Housewife Blues and Chihuahua Stories

Book InfoPaperback, 432 pagesExpected publication: August 15th 2013 by Bloomsbury Childrens (US editions to release August 27th)original title Crown of MidnightISBN 1408834944 (ISBN13: 9781408834947)edition language Englishseries Throne of Glass #2characters Celaena Sardothien, Chaol Westfall, Prince Dorian, Princess Nehemia Ytger of Eyllwesetting Rifthold (Adarlan) Source:Netgalley EARCBook Buy LinksAMAZONB&NBOOK SYNOPSISEighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien is bold, daring and beautiful – the perfect seductress and the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But though she won the King’s contest and became his champion, Celaena has been granted neither her liberty nor the freedom to follow her heart. The slavery of the suffocating salt mines of Endovier that scarred her past is nothing compared to a life bound to her darkest enemy, a king whose rule is so dark and evil it is near impossible to defy. Celaena faces a choice that is tearing her heart to pieces: kill in cold blood for a man she hates, or risk sentencing those she loves to death. Celaena must decide what she will fight for: survival, love or the future of a kingdom. Because an assassin cannot have it all . . . And trying to may just destroy her.Love or loathe Celaena, she will slice open your heart with her dagger and leave you bleeding long after the last page of the highly anticipated sequel in what is undeniably THE hottest new fantasy series.My ThoughtsThe world is built, the characters are fleshed out and the story continues for Eighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien and it is even more gripping than the first installment in book one [b:Throne of Glass|13519397|Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1337978469s/13519397.jpg|11138426] and I totally devoured it as quickly as well!As action packed and engaging as the first book was one worries that this second in the series may find itself suffering in comparison, worry not if you found yourself totally hyped by [b:Throne of Glass|13519397|Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1337978469s/13519397.jpg|11138426] then [b:Crown of Midnight|17670709|Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)|Sarah J. Maas|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1365589649s/17670709.jpg|21581860] is going to blow your mind!Celaena won the right to become the King of Adarlans' champion after winning a set of tests and defeating her opponents for the title in the first book proving that not only did she deserve to be called the Master Assassin of Ardalan but that she had the brains and skill needed to fulfill her obligations. During the initial story allegiances were made, friendships forged and certain long held secrets exposed but believe me when I tell you that was just the tipping of the scale as in this second book we learn so much more about all the characters and at the same time still have more questions unanswered. We begin the story with Celaena returning to the king with proof that her latest assignment has been completed, the head of the man she was sent to kill along with his signet ring and the hand of his wife with her wedding ring still attached. The game that she plays is one that could end up with her death, that is if the king ever finds out that her "victims" are still alive and safely out of his reach. Finally letting their hearts rule their heads Celaena and Chaols relationship deepens, her friendship with Dorian becomes a lifeline keeping her from becoming lost to her demons when things change between her and Chaol and dangerous deception by someone whom she believed to be an ally nearly results in her downfall. To be quite frank in this second book we finally see the brutal assassin that lies beneath the flesh and blood beauty that lulls even the wiliest cutthroat into believing Celaena could not possibly be as lethal as her reputation paints her. We also find out that the secret she is protecting could tear the kingdom apart, it totally will make you wish that book three was ready to read as the ending for [b:Crown of Midnight|17670709|Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)|Sarah J. Maas|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1365589649s/17670709.jpg|21581860] is a worse cliff hanger than the one in [b:Throne of Glass|13519397|Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1337978469s/13519397.jpg|11138426].Truly excellent story with many twists and turns to show just how much the characters have grown, and in the case of Prince Dorian is still growing and the man he is becoming is both one to be proud of as well as probably one to someday fear.Looking forward to continuing this series because at this point the real adventure is just beginning! [EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]