Scan barcode
A review by mizchirfmanaged
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
** 4.5 Stars **
SJM took Throne of Glass and said, "You know what? What if we took the formulaic approach like we did with Throne of Glass and completely toss that out the window." and it WORKED. I saw another review that said the first half is kinda slow and exposition-y but then the back half picks up and you can't put the book down. I'd say the back half does more than that, it walks up and b*tch slaps you in the face and you just can't stop reading. That's what happened to me here, although I shouldn't be shocked after knowing about SJM's habit of making the last 100-200 pages making the reader beg for mercy.
We go from 1 dimensional characters in TOG to multi faceted, many of them having to make hard decisions that will affect everyone around them, and so much more. Their relationships are grown and tested. They behave much more like real , believable people who are trapped in a dictatorship and trying their best to walk the tightrope of obeying their king and deciding whether or not to support or join the revolution. We are introduced to new plot points that not only drive this novel, but will drive the rest of the series as well. We seriously go from book 1 reading as a YA novel and potential standalone to book 2 absolutely rocket launching what the rest of the series could be.
My only qualm was that, yes, it was slow to start but it definitely sets us up for a hell of an ending.
Will I re-read? I have to get through the rest of the series first but I definitely see myself picking this up again in the future
Will I continue the series? Hell yea!! already started Heir of Fire :)
SJM took Throne of Glass and said, "You know what? What if we took the formulaic approach like we did with Throne of Glass and completely toss that out the window." and it WORKED. I saw another review that said the first half is kinda slow and exposition-y but then the back half picks up and you can't put the book down. I'd say the back half does more than that, it walks up and b*tch slaps you in the face and you just can't stop reading. That's what happened to me here, although I shouldn't be shocked after knowing about SJM's habit of making the last 100-200 pages making the reader beg for mercy.
We go from 1 dimensional characters in TOG to multi faceted, many of them having to make hard decisions that will affect everyone around them, and so much more. Their relationships are grown and tested. They behave much more like real , believable people who are trapped in a dictatorship and trying their best to walk the tightrope of obeying their king and deciding whether or not to support or join the revolution. We are introduced to new plot points that not only drive this novel, but will drive the rest of the series as well. We seriously go from book 1 reading as a YA novel and potential standalone to book 2 absolutely rocket launching what the rest of the series could be.
My only qualm was that, yes, it was slow to start but it definitely sets us up for a hell of an ending.
Will I re-read? I have to get through the rest of the series first but I definitely see myself picking this up again in the future
Will I continue the series? Hell yea!! already started Heir of Fire :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Blood