Matcha & Motifs’ Rating: 5/5 

After becoming the King’s Champion, Celaena’s newest target is an old acquaintance. The king’s sources point to a rebellious uprising right in the city of Adarlan where Archer Finn is at the center of it. Between solving the mysteries in the castle, taking orders from the King, and running away from change, what side is Celaena on?

Wow, you know I didn’t think this series could get any better but it does. The thing is I really liked book one, but why is book two even better? 

***CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!***

Plot/Character Arc

Stakes. An important aspect of this book is that there are stakes. In every good story, the stakes are high, and solving the problem or doing what you want is never that simple. In this case, the King has threatened to hurt Nehemia, her family, and Chaol in order to keep Celaena in line. To kill would keep her friends safe. And although this is an unsavory decision, it is one that I feel she could make, which her circle of friends agree with. Where the angst comes from is her not being able to confide in anyone about this, especially the people who are jeopardized. This leads to the possibility of distrust and rifts forming, and this is what we call plot. 

In general, the plot is seamless. Celaena performs her assassination charades and winds up having to hunt down an old friend. She stalls for time and gathers intel on their rebellious group, learning that they’re trying to restore Aelin Galathynius, the heir of Terrasen, to the throne. 

Onto point two: Flaws in Celaena

What makes this book so good is the integration of character arcs within the plot. The plot forces our character to question their values, way of thinking, and accept parts of them they’ve rejected. Celaena’s character is played up in Throne of Glass, I adored what she had to offer as a person, but it’s just that, I barely knew her. In Crown of Midnight, Celaena’s friendship with Nehemia continues to grow, and we are reminded of Celaena’s yearning for her freedom; for a life away from all this mess. (Which also beautifully integrates her romance with Chaol, and romanticizes a life away even more). The ongoing duality in her character is evident when we learn that she hasn’t actually killed anyone. It’s an ongoing testament of the good we know in her character, because there is still a part of her that refuses to be obedient. A part of her that’s still defying the king. But on the other hand, how could she just walk away from everything? After having been in the salt mines herself and seeing the suffering there? And this is what Nehemia asks. Nehemia’s character plays an important catalyst for this pillar of reasoning and movement. Nehemia, who is empathic and righteous, was pushing her to choose more than just herself. As a reader, I can understand Celaena’s want for a simple life of freedom, but she’s our main character, I want her to make a change, to think of others, the state of their world, to de-throne this cruel, power-hungry man. 

As Nehemia’s passing comes to light, we also learn of her role in the rebellion and Archer’s motives. At first it seems like two unrelated things, hunting down Archer and solving mysteries in the castle, then the author strategically makes it come into one full circle, and it makes me think, that right there, is good storytelling. 

Honestly, the plot goes crazy. 

Romance 

I have been team Chaol since book one, so this book was such a delight! I am kekeing! When Celaena was poisoned and her first instinct was to go to the safest place, which was Chaol, I gasped. Then the way he responded and stayed with her the entire time, wow. A man. My heart is full. He is the type of man that Celaena thought of when Nehemia mentioned there used to be a time when kingdoms were ruled with honor and loyalty. She fell in love with him because he embodies everything good in life. 

Some of my favorite moments were when they danced in the garden together and when Celaena planned a garden birthday dinner for him, that was so romantic. The steady companionship and the understanding of one another is impeccable. The beauty in this romance is that it is sweetly integrated in the plot. They were happy. It was so cute, I was happy. Then he gets kidnapped and Celaena goes badass assassin in order to rescue him, and of course EVERYTHING GOES TO SHIT. Even though they were pitted against one another and their falling out was so heartbreaking, I can’t deny the story is still so good. And I knew it was too good to be true because this is book 2 of a 7 book series, so I knew something was gonna go down. 

Now we play a game of tension. Despite the heartbreak, he’s still there in times of need. Chaol willingly sacrificed his life for hers when the portal wouldn’t close and then he saved Fleetfoot. Such a beautiful bold move, which is then paired with Celaena saving both of them, and in doing so, reveals one of her most coveted secrets. It’s so bittersweet because he’s willing to give up his life for her and her dog, and she’s willing to give up her secret for his life. Love is fiery. And through all of this, he is still thinking of ways to keep her safe. He was willing to give up everything, his Captain of the Guard position that he worked and sacrificed so much for, for a future with her. But even more than that, he values her safety more than a possible future with her. Her freedom. 

(Even though I thought his plan was so dumb but whatever, it’s the thought that counts?) 

Now that I’m thinking about it strategically, remember how I mentioned that Celaena’s relationship with Dorian was meant to build a foundation of friendship. Well, what if Celaena’s relationship with Chaol was meant to propel the plot forward in tangent with Nehemia? What if Chaol is just a catalyst too? Because their love story is so deeply intertwined with the plot that it’s hard not to believe that. It’s almost as if they fell in love just for this betrayal. Honestly, what now? 

Ya know, sometimes I write these reviews and I wonder, with such a loved series, what am I bringing to the conversation? I’m not sure some days, but as an official fan of this series, all I’ve got is love. 

Please read this series if you love romantasy, strong woman leads, and stressing out over fictional characters. You won’t be disappointed.