Review:
I adored Throne of Glass, I enjoyed it so much that I
actually went and bought all of the prequel novellas. This is a huge feat for
me! Throne of Glass is actually the only series I’ve ever bought novellas for.
And if possible I loved the novellas even more then the first book itself.
Needless to say my expectations for Crown of Midnight were set high, and
unfortunately while the story was enjoyable I didn’t like it nearly as much as
the first book of the novellas.
I’ve been thinking about the reasons I didn’t love this book
for a couple months now and I think the problem wasn’t necessarily with the
characters because I still love each of them. I think it was the pacing of the
story and the plot itself that left me wanting something more. Let me explain, there
was just a lot of down time in Crown of Midnight there was Celaena researching,
brooding, following people, eating, whining, being the king’s champion,
walking, hanging out at the library, exploring underground. It felt like I was
always waiting for the action to begin and when it actually did begin it felt
lackluster. There was a lot of buildup in Crown of Midnight for future novels I
think.
Despite the fact that Celaena spent a lot of time doing
menial tasks she was still an absolute badass in this novel! Whenever she had
the chance she shined and I definitely think she is still one of the strongest
and most kick-ass heroines in YA!
One of my favorite things about Crown of Midnight was the
relationship developments between Celaena and Chaol! I wasn’t really sure how I
felt about the two of them in the first book. I actually liked Celaena with
Dorian in Throne of Glass and in the novella’s I LOVED Celaena with
Sam…actually I still kind of want Celaena /Sam to work out even though it is
completely impossible. Anyway, back to my original point! I really like Celaena
and Chaol in this novel and hope that Celaena can finally be happy.
I think my biggest non-plot related disappointment with
Crown of Midnight was the lack of Arobynn. I understand he wasn’t really in the
first novel but after reading the novella’s I couldn’t get enough of him!
Arobynn is just a good bad guy. The
type that has no redeemable qualities and just when you think he can’t get any
worse he sells you out even more. I really do hope he makes an appearance in
later novels.
Overall, Crown of Midnight was an entertaining sequel but I
didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as the book and novellas that proceeded it. I am
still definitely looking forward to the next installment in the series though!
Thank you Bloomsbury USA and Netgalley for allowing me to review an advanced reader's copy of this novel.
Huh. Now I don't know what to do. I didn't really like Throne of Glass, but I liked it enough to continue on with the series. I was going to buy Crown of Midnight, but I'm seeing so many mixed reviews for this book that now I'm in two minds. Still, the points you made about it being an enjoyable sequel works in the book's favor. Great review and thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteI had previously decided this series was not for me, and I think I'll stick with that decision knowing that this was not great for you, I need good pacing to keep me reading!
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