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?
I feel like I’ve been on my own journey with this series and it’s only getting more exciting. I grew up tracking the Harry Potter series and since then I haven’t really had a way to measure my life by an on-going story. I honestly think I’ve found that in Sarah J. Maas’s incredible series. I remember first hearing about it (I had just read Girl of Fire and Thorns and needed more fantasy – someone recommended this book, of course this was the DECEMBER before its August release, so I spent the better part of a year anticipating this book), I jumped on each prequel novella as they became available before I finally got my hands on Throne of Glass and it was every bit worth the hype and anticipation.
Because I’m so enthralled with this series, snagging a copy of Crown of Midnight was my number one priority at BEA this year (let me just say that I think Sarah J. Maas is amazing and meeting her has been a highlight of my year). It was also the first book from BEA that I read. I was expecting greatness from Crown of Midnight, but actually it totally blew me away. Sarah set a high standard for herself with book one and she more than raised the bar in book two. I found out, just before I read Crown of Midnight that this is actually going to be a 7 or 8 book (I forget how many) series, and not a trilogy like I’d assumed – which made me read this book with a different mindset. Rather than seeing this as the middle, rise of the story, it really is a chapter in a saga.
The world building in these books is just so incredible. This whole kingdom seems to vibrate and come to life around this amazing heroine. I really get the sense that this world is every bit a mirror of who Celaena is – it’s strikingly beautiful, it appears to be a little dark and deadly, but at the heart it’s strong and good. Knowing Celaena is knowing her world and the way that happens effortlessly is incredible. You also get the sense that there is a lot more about this world, and about Celaena that we don't know yet - and actually may never know.
I have to say that I love Chaol so much. So much. He's my favorite. I was never a Dorian fan, although I thought it was great that Celaena was so cavalier about having a prince wrapped around her finger. And I loved Sam (from the novellas) and I think it was great that his presence was felt much more in this book (so read the novellas if you haven't, they're worth it!). But Chaol, you guys....he's just perfect. I kind of can't believe the turn their relationship took. Celaena gave me emotional whiplash - it was amazing the way she can completely change her mind and commit to it so quickly.
I have to say that I love Chaol so much. So much. He's my favorite. I was never a Dorian fan, although I thought it was great that Celaena was so cavalier about having a prince wrapped around her finger. And I loved Sam (from the novellas) and I think it was great that his presence was felt much more in this book (so read the novellas if you haven't, they're worth it!). But Chaol, you guys....he's just perfect. I kind of can't believe the turn their relationship took. Celaena gave me emotional whiplash - it was amazing the way she can completely change her mind and commit to it so quickly.
This series continues to make me completely happy even as it is tearing me apart. I keep falling in love with these characters and even when they're breaking my heart I still root for them. I've just completely put my imagination and my emotions in the hands of Sarah J. Mass and I totally trust her. After that killer of an ending, this book could seriously go anywhere and I'm so excited to find out what's next. From that time I first heard about Throne of Glass until I finished Crown of Midnight , I can point at the way my life has changed and I can’t wait to see where I am when I read the last book in this series because I know I will not only be completely different, but I know it’s going to be worth reading until the last word.
