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A review by siesssie
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
4.0
1st read: 4 ★
2nd read: 4 ★
Crown of Midnight was everything this sequel needed to be. It was more mature, complex, and well-crafted. The writing was stronger, the story richer, and the world-building started to take on a beautiful form. The dialogue, which I struggled with in[b: Throne of Glass|76703559] was a pleasure to read in comparison. It felt truer, like it shed a sense of pretense and simply was.
Celaena killing Archer was a pivotal moment for her character. I can't emphasize enough how much I loved this decision by Maas. I'm incredibly tired of the trope of having to save awful people for the sake of « not tarnishing one's soul even further ». I almost ripped out my hair when she was about to spare him. Celaena is an assassin, cunning and powerful. She can't hold this title, be who she is, and shy away from the ugliness that comes with the territory (which she doesn't). Her mercifulness and humanity are important to her, and they're what make her such a compelling character. She finds balance in the grey areas, has her morals, but also knows when certain lines need to be crossed.
Nehemia's death was so bittersweet. We understand why she had to die, and reading that conversation with Elena was soul-crushing. But without her sacrifice, the story wouldn't have the same impact. Wherever you are, sweet lotus, I hope you're at peace.
Chaol was less annoying than I remembered but still insufferable in certain aspects. His desire for a dutiful wife in Celaena, projecting his wishes into his dreams, only showed how little he understood her. I'm not judging him for wanting that future, but for thinking it would be with Celaena. It hurt that he didn’t have the clairvoyance to realize his deepest desires weren’t compatible with her, who he most cherishes. He also has a long road of growth ahead of him, which he started in this book. I just hope I can read along without wanting to pluck out my eyeballs.
(I’m so happy there was no love triangle. Celaena ended things with Dorian for both their sakes. Only allowed herself to be with Chaol when she couldn’t deny her true feelings any longer.)
Dorian, my baby, reading you be so emotionally strong when letting Celaena go, and not be this pitiful man with a toxic mentality was everything.
I also can't wait to continue to watch you grow. You were more fleshed out in this book, became pivotal to the plot, gained agency from only being a love interest or a tool to your crown. You've stuck to your principles from the start. Growing up surrounded by such evil, resisting the conditioning, and finding the right path on your own truly shows how resilient and beautiful of a being you are. Now it's time to do more than just believe. Embrace your magic. Take good care of Fleetfoot.
2nd read: 4 ★
”Celaena Sardothien wasn't in league with Aelin Ashryver Galathynius.
Celaena Sardothien was Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, heir to the throne and rightful Queen of Terrasen.”
Crown of Midnight was everything this sequel needed to be. It was more mature, complex, and well-crafted. The writing was stronger, the story richer, and the world-building started to take on a beautiful form. The dialogue, which I struggled with in[b: Throne of Glass|76703559] was a pleasure to read in comparison. It felt truer, like it shed a sense of pretense and simply was.
”To escape death, she'd become death.”
“Never forgive, never forget.”
Celaena killing Archer was a pivotal moment for her character. I can't emphasize enough how much I loved this decision by Maas. I'm incredibly tired of the trope of having to save awful people for the sake of « not tarnishing one's soul even further ». I almost ripped out my hair when she was about to spare him. Celaena is an assassin, cunning and powerful. She can't hold this title, be who she is, and shy away from the ugliness that comes with the territory (which she doesn't). Her mercifulness and humanity are important to her, and they're what make her such a compelling character. She finds balance in the grey areas, has her morals, but also knows when certain lines need to be crossed.
Nehemia's death was so bittersweet. We understand why she had to die, and reading that conversation with Elena was soul-crushing. But without her sacrifice, the story wouldn't have the same impact. Wherever you are, sweet lotus, I hope you're at peace.
Chaol was less annoying than I remembered but still insufferable in certain aspects. His desire for a dutiful wife in Celaena, projecting his wishes into his dreams, only showed how little he understood her. I'm not judging him for wanting that future, but for thinking it would be with Celaena. It hurt that he didn’t have the clairvoyance to realize his deepest desires weren’t compatible with her, who he most cherishes. He also has a long road of growth ahead of him, which he started in this book. I just hope I can read along without wanting to pluck out my eyeballs.
(I’m so happy there was no love triangle. Celaena ended things with Dorian for both their sakes. Only allowed herself to be with Chaol when she couldn’t deny her true feelings any longer.)
Dorian, my baby, reading you be so emotionally strong when letting Celaena go, and not be this pitiful man with a toxic mentality was everything.
I also can't wait to continue to watch you grow. You were more fleshed out in this book, became pivotal to the plot, gained agency from only being a love interest or a tool to your crown. You've stuck to your principles from the start. Growing up surrounded by such evil, resisting the conditioning, and finding the right path on your own truly shows how resilient and beautiful of a being you are. Now it's time to do more than just believe. Embrace your magic. Take good care of Fleetfoot.