipated sequel in what is undeniably THE hottest new fantasy series

I would say CROWN of MIDNIGHT is one of the most anticipated sequels for 2013, and boy did it deliver. It was everything I could have wanted and more in a sequel to this series. Nothing is left unturned, if anything, it only amps up the whole story-relationships and character developments than ever before.

In THRONE of GLASS it opened up the story, we were introduced to our main characters, he plot and Celeana's first adventures to becoming the King's Champion. In CROWN of MIDNIGHT though, the stakes are raised, you discover more about these characters than you ever felt was possible. Just when you think you know everything or what will happen---  you are then thrown through a loop and the unexpected happens. With this book, expect heart palpatations, an intense journey, unexpected revelations and juicy twists and turns.

The romance is definitely knocked up a notch or two, which I'll be into more detail soon. I adored Celeana in the first book, but in this book.. you begin to understand her so much more. She does what she needs to do to survive, and sometimes you think she is heartless, and then get shocked when she does actually have a heart. She'll do things you never saw coming, find herself in situations and do certain acts that will tear your heart out.
Dorian is someone who I felt was in the first book, but was just there. I didn't have many feelings in regards to him or his relationship with Celeana. I felt bad for him because I had a feeling she just didn't feel as strong about him that he did with her, and it would be best if he let her go.
In this installment, I begun to really adore him. His whole personality came out so much more, discovering things about him that even HE was shocked about with the discoveries. I also felt that he should be loved by someone, even if it wasn't to be with Celeana. I just hope that somehow, before this series ends that he finds someone who loves him as much as he does her.

Now Chaol. I have loved him since the first book. He might have acted like a jerk, but boy, in this second installment to this story, you see so much more of him, and boy was it joyous. His relationship with Celeana has to be one of my favourite things about this book, and I have a feeling it's something which is only going to grow and grow over the course of the rest of then series. There is no point denying it now for those who have read it.  These two... OTP, love of each other's lives. They may have had previous loves, but this is the REAL DEAL people. No holds bars. It's romantic. Terrifying. Angsty. Full of hope and joy. Tears and pain. It's everything you want, everything you can't live without even if it hurts sometimes.
I look forward to discovering what is in store for these two come book 3. 2014. Come to me!

*cough* THAT cliffhanger? I knew it. But come on.. to leave it like that was just absolutely excruciating especially since we have to wait a year for the next book to be released.

Sarah has done an amazing job with this series thus far. I have never been one for High Fantasy, until THRONE of GLASS.  I am glad I picked up that first book one day in the bookstore and met these terrific characters.

If you haven't read this series yet, set everything down. Go and order it PRONTO.  You will not be disappointed.

Rating: 5/5

Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication date: August 2nd, 2012
Number of pages: 404
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add to Goodreads

Meet Celaena Sardothien.
Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught.

Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?

Let me first say --- how badass is the over, right? I mean, I like the US cover, but this one... shows who she really is, and I love it.
For months I had heard about this book and how amazing it was. From the glance off, it didn't seem to be something I'd like, but after pondering --- I caved. And I was so glad I did.
This book was great, more than I could have ever imagined it be. The characters were charming, strong-willed and interesting, the plot was captivating throughout the book, especially when the story really got moving, and of course we slowly have a small triangle that begins to form.
Triangles seem to be everywhere these days. Some books they work, and are done well, but others are horrible and everyone gets hurt one way or another.

Celaena had spent more time than she wished to remember in the mines of Endovier, but when she gets given the opportunity to get away from there, from that life. A chance at freedom --- she takes it. There is just one catch: She has to battle in a competition to win against many others. She has to be the champion. If she succeeds though, it could be the best reward she'd ever receive.
She is a character everyone should be able to admire. Coming from a horrible past, she'll do whatever she needs to survive. Most people would have given up, but not her. This one is a survivor.

We are also introduced  to two lovely love interests. It didn't cross my mind until I started to see moments, and that was where I thought.... "Could this turn into a love triangle?" and I hadn't read any reviews, so I had no idea this was a possibility. I should have known though, most YA books have triangles. I'm not sure why --- is it to create drama, entertainment for the readers? Or is it a way to create an obstacle for the main couple, so they don't get together too soon? Hmm.. I know I have my preference, and I think it could be learning the way I want.  I didn't mind the other love interest guy though. He was sweet, maybe a little..superficious, but kind nonetheless. Both guys have different things going for them, and we can only wait and see who Celaena chooses to be the one for her. 

Lets talk about the guys for a moment before I move on...
First we have the prince. He is the one who brought Celaena to be his champion for the competition. His relationship with her does change throughout the book. While he is expected to marry, he does find himself interested in Celaena more than one would like. He is more flirty and isn't afraid to show his feelings.
And then we have Chaol.. He is Captain of the Guard. He is meant to make sure Celaena does what she is told, and keep her in line. He is steel headed and very cold and very rarely will let any emotion show on his face. But as he begins to get to know his charge, you can see the cracks in his facade begins to peel away.

The plot of the story was very compelling and about half way through the book, I could not put this down. It was engaging to the very last page, especially as the action picked up quite swiftly. It is definitely a page turner. I yearned to see what was coming next for our beloved characters.
Sarah crafted a very in depth and addicting world, with characters to love and a journey to be discovered. I look forward to see what is next for Celaena, Dorian and Chaol.
I need also to check out the available novellas, so I can understand more about this world than I already know. 

Verdict: 4.5/5