Review: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

A Court Of Mist And Fury
By Sarah J. Maas
My Rating: 5  {Gajillion} beautifully splendid stars from the Night Court
Date Read: May 2016
Publication Date: May 3rd 2016
Hardcover, 624 pages




Summary From Goodreads:

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.



My Review:

Just a bit of a heads up, I will be fangirling about this book, and talking about things and it might get kind of spoilery from here on out. So, yeah... you've been warned.

First random thoughts I had while reading this book:

So the Beast we thought was the Beast in the first part of this Beauty and the Beast story is not actually the real Beast at all, is he? hmmmm

Hot Darn. Holy freaking ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! This book is beautiful and brilliant and heartbreakingly perfect.

I have so much love for this book you guys. So. Much. Love. And I just cannot even. The average rating for this book on Goodreads is 4.77 and the average rating on Amazon is 4.8... So I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. It's fan-freaking-fantastic.

I was a little hesitant to read this book at first, which is so weird, because I absolutely, positively ADORED the first book. But I kept starting it, and putting it down, then picking it back up. I couldn't get into it right away like I had the first book, and it was a little discouraging... Not to mention the fact that I went into reading this book with the mindset that it was a YA novel. So it kind of took me b surprise when about 20 pages in there was a scene that seemed like it came straight out of a Romance novel. It wasn't so off putting to me to make me stop reading it, but this is just my caution for others who might be a little more... sensitive as far as risque scenes go.

Rhysand: Oh my holy crab cakes........ I love Rhys. I was so confused. I kind of liked him in the first book, but then I also hated his guts. But in this book he totally and completely redeemed himself. Oh wow. I haven't loved a "bad guy" this much since Aaron Warner from The Shatter Me series. His character is just so complex. I loved it. I loved getting to see who he really is, and what he was hiding behind that heartless facade. He is so much more than a heartless son-of-a-*bad word removed*. He's actually very thoughtful and selfless. And will do whatever it takes to protect the things and people he loves.

Now that I know Rhysand's story, I want to re-read the first book, just because when I do, I will be seeing things from a different perspective. I won't be thinking that he's a heartless monster. I know what his motives are, and I know how he is really feeling about things.

I loved how he was so protective of Feyre, like when he came to her rescue when she was having a panic attack at her wedding, and when Tamlin locked her away in his castle. But at the same time he respected her. He never told her no, she couldn't do something because he was afraid she'd get hurt {even though I'm sure he wanted to at times} He helped her grow, he pushed her out of her comfort zone, and made her a better, stronger person. He loves her, he wants what is best for her, he wants her to fight beside him, and he'd never tell her that she couldn't do something. SPOILERS: She's the love of his life, his mate, the High Lady of the Night Court, his equal in every way.

My favorite parts of this book were the ones with Feyre and Rhys. That might have been part of the reason why it took me so long to get into it. The first however many chapters where it was Feyre and Tamlin and Ianthe really struggled to keep my attention. I was annoyed at Ianthe and Tamlin, and even Lucien. I wanted him to step up and be the friend that Feyre needed. It wasn't until Rhys swooped in that first time and called in his bargain with her {And he was really just saving her, even if she didn't realize it at the time} that I really got hooked into the book. It was great. I found myself antsy when she wasn't with Rhys.

I was kind of tremendously annoyed with Tamlin, and I knew when I started reading this book that something was going to be different. I hadn't read any reviews or spoilers, but I just had this feeling that something was a changing.. And I was right. I was kind of sad at first, because I wanted so much to love Tamlin as much as I did when I read the first book. But I didn't. I would have fought harder against Tamlin and his rules and expectations if I were Feyre... She just saved EVERYBODY gosh dang it! She should be awarded some freedoms, and definitely not locked away for her own protection! Not to mention the fact that when the whole topic of a High Lady came up, Tamlin was just like "Ah, nah homie, there's no such thing as a High Lady. Never has been, never will be."{well obviously he didn't say it quite like that, but you get the idea.} He was just being so selfish. I mean, yeah, I get that he's under a lot of pressure, and people are watching him and judging his every move, but still. Some of the things he did and said made me want to scream. Like when he *SPOILER* paired up with the freaking bad guy to get Feyre back. *END OF SPOILER*

I'm going to compare this to the Shatter Me Series again. I liked Tamlin and Feyre together in the first book. It made sense for them to be together at the time. But in this story, Feyre has changed. She's not the innocent human she used to be. She's seen things and done things that have forever changed her. She needs someone who understands and is okay with that. Someone who is going to try and help her figure things out. Kind of like the whole Warner-Juliette-Adam relationship in the Shatter Me series. Tamlin and Adam wanted a Damsel in Distress. Someone who they could protect and make them feel like they were doing something good. But when the Damsel in Distress figures out that she can kick some booty and take care of herself, that makes them feel... inadequate. Sure they think they still love her {and they actually might} but it's doomed to never work out because they're always trying to push the girl back into being complacent, and keep the attitude that she needs the guy to save her... Well, yeah, anyway.

I think you've had enough of me babbling about, haven't you? Fine, be that way. I will just leave you with my final thoughts all wrapped up in a pretty little bow:

 This book was so amazingly beautiful, and if you haven't read the first one then you definitely need to. There's so much character development and world building. And there's just enough action, and plot twists to keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time. Not to mention the super swoony romance. It's got something in it that everyone will enjoy, and I absolutely cannot wait until the next book comes out. Especially with the way that the second one ended.