Crown of Midnight

"When trouble strikes, head to the library. You will either be able to solve the problem, or simply have something to read as the world crashes down on you."

Writer : Sarah Janet Mass.

Genre : Fantasy.
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing.
Originally published on 15th August 2013.
Review on Goodreads : 4.4/5.

This is the second novel in Throne of glass series after Throne of glass. Celaena Sardothien won the competition and now she is the King's puppet, or so they think! She is ordered to kill the people who the King thinks are obstacles for him and his empire. Innocent merchants, courtiers and common people will die by her hand if she doesn't find a way out of it.

On the other hand, Celaena and Nehemia are fast friends and often spends time with each other. Nehemia would teach ancient wyrdmarks to her in the morning before Celaena's practise with Chaol. Celaena is ordered to assassin courtesan named Archer Finn by the King within a month. Celaena and Archer were friends before she was sent to Endovier and decides to extract some rebel information from him before assassination.

Meanwhile, there is some thick air between Chaol and Dorian about Celaena. Prince Hollin is home from school for vacation and a fair is being organized for him. Dorian gifts a Asterion horse to Chaol as his birthday gift and Celaena organizes a small dinner in a garden for him.

Celaena leaves the Glass Castle on her parent's death anniversary and spends the whole day in the jungle replaying memories. Chaol is worried about her and waits for her in her room the whole day. Later Dorian discovers that he has magic in his veins and can use it while others can't. The King informs Chaol about a death threat on Nehemia's life and ordered him to keep it a secret from Celaena.

Celaena finds that Chaol is kidnapped by rebel group and goes to rescue him in a warehouse in the slums. She discovers that Archer is a part of rebel group and that Nehemia's life is in danger and that Chaol is responsible for that. Chaol tries to explain the King's order but she runs to the castle to save Nehemia but finds her dead with her guard's throat slit from ear to ear.

Celaena is thrown in dungeon for attacking Chaol and later is in room arrest. But she decides to avenge Nehemia and kills the assassin who killed her after extracting all information about the kill. She finds out that one of the royal advisor has hired that assassin to kill Nehemia.

While cleaning Nehemia's room, she finds a riddle about not trusting a symbol. On the other hand, Dorian is struggling to hide his magic from all and often spends his time in library looking for information about magic. Celaena decides to talk to Nehemia by opening a Wyrdgate. King Gavin (first King of Adarlan) visits Dorian in his dreams and informs him to stop his friend, otherwise she will die. Celaena, Chaol, Dorian and Fleetfoot fights unspoken horrors of hell. Celaena finds the real culprit of Nehemia's death and kills him and throws his pieces in gutter.

Chaol has arranged a trip for Celaena to Wendlyn after knowing her heritage. She is being sent to kill the Royal Ashryver family by the King's order. She makes an unbreakable vow to Nehemia to see her kingdom free from the evil king. She gives Chaol a clue of her real identity, her real heritage, her glory, her birthright before going to other continent.

Can Chaol solve the clue? Will he accept Celaena after knowing her truth?

Some of my favourite quotes from this novel

1. "You remind me of what the world ought to be. What the world can be." - Celaena Sardothien.

2. "Some things you hear with your ears. Others, you hear with your hear." - Nehemia Ytger.

3. 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.

Celaena was the lost Queen of Terrasen.Chaol sank to his knees. - Chaol Westfall.

4. If they wanted Adarlan's Assassin, they'd get her. And Wyrd help them when she arrived.

Introduction to the characters:

1. Celaena Sardothien.