I'm a bit late for this review, since I've already finished chugging through every entrancing page of Queen of Shadows and am soon going to be on to Empire of Storms. You'd think I'd have forgotten all 448 pages of Crown of Midnight, but no. Crown of Midnight continues weaving the enticing web that Ms. Maas begun spinning in the first installment of this series (which I highly recommend you dive into if you haven't already). Celaena is now freed from her toiling in Endovier, but she's still a slave to the vile King. Well, a disobedient slave. She's dancing on a fine line between life and death by sparing and then smuggling her targets out of Rifthold. But her own isn't the only life at risk. When something shocking and horrible comes to pass, Celaena's world is torn apart. As Celaena's bloodlust grows, something else grows with it. Something dark. Since I'm almost done with this whole series, I can promise you that Crown of Midnight is only the beginning of a wondrous, charming, bitter, tear-wrenching series, but as a whole, it will shock you. You're not going to be able to let go long enough to stop reading. Definitely not for elementary age range because of language and sexual innuendo, but teens will LOVE. You've been warned—and encouraged.

I'm a bit late for this review, since I've already finished chugging through every entrancing page of Queen of Shadows and am soon going to be on to Empire of Storms. You'd think I'd have forgotten all 448 pages of Crown of Midnight, but no. Crown of Midnight continues weaving the enticing web that Ms. Maas begun spinning in the first installment of this series (which I highly recommend you dive into if you haven't already). Celaena is now freed from her toiling in Endovier, but she's still a slave to the vile King. Well, a disobedient slave. She's dancing on a fine line between life and death by sparing and then smuggling her targets out of Rifthold. But her own isn't the only life at risk. When something shocking and horrible comes to pass, Celaena's world is torn apart. As Celaena's bloodlust grows, something else grows with it. Something dark. Since I'm almost done with this whole series, I can promise you that Crown of Midnight is only the beginning of a wondrous, charming, bitter, tear-wrenching series, but as a whole, it will shock you. You're not going to be able to let go long enough to stop reading. Definitely not for elementary age range because of language and sexual innuendo, but teens will LOVE. You've been warned—and encouraged.

Ruthie is just a young girl living in New York City, trying to achieve the American dream until those dreams are put on the line after a car accident that leaves her very injured. The story follows Ruthie's journey to recovery, forgiveness, hope, and love. I loved this book so so much for not only the thought provoking bits and life lessons, but for the melting pots of cultures that were conveyed. Because this is largely based off of the author's own experience, it has a personal touch that couldn't have been added otherwise. First of all, the life lessons and thought provoking bits. I loved Ruthie and I think anyone could sympathize with her hopefulness and kindness. I also loved how her recovery process was used in such a way that Ruthie had to grow up fast and learned so many life lessons like forgiveness, following your dreams, etc. The one complaint I would have is that I felt that sometimes, because Ruthie was bedridden, the story dragged a little. I also loved the other main component I took away from the book, which is that America is a melting pot. One of her friends was Indian, another was fluent in French and English and was from Belgium, their apartment neighbor was from Mexico, and Ruthie's extended family (all Cuban) were featured heavily. I also loved how whenever these cultures were brought up, they were always very warm and celebrated their culture (her parents dancing, their culture of food, her friend's mother making pastries, etc.) and I felt like I learned something about each of the cultures. Ultimately, this book showed one girl's story of recovery while learning about forgiveness and hope, and was able to celebrate cultures from all over the world without making the book all about culture/religion. The book shows that you should always follow your dreams because in America, it's a melting pot- anyone can achieve anything.

