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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 1-50 of 88 (88 new)
message 1:
by
Lauren
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Nov 09, 2015 05:24AM
OH MY GOSH! I JUST FINISHED READING THIS! Dude, you're gonna cry so much :(
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Lauren wrote: "OH MY GOSH! I JUST FINISHED READING THIS! Dude, you're gonna cry so much :("BRING ON THE FEELS.
oh dear. now ill have to let my friend know that this book has mixed reviews.i havent seen her with her copy for a while...
Bails_Williams wrote: "oh dear. now ill have to let my friend know that this book has mixed reviews.i havent seen her with her copy for a while..."
I tried really hard. But Calaena and her Mary Sueness—Ugh.
I swear this series gets better. Will you be continuing?
I remember you like the first book?
Seeing you read this book inspired me to re-write my old Throne of Glass review, and now it is my best review (or I should say the one I'm most proud of). Thank you for inspiring us all ~~~
@Ally Don't worry, I will! A friend of mine gave me Queen of Shadows and it's proving excellent motivation. :P@Buddy Boy 2.0 I'll find the actual gif for my review. XD
@Mizuki Nah, I hated it. I really liked A Court of Thorns and Roses, so I thought I'd give this series another chance. Baaaad decision.
@Helen Aw, you're welcome! I should probably rewrite mine too. It was from before I started reviewing properly. :P
@Natalie: Oh, I must have remembered wrongly. LOL
Actually your ship is the canon ship and Chaol shippers are destined to lose
And I also just found out that ACOTAR is becoming a movie, which makes me very excited, even though I haven't read it yet! :D
The world's greatest assassin left. Her. Fucking. Post. To. Dance.*groans* what an idiot.
If I got it right, Celaena is an assassin, and a good one, but all these the most, the better, the deadlier stuff is rumor that Arobynn was spreading to intimidate his enemies and to attract potential clients. In fact, she wasn't that eager to kill people. You'll find more about her past in the next book (which was boring like hell for me, but I think to reread it, Queen of Shadows made me to reconsider)).
Thought I was the only who didn't like this sequel; no matter what people thought of the first book they all rave about this one. Great review.
@Duanur I'm a little perturbed by all these guys vying for Calaena. Bella Swan much?@Mikaela Oh my God, really!? That's amazing news! And please read it! It's what changed my mind about Maas. XD
@Mizuki I can't even with her idiocy.
@Katerina Ah, I see. But my problem is Calaena herself keeps bragging she's the world's greatest assassin. Which falls flat again and again.
@Sarah I know, right? EVERYONE loves Crown of Midnight. They told me the series gets better in this installment. They lied.
@Natalie:Even as a mere assassin and NOT a self-proclaimed world greatest assassin, leaving her post for dancing is still unacceptable.
Natalie wrote: "@Duanur I'm a little perturbed by all these guys vying for Calaena. Bella Swan much?
@Mikaela Oh my God, really!? That's amazing news! And please read it! It's what changed my mind about Maas. XD
..."
I own it and I'm super excited to read it. I have a lot of books to read to get there though.
@Mikaela Oh my God, really!? That's amazing news! And please read it! It's what changed my mind about Maas. XD
..."
I own it and I'm super excited to read it. I have a lot of books to read to get there though.
Natalie wrote: "@Duanur I'm a little perturbed by all these guys vying for Calaena. Bella Swan much?@Mikaela Oh my God, really!? That's amazing news! And please read it! It's what changed my mind about Maas. XD
..."
Ah, that. She's just... arrogant foolish girl. I know someone who would beat this crap out of her xDDD
Natalie -- Yeah, I was the same with my own review. When I re-read it I thought it sounded a bit too immature and ranty, so I tried to make my points clearer and avoid just typing out all of my inner rage.
Yay! Welcome to Team Dorian. He's literally my favourite character in this series. Based on your review, I'm not too sure if you'll be continuing this series, but Dorian has such amazing moments in Heir of Fire so maybe eventually attempt to read it for that if nothing else. Also Calaena's grief is a very important part of the next book too. She literally hits rock bottom emotionally and very slowly learns to pick herself up again. Also, training. Thankfully her other "talents" are not just immediately dropped in her lap. She has to train for it a lot.
Coffee & Books Inc. wrote: "Yay! Welcome to Team Dorian. He's literally my favourite character in this series. Based on your review, I'm not too sure if you'll be continuing this series, but Dorian has such amazing moments in..."Dorian deserves more love. And I will! I have Queen of Shadows in paperback and I'm reading up to it. :P
I agree! I just read the book and thougt the same things u wrote here.
Liesbeth wrote: "I agree! I just read the book and thougt the same things u wrote here."Welcome to the club! XD
I still have to read this one, and after reading The Assassin's Blade I got my hopes up again for this series. But now, I'm not so sure! I'm definitely Team Dorian (after Sam, of course) and I've heard this book is a great one for Chaol and Celaena shippers, so I don't even know if I'll be able to stand them.Lovely review! <3
Rache wrote: "I still have to read this one, and after reading The Assassin's Blade I got my hopes up again for this series. But now, I'm not so sure! I'm definitely Team Dorian (after Sam, of course) and I've h..."The infamous Sam! I've heard so much about him. I have to read The Assassin's Blade sometime. :P
Natalie wrote: "Rache wrote: "I still have to read this one, and after reading The Assassin's Blade I got my hopes up again for this series. But now, I'm not so sure! I'm definitely Team Dorian (after Sam, of cour..."Some people told me I had to read The Assassin's Blade before Crown of Midnight, I have no idea why, but you should read that book as soon as you can!
