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Natalie Monroe's Reviews > Crown of Midnight
Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)
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Natalie Monroe's review
bookshelves: derp-moments, great-start-hated-the-rest, hate-the-characters-hate-the-book, i-should-ve-said-no, i-spy-something-pointy, my-what-a-coincidence, not-as-good-as-i-expected, not-worth-the-hype, protagonists-i-want-to-laser-face, your-spesual-is-showing, when-sparks-don-t-fly
Jul 17, 2015
bookshelves: derp-moments, great-start-hated-the-rest, hate-the-characters-hate-the-book, i-should-ve-said-no, i-spy-something-pointy, my-what-a-coincidence, not-as-good-as-i-expected, not-worth-the-hype, protagonists-i-want-to-laser-face, your-spesual-is-showing, when-sparks-don-t-fly
2.5 stars
Answer me something. How can this—
—and this—
—possibly be the same person?
I teetered between liking and hating Calaena while reading. Mostly hating. I can handle the shoes and shopping because a girl has the right to look damn good while disemboweling enemies. (Fun fact: Calaena finally acts like a real assassin in this installment)
But leaving her post to dance?
I'm going to say it one more time to let it sink in. The world's greatest assassin left. Her. Fucking. Post. To. Dance.
It's such a transparent attempt to squeeze in a moonlit waltz between Chaol and Calaena, I want to laugh.
I'm Team Dorian, by the way. Just putting that out there. Chaol is an overprotective fucknuckle who can suck it.
Calaena still does stupid crap, like exploring without backup or sufficient research. Her obsession with chocolate cake is goddamn annoying. It's too cutesy and feels like Maas's trying too hard. Each time it came up, I felt like paraphrasing Amy from Gone Girl: No one fucking likes chocolate cake that much.
Midway, as I was finally warming up to Calaena, she turns into an uber Mary Sue. (view spoiler)
I originally warmed up to Calaena because of Maas's excellent portrayal of loss and depression. It's not resolved in a chapter or two; it's an underlining theme that affects the latter half of the book. I especially like that (view spoiler)
I also liked Dorian's (view spoiler) subplot. It's one of the few things in Crown of Midnight that made me sit up, and partially why I think he'd be good with Calaena: ice and fire.
He's a way better love interest and friend. I don't care if it's planet-aligning true love, you don't sneak around with your best friend's ex-girlfriend. *cough*Chaol*cough* I especially like the part where Dorian sees them dancing and chooses to let her go. It was a sweet, poignant moment. And put me firmly on his side, even though I'm destined to lose.
Ah, well.
A Court of Thorns and Roses is amazing and I will definitely check out anything else Maas writes, but this series is a disappointing mess.
My review of Throne of Glass
My review of Heir of Fire
My review of Queen of Shadows
Answer me something. How can this—
"She tipped her head back and gave the moon a wicked smile. She'd been called Adarlan's assassin for a reason. Dramatic entrances were practically her art form."
—and this—
"Curled on the couch beside Chaol, Calaena took a sip of her tea and frowned. "Can't you hire a servant like Philippa, so we can have someone bring us treats?"
—possibly be the same person?
I teetered between liking and hating Calaena while reading. Mostly hating. I can handle the shoes and shopping because a girl has the right to look damn good while disemboweling enemies. (Fun fact: Calaena finally acts like a real assassin in this installment)
But leaving her post to dance?
I'm going to say it one more time to let it sink in. The world's greatest assassin left. Her. Fucking. Post. To. Dance.
It's such a transparent attempt to squeeze in a moonlit waltz between Chaol and Calaena, I want to laugh.
I'm Team Dorian, by the way. Just putting that out there. Chaol is an overprotective fucknuckle who can suck it.
Calaena still does stupid crap, like exploring without backup or sufficient research. Her obsession with chocolate cake is goddamn annoying. It's too cutesy and feels like Maas's trying too hard. Each time it came up, I felt like paraphrasing Amy from Gone Girl: No one fucking likes chocolate cake that much.
