Crown of Midnight delivered on almost every single thing that was lacking in ToG. I was completely blown away by how much the series picked up in this novel. It honestly feels like a different story.
Because this series is so popular it is hard to discuss it in a review because it has either already been said, or someone hasn’t yet read it and is skimming the reviews to see if it is worth it. Rather than going into a lot of details I’m just going to drop a quick things I liked, and things I disliked list. I tried my best to tag any actual spoilers.
The Good:
- The writing in general was very much improved. Rather than just telling readers about events they are actually shown, it was easier to follow along and easier to not be so bored.
- Characterization was significantly better. I still strongly disliked Celeana for the first 20% or so of the book, but she definitely grew on me.
- The plot managed to surprise me several times!!! I had been anticipating the big reveal at the end since book 1

Spoiler

and I totally was onto Archer for this entire book

but there were still a lot of smaller details that I didn’t see coming.
- Fleetfoot.
- I still love Dorian, I was worried I would end up hating him or something.

ALSO Dorain having magic? YES PLS
- Celeana grew on me, I know I already mentioned it but GOD it is just such a good thing because I’m not sure if I would have been able to continue the series if she hadn’t?
- I was able to be REALLY into the ship that was featured in this book without being consumed by it!!!

Spoiler

I am still not the biggest fan of Chaol, and I still don’t think that their attraction to one another was as obvious as some fans claim. BUT god did I swoon over their moments together!!! They were really cute with one another and I could appreciate it. I also think that ending their fling in this book was a smart move because it is already clear how much Celeana is growing as a character.

- Lots of similarities from this book and ACOMAF. I totally get why people talk about that now.
- THAT ENDING.

Spoiler

hell yeah fae!!! I’m here for it!!!

- And my favorite thing ever to see in books in a series: A really, REALLY, solid set up for the rest of the series.
Summary of good things: Major improvement in writing/plot/characters. Solid foundation for what is coming up next.
The bad:
- Lots of similarities from this book and ACOMAF. I totally get why people talk about that now. (Yeah I also put this point in the good, fight me).
- Celeana’s character development was a bit slow…which made it difficult for me to like her in the beginning of this book. In the end I obviously didn’t mind much but it definitely took away from the enjoyment in the beginning for me. This is probably something that wouldn’t bother me as much if I reread this book, but for now it goes in the bad.
- When magic starts to play a larger role in the book things get a bit rushed/confusing. There was one section in particular when the wydmarks are being discussed that felt more like an info dump, I was lost during that part and I’m just hoping it is better explained as the characters get a better understanding.
-

Spoiler

FUCKING PRINCESS NEHEMIA BEING USED AS A MARTYR TO GET CELEANA TO GET HER SHIT TOGETHER. N O P E will never forgive SJM or Celeana Saradathion for this ever. She deserved better, there had to be other ways to get this BAD ASS ASSASSAIN to stop ignoring her past. Also why was it that when Nehemia passed away we had that moment of finding out that she was hiding shit for Celeana AGAIN? SHE DESERVED BETTER.

Summary of bad things: Basically just personal preferences I had in terms of delivery of certain information.

Basically, I finished this book MUCH MORE EXCITED for Heir of Fire than I was for this one. I hope the series and these characters continue to develop at this pace!!!