A review by florecita_lectora
A Court of Wings and Ruin [Dramatized Adaptation] by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous emotional tense slow-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

2.75

I enjoyed this book a lot more as a re-read, which could've been due to either my lower expectations (in comparison to my first reading of it back in 2020) or a willingness to get swept up in Maas's story despite all the redundant scenes
–e.g. three visits to the Bone Carver in the Prison. Was that really necessary or interesting? I think not.–
and convenient resolutions
–at least 5 different heroes attempt to/succeed in saving the day during the final battle in the final 50+ pages, including Feyre's father, Vassa, Drakon and Myriam, and Amren (who is conveniently unbound from her (im)mortal body, turns out to be this otherworldly angel, then is presumed dead, and finally is reinstated & reborn into her former body by the powers of the Cauldron?...come on, I was trying hard not to roll my eyes at that!). The stakes were so low for this war given that no major characters died (and stayed dead) and the main villain, the King of Hybern, was such a one dimensional mustache-twirling character that the resolution ended up coming across as anticlimactic and not believable
.

Anyway... to go over some of the positive things about this novel, my favorite character interactions or scenes took place between 1) Feyre and the Suriel
–his passing still guts me (excuse me while I wipe my tears), especially as Feyre realizes that he was such a big help to (and dare I say fan of) her. He was definitely a dreamer!
; 2) Lucien and Feyre (only at the beginning of the novel)
, I thoroughly enjoy how she makes it seem like they are having an affair and how she sets her multiple traps up for Tamlin's downfall. Her entire revenge scheme upon the Spring Court is epic, if slightly short-sighted hehe, but fuck Tamlin!
and finally, 3) Nesta and Cassian
–all their reluctant but mutual pining (slow burn much?) and Nesta screaming for him in order to save him from the Cauldron's deadly blast. Although I need a moment of silence please for the 1,000 Illyrians that did not make it. And later, how Nesta held the King's head after the killing blow (*chef's kiss*), thus enacting the promise she made him earlier–with that accusatory finger–right before she was transformed into High Fae by the Cauldron. I was definitely here for that entire scene!
.

I confess, I really do hate Elain. Can somebody explain to me the point of having this inane character??

P.s. My use of the many ellipses, mostly in the spoiler bits, was in Maas's honor ;)

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