Book Review – A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

‘A nightmare, I’d told Tamlin. I was the nightmare.
Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin’s maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit—and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well. As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords—and hunt for allies in unexpected places.’ (Goodreads) (699 pages, May 2nd 2017, Bloomsbury Children Books)

This book had honestly a slow start. I just couldn’t connect to Feyre and Tamlin being back together. After finishing A Court of Mist and Fury I was in such a high and I wanted to jump right in the new story. But after a few chapters I just stopped reading for a few days, because it didn’t have the same feel as the previous book. And knowing everything about Tamlin now and knowing and missing Rhysand, it was just hard for me to connect to the story. I missed their conversations, their connection. Don’t even talk to me about Lucien. Her so-called friend that wanted to protect her, but couldn’t. He did warm up to me a little bit, after a few chapters, especially after seeing everything Feyre put him and the others through to destroy their plans. But unfortunately, the damage was done. 

That was the funnest part of the beginning. Seeing how she manipulated them all, seeing how she now really got into her powers and used them for her plans. But I must say that the first part wasn’t my favourite. I do understand why Sarah J. Maas wanted to start with this part and it does have a lot of repercussions on the following events, but still I didn’t like it that much unfortunately.

I did find the entire book a tiny, tiny bit disappointing, because I didn’t find the Rhysand I felt in love with. He wasn’t as strong as we’re used from him. Always questioning himself and showing his ‘true’ nature to the other High Lords as well. Luckily, we had some other interesting new characters in this book that brought fun conversations and more spice to the story, Like Hellion and the other High Lords. Even Tamlin and Jurian, two of my least favourite characters did surprise me near the end of the book.

Another one of my favourite pairings, that went even further in this book, is Cassian and Nesta. The entire book they were hot and cold, coming closer and pushing back. The entire time off course with Mor and Azriel in the back, which also had an impact on their connection. Here we also finally get to see why Mor chose Cassian and not Azriel and why she doesn’t want to go into Azriel’s advances. I’m not entirely convinced with her explanation, but I do get it in one way. But the reason why she doesn’t tell them, is a bit selfish and it breaks my heart for Azriel.

There are other problems in this book. Sarah J. Maas left a lot of questions unanswered, so I’m glad to know that we’ll get another 3 books in this series. I do wonder from whose standpoint we’ll get to see the continuation of the story. My guess (and hope) is on Nesta. She became the most interesting character to me in this book.

Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of negative points in this review, but I loved this book nontheless. Once I got throught the first (small) part of this book, I flew through it and devoured it. The action scenes were incredible and I could just picture them in my head. My heart broke over different parts in this story and the end was good. It wasn’t the perfect ending and a bit too romantic and well rounded to my taste. It ended a bit too perfectly for me. But all the stuff that happened in between was a rollercoaster, and even though with the many shortcomings and questions left unanswered, I liked it a lot. A court of Mist and Fury is still my favourite, but this one definitely comes second to my taste.

4,25 out of 5 stars, yes a rather high score despite my review, but it is an addictive read. Sarah J. Maas writes in such a way that I couldn’t and wouldn’t put down the book, and that is for me the most important part of reading a book. I want to be transported in another world and story, and this book did just that for me. 

Book Reread – A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

‘Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can’t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas’s masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.’ (GoodReads) (626 pages, May 3rd 2016, Bloomsbury USA Children)

This book just blows me away. I read it in such a quick pace, that I never saw the days past. Coming to the end of each chapter I just wanted to continue reading and continue until I dropped. Unfortunately, having a full time job, I have to think about my sleep and I did have to force myself to put the book down and wait until the next day/evening to continue reading it, because it just wasn’t letting me go.

Storywise and character development-wise (is that even a word ^^) there were some things that can be discussed, but the way Sarah J. Maas crafts her story and writes it all down, is just so addictive, that you basically overlook all the little things that you would normally find irritating. The timeline doesn’t always fit and she always give priority to the characters and their development, not looking at how events would normally unfold in time. But, I appreciate the way she does it or else I wouldn’t devour every book she puts out there. 

The most important part of this story is the relationship between Feyre and Rhysand, or lack thereof. The entire book they banter and fight, but always with respect and you slowly fall back in love with Feyre, who (thanks to Rhysand) gets strong again and confident. But you also fall in love with Rhysand, because he treats her with respect. The respect she fought so hard for, but never got of Tamlin. Always giving her the choice if she wanted to join him, Cassian, Azriel and Mor in their endeavours and adventures. Never locking her up or making her be the pretty wife. Letting her become the powerful character we fell in love with in the beginning and most importantly letting her become the woman she was always meant to be.

