Crown of Midnight

After being named the King's Champion in Throne of Glass (2012), Celaena Sardothien serves as the king of Adarlan's personal assassin--at least, she pretends to--in a densely plotted sequel. If the king catches Celaena disobeying his orders, he will execute her closest friends. However, she can't stomach advancing his agenda, especially if it means murdering innocents in cold blood. When the king uncovers traitors in the city, the first name on his hit list is Archer Finn, a popular courtesan and Celaena's old friend. Plotting Archer's escape, Celaena takes the opportunity to make him her personal informant about the rebellion, which Celaena hopes will help her infer the king's plans--plans she is thoroughly conflicted about challenging, for as much as she hates the king, she thinks opposing him would only get her killed. Secrets damage her nuanced relationships with Chaol and Nehemia. (The complex friendship between these two formidable women is a particular treasure.) Meanwhile, Celaena unravels the mystery of Adarlan's sudden strength, a magical subplot that intersects with Dorian's dangerous self-exploration. Vivid Celaena, loving and brutally violent in turn, is a fully realized heroine. The ending comes at the right time--at the close of one storyline and prologue of another--to leave readers impatient for the next installment. An epic fantasy readers will immerse themselves in and never want to leave. (Fantasy. 14 & up) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from July 1, 2013
After being named the King's Champion in Throne of Glass (2012), Celaena Sardothien serves as the king of Adarlan's personal assassin--at least, she pretends to--in a densely plotted sequel. If the king catches Celaena disobeying his orders, he will execute her closest friends. However, she can't stomach advancing his agenda, especially if it means murdering innocents in cold blood. When the king uncovers traitors in the city, the first name on his hit list is Archer Finn, a popular courtesan and Celaena's old friend. Plotting Archer's escape, Celaena takes the opportunity to make him her personal informant about the rebellion, which Celaena hopes will help her infer the king's plans--plans she is thoroughly conflicted about challenging, for as much as she hates the king, she thinks opposing him would only get her killed. Secrets damage her nuanced relationships with Chaol and Nehemia. (The complex friendship between these two formidable women is a particular treasure.) Meanwhile, Celaena unravels the mystery of Adarlan's sudden strength, a magical subplot that intersects with Dorian's dangerous self-exploration. Vivid Celaena, loving and brutally violent in turn, is a fully realized heroine. The ending comes at the right time--at the close of one storyline and prologue of another--to leave readers impatient for the next installment. An epic fantasy readers will immerse themselves in and never want to leave. (Fantasy. 14 & up)

COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

kasia11 - I'm an avid reader, all sorts of books. This book, was amazing. "Why are you crying?" "Because," she whispered, her voice shaking, "you remind me of what the world ought to be. What the world can be.” ~Sarah J. Mass, Crown of Midnight “I don't think you realize who you're dealing with." The man clicked his tongue, "If you were that good, you would be more than just Captain of the Guard." Chaol let out a low, breathy laugh. "I wasn't talking about me." "She's just one girl." Though his guts were twisting at the thought of her in this place, with these people, though he was considering every possible way to get himself and Celaena out of here alive, he gave the man a grin. "Then you're really in for a big surprise.” ~Sarah J. Maas, Crown of Midnight *This book DOES contain cussing, of sorts and sexual refrences* I read this book once it came out, I adored it. Celeana, has won the champion competition. Yet, she is having an (love) affair with Prince Dorian. She battles between her heart, whether it shall be Chaol or Dorian. Though, she is one female, who will not back down. As she powers through all the men, dissing her, and hating her she goes through much development! *Spoilers ahead!* Chaol, sends Celeana off, to a land of fae's which killed me. *End of spoilers!* This series has made me so.... happy. It's just a bunch of joy I love. ~Kasia

August 1, 2013
Grades 7-12 Now that Celaena Sardothian is safely ensconced as the king's assassin, after Throne of Glass (2012), she's begun to consider the true price of her freedom. Tasked with killing her tyrant king's enemies, Celaena has a tricky balance to strike: proving her loyalty and preserving her life, and trusting the growing voices decrying the king's power-hungry schemes. But that balance crumbles with an unexpected death and a frenzied search for both the killer and the secrets that murder was meant to hide. Meanwhile, Celaena finds herself in the midst of a steamy love triangle, with jealous glares flying almost as fast as her own daggers. There's a lot to like in Maas' latestmagic, witches, betrayal, love, page-flipping actionand it's balanced by an equally tantalizing secret: Who is Celaena, and what is she hiding? It's probably best to start at the beginning of the series, and fans will be satisfied not only by the intricate plot, dishy romance, and rich world building but they will be thrilled by the prospect of deepening adventures in the next volume. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Author tours, conference appearances, social-media campaigns, global marketing: this up-and-coming author will be making the rounds. Expect her large online fan base to follow.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)