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    Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass Book 2)

    by J, Maas, Sarah
    Crown of Midnight, the second book in Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series, follows assassin Celaena Sardothien as she navigates her role as the King’s Champion while concealing her true loyalties. Surrounded by political intrigue, moral dilemmas, and dangerous enemies, she fights to protect her loved ones and uncover the truth behind her past. The novel explores themes of loyalty, identity, and resistance in a richly constructed fantasy world.
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    Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass Book 2)

    Chapter 20

    by J, Maas, Sarah

    In Chap­ter 20 of “Crown of Mid­night,” Celae­na seeks to uncov­er the true nature of an ancient amulet she pos­sess­es, ques­tion­ing its pow­er and pur­pose. She con­sults Mort, the skull knock­er, who con­firms the amulet’s mag­i­cal prop­er­ties but can­not explain its spe­cif­ic func­tion. Dri­ven by curios­i­ty and a desire to under­stand its sig­nif­i­cance, Celae­na attempts to use the amulet as a key to reveal hid­den truths with­in a mys­te­ri­ous tomb. Despite her efforts and recit­ing ancient words, the amulet fails to unlock any secret pas­sage, leav­ing her frus­trat­ed and ques­tion­ing the clues she has been giv­en. Her deter­mi­na­tion to deci­pher the rid­dle under­scores her relent­less pur­suit of pow­er and knowl­edge.

    The chap­ter tran­si­tions into a vivid, recur­ring dream that haunts Celae­na, set in a des­o­late ravine under a cold, moon­lit sky. She wit­ness­es a majes­tic white stag, sym­bol­iz­ing a con­nec­tion to her past and lost inno­cence, watch­ing her from the oth­er side of the chasm. The dream reflects her inner tur­moil, as she con­tem­plates cross­ing into the darkness—an act that might sym­bol­ize con­fronting her fears or embrac­ing her des­tiny. The omi­nous dark­ness, whis­per­ing with mem­o­ries and echoes of her for­mer life, seems to chal­lenge her resolve. The stag’s invi­ta­tion to join it hints at a deep­er, per­haps spir­i­tu­al jour­ney that she must under­take, yet she choos­es to remain on the edge, hes­i­tant to step into the unknown.

    Upon wak­ing, Celae­na is haunt­ed by the same relent­less sense of loss and trau­ma, recall­ing her mem­o­ries of blood­shed and her cap­tiv­i­ty. Her dream serves as a stark reminder of her past and the pain she endures, fuel­ing her resolve to con­front her future. She ris­es from her bed, accom­pa­nied by her loy­al hound Fleet­foot, and gazes into the dark ravine that con­tin­ues to sym­bol­ize her inner con­flict. Her reflec­tion on the recur­ring night­mare empha­sizes her ongo­ing strug­gle with her iden­ti­ty, guilt, and the heavy bur­den of her past deeds. Despite the dark­ness, she remains deter­mined to face what­ev­er chal­lenges lie ahead, under­stand­ing that her jour­ney is far from over.

    The chap­ter clos­es with a glimpse into Celaena’s dai­ly life as she pre­pares to leave the cas­tle ear­ly in the morn­ing, avoid­ing her usu­al rou­tine. Her absence from her train­ing and her secre­tive depar­ture hint at her inner tur­moil and desire for soli­tude. When Chaol finds her miss­ing, he is momen­tar­i­ly con­cerned but quick­ly shifts to focus on her well-being and their ongo­ing rela­tion­ship. The scene also intro­duces Nehemia, who is engaged with her own pur­suits, sug­gest­ing that Celaena’s world is inter­twined with polit­i­cal and per­son­al com­plex­i­ties. This moment high­lights her inter­nal con­flict, resilience, and the ongo­ing search for mean­ing and pur­pose amid chaos and dan­ger.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What is the significance of the amulet in Celaena’s investigation, and what does her attempt to use it reveal about its properties?

      Answer:
      The amulet is believed to possess protective, possibly magical, properties that guard the wearer from harm, as suggested by Mort. Celaena’s curiosity about the amulet’s true function indicates she suspects it may be linked to uncovering deeper secrets, such as the source of the king’s power. Her attempt to use the amulet as a lens or eye—aligning it with Elena’s “Eye”—reveals her hope that it might unlock hidden passages or reveal concealed truths within the tomb. However, her repeated efforts, including reciting a spell and trying different orientations, yield no immediate results, suggesting the amulet’s power may be more complex or require a different approach. This underscores the theme of mystery and the search for knowledge beyond surface appearances.

      2. How does the dream of the ravine and the white stag deepen our understanding of Celaena’s internal struggles and past?