Midway, as I was finally warming up to Calaena, she turns into an uber Mary Sue. (view spoiler)
I originally warmed up to Calaena because of Maas's excellent portrayal of loss and depression. It's not resolved in a chapter or two; it's an underlining theme that affects the latter half of the book. I especially like that (view spoiler)
I also liked Dorian's (view spoiler) subplot. It's one of the few things in Crown of Midnight that made me sit up, and partially why I think he'd be good with Calaena: ice and fire.
He's a way better love interest and friend. I don't care if it's planet-aligning true love, you don't sneak around with your best friend's ex-girlfriend. *cough*Chaol*cough* I especially like the part where Dorian sees them dancing and chooses to let her go. It was a sweet, poignant moment. And put me firmly on his side, even though I'm destined to lose.
Ah, well.
A Court of Thorns and Roses is amazing and I will definitely check out anything else Maas writes, but this series is a disappointing mess.
My review of Throne of Glass
My review of Heir of Fire
My review of Queen of Shadows
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Reading Progress
July 17, 2015
– Shelved
July 17, 2015
– Shelved as:
to-read
November 8, 2015
–
Started Reading
"
"
"
November 15, 2015
–
29.0%
"If I had to choose a team, I'd choose Dorian. Chaol is a really shitty friend.
"
"
November 17, 2015
–
35.0%
"Calaena makes it very hard to like her sometimes. Case in point, leaving her post to dance.
"
"
November 18, 2015
–
51.0%
"Calaena and Chaol bore me. Give me Dorian. (Btw, I was right. Calaena broke up with Dorian in the first book, so C/C could happen.)
"
"
November 28, 2015
–
52.0%
""Chaol's eyes flashed. "Only a coward captures men the way you did,"
"A coward? Or a pragmatist?"
Bronn approves."
"A coward? Or a pragmatist?"
Bronn approves."
"
December 7, 2015
–
75.0%
""All around, Yellowleg's image danced in the mirrors, a thousand possibilities for where she could be standing, watching, waiting."
Naruto flashbacks.
"
Naruto flashbacks.
"
"
December 9, 2015
–
Finished Reading
December 10, 2015
– Shelved as:
derp-moments
December 10, 2015
– Shelved as:
great-start-hated-the-rest
December 10, 2015
– Shelved as:
hate-the-characters-hate-the-book
December 10, 2015
– Shelved as:
i-should-ve-said-no
December 10, 2015
– Shelved as:
i-spy-something-pointy
December 10, 2015
– Shelved as:
my-what-a-coincidence
December 10, 2015
– Shelved as:
not-as-good-as-i-expected
December 10, 2015
– Shelved as:
not-worth-the-hype
December 10, 2015
– Shelved as:
protagonists-i-want-to-laser-face
December 10, 2015
– Shelved as:
your-spesual-is-showing
December 10, 2015
– Shelved as:
when-sparks-don-t-fly
Comments Showing 51-88 of 88 (88 new)
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This review was so comforting to read. I really do not get the hype with Celaena really, she is literally Mary Sue. Wait till you read Heir of Fire. Everyone falls in love with Calaena.
I am glad to know, that I wasn't the only one who didn't enjoyed this book as much as everyonelse, I gave it a 2.5 (rounded to 3) star becaus I like it slightly more than the first book, but so far this series hasn't been my cup of tea, does it gets better? I wonder if I should continue on with serie.
@Sakina I did read HoF and QoS. Everyone needs to form an orderly line to crawl out of Aelin's ass.@Aranza Manon appears in Heir of Fire and she's a delight. But no, it doesn't really get better. :P
Great review, Natalie!
Nenia ✨ Queen of Literary Trash, Protector of Out-of-Print Gems, Khaleesi of Bodice Rippers, Mother of Smut, the Unrepentant, Breaker of Convention ✨ wrote: "Great review, Natalie!"Thanks!
Could not agree more.
I agree with all your statements!!! So true
Chaol is an overprotective fucknuckle who can suck it. Yas!!! Took the words right out of my mouth!
