annamary54's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Blood, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture and Vomit
Minor: Sexual content
vereadsbooks's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Confinement, Murder, Gore, Kidnapping, Slavery, Sexual content, Death, and Grief
britwalsh16's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
<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>
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
ladydeathnesta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Hate crime, Body horror, Stalking, War, Abandonment, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Gore, Genocide, Grief, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
ashleynp24's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
The ending did get me bad because I knew something odd was going on with her background but I had no idea she WAS Aelin. That really threw me but I’m so excited to see what happens next. Chaol keeps giving me bad vibes, and I really hope that Dorian gets more involved later on because he’s really starting to grow on me.
Graphic: Death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Body horror, Murder, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Violence
erafact's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Blood, Confinement, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and War
laceylove's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, Grief, Kidnapping, Police brutality, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Child death, Classism, Stalking, Confinement, Genocide, Death of parent, Slavery, Violence, Murder, Rape, and Torture
jcrawford31's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Murder, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Vomit, War, Torture, and Slavery
doraevarga's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I knew from the first time when Aelin was mentioned that it was Celena. I did expect it to happen and I liked how it was revealed at the end.
However, I still don't get what Celena sees in Chaol. Dorian is right there!!! Or am I missing something? I have absolutely no clue what's so interesting about Chaol... someone please explain without spoilers for the coming books.
Anyway, I am glad Celena is gone from both of them and hopefully she will find someone else on this new continent or no one at all because she is better off without these man who only cause her trouble lol.
Also, RIP Nehemia.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Grief, Torture, Death, Blood, Murder, and Violence
dalek_caan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Abandonment, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Excrement, Gore, Grief, Confinement, Colonisation, Genocide, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Vomit, Torture, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Slavery, War, Sexual assault, Self harm, and Rape