infjkiki'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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Murder, Violence, Body horror, Death, Grief, Torture, Slavery, and Gore
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
carlyjoann'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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Toxic friendship
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
neko_reads'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
4.5
by the last 150ish pages its safe to say I was a little obsessed. Not kidding the climax of the book had me so mad and celebratory at the same time I was screaming about it lmao
Also the CHARACTERS how am I supposed to choose between dorian and chaol when their both such amazing characters?
Just wasn't enough to be a 5 star BUT it was close.
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Slavery, Grief, and Violence
Minor: Vomit and Sexual assault
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
meredith_williams_'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
Graphic: Death, Gore, Grief, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content and Vomit
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
eberzy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Grief
alisonreadsitall's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It may have been all the subconscious stuff I’ve seen on bookstagram over the years, but I’m typically really good at avoiding spoilers so I’ll spare you any spoilers here.
Anyway- read this book. This series is great. 🙌🏼 Celaena is still a badass. 💪🏼🗡️ Chaol is everything. 😍🥰 Dorian is also precious.🥹
Graphic: Gore and Grief