alvaradoms's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring 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

3.5

So Sarah J. Maas is one of my favourite authors. I started this book absolutely despising Nesta, and by the end of it I loved her. Not many authors can do that, can make you change your mind about someone. I wish there was more plot— the 750 pages was mostly Nesta’s character development. And Sarah is so good any writing plot! The last 150 pages I was on the edge of my seat. My favorite part. The ending had me almost in tears. However, the first three books had a tolerable about of smut— this book had like 8 sex scenes. Graphic ones. It went from like a 4 to a 10 from the last book to this one. I really could have done without it. That’s what made me take away stars. 

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angelofthetardis's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I know so, so many people get to this point in the series and stop because they can't stand Nesta and imagine that a book telling her story will be infuriating, annoying and no where near as fulfilling as Feyre's tale. And I'm here to tell you that yes, she is infuriating, annoying and general a bit of a b***h, but my goodness is this book worth it. In these pages, you finally get to understand the person beneath that icy cold exterior; the character exploration and development is utterly incredible, and while you may still not necessarily like Nesta at the end, you will certainly come to respect her.

As with most of the first parts of these audio books, the pace is quite slow as the story is layered in, new characters are introduced or expanded upon and Nesta is dragged kicking and screaming towards a redemption. Although there is an element of the overall ACOTAR story arc that continues in here, it is effectively relegated to a sub-plot that intertwines with Nesta's healing journey. It's absolutely a necessary part of the story, but I prefer watching Nesta's growth through her more 'everyday' activities and her taking tentative steps towards friendship.

The single biggest thing that annoys me about this one though is that it's written in third person. For the graphic audio version, that means a proper 'narrator', rather than Nesta and Cassian telling the story in their "own words". Don't get me wrong, the lady who does this job is very good and I can listen to her with ease, but at the same time I wouldn't personally have chosen that voice to lead the story. It's a big adjustment after having Feyre narrate the rest of the series, and takes a little while to settle into. 

On the other hand... Now we get to hear Cassian in the central role! Yup, he could read the phone book and I'd listen; the actor here really shines! He's got everything down, from the lighthearted banter he shares with his brothers to the sexy rumble he uses to get under Nesta's skin. A weird insight for you; I've always seen Cassian as a blonde with hair falling into his eyes a la Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Titanic'. I know that's completely the opposite of the author's description of him, but somehow the voice in here has given me an even stronger vision of the character looking like this. Normally I picture an actor *cough*David Tennant*cough* playing my leading men, but Cassian now has a face and body all his own in my mind (even if he is borrowing someone else's voice...).

And yes, the spice is just as good as you're hoping it will be. My husband is now well and truly aware of the existence of Fairy pr0n! And this half only gets you as far as the dining table 😉  IYKYK.

Yes, there is a lot wrong with this story; something about Feyre and Rhys is just 'off' in this one; their characters don't feel quite the same as in the earlier books, and their treatment of Nesta - from a complete hands off, let her self-destruct approach to a micro-managing enforced regime in no time flat - feels more like the High Lord and High Lady of the Night Court sentencing a subject rather than family trying to help family, which again feels quite out of character for them. But I can put that down to their being secondary in this story. 

But the best of this story is yet to come...

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faefolkreads's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I love this world, but am not a fan of Nesta. 
I do love how SJM explores her character in this book, but the first half is definitely slow going.

For the graphic Audio I think it would have been better if it had a female AND male narrator, but I suppose as the first 4 we’re in first person we had been spoilt 😅

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rory18's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious slow-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

4.75


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thelongroadtosanity's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I absolutely adore the graphic audio versions of this series. Nesta and Cassian are exactly how I always imagined them to sound like. I was intrigued by how they were going to do a third person perspective since the other books in the series are all from first person. I wasn't a big fan of the 'narrator' and I have to admit I had to really push myself to get used to her voice. Otherwise everything else was fantastically done and I literally can't wait for part 2 to come out.

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