After reading Throne of Glass, this series wasn’t exactly my favorite, the characters felt underdeveloped and the world was a whirlwind of fragments. But Crown of Midnight? It definitely takes a step in the right direction. Maas seems to have found her stride here.

The pacing is more even, with action sequences that keep the adrenaline going without the lulls that weighed down Throne of Glass. Maas balances the tension much more effectively here, and though the mix of mythologies (Norse, Russian, Celtic, you name it!) still has a touch of the “kitchen sink” about it, the world feels richer and more immersive.

Now, as for the chapters focused on Chaol and Dorian, let’s just say their mopey, angst ridden monologues could use a little less screen time. Yes, they have burdens, but at times they make Hamlet look like an optimist. They do add emotional depth, but sometimes you wish they’d focus on action rather than all the existential musings.

The rebellion? Well, things get murky here. New characters are introduced, but they occasionally feel like two dimensional pawns on Maas’s chessboard. Their motivations and personalities could use more shading to make them memorable, rather than interchangeable.

That being said, Maas does touch on some bigger themes in this book, like loss and depression, which gives the story more emotional weight. It’s not just all about battles and magic anymore; there’s something deeper at play.

And then... the ending. Without spoilers, let’s just say Maas drops a bombshell of a plot twist that will leave you picking your jaw up off the floor. It’s the kind of cliffhanger that makes you want to immediately dive into the next book just to see how she’s going to untangle that web.

Overall, Crown of Midnight is a noticeable improvement on its predecessor. While it still stumbles in some areas (looking at you, Chaol and Dorian), it offers more action, better pacing, and a story that finally starts to dig deeper into its emotional core.