After reading "Throne of Glass", I was afraid - terrified - to read its successor, "Crown of Midnight". I thought it would be near impossible for Maas to write a sequel which could be as fantastic as the first book.
I was wrong.
I can tell that "Crown of Midnight" is one of the best books I've ever read. It contains all the elements to make it unique: a daring, humouristic, young, intelligent, arrogant,... heroin, romance, magic, conspiracy and some violence. It's unbelievable how an author can write such a book. There isn't a single thing which isn't really good.
One of my all-time favourites!
Eighteen-year-old Celeana Sardothien is bold, daring and beautiful – the perfect seductress and the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But though she won the King’s contest and became his champion, Celeana has been granted neither her liberty nor the freedom to follow her heart.
The slavery of the suffocating salt mines of Endovier that scarred her past is nothing compared to a life bound to her darkest enemy, a king whose rule is so dark and evil it is near impossible to defy. Celeana faces a choice that is tearing her heart to pieces: kill in cold blood for a man she hates, or risk sentencing those she loves to death.
Celeana must decide what she will fight for: survival, love or the future of a kingdom. Because an assassin cannot have it all... And trying to may just destroy her.
Love or loathe Celeana, she will slice open your heart with her dagger and leave you bleeding long after the last page of the highly anticipated sequel in what is undeniably THE hottest new fantasy series.
The series
In a kingdom torn apart by betrayal, magic, and bloodshed, the story of Throne of Glass unfolds—a tale that draws readers deep into a world where power is the ultimate currency, and survival demands more than just strength.
Read full series description
At its heart is Celaena Sardothien, an assassin with a past shrouded in secrets, pulled from the darkness of a labor camp to compete in a deadly tournament for the king's favor. But her victory comes at a price far steeper than any contract she's ever faced. As she navigates court intrigues, bonds with unlikely allies, and unearths long-forgotten powers, Celaena’s journey is anything but predictable. With each victory, she uncovers deeper mysteries that could unravel the kingdom itself.
The world Maas has created is rich with tension, where politics and magic collide in brutal ways. There’s something inherently captivating about the balance between light and shadow in this universe—a place where the stakes are never just personal. Magic is a forbidden force, its wielders hunted and driven into hiding, while those who dare to hold power will do anything to keep it. Ancient prophecies, shifting alliances, and unyielding ambition form the backdrop of this compelling story, creating an atmosphere that feels both dangerous and mesmerizing.
But it’s not just the world that stands out. The characters, from the complex and morally ambiguous Celaena to the stoic yet compassionate Chaol and the enigmatic Dorian, pulse with life and depth. Their relationships evolve in ways that are unexpected, building a foundation that feels as much about the heart as it is about the struggle for control. And as the series unfolds, each character must come to terms with the choices they’ve made—and the ones they’re yet to face.
With its lush world-building, evocative prose, and thrilling twists, Throne of Glass stands as a brilliant testament to what happens when fantasy embraces both light and darkness. For readers who crave intricate plots, heart-stopping battles, and heroines who refuse to be defined by their circumstances, this series is more than just a journey—it’s a revelation.
What did you think of this book?
Share your experience with other Risingshadow readers.
Reader reviews
1 reviewWhat Risingshadow readers think about this book
