Showing posts with label Crown of Midnight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crown of Midnight. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Listopia 2013

I can't believe it's the last day of 2013! I have quite a crazy year with all the awesome books. And I'm in high school right now (actually there's no such thing as high school in my city. But according to the U.S. educational system, I'm technically in high school). 2014 is going to be another crazy year for me as well, I believe.

And of course, the last day of 2013 comes with listopia! I really love doing that :)

Let's start with top ten best book covers, shall we?


  • Allegiant by Veronica Roth
  • Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout
  • Champion by Marie Lu
  • Shards and Ashes by Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong and so on
  • Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
  • Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
  • Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout
  • Unchosen by Michele Vail
  • Boundless by Cynthia Hand
  • Resist by Sarah Crossan
My favorite part: top ten best OTP:

P.S. This is not the same as OTP in my Top Ten YA Novels announcements. They're just my choice of OTP IN the book. This is an overall top ten choice.

  • Daemon and Kat in Origin (Lux #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
  • Allison and Zeke in The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa
  • Tris and Four in Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth (Despite them pissing me off, I still love them)
  • Raffe and Penryn in World After (Penryn & The End of Days #2) by Susan Ee
  • Will and Jem and Tessa (yep, the three of them) in Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare
  • Alex and Aiden in Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout
  • Ash and Natalie in Phoenix (Black City #2) by Elizabeth Richards
  • Chaol and Celaena in Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas
  • Clara and Tucker in Boundless (Unearthly #3) by Cynthia Hand
  • Aria and Perry in Through The Ever Night (Under The Never Sky #2) by Veronica Rossi
Most anticipated novels in 2014 (Oh that's going to be a long list)

(Not in order)

6. Iniquity (The Premonition #5) by Amy A. Bartol (That is if it's actually going to be released in 2014)

Have a nice 2014! 

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Top Ten YA Novels 2013 #6: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

I think Throne of Glass series has six books, right? And hard as it is to believe, the second book is already crazy as hell. I cannot imagine how much crazier will the series be in the following books.

The sixth place belongs to:

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Synopsis:

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?

***

Date Read: July 30, 2013

My Review:


My Rating: 9/10

***

Top 5 Reasons Why I Like It:

1. Celaena Sardothien
When it comes to the assassin, almost nothing is unlikable about her. She's extremely smart, brave, and cares for those she loves very much. Though her loyalties might not be where people expected her to be, like the synopsis said, "an assassin's loyalties are always in doubt.". To top it all off, Celaena can definitely kick ass. She's kind of like a new generation of heroine.

2. The ending
Yep. The ending. It's freaking killing me! You can't just end it like that! And the most jaw-dropping part is, this is only the second freaking book and you already throw that cliffhanger to us. I can't imagine how crazy it will be in the second half of the series. But I always like a cliffhanger ending, even if it's killing me.

3. Chaol Westfall!
That's right. The captain. Sweet, loyal, and all the good stuff you can think of. Oh, how I ship Chaolaena. Except... it doesn't end well, so far.

4. There is no shortage of blades here
I love battles or duos or fights. And while I also love guns, my favorite is and will always be blades. Swords, daggers, you name it. And in a book like Crown of Midnight, There will also be blades. I mean, Celaena is an assassin, for crying out loud. 

5. (Spoilers) the whole Dorian-might-actually-have-magi thing
Yes, this just make the whole book more interesting. The king despises magic. And yet his son - his own son, with his own blood - can apparently use magic. Ironic. Really, truly ironic. I can't wait to see what will happen next for Dorian.

***

Why I recommend this book/series.

It's the whole series that I recommend, including all the prequel short stories. I read the prequels first before dwelling into the first book. It's slightly different from the main series. But no matter what, once you dive into the world of Adarlan, of how dark and corrupted it is, and how an assassin is fighting for her life, her parents and her freedom. It's almost impossible not to love this series. And when you actually start reading the main series...it's beyond fascinating. Incredibly dangerous. Read it, for you will not regret it.

***

Do I like the cover?

Hell yes. Celaena looks badass on the cover. And it's one of the top ten covers in 2013 of my choice. 

***

Top 3 Favorite Scenes:

1. The Chocolate Cake Scene (P. 169-172)
No kissing involved. But that doesn't mean the Chaol/Celaena scene isn't sweet. 

2. The Rescue scene and the scenes following
Yet another fight scene. But hey, this is one of the best fight scenes in Crown of Midnight, and Crown of Midnight has plenty of good battle scenes. And the scene following is even better because of the surprise element. Though it breaks my heart, it's epic.

3. The Dance Scene (P.132-134)
Another Chaol/Celaena Scene. :) :)

***

OTP:

Chaol/Celaena of course!

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Announcement: Top Ten YA Novels 2013

The end of 2013 is coming soon. And of course there's the annual announcement: my top ten YA novels released this year!

List (arranged in order):

1. Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare [Rating: 11 10/10]
2. Sentinel (Covenant #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout [Rating: 10/10]
3. Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth [Rating: 9.5/10]
4. Origin (Lux #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout [Rating: 9.5/10]
5. The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa [Rating: 9/10]
6. Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas [Rating: 9/10]
7. Light (Gone #6) by Michael Grant [Rating: 9.5/10]
8. The Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey: Call of The Forgotten #2) by Julie Kagawa [Rating: 9/10]
9. Through The Ever Night (Under The Never Sky #2) by Veronica Rossi [Rating: 9/10]
10. Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer [Rating: 9/10]

What is your choice of novels this year? I'm curious to know!

