In this week’s episode, we dive into chapters 39–43 of Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas, where destiny begins to tighten its grip on Celaena Sardothien. Armed with 13 years of combined academic literary training, we use two literary lenses to analyze the rich symbolism, metaphors, and imagery woven through these pivotal chapters, including mirrors, portals, Wyrdmarks, and fire.

Our guiding question: Has Celaena ever had a choice when it comes to Destiny and the path it wants her to take?

From Celaena’s chilling encounter with Baba Yellowlegs and her first true glimpse into the multiverse of the Maasverse, to Dorian’s growing empathy and Chaol’s descent into paranoia and betrayal, these chapters mark a turning point in Celaena’s character arc. We unpack themes of agency, identity, grief, and transformation, while analyzing how Sarah J. Maas uses gothic horror, fairy tale tropes, romantic foils, and fantasy lore to shape Celaena’s slow march toward who she is meant to become.

This episode is perfect for people who love:

Throne of Glass literary analysis

Romantasy with layered female protagonists

Fantasy books about fate vs. free will

Witchcraft, Wyrdmarks, and multiverse lore

Enemies to lovers, friends to enemies, and broken friendships

Symbolism, foreshadowing, and character-driven worldbuilding

Dissecting Dorian, Chaol, and Celaena's emotional journeys

This is Part 1 of our two-part discussion—Part 2 drops Thursday.

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