How is she doing her job, when she's letting EVERYBODY live? And nobody finds out, and everybody agrees on her terms, and flees in secret, no attempt to rally friends and family to protect them? These were influential people. This is just so unrealistic that I'm sorry, I don't buy it.
Finally a bad comment
I'm team Dorian too
Celaena is so unbelievably unbearable to me, I had such a hard time getting through this book. She is a cocky, selfish, priss who does nothing but talk big and waste time sleeping with Chaol. At this point I’m only hanging on for Dorian.
Amy wrote: "Celaena is so unbelievably unbearable to me, I had such a hard time getting through this book. She is a cocky, selfish, priss who does nothing but talk big and waste time sleeping with Chaol. At th..."Heir of Fire is tolerable because of Manon.
Hahaha!! God I'm laughing half way through your review!! Btw I loved Chaol but this book made me Love Dorian too!! And I too was annoyed with Celaena's stupid decisions. And I kind of suspected she'll be way from novellas because it's a very fae like to lose yourself in music so I was expecting and wanting it :)Woah I like that ice and fire line! May I use it ? 🙈
Yes, Dorian is very strong. He has shown he truly does love Celaena. ❤️
I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it. I hope you enjoy other books
Beenish wrote: "Woah I like that ice and fire line! May I use it ? "Go ahead!
THIS REVIEW IS EVERYTHING. Calaena = Dumb AF, Chaol= Terrible AF, Dorian = Amazing AF.
Kimmy wrote: "THIS REVIEW IS EVERYTHING. Calaena = Dumb AF, Chaol= Terrible AF, Dorian = Amazing AF."
<3
Hang on a sec, Wasn't Celeana the one who wasn't killing all those inoccent people and still putting up with Choal and Dorians shocked and disheartendness? Wasn't she the one who kept the girl from book one who tried to drug her aliv? Wasnt she the one who gave Choal and Archer another chance? Wasnt she the one who suffered so much but still kept going?Celeana is basically the best person you can be! The books really made you feel for the characters and I even cried when Nehemi dies!!!
Ilove this author, I love this book, I love the series.
Why did u give it a 2.5 only!
You wenton and on about how you hate Celeana and Love Dorian but doesnt that tell you something? You obviously enjoyed this book to feel for the charatersand even right a review for it.
I am just saying....
Anonymous wrote: "Hang on a sec, Wasn't Celeana the one who wasn't killing all those inoccent people and still putting up with Choal and Dorians shocked and disheartendness? Wasn't she the one who kept the girl from..."Write your own review if you love Caleana so much then.
I want her with Price Dorian as well.
I know I am 6 years later for this review, but I just finished this and these are my feelings. And thank you for writing them.
Ad Astra wrote: "I know I am 6 years later for this review, but I just finished this and these are my feelings. And thank you for writing them."Your feelings are validated. ;)
I’m confused why you were upset by celaena’s magic but okay with dorian’s? Isn’t maas being “greedy” there by making him a prince and magical? Just my thoughts anyway. Interesting to see someone else’s perspective
Amanda wrote: "I’m confused why you were upset by celaena’s magic but okay with dorian’s? Isn’t maas being “greedy” there by making him a prince and magical? Just my thoughts anyway. Interesting to see someone el..."Maas is very much greedy, yeah. She has a thing for hot, powerful characters. All of the cast are attractive and magical.