      Answer:
      The recurring dream of the ravine and the white stag symbolizes Celaena’s inner conflict, her feelings of loss, and her longing for freedom or a return to a better past. The ravine, vast and dark, represents the unknown and the depths of her subconscious, while the white stag embodies a symbol of purity, hope, and perhaps her former self. Her hesitation to cross the ravine reflects her fear of confronting her darkest memories, especially the trauma of her past and the loss of loved ones. The stag’s silent invitation suggests an internal call to face her fears or accept her destiny. This dream encapsulates her ongoing struggle between her past pain and her desire to move forward, highlighting her emotional complexity.

      3. In what ways does Celaena’s interaction with Mort and her exploration of the tomb’s mysteries illustrate her character traits and her approach to problem-solving?

      Answer:
      Celaena’s interactions with Mort reveal her determination, curiosity, and impatience. She is relentless in her pursuit of answers, even when faced with riddles and dead ends, exemplified by her repeated attempts to activate the tomb’s secret. Her willingness to question Mort’s advice and her persistence in trying different methods—like reciting spells and examining the wall—show her resourcefulness and a refusal to give up easily. At the same time, her frustration and self-criticism highlight her emotional vulnerability. Her approach combines intuition, bravery, and a desire for knowledge, making her a proactive problem-solver who is willing to take risks to uncover hidden truths.

      4. What does Celaena’s decision to leave the castle early in the morning suggest about her state of mind and her character development at this point in the story?

      Answer:
      Celaena’s choice to leave the castle before dawn reflects her restless spirit, inner turmoil, and desire for solitude or clarity. It indicates that she is grappling with complex emotions—grief, frustration, and a need to confront her past—without external distractions. Her leaving also demonstrates her independence, resilience, and refusal to be confined by her circumstances. This act of departure shows her willingness to face her fears alone and underscores her growth as a character who seeks answers and truth beyond her immediate environment. It highlights her evolving sense of agency and her ongoing internal struggle to reconcile her past with her present purpose.

      5. How do the symbolic elements in the chapter—such as the white stag, the ravine, and the moonlight—contribute to the overarching themes of mystery, self-discovery, and destiny?

      Answer:
      The white stag, the ravine, and the moonlight serve as powerful symbols that reinforce the chapter’s themes. The stag, with its ancient eyes and glowing antlers, symbolizes purity, hope, and a guiding presence—an elusive ideal or a call to destiny that Celaena must heed. The ravine, vast and dark, represents the unknown aspects of her subconscious and the challenges she faces in confronting her past and her true self. The moonlight illuminates these symbols, creating a mystical atmosphere that underscores the theme of illumination—both literal and metaphorical—on her journey of self-discovery. Together, these elements evoke a sense of mystery and destiny, suggesting that her path involves navigating darkness to find clarity and purpose.

    Quotes

    • 1. “It’s terribly rude to wake someone when they’re sleeping,” he said drowsily.

      This humorous yet pointed remark highlights Mort’s dismissive attitude and the chapter’s recurring theme of the mysterious, often cryptic nature of the tomb’s magic. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of ancient power and riddles.

      2. “The necklace—does it truly have power?”

      “Of course it does,” Mort replied. “It’s magic. Magical things rarely age as normal objects do.”
      This exchange underscores the chapter’s focus on ancient, potent magic and the significance of artifacts that transcend time. It also introduces the necklace as a key object tied to protection and mystery.

      3. “It is only with the eye that one can see rightly.”

      This line encapsulates the central metaphor of perception versus reality, emphasizing that understanding or truth often requires the right perspective or insight—an idea that resonates with Celaena’s quest to decipher riddles and hidden truths within the tomb.

      4. “So Celaena did not cross, and the stag turned away, his steps near silent as he disappeared between the tangled trees of the ageless wood.”

      This poignant image symbolizes hesitation and the allure of the unknown, reflecting Celaena’s internal conflict and the chapter’s exploration of choices and the boundaries of understanding.

      5. “They remained there for a moment, gazing into that blackness without end.”

      This closing reflection captures the chapter’s overarching theme of confronting darkness—both literal and metaphorical—and the enduring mystery that haunts Celaena, emphasizing the chapter’s introspective and foreboding tone.

    Quotes

    1. “It’s terribly rude to wake someone when they’re sleeping,” he said drowsily.

    This humorous yet pointed remark highlights Mort’s dismissive attitude and the chapter’s recurring theme of the mysterious, often cryptic nature of the tomb’s magic. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of ancient power and riddles.

    2. “The necklace—does it truly have power?”

