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

 Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2) by Sarah J. Maas-418 pages

I enjoyed reading Throne of Glass, so I wanted to read the second in the long series by Maas. This one did not disappoint. In fact, I found this second installment even more thrilling and enjoyable. I especially liked the ending. A secret is revealed at the end that will change Adarlan, Terrasen, and all of Erilea forever. Celaena is a character that I am rooting for, along with Chaol and Dorian. This secret revealed will change the nature of their relationship forever, also. 

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

The Queen of Nothing
The Folk of the Air #3
by Holly Black
308 pages









Now as the exiled mortal Queen of Faerie, Jude is powerless and left reeling from Cardan’s betrayal. She bides her time determined to reclaim everything he took from her. Opportunity arrives in the form of her deceptive twin sister, Taryn, whose mortal life is in peril.

Jude must risk venturing back into the treacherous Faerie Court, and confront her lingering feelings for Cardan, if she wishes to save her sister. But Elfhame is not as she left it. War is brewing. As Jude slips deep within enemy lines she becomes ensnared in the conflict’s bloody politics.

And, when a dormant yet powerful curse is unleashed, panic spreads throughout the land, forcing her to choose between her ambition and her humanity…

Royally Yours by Emma Chase

Royally Yours by Emma Chase -- 313 pages

Princess Lenora Celeste Beatrice Arabella Pembrook had an unusual childhood. She was raised to be a Queen—the first Queen of Wessco. It’s a big deal. When she’s crowned at just nineteen, the beautiful young monarch is prepared to rule. She’s charming, clever, confident and cunning. What she isn’t… is married. It’s her advising council’s first priority. It’s what Parliament is demanding, and what her people want. Lenora has no desire to tie herself to a man—particularly one who only wants her for her crown. But compromises must be made and royals must do their duty. Even Queens. Especially them.

Years ago, Edward Langdon Richard Dorian Rourke, walked away from his title and country. Now he’s an adventurer—climbing mountains, exploring jungles, going wherever he wants, when he wants—until family devotion brings him home. And a sacred promise keeps him there. To Edward, the haughty, guarded little Queen is intriguing, infuriating…and utterly captivating. Wanting her just might drive him mad—or become his greatest adventure.

Within the cold, stone walls of the royal palace—mistrust threatens, wills clash, and an undeniable, passionate love will change the future of the monarchy forever. Every dynasty has a beginning. Every legend starts with a story. This is theirs. 

Royally Matched by Emma Chase

Royally Matched by Emma Chase -- 264 pages

Some men are born responsible, some men have responsibility thrust upon them. Henry Charles Albert Edgar Pembrook, Prince of Wessco, just got the motherlode of all responsibility dumped in his regal lap. He’s not handling it well.

Hoping to force her grandson to rise to the occasion, Queen Lenora goes on a much-needed safari holiday—and when the Queen’s away, the Prince will play. After a chance meeting with an American television producer, Henry finally makes a decision all on his own:

Welcome to Matched: Royal Edition.

A reality TV dating game show featuring twenty of the world's most beautiful blue bloods gathered in the same castle. Only one will win the diamond tiara, only one will capture the handsome prince’s heart. While Henry revels in the antics of the contestants as they fight, literally, for his affection, it’s the quiet, bespectacled girl in the corner—with the voice of an angel and a body that would tempt a saint—who catches his eye.

The more Henry gets to know Sarah Mirabelle Zinnia Von Titebottum, the more enamored he becomes of her simple beauty, her strength, her kind spirit…and her naughty sense of humor. But Rome wasn’t built in a day—and irresponsible royals aren’t reformed overnight. As he endeavors to right his wrongs, old words take on whole new meanings for the dashing Prince. Words like, Duty, Honor and most of all—Love.

Royally Screwed by Emma Chase

Royally Screwed by Emma Chase -- 276 pages

Nicholas Arthur Frederick Edward Pembrook, Crowned Prince of Wessco, aka His Royal Hotness, is wickedly charming, devastatingly handsome, and unabashedly arrogant; hard not to be when people are constantly bowing down to you. Then, one snowy night in Manhattan, the prince meets a dark haired beauty who doesn't bow down. Instead, she throws a pie in his face. Nicholas wants to find out if she tastes as good as her pie, and this heir apparent is used to getting what he wants.

Dating a prince isn't what waitress Olivia Hammond ever imagined it would be. There's a disapproving queen, a wildly inappropriate spare heir, relentless paparazzi, and brutal public scrutiny. While they've traded in horse drawn carriages for Rolls Royces, and haven't chopped anyone's head off lately, the royals are far from accepting of this commoner. But to Olivia, Nicholas is worth it.

Nicholas grew up with the whole world watching, and now Marriage Watch is in full force. In the end, Nicholas has to decide who he is and, more importantly, who he wants to be: a King... or the man who gets to love Olivia forever. 

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake  398 pages

In every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn't solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it's not just a game of win or lose...it's life or death. The night the sisters turn 16, the battle begins.

The last queen standing gets the crown.

The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman

The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman (audiobook)-69 pages in print

I really enjoy Neil Gaiman's works and this one was no different in that respect. I enjoyed listening to a full cast read this, instead of one voice reading the entire novelette. This is a new twist/take on a combination of many popular fairy tales. It also reminds me a bit of The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit. It has a Gaiman feel to it and I really enjoyed listening to it. Additionally, I enjoyed the sound effects and music. The music, especially, set the tone as eerie and dark.

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Crown of Midnight
(The second book in the Throne of Glass series)
By Sarah J. Maas
418 pages









Celaena Sardothien is the king's Champion--yet she is far from loyal to the crown, for the man she serves is bent on evil. Working against her master in secret is no easy task. As Celaena tries to untangle the mysteries buried within the glass castle, she can trust no one, not even her supposed allies Crown Prince Dorian, Captain of the Guard Chaol, or foreign Princess Nehemia.

Then an unspeakable tragedy shatters Celaena's world. She must decide once and for all where her loyalties lie....and whom she will fight for.

She is the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But does she have the heart of a killer?