P.S. My posts for these novels will be released starting from December 21, 2013 (UTC/GMT +8 hours). Stay tuned!

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Crown of Midnight: Review

Synopsis:

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?

***

Crown of Midnight is a hell of a ride. I can't even fathom how crazy this journey is. The story is way more complicated and sophisticated than Throne of Glass. Every character has their dark secrets deep in their hearts. Suspicion and surprise are always present in this book. One can never tear his or her eyes from Crown of Midnight once he or she starts it.

In Crown of Midnight, Celaena Sardothien, Adarlan's most feared assassin, became the king's champion. She had to carry out tasks directly ordered by the king that she never wanted to complete. Living in the castle, Celaena quickly discovers the dark truth about the king being the conqueror so fast and the secrets behind everyone she held dear. 

This book is full of surprises. I couldn't keep my jaw from hanging open right after I started this book. In this book things are more intertwined with folk tales and legends rather than practical fighting stuff. It's a very nice twist because who can imagine a world that is suspiciously similar to a dystopian world can filled with great legends and tales? Describing it as brilliant will truly be an understatement.

Emotional rides are just as breathtaking as the paranormal stuff. It's really hard to believe things can change so fast between the characters. I suppose misunderstandings and secrets hold jaw-dropping powers to change relationships. You will be awed by how the emotions tangle so tightly with the events in the book. If you are not impressed by this, than I don't know what will.

This is utter perfection that you don't want to miss, and it's just the second book out of SIX. I can't wait to see how epic the story will be in the upcoming books.

Rating: 9/10

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Teaser Tuesday: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

This weekly bookish meme is host by MizB @ Should Be Reading

To participate you:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3.  Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4.  BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5.  Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

***

Today I choose Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas

"When you said you knew him, I didn't realize you meant that well." He fought the strange, sudden temper that was honing itself again. Even if she'd been charmed by his looks, she was going to kill Archer, he had to remind himself.













Add Crown of Midnight on Goodreads:

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Gonna Read: August 2013

Probably the last month that I can enjoy myself with books because starting from the upcoming September, my life will suck. Here's my to-read new release list, anyway:

1. Angel Fever (UK) (Angel #3) by L.A. Weatherly

In the devastated remains of the world, millions of people live in "refugee" camps provided by the angels who have all but enslaved humanity. As this angelic stranglehold tightens, Willow and Alex are recruiting and training new Angel Killers while struggling to hold ground on the celestial battlefield. But Willow continues to have feelings for Seb, and her love and resolve are tested as a shattering revelation sends Alex on a separate journey. Now that the final battle versus the angels is about to begin-and the fate of the world hangs in the balance-each of them must face the consequences of their own choices. Will love endure? Will the human race survive?

Expected Publication: August 1, 2013 (UK)





2. Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea (Between #1) by April Genevieve Tucholke

You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.

Expected Publication: August 15, 2013

3. The Rise of Hotel Dumort (The Bane Chronicles Part 5) by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson

In 1920s Manhattan, Magnus Bane hobnobs with the elite at a glamorous Jazz Age hotspot.

The immortal Magnus Bane is making the most of his time in the Roaring Twenties: He's settled into New York society and is thriving among the fashionable jazz set. And there is nowhere better to see and be seen than the glamorous Hotel Dumort, a glittering new addition to the Manhattan landscape. But a different type of glamour may be at play...

Expected Publication: August 20, 2013







4. Origin (Lux #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything.


But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on?

And will they even be together?


Expected Publication: August 27, 2013

5. Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas

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?


Expected Publication: August 27, 2013 (UK: August 15, 2013)

6. The Liberator (Dante Walker #2) by Victoria Scott

Bad boy, meet bad girl.

Dante has a shiny new cuff wrapped around his ankle, and he doesn't like that mess one bit. His new accessory comes straight from Big Guy himself and marks the former demon as a liberator. Despite his gritty past and bad boy ways, Dante Walker has been granted a second chance.

When Dante is given his first mission as a liberator to save the soul of seventeen-year-old Aspen, he knows he’s got this. But Aspen reminds him of the rebellious life he used to live and is making it difficult to resist sinful temptations. Though Dante is committed to living clean for his girlfriend Charlie, this dude’s been a playboy for far too long…and old demons die hard.

With Charlie becoming the girl she was never able to be pre-makeover and Aspen showing him how delicious it feels to embrace his inner beast, Dante will have to go somewhere he never thought he’d return to in order to accomplish the impossible: save the girl he’s been assigned to, and keep the girl he loves.

Have more questions about the romance in THE LIBERATOR? Read a note from the author about Aspen's involvement in the story: http://tinyurl.com/asl8qyy

Expected Publication: August 27, 2013

7. Untold (UK) (The Lynburn Legacy #2) by Sarah Rees Brennan

Free from bonds, but not each other

It’s time to choose sides… On the surface, Sorry-in-the-Vale is a sleepy English town. But Kami Glass knows the truth. Sorry-in-the-Vale is full of magic. In the old days, the Lynburn family ruled with fear, terrifying the people into submission in order to kill for blood and power. Now the Lynburns are back, and Rob Lynburn is gathering sorcerers so that the town can return to the old ways.

But Rob and his followers aren’t the only sorcerers in town. A decision must be made: pay the blood sacrifice, or fight. For Kami, this means more than just choosing between good and evil. With her link to Jared Lynburn severed, she’s now free to love anyone she chooses. But who should that be?’

Expected Publication: August 29, 2013