Crown of Midnight is the third book chronologically in the eight-book Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. Picking up a few weeks after the events of Throne of Glass, Celaena Sardothien is now the official royal assassin to the King of Adarlan, carrying out his dirty tasks while concealing secrets of her own. Her missions take her deeper into the heart of the Adarlan empire, where whispers of rebellion, hidden magic, and ancient forces begin to stir. Amidst this backdrop, a budding romance with Chaol Westfall begins to blossom, which complicates her missions and her sense of duty. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Dorian Havilliard grapples with changes of his own, as unexpected latent abilities awaken within him. As Celaena goes further down into the hidden depths of Rifthold and the Glass Palace, she uncovers clues that challenge everything she thought she knew and must tread a dangerous line between loyalty and truth.
NOTE: Major spoilers ahead for earlier installments and minor spoilers ahead for the current book.
Table of Contents
What is the world in Crown of Midnight?
The Throne of Glass series takes place in Erilea, a land rich in history and magic. To the far east of Erilea and beyond the Great Ocean lies the continent Wendlyn and to the south the Southern Continent. Over time, Erilea has seen the rise and fall of powerful kingdoms alongside the ebb and flow of magic. Originally, the first inhabitants were the immortal Fae and they coexisted peacefully with lesser faeries and humans for centuries. However, ten years ago the King of Adarlan banned magic and all magical beings. In one fell sweep, magic disappeared from the continent. No one knows how, but folks whisper that the gods must have cursed them. The King began a campaign of destruction unlike anything the continent had ever seen, destroying and burning ancient texts, sacred sites, and anyone associated with magic, including magical beings and any mortals with magic in their blood. Many Fae and magical creatures fled the continent and went into hiding as the continent fell under the oppressive rule of the King of Adarlan. The fall of magic in Erilea was a catastrophic and devastating tragedy with the loss of countless lives and priceless knowledge.
Who are the main characters in Crown of Midnight?

Celaena Sardothien/"Lillian Gordaina"
Celaena Sardothien is the King of Adarlan’s personal assassin and operating under the alias "Lillian Gordaina." As she investigates a rebel plot, she stumbles upon an ancient secret within the castle that has far reaching implications for her world.

Dorian Havilliard II
Faced with Celaena and Chaol’s budding relationship, Crown Prince Dorian’s jealousy is quickly overshadowed by a personal discovery; one that causes deep internal conflict and could set him on a path at direct odds with his own father, the King of Adarlan.

Chaol Westfall
Chaol Westfall is the Captain of the Royal Adarlan Guard, but his unwavering loyalty is tested as he struggles to balance his duty to the Crown, his devotion to his best friend, Prince Dorian, and his growing feelings for Celaena.
Who are the minor characters in Crown of Midnight?

Philippa Spindlehead
Philippa Spindlehead is a sharp, practical servant in the royal palace assigned to help Celaena adjust to life at court. She’s refreshingly blunt and shows compassion without fuss or fanfare.

Nehemia Ytger
Nehemia Ytger is the princess of Eyllwe who has come to Adarlan to strengthen political relations between the two kingdoms. Known for her intelligence, dignity, and fierce loyalty to her homeland, she carries herself with grace and authority.

Fleetfoot
Fleetfoot is Celaena’s loyal and protective dog, who often provides comfort and companionship. Gifted to her by Dorian.

Hollin Havilliard
Prince Hollin Havilliard is back from boarding school and continues being a petulant child and a nuisance to all those around him.

Georgina Havilliard
With Prince Hollin back, Queen Georgina spends most of her time arranging entertainment for her younger, spoiled child and overlooking his terrible behavior.

Roland Havilliard
Second cousin to Prince Dorian and Prince Hollin, Roland is a charming and notorious womanizer with little care for court politics. He returns to court and is given a position of power by the King, much to the surprise of the other court members.

Minister Mullison
Minister Mullison is one of the King’s ministers and a high-ranking member of the court at the Glass Palace.

Lord Nirall
Lord Nirall is a lord from Bellhaven, a port city on the eastern coast of Fenharrow, a kingdom in eastern Erilea.

Lady Nirall
Lady Nirall is Lord Nirall’s wife, she is a beautiful but unremarkable noble woman.

Ress
Ress is one of Chaol’s most trusted men and a member of the Royal Adarlan Guard.

Lord Westfall
Lord Westfall is Chaol’s father, he is harsh and cruel. He rules over Anielle and has always been at odds with Chaol’s choices.

Sam Cortland
Sam Cortland was a skilled assassin and Celaena’s first love. Loyal, brave, and deeply caring, he was killed during their time with the Assassin’s Guild. His memory continues to shape Celaena’s emotional journey.

Harlan Sensel
Harlan Sensel is the Head Librarian in the Glass Castle and takes his duties very seriously.

Dannan
Dannan is another loyal member of the Royal Guard and friend to Ress.

Meghra
Meghra is the Head Cook of the Glass Castle and a formidable chef.

Rena Goldsmith
Rena Goldsmith is a passionate and wonderful singer noted for her ethereal voice and invited to perform at the Glass Palace in honor of Prince Hollin’s return.

Kaleen
Kaleen was Rena Goldsmith's teenage daughter and loved touring the country with her mother.

The Violinist
The Violinist is Rena Goldsmith's accompanist, traveling with the celebrated musician and performing beside her at concerts and royal engagements.

Arobynn Hamel
Arobynn Hamel is King of the Assassins and head of the Assassin’s Guild, he is ambitious and willing to take advantage of every situation. He found Celaena near death on the banks of a frozen river and trained her as an assassin according to his brutal methods.

Davis
Davis is a corrupt businessman and one of Archer Finn’s clients. He is said to have the best pastry chef in all of Rifthold.

Archer Finn
Archer Finn is a well-known courtesan and a former acquaintance of Celaena from her time in the Assassin’s Keep. She notes he is one of the most beautiful men she’s ever seen.

Ioan Jayne
Ioan Jayne was at one time the biggest crime lord in Rifthold. He was immensely wealthy and well connected with a vast network of spies throughout the city.

Rourke Farran
Rourke Farran was a sadistic crime lord from Celaena’s past, he served as Ioan Jayne’s second-in-command and gained notoriety for his brutal torture methods.

Wesley
Wesley was Arobynn Hamel's personal bodyguard. He was also best friends with Sam Cortland and was Lysandra's lover.

Madame Clarisse DuVency
Madame Clarisse DuVency manages a prestigious brothel in Rifthold and is known for her influence in the city’s elite circles. She is business partners with Arobynn Hamel.

Lysandra
Lysandra is a highly sought after courtesan under Madame Clarisse DuVency’s employment. She and Celaena have a bit of a rivalry.

Aedion Ashryver
Aedion Ashryver is a brilliant general in the Adarlan army and the fiercest warrior in the north.

Roland's Mother
Roland's Mother is a member of the Royal Adarlan family, she is visiting the Glass Palace and her main goal is to find her womanizing son a wife.

Mort
Mort is the sarcastic, talking door knocker to Elena Galathynius’ tomb, he offers cryptic wisdom with a sharp tongue. He is made from ancient magic, and was thus unaffected by the King of Adarlan’s recent magical ban.

Lithaen
Lithaen was a former maid in the Glass Castle and Chaol’s first love interest. She cheated on him with Roland Havilliard and departed with him to Meah.

Brannon Galathynius
Brannon Galathynius was the founder of Terrasen, he was a Fae King and father to Elena Galathynius. He established Terrasen over 2,000 years ago and was a mighty warrior with powerful fire magic.

Elena Galathynius Havilliard
Elena Galathynius Havilliard was a Demi-Fae and Princess of Terrasen. She was the daughter of the Fae King Brannon and played a vital role in banishing the dark forces of the past. She was Gavin Havilliard's mate and became the first Queen of Adarlan.

Gavin Havilliard
Gavin Havilliard was a mortal, who became the first King and founder of Adarlan. He was Elena Galathynius' mate and a legendary warrior, famed for defeating the Dark Lord Erawan from long ago.

Orlon Galathynius
Orlon Galathynius was the former King of Terrasen and a single Kingsflame flower bloomed during his reign. His lover was Weylan Darrow and the two of them had no children.

Evalin Ashryver
Evalin Ashryver was originally a Princess of Wendlyn, then she later became the Princess of Terrasen when she married Rhoe Galathynius.

Rhoe Galathynius
Rhoe Galathynius was the former Crown Prince of Terrasen, he was nephew to Orlon Galathynius.

Lord of the North
The Lord of the North is the spirit of Terrasen, often depicted as a white sun stag with flames between its antlers, it lives in the Oakwald Forest. Sun stags were sacred to Mala Fire-Bringer and were later brought to Terrasen by Brannon Galathynius. The name also refers to a stag constellation that always points toward Terrasen.

The Kingsflame
The Kingsflame is a small flame-like flower that symbolizes Brannon Galathynius and Terrasen. It is said to only bloom when the realm is at peace and under the reign of a good king. When Orlon Galathynius became king, a single kingsflame bloomed, which he plucked and preserved in crystal.

Aelin Galathynius
Aelin Galathynius was the heir of the Terrasen Kingdom before its downfall at the hands of the King of Adarlan. She was daughter to Rhoe Galathynius and Evalin Ashryver. She disappeared after the Conquest of Terrasen.
Who are the gods and goddesses in Crown of Midnight?
“Beings of a higher, different existence. For whom time was fluid, and bodies were things to be shifted and molded. Who could exist in multiple places, spread themselves wide like nets being thrown. They were as mighty and vast and eternal as a human was to a mayfly. They had not been born in this world.” – Elena Galathynius in Empire of Storms

Mab
Mab was the youngest of the three Fae sister-queens, along with Mora and Maeve. She could transform into a white swan and was progenitor of the Ashryver family and Kingdom of Wendlyn. She gave up her immortality to be with a mortal.

Queen Maeve
Maeve is one of the three Fae sister-queens, along with Mora and Mab. She was the only one who did not give up her immortality and remains Queen of Doranelle. She helped banish the dark and demonic Valg forces centuries ago.

Mora
Mora was one of the three Fae sister-queens, along with Mab and Maeve. She could transform into a hawk and was progenitor of the Whitethorn family and the reason why their house sigil is a hawk. She relinquished her immortality to be with a mortal.
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Deanna
Deanna is the Goddess of the Moon and sister to Mala Fire-Bringer, she is associated with hunting, maidenhood, and protection of the young.
Who are the antagonists in Crown of Midnight?

The King of Adarlan
The King of Adarlan is the tyrannical ruler of the Adarlan empire, a man driven by a hunger for control and conquest. He is responsible for the brutal subjugation of both humans and Fae across Erilea.

Duke Perrington
Duke Perrington is cousin to the King of Adarlan and a cunning nobleman. He tried to manipulate the King Champion's Tournament to help Cain win but was thwarted by Celaena Sardothien. He pinned the blame on Kaltain Rompier.

Fortune Teller
The carnival fortune teller is a mysterious old woman calling herself Baba Yellowlegs and claiming to be 'the last born witch in the Witch Kingdom,' likely so she can upcharge for her fortune telling services.

Cain
Cain was a former competitor in the King’s Champion Tournament sponsored by Duke Perrington. He was sadistic and cruel, and unbeknownst to the other competitors, he was using dark magic. He was killed by Chaol Westfall.

Kaltain Rompier
Kaltain Rompier was once a beautiful and calculating noblewoman, with her eyes set on Prince Dorian. She is now imprisoned in the dungeons after the accusations of sabotaging Celaena Sardothien during the King's Champion Tournament.

Grave
Grave is a ruthless and grotesque assassin who also competed in the King’s Champion Tournament. He was sponsored by Minister Mullison and had a penchant for torturing his victims.
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The Ridderak
The Ridderak was a type of Valg monster used by Cain to eliminate the other contestants in the King’s Champion Tournament.
Where does Crown of Midnight take place?

Adarlan Kingdom
Sharing a border with Terrasen to the north, Adarlan is the dominant empire on the continent of Erilea. It is a militaristic and expansionist kingdom ruled by House Havilliard.

Rifthold
Rifthold is the glittering capital of Adarlan, built on the banks of the Avery River and with a harbor opening into the Great Ocean to the east. Despite its beauty, the city is a center of oppression.

The Glass Palace
The Glass Palace is a dazzling, magical structure rising atop the original stone castle. Made of tempered glass and crystalline spires, it is home to House Havilliard and has 600 rooms, three gardens, a wildlife game park, and two stables.

Palace Dungeons
The Palace Dungeons are a dark, oppressive labyrinth beneath the Glass Palace, reeking of decay and despair. These shadowy depths conceal ancient secrets and house enemies of House Havilliard.

Clock Tower
The clock tower is made of black stone, likely obsidian, with eight gargoyles around the top perimeter. The King of Adarlan had it erected shortly after Prince Dorian’s birth. It makes a wretchedly loud booming noise.

The Willow
The Willow is one of the most luxurious and fancy tea courts in Rifthold. Only the upper echelons may dine here as membership is difficult to attain.

Palace Library
The beautiful Palace Library at the Glass Palace is home to more than a million books and provides an elegant space for constituents to read or study. It is one of Celaena’s favorite places.

Secret Library
Beneath the Palace Library lies a secret library, it is labyrinthine and full of tunnels that house banned magical books, secret relics, and ancient scrolls.

Great Hall
The Great Hall is often used to host balls for members of the royal family. It is a beautiful space within the Glass Palace reserved for large celebrations.

Eyllwe
Eyllwe is a kingdom in the southeast corner of Erilea and is Nehemia’s homeland. It is a wealthy kingdom with many waterways and trade routes. Famous for its luscious Grasslands and Stone Marshes, a relic from a bygone civilization.

Banjali
Banjali, the capital of Eyllwe, is a vibrant and prosperous city renowned for its thriving economy and elegant architecture. It is also Princess Nehemia's hometown, where she was raised in a magnificent river palace filled with lotus blossoms.

Dead Islands
The dead islands are an archipelago off the eastern coast of Erilea. They are a lawless group of islands that act as safe havens for various pirates, slavers, and criminals. The main city and port is Skull’s Bay, ruled by Captain Rolfe.

Masquerade Ball
The aristocrats and nobles of Rifthold are renowned for their love of festivities, frequently hosting lavish banquets, extravagant parties, and elegant masquerade balls that showcase their immense wealth, status, and influence.

Endovier
Endovier is a brutal slave camp and salt mine on the Adarlan and Terrasen border. Enemies of the state such as magic wielders, rebels, and criminals are sent to toil their lives away in the mines. Thousands of prisoners labor under harsh conditions and are monitored by cruel Overseers.

Calaculla
Calaculla is the sister camp to Endovier and is a slave labor camp located in Eyllwe that houses enemies of the state. It lies in a scorching desert and is rumored to be harsher than Endovier. Princess Nehemia sought to get it shut down.

Melisande
Melisande is the smallest kingdom within Erilea and known for its craftsmen and tinkerers, who are famous for their clever little hands that make clever little knick knacks such as instruments, clocks, and toys.

Bellhaven
Bellhaven is the capital of Fenharrow and is located on the eastern coast of the pastoral kingdom. It is a wealthy port city, home to many thriving merchants that foster much maritime trade.

Fenharrow
Fenharrow is the kingdom directly south of Adarlan and is a quieter, more rural region known for its beautiful plains and farms. It is home to many small hamlets and settlements. It borders the Great Ocean to the east and its capital is the wealthy port city of Bellhaven.

Anielle
Nestled between the White Fang Mountains and the Oakwald Forest, Anielle sits by the Silver Lake and is a harsh and inhospitable city ruled by Lord Westfall, Chaol’s father. The weather is perpetually cold and gray, allowing little to grow,

The Royal Tombs
Beneath the castle are the Royal Tombs, solemn and grand, carved from ancient stone and shrouded in stillness. Hidden within their depths lies the tombs of Elena Galathynius Havilliard and Gavin Havilliard.

Wendlyn
Wendlyn is a vast continent east of Erilea, untouched by Adarlan's rule and one of the few places where magic continues to flourish. It is home to powerful magical beings and creatures from nightmares.

Terrasen
Terrasen was once a powerful and noble kingdom in the North of Erilea founded by Brannon Galathynius. It was overthrown by the King of Adarlan, but its people remain proud and resilient. It was famous as a center of magic and learning.

Orynth
Orynth was the capital of Terrasen, once home to House Galathynius. It use to be a thriving city but fell into decline after the royal family was overthrown, it is now a symbol of hope and resilience for the people of Terrasen. There use to be a famous library filled with books on magic, but that was destroyed during the Adarlan conquest.

Oakwald
The Oakwald Forest is a beautiful and mighty forest that runs through much of the eastern half of Erilea, it is also known as Brannon Galathynius’ forest. Once home to many species of Fae before the King of Adarlan’s banishment of magic.
Does Crown of Midnight have any bonus chapters?
Yes, there are 2 bonus chapters and both are intended to be read after Throne of Glass and before Crown of Midnight.
The Assassin and the Princess Bonus Chapter is a quick shopping trip and bonding experience between Celaena and Nehemia.
The Assassin and the Captain Bonus Chapter sees Celaena returning to the capital city after completing her first mission for the King.
Where to Buy Crown of Midnight
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