Rhysand was patient. Pushing her when he needed to, but letting go when he saw he went to far. But the other way around was true as well. She was there for him, when he needed her, letting her in, bit by bit to show why he did what he did, why he became who he is now… And most importantly who he really is. It did come as no surprise when they slowly started to fall in love with each other. Something I wished for so hard and seeing (reading) it unfurl in this story was, I think, the most important reason why I stayed hooked to this story. And the moment the mate bond snapped in place for her was just perfect. The way she reacted was, lets just say, not. 

But they’re not the only ones. We got to meet a lot of new characters, all really interesting and different from each other. All strong females and males, standing by their high lord, but with their own ideas and personalities. The times they clashed and fought were the more interesting ones to read about. As well as the ones where they all got together and just were a family going out for dinner. But the bound between them was so unique, so strong, that even though they were all different, you could feel the love they had for each other through all the things they went through together.

I could keep talking about this book, because this is one of my favourites. Each time I read it again and again (yes, I’ve read it 5 times now, and still counting 😉 ), it devours me and spits me out at the end, feeling raw and real. Because it takes your heart, cuddles it, then throws it on the ground and jumps on it. It’s a rollercoaster of emotion, good and bad, of events and plot points that keep you guessing and gasping for days afterwards and just doesn’t let go. Never.

Sidenote: I’m currently reading the third book in this series, and this one, the second one, is still my favourite. My love for this book runs deep, so deep. 

5 out of 5 stars. I would definitely recommend this entire series, and especially this book.

xoxo

BBL.

Book Reread – A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah. J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses #1

‘A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Timesbestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beastwith faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it… or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!’ (Goodreads) (416 pages, May 5th 2015, Bloomsbury’s Children)

I reread the first two books because of the next installment that will come out really soon. I just wanted to get back into the stories and return to this beautiful world before diving into the new book.

This book tore my heart out, again and again.

This review may contain some small spoilers.

This is the first time I reread this book. Last time, when A Court of Mist and Fury came out, I just couldn’t wait and immediately jumped into it. And I remember that the first time I read A Court of Thorns and Roses I loved it, truly loved it. I devoured it in a few days. But my thoughts changed while reading A Court of Mist and Fury. I remember thinking that this second book was so much better than the first one. A Court of Thorns and Roses felt flat and uneventful (except the end off course) and the entire relationship between Tamlin and Feyre felt strange and wrong and it didn’t compare to how I felt reading the second book.

Now rereading this book I got so much more out of it. Knowing what will happen in the rest of the book and the second one, just made me notice so many details that I’m sure I didn’t understand or just skipped reading while I read it for the first time. It made my enjoyment reading this book again so much better. Picking up things that are important for future events and just knowing what will happen with them and where the story will go. That made some things that happen in this book easier for me to connect to, because I know that this will all have an impact on Feyre or change drastically in the second book.

I still have the feeling that the second book is way better (I am currently rereading A Court of Mist and Fury), but my love for the first book came back strong. We see Feyre grow and evolve from a huntress with a closed, icy heart to a woman who dares to open her heart. You can see her strength in all her decisions and even when sometimes she settles in her role as the stupid human just there to enjoy her time and not thinking and seeing further than her own eyes, you feel the person she can become.

But this book does take it time to get to the point and to the more interesting parts. The first ¾ of the book we see Tamlin and Feyre grow towards each other and getting to know each other and the most interesting parts here are the steaming little scenes here and there. The last part of the story is where we see Feyre break over and over again and where we get our first taste of Rhysand, the love of my life. Ok, I know, unfortunately he’s only a character from a book. From the first moment we get a taste of him in Tamlin’s manor, until the way he saves Feyre, he’s in my personal opinion the most interesting character in this entire book. I especially enjoyed their ‘discussions’ at the end of the story.

Just read it. It’s not the most beautifully written book, but it’s Sarah J. Maas. It’s familiar, it’s moving, it grabs you and takes you through all the emotions and makes you forget everything around you. And that’s the most important part off course when reading a book. So I immediately picked up the second book and am now devouring this as well. All this to prepare myself for the third one, A Court of Wings and Ruin.

4,5 out of 5 stars… Definitely rereading this book, this entire series again some time.

xoxo

BBL.