Early Review - Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Crown of Midnight

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series: 2nd (Throne of Glass)

Pages: 432

Published: August 27th 2013 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens 

ISBN: 9781619630628

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.  Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice. Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for? 

 I Give This ...

I was in the camp of those who enjoyed Throne of Glass.   I did wonder though were our fearless assassin was because Celaena was hard to picture in that role.  Well hold on because we get her in this book.  This installment pretty much rocked it.

I was curious how Celaena was going to take on the role of the king's assassin.   She may be widely known for her skills, but the person I got to known in the first book is not just going to kill at the king's command.   Interestingly enough, I was not surprised to learn what she's really doing.   She's playing a very dangerous game with the king.  She may not be openly defying him, but this way might be even worse.  So were does the crazy assassin come in?  Some events unfold that lead to the death of someone near and dear to Celaena and she literally goes off the deep end.  I see now were everyone was right to fear her.  Thankfully we get the real Celaena back, although she's a little more damaged and a lot more determined to bring the king down.

I loved Choal throughout this book.  Celaena tests everything he has been lead to believe.  He must decide were his loyalties really lie.   Is Celaena worth risking everything for?  Then we have Dorian.  He sees what's going on between Choal and Celaena.  I was worried that he might be the one to portray them both.  But in the end, he has just as much to hide from his father.   How is it that one women managed to flip these two men on their heads to the point they will defy the man that can kill them all.   

There are also some crazy twists in the story.   Dorian has the power to help lead the revolt, but is he up to the task?  And who is Calaena really?  When its all laid out on the table for us I had all ready put my finger on the truth.  But, it was such a pivotal moment that I couldn't help but love how Choal put it all together.   And how close is the King to discovering how those closest to him may be the ones to bring him down?   And dammit...who is the girl in the mines that we get the slightest knowledge of?

I can hardly wait for the next book.