Midnight crown
Midnight crown -or Crown of Midnight, by its original title in English— is the second volume of the saga Throne of glass, written by American author Sarah J. Maas. The work was first published on August 15, 2013. It was later translated into Spanish by Guiomar Manso de Zúñiga and released by the publishing house Hidra on March 01, 2021.
This fantasy romance novel has average ratings of 4.35 and 4.7 stars on platforms such as Goodreads and Amazon, respectively. According to users, Midnight crown improvement over Throne of glass, the first volume. Maas is also known to have included hints and references to his other works from the beginning, so fans will be reading into everything he writes.
Synopsis of Midnight crown
A mission that will test your limits
Like the previous title, Crown of Midnight follows the story of Celaena Sardothien, a deadly assassin caught in a world of intrigue, magic and dark secrets. After being introduced in throne of glass, where she was forced to compete for her freedom and face deadly trials, the protagonist returns with more power, determination and, above all, with a new mission.
The book is set immediately after the events of the first novel. Celaena has earned the title of champion of the King of Adarlan. Her job is to eliminate those who oppose his tyrannical reign. However, as the main character pretends to fulfill this task, she begins to discover what the monarch is trying to hide, and her doubts about her loyalty to him become deeper.
Between the murders attributed to him and his own ideals, Celaena begins to question herself, her future, and the true powers that move the kingdom. Over time, her ruler's orders become increasingly erratic, asking the protagonist to kill innocent people for no apparent reason.
Evolution of the characters in the work
One of the highlights of Midnight crown is the development of the main characters. In particular, Celaena's relationship with Prince Dorian Havilliard and the captain of the guard, Chaol Westfall, becomes more complex. While in the first installment there was romantic tension between them, in this novel each one faces their own conflicts and secrets.
These lead them to make difficult decisions. Dorian, for example, begins to discover abilities that terrify him, revealing that he possesses a magical power forbidden in his kingdom. On the other hand, Chaol, despite being loyal to the king, is deeply affected by his bond with Celaena and the moral implications of their relationship. As everyone progresses, these dilemmas become more pronounced.
The resurgence of ancient magic
Fantasy and magic take on an even greater role in Midnight crown. Maas introduces readers to the dark and complex world of Wyrdkeys, magical artifacts that contain unmatched powers. Through these items, Celaena comes to understand the true power that lies within the kingdom and the reason for the king's fears.
This second book delves into the mystery of Celaena's past and her connection to the magical power of the Wyrdkeys. Maas knows how to dose the mystery, gradually revealing details that capture the reader's attention and raise the stakes of the plot.
Topics addressed in the work
Beyond being a fantasy novel, Midnight crown explores universal themes such as loyalty, sacrifice and redemption. Throughout the story, Celaena fights not only external enemies, but also her own demons. Every action she takes brings her closer to her roots and her inevitable destiny, on a journey of self-discovery in which she must decide who she can trust and how far she is willing to go for those she loves.
Narrative style and world building
Sarah J. Maas demonstrates her ability to build fascinating worlds full of detail and complexity. Her prose is immersive, and each description enriches the atmosphere and environments in which the characters move. The places Celaena and her allies travel are full of nuances, from the dark catacombs beneath the castle to the majestic landscapes of the kingdom.
Maas achieves an agile and tense narrative, keeping the reader in suspense in each chapter. Perhaps this is the best thing about the author and her work, especially considering that her protagonists tend to be clichés. However, it is undeniable that Maas has managed to create a literary universe that, at the same time, contains other interconnected worlds and countries.
However, it is necessary to highlight some topics for the sake of critical reading: if there is one thing that Maas has to be criticized for, it is his habit of creating apparently strong female characters who, on many occasions, make immature decisions, putting themselves and others in danger. In addition, Its male protagonists are nothing more than sexualized and stereotyped men.
About the author
Sarah Janet Maas was born on March 5, 1986, in New York, United States. She attended Hamilton College in Clinton, where she graduated in Creative Writing and Religious Studies.. The author began writing her first novel, Throne of glass, when he was sixteen. After having several chapters ready, he uploaded them to the website fictionpress.com. It was there that he became really popular.
She later deleted her posts to begin looking for an agent who would be interested in her stories. Fortunately for him, in 2012, Throne of glass was bought by Bloomsbury. Soon, the book became a saga, being translated into more than 23 languages, and sold in five countries. For its part, Midnight crown entered the list of bestsellers of the New York Times.
Other books by Sarah J. Maas
Chronology of the saga Throne of glass
- Throne of Glass (2012);
- Crown of Midnight — Crown of Midnight (2013);
- Heir of Fire — Heir of Fire (2014);
- Queen of Shadows — Queen of Shadows (2015);
- Empire of Storms — Empire of Storms (2017);
- Tower of Dawn (2017)
Saga Bound
- A Court of Thorns and Roses — A Court of Thorns and Roses (2018);
- A Court of Mist and Fury — A Court of Mist and Fury (2018);
- A Court of Wings and Ruin —A Court of Wings and Ruin (2019);
- A Court of Frost and Starlight — A Court of Frost and Starlight (2019);
- A Court of Silver Flames — A Court of Silver Flames (2021)
Extras
- A Court of Thorns and Roses Coloring Book (2017)
Saga Crescent City
- House of Earth and Blood — House of Earth and Blood (2020);
- House of Sky and Breath — House of Sky and Breath (2022);
- House of Flame and Shadow — House of Flame and Shadow (2024)
Other
- Catwoman: Soulstealer (2018);
- The Starkillers Cycle (Developing);
- Twilight of the Gods (Developing).