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adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“I threw myself into that fire, threw myself into it, into him, and let myself burn.”
Girl, just read it. It's worth it so far.
The characters are so well developed I really felt a connection to a lot of them, and strong hatred for others haha. Going into this story with no spoilers is tricky, and I definitely knew a few things I shouldn't about both plot and characters when I started reading. That wasn't fun and led to a few disappointments because I just sat there wondering how shocked I would've been if I hadn't known what was coming, but this is my own fault and definitely doesn't distract from the fact that Sarah J Maas is a genius with her writing and imagination! So if you're thinking of watching or reading a plot explanation, or getting lost scrolling TikTok edits about ACOTAR, STOP RIGHT NOW. Pick up the book and let yourself be shocked and excited about each new thing that happens, because this story is crazy.
The characters have my heart and I'm already dreading the day I finish the series and have to say goodbye to them. Lucien is a FAR superior man to Tamlin but both do have their moments, that being said so far I'm almost seeing the appeal for Tamlin over Rhysand, and personally haven't found many 'Tamlin red flags' at all (so far). Lucien is hilarious and really creates a 'found family' aspect.
Trust me when I say there are mashable characters in this story, and this is just the first book.
It's clear that this book is the first in the series as a lot is set up and there's A LOT of world building, especially in the first half. It took me a fairly long time to read (I'm a slow reader who annotates) but largely because the start is very slow and I did find myself thinking 'okay when is the actual story going to happen'. But the world is so detailed and there's clearly far more to be introduced and explored which is crazy. It's exciting when little pieces of information are introduced at unexpected moments, so I was glad I had my highlighter for 'important/theories/lore' because that book was FILLED.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Emotional abuse, Torture, Vomit
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly, I think the hype for this book is justified! I’ve been nervous to dive in to this series because I am not a fan of smut. But, at least for this first one, it was not filled with unnecessary smut. There was a lot of relationship build up, which I like because I don’t understand lust at first sight (I’m more of a lust post love kinda gal). The few steamy scenes were not explicit (in my opinion) & the main sex scene was fade to black.
I anticipate that the next few will not be so… tame… but I will probably continue! Which was not something I thought I was going to say.
The story itself was really compelling. I enjoyed this little escapism into a fae realm where there are very human issues still afoot. This first book was very much establishing lore & magic so I’m excited to see how it builds in the next ones.
I anticipate that the next few will not be so… tame… but I will probably continue! Which was not something I thought I was going to say.
The story itself was really compelling. I enjoyed this little escapism into a fae realm where there are very human issues still afoot. This first book was very much establishing lore & magic so I’m excited to see how it builds in the next ones.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Animal death, Vomit, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this book! It unlocked a whole new world for my imagination to go to. I've never read about faeries, but I remember trying to find faeries as a child, and this appealed to that nostalgia. I loved the intriguing characters and their actions/conversations were entertaining. I heard the series gets better, so I'm excited to read the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The world building and story telling is really good. I enjoyed the dynamic between the Fey world and the Human world. Towards the middle of the book there was a chapter that could have been title "Info Dumping" but I wasn't too upset since it was interesting information. Feyre starts off as annoying and very hard headed. While I never disliked her, it was hard sometimes reading about the terrible choices she would make despite being told it was a bad idea.
Many of the graphic descriptions or allusions to torture were off putting. I know that was the point, but some of the characters seem to be over the top evil. Maybe Fey are different, but it seemed an unnecessary way to gain what they wanted.
I loved the characters of Tamlin and Lucien. Both are genuinely good men, even if it is misguided at first. But you can tell how they do deeply care for Feyre and their people.
Many of the graphic descriptions or allusions to torture were off putting. I know that was the point, but some of the characters seem to be over the top evil. Maybe Fey are different, but it seemed an unnecessary way to gain what they wanted.
I loved the characters of Tamlin and Lucien. Both are genuinely good men, even if it is misguided at first. But you can tell how they do deeply care for Feyre and their people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Transphobia, War
Sexual abuse towards women Towards the end of the book Feyre is stripped naked and painted from the neck down and only given a shear cloth to cover herself. She is taken to a party this way and coerced to dance for all to see. This happens every night for a couple of months. While it is explained in great detail the first time it slowly becomes common place and not mentioned as much, but it is still happening over several chapters.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Murder, War
Minor: Animal death, Sexual assault, Slavery, Excrement
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Torture
Minor: Death of parent, Murder
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A really cool story idea. I loved the world building and the fae lore was so cool! However the main character is another blank slate "gutsy" dystopian girl and there was an overwhelming amount of sex. Like a really uncomfortable amount. Saaaaad, I would have loved this book of not for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Animal death, Torture
Minor: Confinement
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I listened to the graphic audio on Spotify which is the only way I'll go through this series. The graphic audio is incredible. It's a full cast with music and sound effects. The only downside is I have no idea what chapter I'm on. It feels like an old-timey radio show but modern.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Gore, Torture, Violence
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Gaslighting