    “Of course it does,” Mort replied. “It’s magic. Magical things rarely age as normal objects do.”
    This exchange underscores the chapter’s focus on ancient, potent magic and the significance of artifacts that transcend time. It also introduces the necklace as a key object tied to protection and mystery.

    3. “It is only with the eye that one can see rightly.”

    This line encapsulates the central metaphor of perception versus reality, emphasizing that understanding or truth often requires the right perspective or insight—an idea that resonates with Celaena’s quest to decipher riddles and hidden truths within the tomb.

    4. “So Celaena did not cross, and the stag turned away, his steps near silent as he disappeared between the tangled trees of the ageless wood.”

    This poignant image symbolizes hesitation and the allure of the unknown, reflecting Celaena’s internal conflict and the chapter’s exploration of choices and the boundaries of understanding.

    5. “They remained there for a moment, gazing into that blackness without end.”

    This closing reflection captures the chapter’s overarching theme of confronting darkness—both literal and metaphorical—and the enduring mystery that haunts Celaena, emphasizing the chapter’s introspective and foreboding tone.

    FAQs

    1. What is the significance of the amulet in Celaena’s investigation, and what does her attempt to use it reveal about its properties?

    Answer:
    The amulet is believed to possess protective, possibly magical, properties that guard the wearer from harm, as suggested by Mort. Celaena’s curiosity about the amulet’s true function indicates she suspects it may be linked to uncovering deeper secrets, such as the source of the king’s power. Her attempt to use the amulet as a lens or eye—aligning it with Elena’s “Eye”—reveals her hope that it might unlock hidden passages or reveal concealed truths within the tomb. However, her repeated efforts, including reciting a spell and trying different orientations, yield no immediate results, suggesting the amulet’s power may be more complex or require a different approach. This underscores the theme of mystery and the search for knowledge beyond surface appearances.

    2. How does the dream of the ravine and the white stag deepen our understanding of Celaena’s internal struggles and past?

    Answer:
    The recurring dream of the ravine and the white stag symbolizes Celaena’s inner conflict, her feelings of loss, and her longing for freedom or a return to a better past. The ravine, vast and dark, represents the unknown and the depths of her subconscious, while the white stag embodies a symbol of purity, hope, and perhaps her former self. Her hesitation to cross the ravine reflects her fear of confronting her darkest memories, especially the trauma of her past and the loss of loved ones. The stag’s silent invitation suggests an internal call to face her fears or accept her destiny. This dream encapsulates her ongoing struggle between her past pain and her desire to move forward, highlighting her emotional complexity.

    3. In what ways does Celaena’s interaction with Mort and her exploration of the tomb’s mysteries illustrate her character traits and her approach to problem-solving?

    Answer:
    Celaena’s interactions with Mort reveal her determination, curiosity, and impatience. She is relentless in her pursuit of answers, even when faced with riddles and dead ends, exemplified by her repeated attempts to activate the tomb’s secret. Her willingness to question Mort’s advice and her persistence in trying different methods—like reciting spells and examining the wall—show her resourcefulness and a refusal to give up easily. At the same time, her frustration and self-criticism highlight her emotional vulnerability. Her approach combines intuition, bravery, and a desire for knowledge, making her a proactive problem-solver who is willing to take risks to uncover hidden truths.

    4. What does Celaena’s decision to leave the castle early in the morning suggest about her state of mind and her character development at this point in the story?

    Answer:
    Celaena’s choice to leave the castle before dawn reflects her restless spirit, inner turmoil, and desire for solitude or clarity. It indicates that she is grappling with complex emotions—grief, frustration, and a need to confront her past—without external distractions. Her leaving also demonstrates her independence, resilience, and refusal to be confined by her circumstances. This act of departure shows her willingness to face her fears alone and underscores her growth as a character who seeks answers and truth beyond her immediate environment. It highlights her evolving sense of agency and her ongoing internal struggle to reconcile her past with her present purpose.

    5. How do the symbolic elements in the chapter—such as the white stag, the ravine, and the moonlight—contribute to the overarching themes of mystery, self-discovery, and destiny?

    Answer:
    The white stag, the ravine, and the moonlight serve as powerful symbols that reinforce the chapter’s themes. The stag, with its ancient eyes and glowing antlers, symbolizes purity, hope, and a guiding presence—an elusive ideal or a call to destiny that Celaena must heed. The ravine, vast and dark, represents the unknown aspects of her subconscious and the challenges she faces in confronting her past and her true self. The moonlight illuminates these symbols, creating a mystical atmosphere that underscores the theme of illumination—both literal and metaphorical—on her journey of self-discovery. Together, these elements evoke a sense of mystery and destiny, suggesting that her path involves navigating darkness to find clarity and purpose.

    Note