Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took me so long to even finish this story. I had dnf this book like three times already but I paid actual money to have it on my kindle. In my defense, it was on sale. But despite all of that, I enjoyed it more this time probably because I had read a story with an archer and Feyre is a hunter like the character in the book I read, however that’s really it. As a fan of (not only) the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, I was ecstatic to read a story based on that tale and honestly it was disappointing for a different reason. I love Beauty and the Beast and I wholeheartedly mean it so to know that the “main” love interest that’s inspired by the Beast is gonna be a bad guy in the other books, broke me. I wanted a cute story that ends well for the couple but it won’t happen. Plus, I wasn’t attached to Tamlin like how some people starting the series get. Yes, he was nice to Feyre but he did take her from her family and kept the whole curse to themselves which then made Alis yell at Feyre for not breaking the curse. Like I was annoyed at Alis like she knew that Feyre didn’t know but still blamed her for not doing anything.. And to me the romance wasn’t gush worthy like yeah he gave her a drawing room but then left her alone in the beginning of their “relationship” unlike the Beast/Adam who gave it to her as a gift to get on her good side after trading places with her father. The only good scenes that were romantic between Feyre and Tamlin was the lake scene. Also when he saved her for her idiocy. I don’t know maybe it’s because I am oblivious to real life romance so to me the romantic scenes didn’t feel romantic. Feyre LITERALLY went back to the Faerie realm just to save him and his people and he said nothing when Feyre appeared at Amarantha's feet to save her. Cute. So why am I complaining, you’re probably asking. Because Lucien (my favorite character) was about to get beaten in front of Tamlin who is supposed to be friends with and this BLONDE BITCH DID NOTHING. I understand why he did it, but LUCIEN!!!!!!! I cannot stand someone who would see their friend get tortured by Rhysand and do nothing to save them. Like they already know it’s Feyre who Tamlin likes so just say her damn name, you don’t even need to say her full name. To me, Tamlin is a little bitch despite whatever he does in the rest of the series. I can't like someone who wouldn’t protect Lucien and also I don’t care about Feyre as much as to give a damn that he almost let her die.
I’ve read this so many times that I had to borrow the audiobook cause I couldn’t get past the first three chapters. There were scenes that felt unnecessary to me and honestly should’ve been cut completely and the story would’ve still made sense without it. Also I am shocked that despite all the shit I gave to Tamlin for not saving Lucien OVER A DAMN NAME I still found myself giggling at Rhysand’s interactions after the worm that Feyre killed as if he didn’t just almost torture my favorite character…I am a hypocrite. My heart wrung when Feyre died and all the faeries thanked her for freeing them. And then she became a High Fae!!!!! I was screaming. And Rhysand’s interactions with Feyre just made me start loving him more. And the fact he kissed her to save her? I was FERAL!!!! Tamlin did jack shit to even protect the human he supposedly loves.
I know I’ve shit on this book from the characters to the romance but I enjoyed it tremendously for its fantasy aspects and for Sarah’s writing. It felt simple yet complex that it drew me deeper into the story after the third read. I just had to know what would happen and seeing the tiktoks made me more intrigued. So I don’t hate the book but I don’t necessarily love the book. It's more like I fairly enjoyed it and might pick up the next one.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent