Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass)
Now that Celaena Sardothian is safely ensconced as the king’s assassin, after Throne of Glass (2012), she’s begun to consider the true price of her freedom. Tasked with killing her tyrant king’s enemies, Celaena has a tricky balance to strike: proving her loyalty and preserving her life, and trusting the growing voices decrying the king’s power-hungry schemes. But that balance crumbles with an unexpected death and a frenzied search for both the killer and the secrets that murder was meant to hide. Meanwhile, Celaena finds herself in the midst of a steamy love triangle, with jealous glares flying almost as fast as her own daggers. There’s a lot to like in Maas’ latest—magic, witches, betrayal, love, page-flipping action—and it’s balanced by an equally tantalizing secret: Who is Celaena, and what is she hiding? It’s probably best to start at the beginning of the series, and fans will be satisfied not only by the intricate plot, dishy romance, and rich world building but they will be thrilled by the prospect of deepening adventures in the next volume.        HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Author tours, conference appearances, social-media campaigns, global marketing: this up-and-coming author will be making the rounds. Expect her large online fan base to follow. Grades 7-12. --Sarah Hunter