Reviews with content warning for Blood - A Court of Wings and Ruin

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A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

323 reviews

jacqh23's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Although I’m still not a huge fan of this author’s writing style I must admire the world building and ideas she comes up with. Like I really separate the story from the quality of writing here because the story does actually keep getting better and the writing along with it compared to the prequels. There’s more symbolism and foreshadowing which I enjoy though some parts are still predictable. I used to rate many things like movies, shows, and books highly if it evoked some emotion from me but the writing style is too big a hindrance to ignore. I’m not even sure how I feel rating it 4/5. I didn’t expect to feel so attached to the characters, I was tense and stressed during tumultuous plot arcs and even cried towards the end unexpectedly. I’m excited to see where this story leads to though and I really enjoy the characters of Feyre and Rhys, I think because the author is married she has insight into that type of bond or connection, the way they’re written always comes back to their peace of mind and connection which really solidifies the story. I think it makes them and the whole story along with the rest of the characters, much more real, more human (pun intended). Although the plot dragged at times it was more fast paced than not. Especially since the whole book

leads up to war you can feel the tension rising and the fear/urgency/anticipation culminating.

I wouldn’t say the character development is strong but it’s definitely there, between the lines of the plot. Like

Feyre learning to fly or Elain not being as depressed, even Nesta a bit too with her magic and trusting Amren but also developing the sister bond between them three. Even Tamlin we see a bit of personal growth like he saved Feyre when she escaped the Hybern camp and saved Rhys when he died and he said be happy Feyre which was nice.

I’d give this a 3.9 out of 5, not quite breaching the 4.0 threshold but definitely better than it’s prequels in writing, world building, and character development/introductions. Sadly can’t rate higher than a 3.75 on here. The writing style and lack of details or descriptions hinders the plot several times especially with a fantasy book and world building. Like many plot holes could be pointed out and I felt like certain things were only clarified because the fans critiqued the author for it.

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ladyzbyrd's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The best book so far in this series! The last dozen chapters had me pacing and gasping and squawking and yelling and nearly crying while following the action!

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carlyjoann's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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smilingsammie's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

heather_freshparchment's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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brichambo's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Content Warnings

tabea1409's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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alamayhem_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was by far my favorite book in the ACOTAR series thus far. I binged the rest of this book in 4 hours today because I was that immersed and absorbed in the story. I just could not bring myself to put it down.

Everything about this book was what I have been wanting and looking for in this series. It really helped me to connect with the characters even deeper and made me want to read the rest of the books in this series ASAP.

The beginning of this book was so much fun to read. Seeing sarcastic, conniving, and sassy Feyre was everything I could ever dream of. The way she was around Tamlin and the games that she played literally had me screaming — both internally and externally.

I then loved the High Lord meeting and everything that we learned throughout that scene alone. I was literally gasping out loud and just in so much shock from every new piece of information that we were given.

I also loved being able to learn more about Nesta and Elain. It makes me really excited to read ACOSF and learn more about both Nesta. Genuinely, Elain is kind of my baby. I love her so much. She’s so sweet, pure, intelligent, and kind. I am really excited to get more insight into Nesta’s mind in ACOSF because she is so darn feisty and badass. Also her and Cassian? Heck yeah, sign me up. The chemistry in this book alone was immaculate and I can’t wait to get more content with them as well.

People are not kidding when they say the last 100 pages of a Sarah J. Maas book are insane. The last 100 pages of this novel actually had me gasping, screaming, crying, and essentially falling off of my bed. SO much happens, it is kinda insane. This is exactly why I could do literally nothing else in my day other than finish this book haha. I am genuinely still trying to process and recover from everything that happened.

I loved the twists, their father coming back and redeeming himself, and just how incredible the Archeron sisters are. Everyone worked together to defeat Hybern and it was the most satisfying thing to read ever.

In the end, this book has just solidified my love for this series and I am in awe of how incredible it was. Maas does an incredible job amping up the story and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in the series and to continue being in Prythian! I rate this book 5/5 stars! 🌟

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kmthorson2's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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lifeofchrstnlvly's review against another edition

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adventurous tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Page 2 and the fragmented sentences are back. 😂

As expected, the poor writing and editing bothered me, especially the fragmented sentences.

Sample:

I had not dared to ask for more details about Cassian and Azriel — or my sisters. In terror of knowing how bad it had been — and what I'd do if their healing turned grim. What I'd bring down upon these people.

Healing. Alive and healing. I reminded myself of that every day.

Even when I still heard their screams, smelled their blood.

But I did not ask for more. Did not risk touching the bond beyond that first time.

How difficult is it to edit this book that it appeared as if the editors gave up? PSA for all the apologists for bad writing: claiming that the phrasing of the sentences is due to us reading Feyre's mind is simply a poor excuse for the poor writing. If you ever wonder why I still read this series even though I keep complaining about the writing, I can admit that I was foolish enough to buy all the books in the series before I read the first book because I succumbed to the hype. In my defense, I purchased the series when I regained my love for reading, also known as when I emerged from my 3-year reading slump, and I was too excited to buy anything that caught my interest. I am too frugal with money that I continue reading the series even if I dislike the writing, simply because I already bought all the books. Anyway.

I don't hate fantasy books being long. I actually like it when fantasy books are long because I know that it takes a lot to describe the world and give the backstories of the events and characters. BUT ACOWAR is too long, in my opinion. It could have been 200 pages shorter if Maas didn't repeat scenes over and over again.

I won't deny that I liked ACOWAR more than ACOTAR and ACOMAF.

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