ARC REVIEW #116: Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Crown of Midnight

Series: Throne of Glass #2
Author: Sarah J. Maas

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Release Date: August 27, 2013

Pages: 432, Hardcover
Source: ARC obtained at BEA

Summary from Goodreads:

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 is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

   

“If they wanted Adarlan’s Assassin, they’d get her. And Wyrd help them when she arrived.”

CROWN OF MIDNIGHT ROCKED MY WORLD!!!! Celaena Sardothien is every bit as FIERCE and LOVELY as she was in Throne of Glass. My mind and heart are still reeling from the events in this book. I promise that fans of Throne of Glass will NOT be disappointed. *Takes a deep breath* *tries to form coherent thoughts*

Crown of Midnight picks up right where Throne of Glass left off. Celaena is now the King's Champion and it is her duty to dispatch of his enemies. BUT she's never exactly been one to do as she's told. When she's commanded to kill an old friend, whom is allegedly connected to a rebel movement, she buys herself some more time with the promise of uncovering more about the opposition. But for whose benefit, the King’s or hers? (rhetorical question). Meanwhile, even though she wants nothing to do with magic, it wants everything to do with her. For the sake of the kingdom, Celaena must discover the source of the King’s power. But where to start and whom to trust? Strange things are happening in the castle, and the more Celaena discovers, the darker the future ahead becomes. Soon her paths merge and it seems everyone is after the same thing. It’s only a matter of who gets there first.

Rebellion and secrets. Riddles and magic. This book has enough to get your mind and heart racing. And I haven't even mentioned the romance yet!! I think it safe to say to the first half of the book was more romance-driven whereas the second half of the book was more plot-driven. Whatever, FINE BY ME. My god the tension between these two characters, the anticipation for something, ANYTHING, to happen, was driving me crazy!! It’s slowly… slowly… then BAM! *big stupid grin*

The characters are seriously just amazing. I LOVE Celaena - nice and playful Celaena AND cold and deadly Celaena. She is amazing. And don't even get me started on the men in this book. Oh. My. God. *fans thyself*. We get a little taste of everything - jealousy, affection, love, hate, betrayal, fear, vengeance, and on and on. WARNING: Reading this book will lead to frequent and overwhelming FEELS. 

Oh and did I mention the personal discovery yet, the bombs dropped on readers, or the mind-boggling reveals? HELLO. Several events left me gaping at the pages. JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU GET TO PAGE 378 (don't you dare flip to that page ahead of time!) I swear, the last like 100 pages were just absurd. So packed with awesome.

So was this book FANTASTIC? Yes. Should you READ THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW? Yes. Will you ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT? I think so. SO what are you waiting for? GO GET THIS BOOK (or eagerly await it since it doesn't come out until August *sorry*.

"'She's just one girl.'

'Then you're really in for a surprise.'"