Story Summary
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas is the second book in the Throne of Glass series — a story of assassins, secrets, and the dangerous price of truth.
After winning the title of King's Champion, Celaena Sardothien is bound to serve the king who once enslaved her. By day, she hunts his enemies. In secret, she defies him, sparing her targets and quietly aiding the rebellion against Adarlan's tyranny.
But Celaena's double life unravels as she's pulled deeper into the politics of the court — and into her growing bond with Chaol Westfall, the Captain of the Guard. Meanwhile, Prince Dorian begins to uncover a power within himself that could change the world forever.
Main Characters
Celaena Sardothien
Age: 18 | Ethnicity: Terrasen (human) | Hair Color: Blonde | Eye Color: Blue-gray
Identity: Assassin / King's Champion
Deadly, witty, and unpredictable — Celaena hides a dangerous past beneath charm and defiance.
Chaol Westfall
Age: 22 | Ethnicity: Adarlanian | Hair Color: Brown | Eye Color: Brown
Identity: Captain of the Guard / royal soldier
Loyal, disciplined, and deeply conflicted — Chaol is torn between duty to his crown and his love for Celaena.
Dorian Havilliard
Age: 20 | Ethnicity: Adarlanian | Hair Color: Black | Eye Color: Sapphire blue
Identity: Crown Prince / secret magic wielder
Charming and introspective, Dorian struggles with his power — and what it means for his kingdom.
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Every Spicy Chapter – Breakdown & Highlights
Crown of Midnight raises both the emotional and romantic tension. Celaena and Chaol's slow-burn connection finally turns physical, full of vulnerability and longing. While not explicit, these moments carry weight — they change everything between them.
Chapter 20 – The Kiss
After months of stolen glances and careful restraint, Celaena and Chaol finally give in. Alone in the castle corridors, he pulls her close, and the kiss is fierce and sudden — a release of everything they've been holding back.
"Her heart stopped as his lips brushed hers once, twice, and then deeper, stealing every bit of air from her lungs."
Chapter 24 – The Birthday Surprise
Celaena surprises Chaol with a private dinner for his birthday. Laughter softens the tension, and the night turns quiet, intimate. There's warmth, teasing, and the comfort of being seen.
"For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to be happy — wildly, stupidly happy."
Chapter 25 – The Bedroom Scene
Their attraction finally explodes when Celaena stays with Chaol. The scene fades to black, but the emotion is unmistakable — it's passionate, real, and tinged with the fear of what it might cost them both.
"She kissed him until she couldn't breathe, until the world went silent except for the pounding of their hearts."
Chapter 26 – The Morning After
The next morning, they share laughter and quiet affection. For once, Celaena lets her walls down completely. It's short-lived, but it shows her softer side — and how deeply Chaol has reached her.
"It was easy to forget that she was the King's Champion when she smiled like that."
Chapter 47 – The Confrontation
After tragedy tears them apart, everything between them shatters. Their reunion is filled with grief, betrayal, and unspoken love. The tension that once drew them together now burns with pain.
"He reached for her, and she flinched like his touch could burn through her armor."
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Goodreads Reader Reactions
Crown of Midnight holds a 4.4-star average on Goodreads and is widely considered the book where the Throne of Glass series "finds its fire."
Positive Reactions
- "Celaena's transformation is breathtaking — fierce, tragic, and unstoppable."
- "Chaol and Celaena's relationship had me screaming and sobbing."
- "This is where the story turns — it's darker, deeper, and completely addicting."
Fans praise Maas's balance of romance, action, and mystery, calling the ending "a gut punch that changes everything."
Critical Reactions
- "The first half is lighter, but the second half destroys you."
- "Chaol's decisions are messy, but that's what makes it feel real."
Overall: Readers agree this book cements Throne of Glass as a fantasy powerhouse — full of loss, fire, and revelations that reshape the series.
"This isn't just fantasy anymore. It's war, grief, and love — all bleeding on the same page."
Related Books – The Throne of Glass Series Order
Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass saga spans eight main novels and one prequel collection, chronicling Celaena Sardothien's journey from assassin to queen. It's a story of rebellion, identity, and the cost of freedom — told through unforgettable characters and a world that grows with every book.
1️⃣ The Assassin's Blade (2014) – Prequel Collection
A set of five novellas following Celaena before Throne of Glass. We see her early life as Adarlan's Assassin, her mentor Arobynn Hamel, and her doomed love with Sam Cortland.
2️⃣ Throne of Glass (2012)
Celaena is freed from Endovier's mines to compete as the King's Champion. Here, she meets Dorian and Chaol, and discovers the first hints of forgotten magic.
3️⃣ Crown of Midnight (2013)
Celaena begins defying the king, balancing love and rebellion. Secrets, heartbreak, and her true identity start to surface.
4️⃣ Heir of Fire (2014)
Celaena travels to Wendlyn, where she trains with Rowan Whitethorn and begins to embrace her destiny as Aelin Galathynius, heir of Terrasen.
5️⃣ Queen of Shadows (2015)
Aelin returns to Adarlan to reclaim her throne and confront her past — including her former master, Arobynn.
6️⃣ Empire of Storms (2016)
Allies gather as war looms. The relationships deepen, the stakes rise, and Aelin's sacrifices shape the coming storm.
7️⃣ Tower of Dawn (2017)
Running parallel to Empire of Storms, this book follows Chaol Westfall and healer Yrene Towers in the southern continent. It's a journey of healing and renewal.
8️⃣ Kingdom of Ash (2018)
The final battle. Aelin and her allies unite to save Erilea in a sweeping conclusion of courage, love, and sacrifice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many chapters are in Crown of Midnight?
There are 55 chapters.
Q: What happens in Crown of Midnight?
Celaena secretly works against the king while falling for Chaol. A shocking betrayal and death push her toward uncovering her past and embracing her destiny.
Q: What book comes after Crown of Midnight?
Heir of Fire.
Q: How does Crown of Midnight end?
Celaena reveals to Chaol that she is Aelin Galathynius, the lost Queen of Terrasen, and leaves Adarlan for Wendlyn.
Q: How old is Chaol in Crown of Midnight?
He's 22 years old.
Q: What is Crown of Midnight about?
It's about loyalty, loss, and identity — Celaena choosing between love and rebellion, and beginning to face who she truly is.
Q: Who is Dorian's cousin in Crown of Midnight?
Dorian's cousin is Aedion Ashryver, a warrior from Terrasen who later becomes one of Aelin's most trusted allies.
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