ARC review: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Mass

An assassin’s loyalties are always in doubt. But her heart never wavers. After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes. Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice. Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

Source: Bloomsbury Australia

Format: ARC paperback

Rating: 10 Stars

Reviewer: Chyna

My thoughts...

"I was unprepared to read such novelty. Sarah Mass has done it again. The YA sequel of Throne of Glass will have you raging and swooning. Unputdownable can now be defined." -Lite-Rate-Ture Reviews

I am unsure how to start with this review since the book completely stole my voice and soul when I had come to finish the book. Those damned words "Acknowledgements", Sarah Mass has yet again awestricken another fan. The magnificent edifice and synopsis of another story completely compelled me to read through and through till I had to force myself to savor such treasure that I had in my impure hands. No reader would be able to put this book down because it will edify every reader that will come by such a glorious story. 

The notorious assassin has broken the Prince's heart, but what she doesn't know is that another fall will come by her heart. Westfall. The man who took charge of the reader's heart and emotions. I have too swoon once more for those eyes and lips. Gosh! Those delicious lickable lips will drive me crazy. In Crown of Midnight, Westfall created a big impact in the story, he became a lot of sweeter and more approachable. I got to see the real Chaol, fortunately the author has let Chaol shine in this book, but during the first book, the Prince took the spotlight. But nonetheless it was not disappointing, Sarah Mass had it all planned out. First to have her fans go crazy after reading the first book then have them beg for the sequel and lastly have them obsessed with her. I gotta say that the writer has a clever mind. I am unquestionably in love and maybe obsessed. There's more to the story, not just broken hearts and tears. Magic has not left Endovier, Celeana is still haunted by the darkest of spells. She's still that party-girl with a sharp tongue. Her badass attitude stayed strong and solid. She's more badass than ever! Even if her relationships weren't all too pretty that never stopped her from fighting for the people she loves and those who decided to break her. After a year of serving the mines, she has now become a royal assassin under the name of the king, But while she plays her part, she hides a secret and shares it among her confidantes. Once the royals find out she won't be able to fight anymore. But who is the real enemy here? Who will she choose? Will she come to face her fate? She has to make a forced decision...a choice that she won't love. And it will risk her life and the person she loves.

The moment I got the copy from Bloomsbury I had screamed so loud. My childishness dissatisfied my professional work as a reviewer or rather defined my true unprofessionalism. It was difficult to get a copy for myself since most of them had said no to me, but the sweet publishers in Australia sent me a lovely copy for me to review. I was envious to all those bloggers who went to BEA and got free ARC copies for Crown of Midnight. 

I can't help but take deep breaths as I continued to read. Perfection wasn't the best word to describe this UNCORRECTED copy I have read. Might I say that even if I have read the draft, this indescribable phenomenal is a MUST read. Sarah Mass is known for her preeminence over the genre action, fantasy and romance. One of the most arduous styles is having to write with medieval words or with an unrecognized language/tone. Adjusting to the story wasn't all to strenuous because Sarah Mass could write it in an urban fashion.  A modernized tongue had been blending in the story. Easing it down slowly for the reader to adapt.

During the romance part of the story, my heart shattered and felt victorious when Dorian hadn't been in the sequel much. He was still an important character who had his responsibilities, but Westfall as I said earlier stole the spotlight. Sorry, I'm drooling right now. I cannot contain all these feels that Sarah Mass has cursed upon me. I love this immense feeling, it is kind of a mark that shows how powerful this book really was. And one of the best things about this book was that it was more stupefyingly brilliant than the first book, Throne of Glass. 

There will be a lot of moments when you will start to shake and just stop to move and have the feeling that the world is actually ending or as if someone had actually stolen the moon. That's right, it was that effective and dynamic. The writer really emphasized magic in the sequel even more. The situations are incredibly dire and drama has exploded. Eyes bulging and mouth opening. Flies coming in. Gross. But that actually happened to me, but not including the flies. It was a ride I won't be able to forget, it was impossible to forget. I am still stuck in this epic fantasy world that Sarah Mass had created in her head. She was a FICTIONPRESS author, I can't believe it. I have always hated unprofessional work, but she was gifted by the angels. It wasn't providential, it was just talent. I am so glad to have lived this generation, if not I would have been unstable or a zombie if I have not read this series.

I am still unsatisfied with this review, I have much more to say, but I can't place the right words to describe such a magnificent book. I am damned. Sarah Mass will always be one of my favorite writers for 2013 and so on. I am still new to the fantasy section. I best warn you that the author of this book is as romantic as she is tricky. She is another descendant of the Goddess of twists. She had me banging my head on my desk which really hurt. Ouchie. So far I have been writing this review for a bout 3 hours or so...I am not going to give up. I swear that I will make the most beautiful review I can give to Sarah Mass. I can't stop crying. Stop it, Chyna, I can't see the screen anymore. I just really need the next book as soon as possible. Please don't mind my increasingly darkening feelings.

Be sure that once you get to read Crown of Midnight, you will not be prepared, you won't and can't decipher this book, you will not question the decisions Celeana will make since she is Adarlan's greatest assassin. She can make her choices for herself, but not the brightest once since she always chooses the bloodiest. That's what I love about Celeana. She continues to bring that incredulous smirk on my face that reveals my true nature as rebel. Not that I am. I could understand her so well and her friendship with Princess Nehemia will deepen in this book, I advice you to take a close watch on the Princess. She's not all gowns and crowns. You will cry that I am sure. And-I am banging my head on my desk again. Don't forget to bring a tissue once you get started on chapter one.

I am still recollecting everything I have read in the book, unable to decipher and forget. I am thrilled and energized to read it once more...and to spread my everlasting love for Sarah Mass. I love her so much and I envy her hands. How can such delicate fingers create a bloody-actiony story and characters like Celeana and Westfall. I had myself laughing at the super adorable scenes of Westfall and Celeana, those two created a deeper bond within them. As if Sam had been resurrected in the story. Westfall had become Celeana's best friend. He was always there for her, looking out for her and flirting with her. You read right! I said flirting! Chaol Sardothien-I mean Celeana Westfall, doesn't that sound fitting for both of them. * Wipes eyes*

Just to add even if I was reading mostly on a third person's point of view, the main character actually kept a secret that even I did not expect. *Zips mouth* I thought I knew what was happening, but-WAAAH!

This stellar read is beyond me. *Stars! My heart is pounding in my ears* I just want to say-*Chokes*-I love this book so much. Nothing can be compared against Crown of Midnight, if you dare argue with me I will have you in prison. No kidding. (Screaming at the pillow)

Here's a drawing for Sarah Mass. I wish I could send it to her, but I don't have her address.