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A review by literaryweaponry
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
(Review taken from http://literaryweaponry.com)
Folks, I do believe I have become obsessed. I cannot get enough of this series. Let me give you some perspective on that. I started this book last week, finished it in three days, and immediately returned to page one and started reading it again. All 626 pages of it. During the second read through I realized how many little details that I had overlooked the first time. When I started the first book in the series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, I was sure the popularity of the books was going to end up being all hype and end in a let down. Oh how very wrong I was. These books aren’t dry, tasteless grocery store cupcakes. Oh no. They are full on wedding cakes with many layers and fillings, worthy of being ogled and admired.
Sometimes, I love being wrong.
“Many atrocities, have been done in the name of the greater good.”
We return to the story with Feyre and Tamlin having survived the horrors Under the Mountain and gone back home to the Spring Court of which Tamlin is High Lord. It felt like a “happily ever after” moment but no. Tamlin has changed from a kind and generous lover to a no nonsense, hardline ruler. Feyre, who once prowled the grounds and surrounding woods at her free will is now constantly escorted and under guard. She is allowed to go nowhere alone when she is permitted to leave the manor at all.
Her paradise has become a prison.
Feyre has wasted away to nothing during her hard months back at the Spring Court. She is skin and bones, can’t sleep due to her nightmares, and is mentally and emotionally stunted by the border-line abuse she suffers at the hands of the High Fae that claims to love her.
“When you spend so long trapped in darkness, Lucien, you find that the darkness begins to stare back.”
On the day of her wedding she sends out a mental plea for help, only to be rescued by Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court. The other High Lords seem to harbor some fear and ill will toward Rhysand and often view him as the villain. Tamlin certainly does. He appears on the grounds of the Spring Court and spirits Feyre away from the place that has been effectively killing her. Rhysand frees her from her prison.
I don’t want to spoil much of what happens after that for anyone because if you enjoy fantasy at all these books are well worth the time. I loved reading as Feyre changed from the wilted husk she was with Tamlin to the strong, determined woman of the Night Court. The characters introduced in this book are also very entertaining. They each have their own histories and strengths but they blend together so beautifully. I particularly loved Mor’s strength and perseverance. People, her own family, had tried to break her, mentally and physically. Had sold her to the highest bidder and was left for dead. She picked herself, put herself back together, and became stronger for it without it dulling the shining personality beneath. She is a treasure.
As I mentioned, I do not want to spoil this story for anyone (and I usually don’t mind tossing the spoilers around a bit) but I can’t recommend enough that you pick it up. It reads as a testament to determination, patience, strength, love, and the desire to do more. To do better. To be better, and know your own mind. I can easily see myself picking this book up over and over in the years to come and I’m already looking forward to it.
“I was not a pet, not a doll, not an animal.
I was a survivor, and I was strong.
I would not be weak, or helpless again
I would not, could not be broken. Tamed.”
I will also mention again, as I did in my review of A Court of Thorns and Roses, that while this book is most often listed as YA I would be cautious in how young a person reads this. The sexual content is strong with this one.
Folks, I do believe I have become obsessed. I cannot get enough of this series. Let me give you some perspective on that. I started this book last week, finished it in three days, and immediately returned to page one and started reading it again. All 626 pages of it. During the second read through I realized how many little details that I had overlooked the first time. When I started the first book in the series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, I was sure the popularity of the books was going to end up being all hype and end in a let down. Oh how very wrong I was. These books aren’t dry, tasteless grocery store cupcakes. Oh no. They are full on wedding cakes with many layers and fillings, worthy of being ogled and admired.
Sometimes, I love being wrong.
“Many atrocities, have been done in the name of the greater good.”
We return to the story with Feyre and Tamlin having survived the horrors Under the Mountain and gone back home to the Spring Court of which Tamlin is High Lord. It felt like a “happily ever after” moment but no. Tamlin has changed from a kind and generous lover to a no nonsense, hardline ruler. Feyre, who once prowled the grounds and surrounding woods at her free will is now constantly escorted and under guard. She is allowed to go nowhere alone when she is permitted to leave the manor at all.
Her paradise has become a prison.
Feyre has wasted away to nothing during her hard months back at the Spring Court. She is skin and bones, can’t sleep due to her nightmares, and is mentally and emotionally stunted by the border-line abuse she suffers at the hands of the High Fae that claims to love her.
“When you spend so long trapped in darkness, Lucien, you find that the darkness begins to stare back.”
On the day of her wedding she sends out a mental plea for help, only to be rescued by Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court. The other High Lords seem to harbor some fear and ill will toward Rhysand and often view him as the villain. Tamlin certainly does. He appears on the grounds of the Spring Court and spirits Feyre away from the place that has been effectively killing her. Rhysand frees her from her prison.
I don’t want to spoil much of what happens after that for anyone because if you enjoy fantasy at all these books are well worth the time. I loved reading as Feyre changed from the wilted husk she was with Tamlin to the strong, determined woman of the Night Court. The characters introduced in this book are also very entertaining. They each have their own histories and strengths but they blend together so beautifully. I particularly loved Mor’s strength and perseverance. People, her own family, had tried to break her, mentally and physically. Had sold her to the highest bidder and was left for dead. She picked herself, put herself back together, and became stronger for it without it dulling the shining personality beneath. She is a treasure.
As I mentioned, I do not want to spoil this story for anyone (and I usually don’t mind tossing the spoilers around a bit) but I can’t recommend enough that you pick it up. It reads as a testament to determination, patience, strength, love, and the desire to do more. To do better. To be better, and know your own mind. I can easily see myself picking this book up over and over in the years to come and I’m already looking forward to it.
“I was not a pet, not a doll, not an animal.
I was a survivor, and I was strong.
I would not be weak, or helpless again
I would not, could not be broken. Tamed.”
I will also mention again, as I did in my review of A Court of Thorns and Roses, that while this book is most often listed as YA I would be cautious in how young a person reads this. The sexual content is strong with this one.