We all know that she doesn’t end up with neither of them, but honestly she doesn’t deserve either of them. First with Dorian she was all like “I only have eyes for him he’s so beautiful BLA BLA BLA” and as soon as she won the Championship she was like “idc we can’t be together bye” and didn’t even give a SINGLE thought about him while he was mourning her all through this book. Then came Chaol and became “He makes me so happy I found a home finally after all these years BLA BLA BLA” and suddenly tries to KILL him because yes, he didn’t tell her Nehemia was in danger, but Celaena also had a lot of secrets that she kept from him. And honestly I liked him a lot because whereas Dorian said her scares were horrible, probably because he never had to deal with physical damage and degradation such as Celaena, Chaol was always touching her scars and body whenever they were together and I think he understood her better in that way than Dorian. But what really bothers me is that she didn’t care about Dorian at all and was avoiding him all the time until Nehemia died and then she’s back with being with him????? Wtf??? And Chaol can just Fuck off and died when he supposedly was “her home”? That bothered me a lot, and even Dorian be like “don’t care about Chaol finally have her with me”???? He’s ur best friend wtf???? It’s not about Chaol “stealing her” because we all know that Caleana was the one who treated Dorian like shit and Chaol tried to maintain his distance from her for RESPECT for Dorian and she was the one who always tried to be closer to Chaol. She played with both of their feelings and for me it’s a really shitty thing to do. They’re better without her and her “dramas” of not knowing tf she wants.
Hard agree, Dorian > Chaol
Agree, agree and agree. Amongst all the 5 star reviews I thought I was alone. Dorian > Chaol all the way and I find Chaol so unlikeable. And Cel and Chaol so unlikeable together mostly because I felt bad for Dorian 😂
Y'all crazy. Chaol is the damaged goods any woman wants to have. Chaol > Dorian. But that's just me coming off book 4.
Um, I enjoy chocolate cake that much. 🤣 I jest as I’m struggling with getting through this book at all.
Late to the game, but... Team Dorian and I just know I'm going down with the fucking ship and I hate this series even before that "sigh*
Same! I felt like she couldn't blend girly with assassin very well. It can be done but it was not executed good in this. Also *Team Dorian* over here, too!
Finally, someone who gets me. This series has been thoroughly disappointing for me.
Omg. Ok finally someone who gets it! I LOVED ACOTAR. I wanted to get back in the « maasverse» for the characters development and the romance. But… seriously I can’t with that one. TOG was fine. But I just feel frustrated with Crown of midnight. The way she treats Dorian? For Choal?! Girl, literally, there is a prince, super handsome who GETS YOU A PUPPY!!!!! A puppy!!! He’s nice, he’s your friend, he is funny. And you say no for a dude who just criticizes you and who’s the opposite of funny!? Nooooo. No. No. Not into it. Sarah did our boy Dorian so dirty. I’m not sure I even want to pursue with the series. Now Celaena just annoys me.
Celaena was so head over heels for Dorian in book one, I saw the set up for their romance in the first few chapters of TOG. The Assassin and The Crown Prince and now she’s all “It was always chaol, just him right from the beginning. My home and my loveee!” LIKE HUH. The chemistry between her and Dorian was what was there from the start imo??? I guess I just don’t like the dramatically over done paragraphs about Chaol being her everything, all that romantic sap just to have her attempt murdering him and him constantly being afraid and un accepting of who she is- maybe that was supposed to be heart breaking for me but it just wasn’t. The buildup to her and Chaol getting together didn’t feel right either. I fr thought this book was going to revolve around her and Dorian who I LOVE. He deserves better ;-;
Really liked your POV after reading. I don’t feel as passionately as you do about some of these points but agree it’s not Maas’ best series. Crescent City is where my heart lies. But! Wanted to comment and say I am 100% Team Dorian!! I agree Chaol is just soooo irritating. I want them to surprise everyone and just drop the love interest but I know it wouldn’t ever happen. Thanks for reviewing!!
FINALLY SOMEONE WHO IS TEAM DORIAN. This review made me laugh my ass off especially “overprotective fuckknuckle” I was also incredibly overwhelmed by all of the lore that was dropped in the literal last 20 pages of the book like you said, fae, lost princess, heir to the throne, pick one and dive into it! I got angry so many times in this book. Also didn’t like how chaol discovered all of this from a genealogy book very shortly after learning everything about the wyrd shit(which wasn’t even direct quotes it was literally paraphrased which irked me even more) anyways yeah.
Ex..."
Why are raid fans always have to be this shitty?