After thoroughly enjoying Throne of Glass, I went into Crown of Midnight expecting another solid fantasy adventure. What I got was something entirely more intense, heartbreaking, and riveting. Sarah J. Maas takes the foundations she laid in the first book and builds something bolder, darker, and far more emotional.

In my review of Throne of Glass, I mentioned how Celaena Sardothien’s sharp wit and fierce personality made her an instantly captivating protagonist. In Crown of Midnight, she becomes so much more than a skilled assassin or a survivor. She’s raw and complex, navigating the weight of secrets, betrayals, and a growing awareness of her place in a kingdom riddled with corruption. Her decisions in this book feel heavier, her victories sharper, and her losses more devastating.

What struck me most about this sequel is how much Maas leans into the moral gray areas. Nothing in this story is black-and-white, and that’s where it shines. Celaena is constantly walking a fine line between loyalty and rebellion, justice and vengeance. It makes her choices feel urgent and real, and as a reader, you’re left grappling with the same questions she is.

The plot in Crown of Midnight also ramps up significantly, weaving intrigue, romance, and tragedy into a tapestry that’s impossible to look away from. There are twists that genuinely shocked me, and the emotional stakes reach new heights. Maas isn’t afraid to break your heart, and she does it with precision. This book is proof that she knows how to balance action-packed sequences with moments of raw vulnerability.

And then there’s the romance. Where Throne of Glass flirted with the idea of romantic entanglements, Crown of Midnight dives headfirst into them. Without giving too much away, I’ll just say that the relationships in this book feel more grounded and complex. They’re not just there for the sake of drama; they’re integral to the characters’ growth and the larger story.

One of the most exciting things about this book is how much it expands the world of Erilea. Maas begins to pull back the curtain on the deeper magical elements, and it’s tantalizing. You can feel the promise of something even bigger on the horizon, and it’s thrilling to see the pieces falling into place.

Throne of Glass was a strong start, but Crown of Midnight is where the series truly takes flight. It’s darker, richer, and so much more emotionally gripping. If you’re not already hooked on this series, this is the book that will seal the deal. Maas has a knack for raising the stakes while keeping the story deeply personal, and I’m already eager to dive into the next installment.