I loved Celaena in that book, unlike in Throne of Glass. And Sam. Oh they're the ultimate OTP.
You must. Read it.
I am total team Dorian too, and it is so annoying how she completely ignores him throughout this novel (or at least so far).
Ashley wrote: "I am total team Dorian too, and it is so annoying how she completely ignores him throughout this novel (or at least so far)."I knoooow. I hear Heir of Fire is better on C/D shippers though.
I'm team Dorian too, and I didn't want to read this book, because I knew she's gonna go with Chaol, and I hated her ever since she rejected Dorian. And honestly Your review is voicing all my doubts about continuing with series.
Dana wrote: "I'm team Dorian too, and I didn't want to read this book, because I knew she's gonna go with Chaol, and I hated her ever since she rejected Dorian. And honestly Your review is voicing all my doubts..."I recently finished Queen of Shadows and I now know for sure I will never like Calaena. Something about her just rubs me the wrong way.
I'm actually enjoying this series, but I definitely agree with everything you've mentioned about Dorian. I really like his character development in book two; the magic aspect magic aspect is intriguing and I loved seeing him grow into his power as Prince too (aka finally getting gutsy enough to stand up to the king). Seeing him deal with a little jealousy and heartbreak also made him interesting and real. He's a well-rounded character. I think Chaol's over-protectiveness throws me off.
Dani wrote: "I'm actually enjoying this series, but I definitely agree with everything you've mentioned about Dorian. I really like his character development in book two; the magic aspect magic aspect is intrig..."Dorian is bae.
I agree with you completely! I totally heart Dorian, he's awesome aaanndd a Prince, also hot. I feel like Celaena picking Chaol is just to force the storyline to show that she's all special and different enough to not pick a prince.
Celeste wrote: "I agree with you completely! I totally heart Dorian, he's awesome aaanndd a Prince, also hot. I feel like Celaena picking Chaol is just to force the storyline to show that she's all special and dif..."I never thought of it that way. You have a good point. Plus, Maas said Throne of Glass started off as a Cinderella retelling.
Natalie wrote: "I never thought of it that way. You have a good point. Plus, Maas said Throne of Glass started off as a Cinderella retelling. "I read that somewhere. You can really tell, especially in TOG. It's like Celaena's two different characters. The book keeps going on about how great of an assassin she is and there will be parts where she stops and thinks to herself about how easy it would be to kill characters she has no reason to kill, just to tell you how skilled and ready she is, but the other half of the time it's like the book is ashamed that she's an assassin. I remember reading a scene in TOG where Dorian insinuated that she'd killed for money (what with that being what an assassin does and all) and she gets so offended she tosses him out of the room and he has to come back and apologize for saying such a thing. I was like whaaaaa???
I mean, I get being conflicted about killing (I suppose) but you were bragging and throwing it in everyone's face about how much you enjoy it and when someone else says the same, you get offended???
Shelby wrote: "Natalie wrote: "I never thought of it that way. You have a good point. Plus, Maas said Throne of Glass started off as a Cinderella retelling. "I read that somewhere. You can really tell, especial..."
Yeah, she contradicts herself a lot.
It is a bit strange. She is the most un-assassin assassin I've read. I'm not a hundred percent convinced she is conflicted, I know she's meant to be when she says she remembers every person shes killed, I just dont believe her.If i were an assassin I'd be pretty damn proud of myself, but thats just me.
It's not just her though, I've noticed it with plenty of the assassins in these books. Like I'm reading Assassin's Blade right now and (view spoiler) And also in Crown of Midnight (view spoiler)
sigh... dorian is amazing. she doesnt deserve him really,
Tabitha wrote: "sigh... dorian is amazing. she doesnt deserve him really,"Agreed. I wish she'd die in a hole somewhere.
that moment when you kind of like a book, but then you read a tough review and you're like: omg you are so right - damn this book! I myself am kind of torn about this book. I like the overall idea, but Celaena and the insane amount of love-triangles are killing me!
While I enjoyed Crown of Midnight, you're completely right about the series. Throne of Glass lacks the sophistication of Sarah's ACOTAR series. Just wait till you get to Empire of Storms. That book reads like fan-fiction, I was seething the entire time I read it. Great review! :)
@Thit I love that gif.@Lorrie Yeah, I've heard. Apparently, it's a huge Rowan/Aelin fest. The only character I'm interested in is Manon, tbh.
I liked Rowan and Aelin in Heir of Fire, but progressively dislike them with every book. Manon is the only reason I didn't DNF EoS. She's such a badass.
Woo hop! Finally someone who put into words, exactly how I was feeling!!
Hannah wrote: "Woo hop! Finally someone who put into words, exactly how I was feeling!!"*sweeping bow*
Yeah I'm like 2 years behind but I just finished this and ugh it frustrated me so much when Celaena and Chaol just constantly keep leaving him behind. He's not a child dammit. He actually has so much potential but they keep ignoring him or not telling him anything. He deserves so much better than her.
^ Regarding Dorian since I realize I never actually wrote out his name oops.
Persassyizdabest wrote: "Yeah I'm like 2 years behind but I just finished this and ugh it frustrated me so much when Celaena and Chaol just constantly keep leaving him behind. He's not a child dammit. He actually has so mu..."I understood who you meant hahaha.
Mr James R Barnes wrote: "fuck wit will you stop fucking searing 1 you are the fool not oh I think we call her aelin not fucking bad assassin oh I hate this comment of yours.ps your a fuck wit"Excuse me, sir, I believe it's "You're a fuckwit."