Ruthie is just a young girl living in New York City, trying to achieve the American dream until those dreams are put on the line after a car accident that leaves her very injured. The story follows Ruthie's journey to recovery, forgiveness, hope, and love. I loved this book so so much for not only the thought provoking bits and life lessons, but for the melting pots of cultures that were conveyed. Because this is largely based off of the author's own experience, it has a personal touch that couldn't have been added otherwise. First of all, the life lessons and thought provoking bits. I loved Ruthie and I think anyone could sympathize with her hopefulness and kindness. I also loved how her recovery process was used in such a way that Ruthie had to grow up fast and learned so many life lessons like forgiveness, following your dreams, etc. The one complaint I would have is that I felt that sometimes, because Ruthie was bedridden, the story dragged a little. I also loved the other main component I took away from the book, which is that America is a melting pot. One of her friends was Indian, another was fluent in French and English and was from Belgium, their apartment neighbor was from Mexico, and Ruthie's extended family (all Cuban) were featured heavily. I also loved how whenever these cultures were brought up, they were always very warm and celebrated their culture (her parents dancing, their culture of food, her friend's mother making pastries, etc.) and I felt like I learned something about each of the cultures. Ultimately, this book showed one girl's story of recovery while learning about forgiveness and hope, and was able to celebrate cultures from all over the world without making the book all about culture/religion. The book shows that you should always follow your dreams because in America, it's a melting pot- anyone can achieve anything.

Undefeated by the Salt Mines of Endovier, Celaena Sardothien has returned to Adarlan, the prince’s champion to compete for the position of the royal assassin. If she emerges victorious, she Crown prince has offered her freedom at the price of four years of service to the malicious King of Adarlan. But it is not the competition that worries her one bit-- it’s the evil that lies at the heart of the castle that is killing her opponents left and right. With the help of the gruff Captain Westfall and the bewitching playboy, Prince Dorian, will she finally set her inherent beast free before it’s too late? After reading a review by fany13 on DogoBooks, I finally managed to read this fantastic Young Adult book by Sarah J. Maas. I admit that at first I hesitated to read it-- Celaena seemed evil to me. How could the author possibly justify the actions of the most notorious assassin of Adarlan? I opened the book cover with completely cynical eyes, expecting to hate the main character. At first, I did. She was narcissistic, haughty, ruthless-- or so I thought. As I read on, I discovered that Celaena was one of--if not the most--incredible, inspiring, and 3-Dimensional characters that I’ve ever encountered in literature. Sarah J. Maas spins an incredibly intricate web in “The Throne of Glass”, which you don’t want to miss. I can confidently rate this book five stars. Lovers of Rick Riordan, Brandon Mull, Marie Lu, and Veronica Roth will enjoy this thrill of a read!

Undefeated by the Salt Mines of Endovier, Celaena Sardothien has returned to Adarlan, the prince’s champion to compete for the position of the royal assassin. If she emerges victorious, she Crown prince has offered her freedom at the price of four years of service to the malicious King of Adarlan. But it is not the competition that worries her one bit-- it’s the evil that lies at the heart of the castle that is killing her opponents left and right. With the help of the gruff Captain Westfall and the bewitching playboy, Prince Dorian, will she finally set her inherent beast free before it’s too late? After reading a review by fany13 on DogoBooks, I finally managed to read this fantastic Young Adult book by Sarah J. Maas. I admit that at first I hesitated to read it-- Celaena seemed evil to me. How could the author possibly justify the actions of the most notorious assassin of Adarlan? I opened the book cover with completely cynical eyes, expecting to hate the main character. At first, I did. She was narcissistic, haughty, ruthless-- or so I thought. As I read on, I discovered that Celaena was one of--if not the most--incredible, inspiring, and 3-Dimensional characters that I’ve ever encountered in literature. Sarah J. Maas spins an incredibly intricate web in “The Throne of Glass”, which you don’t want to miss. I can confidently rate this book five stars. Lovers of Rick Riordan, Brandon Mull, Marie Lu, and Veronica Roth will enjoy this thrill of a read!

This book really intrigued me because it reminds me of Peter Pan and involves some of my favorite elements of a story combined, astrology and magic!

This was an excellent, quick, enthralling read. The main character, Connor, was pragmatic, skilled, charming and likable. You could definitely tell the intricate research the author brought into the book. The side characters were all multifaceted and my feelings shifted for them over time. I read the book over a few hours, unable to put it down. I loved reading about the inside world of the White House and the antics of the first daughter. It was impossible to be bored while reading this book. In conclusion, this made an fantastic beginning to what is sure to be a fascinating series.