Author: Sarah J. Maas
Rating: 5 stars
Summary: 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?
Review:
Is it just me, or have there been more and more quality sequels coming out? *knocks on wood*
To start with, when I read Throne of Glass, I liked it. Celaena turned out to be a snarky cool character and the story had potential. But the book didn't stick with me. I don't own it, and I never really told anyone "dude you HAVE to go read this book." As far as fantasy goes, even though everybody was absolutely raving about it, my favorite aspect probably had to be the badass cover. (See my ToG review and cover comparison here.)
When I stumbled upon a galley of Crown of Midnight, I figured the first book had lots of potential, so I'll see if this second book is any good.
There isn't much recap, but if you remember the main characters, that'll keep you in the loop. I was fuzzy on the rest, but as things kept moving forward in here, I just paid attention to what was in store next. There is literally no boring pages or chapters, and I finished the first half of the book in one sitting before I even realized it.
I have a feeling Maas has read some good fantasy, and used that knowledge to build a fantastical world of her own. She knows how to correctly make a fictional world. In Throne of Glass, you don't get to see much of the world besides the mines of Endovier, and the Glass Castle. It's really in the pre-novellas and the ones coming before Crown of Midnight that give you more of a glimpse of Celaena's world. I have a feeling the third book will open the world up yet again.
As far as POV goes, (one of the main points I pay attention to when picking a book,) it is third person like the first. We do get a handful of scenes in Chaol's, Dorian's, and the king's POV, but they're usually short and mysterious. And they're usually because Celaena's knocked out somewhere. For the most part, it works well for the writing style and the story.
There is some major character growth in here, guys. I can't say all I want to say without ruining the book for you. But whereas I thought the main cast of characters to be basic, rather shallow creatures in ToG, there is so much fleshing out and angles being uncovered, I am extremely grateful I kept going on the series. Even just Celaena, who has been keeping her past very secret. I kept asking myself "did I miss something from the first book, when her past is explained? Or the novellas?" Well, you'll see.
There has never been a more appropriate thing to say about this series: Who can you trust? Because I thought I had it all figured out a half-dozen times while reading Crown of Midnight. And Maas really has a way of making you think you know what's going on. Trust me, you don't.
Most of why my views did a one eighty in CoM, is full of spoilers, but when you read it and things start coming together, you will know exactly what I am talking about, and probably love it more than the first one as well.
Of course I can recommend this series to fans of Maria V. Snyder's Study Series, Cashore's Graceling books, and perhaps some old Eragon fans. (What? Really? Yes. Really.)
Did anyone notice how in Goodreads there's all the sudden six books in the series? At first I was annoyed, because I knew I would have to read them all. But after finishing CoM I am very, very glad. A lot of things need to happen. Artifacts to find...people to assassinate...I can't wait.
For those who have read Crown of Midnight, what'd you think of it?
To start with, when I read Throne of Glass, I liked it. Celaena turned out to be a snarky cool character and the story had potential. But the book didn't stick with me. I don't own it, and I never really told anyone "dude you HAVE to go read this book." As far as fantasy goes, even though everybody was absolutely raving about it, my favorite aspect probably had to be the badass cover. (See my ToG review and cover comparison here.)
When I stumbled upon a galley of Crown of Midnight, I figured the first book had lots of potential, so I'll see if this second book is any good.
I am so glad I did.
There isn't much recap, but if you remember the main characters, that'll keep you in the loop. I was fuzzy on the rest, but as things kept moving forward in here, I just paid attention to what was in store next. There is literally no boring pages or chapters, and I finished the first half of the book in one sitting before I even realized it.
I have a feeling Maas has read some good fantasy, and used that knowledge to build a fantastical world of her own. She knows how to correctly make a fictional world. In Throne of Glass, you don't get to see much of the world besides the mines of Endovier, and the Glass Castle. It's really in the pre-novellas and the ones coming before Crown of Midnight that give you more of a glimpse of Celaena's world. I have a feeling the third book will open the world up yet again.
As far as POV goes, (one of the main points I pay attention to when picking a book,) it is third person like the first. We do get a handful of scenes in Chaol's, Dorian's, and the king's POV, but they're usually short and mysterious. And they're usually because Celaena's knocked out somewhere. For the most part, it works well for the writing style and the story.
There is some major character growth in here, guys. I can't say all I want to say without ruining the book for you. But whereas I thought the main cast of characters to be basic, rather shallow creatures in ToG, there is so much fleshing out and angles being uncovered, I am extremely grateful I kept going on the series. Even just Celaena, who has been keeping her past very secret. I kept asking myself "did I miss something from the first book, when her past is explained? Or the novellas?" Well, you'll see.
There has never been a more appropriate thing to say about this series: Who can you trust? Because I thought I had it all figured out a half-dozen times while reading Crown of Midnight. And Maas really has a way of making you think you know what's going on. Trust me, you don't.
Most of why my views did a one eighty in CoM, is full of spoilers, but when you read it and things start coming together, you will know exactly what I am talking about, and probably love it more than the first one as well.
Of course I can recommend this series to fans of Maria V. Snyder's Study Series, Cashore's Graceling books, and perhaps some old Eragon fans. (What? Really? Yes. Really.)
Did anyone notice how in Goodreads there's all the sudden six books in the series? At first I was annoyed, because I knew I would have to read them all. But after finishing CoM I am very, very glad. A lot of things need to happen. Artifacts to find...people to assassinate...I can't wait.
For those who have read Crown of Midnight, what'd you think of it?
I agree! I think sequels are getting better and better. I think more series are being planned out great.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for this series.
Thanks for the great review!
Michelle @ Book Briefs