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elaine_fdes 's review for:

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
4.0
adventurous dark emotional reflective 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
Introduction (Basic Info and Summary)



Title: A Court of Mist and Fury

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Genre: Fantasy Romance / New Adult Fantasy

Series: Book 2 in the ACOTAR series


A Court of Mist and Fury continues Feyre’s journey after the events of the Spring Court, plunging her into new alliances, darker lands, and the emotional aftermath of surviving immense trauma. With political tensions rising across Prythian, Feyre must navigate not just external threats, but also her own healing and growing realization of who she is—and what she wants.





Initial Impressions



After reading ACOTAR (thanks to TikTok hype), I immediately picked up this physical copy. ACOMAF immediately felt more gripping, with greater emotional depth and faster-moving events. I appreciated how the author didn’t waste time on unnecessary filler—time jumps were clean, and action drove the story forward. I felt more grounded in the world this time, especially after revisiting the map and comparing it between books 1 and 2. It made the experience richer, and I would highly recommend others do the same after finishing.





Writing Style + Plot & Conflict + Characters



Sarah J. Maas’s writing has noticeably improved—the emotional layering, worldbuilding, and dialogue are sharper. The pacing flows better compared to book one, though a few repetitive phrases or actions still linger. The plot is complex but easy to follow, balancing inner emotional conflict with external battles and political drama. Feyre’s character development shines here, and the supporting characters (especially Rhysand and the Night Court members) are more vividly drawn than before.


The storytelling sticks with Feyre’s first-person POV, but now with far more insight into emotions, trauma, and personal growth.





Themes, Symbolisms, Trigger Warnings



This book dives into healing from trauma, self-discovery, freedom versus captivity, trust, and the power of choice. There’s a lot of symbolic imagery around rebirth, wings, stars, and freedom that Maas uses beautifully.


Trigger Warnings (Moderate): PTSD, emotional abuse, implied sexual content, physical violence, emotional manipulation, mental health struggles





Strengths



  • Stronger worldbuilding with deeper exploration of Prythian’s courts
  • Complex character growth, especially Feyre’s arc
  • More emotional depth compared to book one
  • Dynamic and memorable supporting cast
  • Cliffhanger ending that leaves you desperate for the next book





Weaknesses



  • Some repetitive writing in terms of phrases and emotional reactions
  • A few slower chapters focused heavily on inner reflection (though necessary)
  • Certain plot points feel slightly convenient to push characters together





Personal Reflections & Takeaways



This book felt like the real beginning of the ACOTAR story for me. It finally matched the hype I saw online. It captured both the external adventure and the internal struggle beautifully. Feyre’s healing journey was written thoughtfully and powerfully, making her transformation so satisfying to witness. I initially thought of taking a break after finishing this, but that cliffhanger absolutely roped me back in—I need to see what happens next.





Recommendations + Who Best For + Skip If



Recommended for: Readers who enjoy fantasy romance with deep emotional growth, rich worldbuilding, and a more mature and layered take on character trauma and recovery.

Skip if: You don’t enjoy heavy emotional themes or character-driven fantasy stories.


Rating: 4.0 / 5



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