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booksalacarte's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
First read (6/2022)- 3⭐️
Reread (1/2024)-4.5⭐️2.75🌶️
New Adult fantasy romance
Multi POV
Magic
Magical beasts
Fae
Morally grey FMC
Found family
Secret history
Politics
Treason
Rebellion
Closed door romance
The second book started not long after the first, with the King’s Champion taking hits off a list. Only she wasn’t.
I think the incident with the carnival is one of the most vivid memories I have from the whole series. Along with the wearhouse scene. The set up is really great for such a pivotal turning point in Celaena’s journey.
Chaol having to deal with his lawful nature was just as hard to go through the second time as it was the first. His self deprecation after Neimiah died is SO much. He does absolutely nothing and basically disappears for multiple chapters. Why didn’t he fight for her?!
Dorian’s journey in this book is an interesting one. Going from infatuated playboy to someone with their own dark secret was a great arc. But the unresolved attraction Boggs his character down.
The arc with Chaol was beautiful, and devastating. I forgot how intense it was.
I was disappointed that the only diverse main character in the book was used as a tool to further the plot in the way they were. It’s almost like she was becoming too good of a character, more noble than the FMC, and had to be taken out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Confinement, Murder, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
firehearttt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Body horror, Grief, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Minor: War and Sexual content
iloponis's review against another edition
4.0
when i was reading acotar and crescent city, i was under the impression that the throne of glass series was SJM's weakest work and that the first four books weren't that good and i shouldnt bother with the series. who the fuck let me think that? what the fuck? why did i wait this long? i cannot put these books down
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Death, and Blood
infjkiki's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Murder, Violence, Body horror, Death, Grief, Torture, Slavery, and Gore
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
annamary54's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Blood, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture and Vomit
Minor: Sexual content
annahnoyes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This book wrecked me and had me screaming and wanting to throw it across the room so many times. A book that does that is automatically 5-stars in my opinion.
I have seen so many people say how hard the first books are to get through in the beginning of the series, but I couldn't disagree more! If these are "slow" and "not the best", how much better can these books get???
The character development with insight in grief, guilt, love, and friendship, is invaluable. I am absolutely loving seeing how these characters are growing and changing as the story progresses. And the world building, politics, and history! So good.
I decided to read Assassins Blade third, so that's what I'm picking up next. I'm already so attached to the FMC, and I'm concerned that learning her backstory will absolutely break me in the best way possible.
I have seen so many people say how hard the first books are to get through in the beginning of the series, but I couldn't disagree more! If these are "slow" and "not the best", how much better can these books get???
The character development with insight in grief, guilt, love, and friendship, is invaluable. I am absolutely loving seeing how these characters are growing and changing as the story progresses. And the world building, politics, and history! So good.
I decided to read Assassins Blade third, so that's what I'm picking up next. I'm already so attached to the FMC, and I'm concerned that learning her backstory will absolutely break me in the best way possible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gore
Moderate: Death
vereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I'M GLAD I GIVE THIS SERIES ANOTHER CHANCE.
Maas improved his writing and honed everything that didn’t work in the first book, bringing the story forward.
I really enjoyed reading about Celaena’s character in this book. She’s a total badass, and it was amazing to witness her in action. Now I understand why everyone was afraid of her - she’s deadly. This book helped me to see how vulnerable she was when Chaol and Dorian took her out of jail. She’s such a complex character, and I didn’t fully appreciate that in the first book.
The relationship between Chaol and Celaena is natural and realistic. Chaol struggles with his own desires and fears. He tries to remain loyal to the crown and resist the temptation to be with Celaena. Unfortunately, this internal conflict leads him to make poor decisions. Resulting in him losing everything. The dynamic between Chaol and Celaena is reminiscent of Valek and Yelena’s relationship in Poison Study.
Dorian is a character that I had a little affection for. But in this book, he conquered me. At first, his presence doesn’t seem relevant. But, as the story progresses, his subplot takes on a lot of weight.
In the first book, I felt his relationship with Celeana was forced. However, in this book, their relationship is fluid and natural. They forged a meaningful and powerful friendship. They understand each other perfectly.
This book’s unexpected twists and turns pleasantly surprised me. The author’s approach to revealing the major plot twist was cleverly executed. The last pages are an emotional wreck. This secret impacts the relationship of Celeana with one of the other characters, changing the dynamic between them and setting the stage for the next book. It’s brilliant.
Crown of Midnight gets dark and bloody with betrayal, revelations, heartbreaks, twists, and turns. The story is way bigger and more complex than it seems. I’m so eager to get the other book.
Maas improved his writing and honed everything that didn’t work in the first book, bringing the story forward.
I really enjoyed reading about Celaena’s character in this book. She’s a total badass, and it was amazing to witness her in action. Now I understand why everyone was afraid of her - she’s deadly. This book helped me to see how vulnerable she was when Chaol and Dorian took her out of jail. She’s such a complex character, and I didn’t fully appreciate that in the first book.
The relationship between Chaol and Celaena is natural and realistic. Chaol struggles with his own desires and fears. He tries to remain loyal to the crown and resist the temptation to be with Celaena. Unfortunately, this internal conflict leads him to make poor decisions. Resulting in him losing everything. The dynamic between Chaol and Celaena is reminiscent of Valek and Yelena’s relationship in Poison Study.
Dorian is a character that I had a little affection for. But in this book, he conquered me. At first, his presence doesn’t seem relevant. But, as the story progresses, his subplot takes on a lot of weight.
In the first book, I felt his relationship with Celeana was forced. However, in this book, their relationship is fluid and natural. They forged a meaningful and powerful friendship. They understand each other perfectly.
This book’s unexpected twists and turns pleasantly surprised me. The author’s approach to revealing the major plot twist was cleverly executed. The last pages are an emotional wreck. This secret impacts the relationship of Celeana with one of the other characters, changing the dynamic between them and setting the stage for the next book. It’s brilliant.
Crown of Midnight gets dark and bloody with betrayal, revelations, heartbreaks, twists, and turns. The story is way bigger and more complex than it seems. I’m so eager to get the other book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Confinement, Murder, Gore, Kidnapping, Slavery, Sexual content, Death, and Grief
britwalsh16's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It’s not my favorite, but this book has officially gotten me invested in the series!
<spoilers>
I saw her true name coming, there were a lot of hints throughout the book. But the fact that she is fae, was a bit of a surprise, looking back, there were a few hints for that too, but I just missed them cause I was waiting for the name reveal.
But also, Dorian has magic? That was a shocker!!! I can’t wait to see how all the magic plays out!
</spoilers>
<spoilers>
I saw her true name coming, there were a lot of hints throughout the book. But the fact that she is fae, was a bit of a surprise, looking back, there were a few hints for that too, but I just missed them cause I was waiting for the name reveal.
But also, Dorian has magic? That was a shocker!!! I can’t wait to see how all the magic plays out!
</spoilers>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Genocide, Gore, Violence, Blood, Torture, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Stalking, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, Classism, Death, Death of parent, and Slavery
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, Suicide, and Colonisation
Minor: Misogyny, War, Sexual content, and Vomit
christmas_3va's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Death and Gore
ink_bottles_and_quill's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
While I did enjoy the first book it definitely acted as a kind of outline. This is the book where we go a bit deeper and get to know characters and their world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and Gore
Minor: Sexual content