Assassin Celaena Sardothien fought for her life in Throne of Glass and won a tournament against thieves and warriors to become the King's Champion. Crown of Midnight unveils game-changing secrets sure to shock many.
The King of Adarlan has been sending his new Champion around Rifthold to assassinate a group of key rebels who are a threat to his empire. Before the book's start, Celaena was given four targets, all of whom have accepted her offer (after she recognized that they were capable of kindness) to fake their deaths, abandon their names and flee. Celaena brings tokens from each man to trick the king, but lying about her next target, her old friend Archer Finn, won't be as easy, since he's recognized across the land. Celaena hopes to learn from Archer why there are traitors to the crown, and discovers a secret that may corrupt her moral compass.
Maas sends her primary players across the map, and her straightforward writing eases readers into these new settings. The author also exposes a haunted side to her assassin: "I still see their faces, still remember the exact blow it took to kill them." This burden bonds her with Chaol, who killed to save Celaena in the previous book's final duel. But Maas downplays the romance in favor of memorable showdowns with those who've crossed her heroine. The sequel stands on its own, but going forward after this book's final twist, readers may need Crown of Midnight to remain oriented.
Those waiting for the next George R.R. Martin book should check out this series. --Adam Silvera, reviewer and former bookseller