Review: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury
(A Court of Thorns and Roses #2)
By Sarah J. Maas

Hardcover, 624 pages

Published May 3rd 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Average Rating: 4.77

Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can’t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas’s masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

---

Lordy, lordy, lord. I just finished this book and I’m ready to explode from the intense feels I have stored in my body. Brace yourself for a raving review.

So I have many, many things to say. This book brought out the very very strong feminist in me. I had a HUGE problem with Tamlin. Gosh, I’m so disappointed in my reader spidey sense because I was not prepared to 100% despise him by the first three pages of the novel. I loved Tamlin in ACOTAR. I swooned, praised and everything. Now, he just pisses me off. Gah. The way he coddled Feyre, and treated her like she was his pet, like she was his possession and for all things holy, protecting her in a such a way that demeaned her strength and amazingness, was not right by any means whatsoever. For the first few chapters, all I’m doing is biting my nails from Feyre’s anxiety and decreasing health, just wanting someone, anyone (*cough* Rhysand) to come and save her from this ever toxic and FRUSTRATING relationship. I can’t explain how strongly I wanted Feyre out and away from Tamlin. And. And. And. Through all of this, I’m still reeling from sudden detachment of Tamlin and my absolute love for him in Book 1. I can’t get over his thoughts, his actions, which I find is very disgusting and I want to smother him with a pillow. So, yes. I hate Tamlin with a passion. First, punch in the chest of the day. There’s more where that come from, I promise you that. If these emotional punches were real, I would have bruises all over my body from the turmoil SJM put me through.

Feyre got some serious character development and epic magical power-wielding abilities. After the events of ACOTAR, we get to witness the impact of seven High Lord powers inside her newly Made body. Feyre is no longer human, and is now immortal, and along with the devastating result of her “relationship” with Tamlin, Feyre learns to read and write, control and master her abilities and find the epic love of the century of all YA history. I love ACOMAF for the growth and development of Feyre’s character. She’s this puppet for Tamlin in the beginning and becomes this powerful Lady who is in control of her fate, decisions and life by the end. It was also a great opportunity to learn more about the Courts, the structure/government and their High Lords’ powers through Feyre’s discovery of her abilities. We also get more snappy retorts and hilarious comebacks from our Feyre. In the end, she gets freedom in all senses and I’m so so happy for her amazing journey!! *cue the feels*

“The girl who had needed to be protected, who had craved stability and comfort…she had died Under the Mountain. I had died, and there had been no one to protect from those horrors before my neck snapped. So I had done it myself. And I would not, could not, yield that part of me that had awoken and transformed Under the Mountain.” 

Rhysand. I’m your most biggest fan now. I love you. I didn’t exactly hate you or like you in ACOTAR but I was definitely Team Tamlin then. However, I’m really glad I didn’t adore Rhys then, because in ACOMAF, I got the chance to fall in love with him and Feyre…the right way. Unlike the first book, there was no real evidence of a love triangle which I really like. Things happen that kinda make this endgame which is a feat all on its own because let me just say, Throne of Glass was absolutely torturous in the romance department. Readers really get to know Rhysand and his character is just so breath-takingly good. He is so good and I love how he sacrifices and cares for his family. He helps train Feyre and teaches her how to read and write. Their banter and flirting was a nice comic relief and definitely built the anticipation of their relationship. *sigh* Also. His freaking wings. I can’t handle how SJM can make him so sexy and aroused by a single stroke of his wings. (more on the sex and romance later 😉 ) Even more, his Inner Circle are my new favourite squad in YA literacy. Cassian, Mor, Amren, Azriel are squad goals. Loved the family feel to the Circle, and how the relationships between them and Feyre developed.

The tension and angst was very very well done in A Court of Mist and Fury. It wasn’t the most important plot line which I really like about SJM’ writing, but Rhysand and Feyre get a enormous plot twist that I’m just loving even more as I process this novel by the second. SJM’ take on mates and partnership (in both familial and romantic senses) are underlined in the novel. I really appreciate how she sends a message that partnership is an equal relationship, and really contrasted Rhysand’s relationship with Feyre vesus Tamlin’s. She expertly soothed wounds with how she played out Feyre’s relationship with the two High Lords that really settled well with me. I made peace (very quickly) with the direction she was taking Feyre with the men, and by the end, I was extremely satisfied. The notes between Rhys and Feyre were my favourite part of their relationship…so was the sex. Those scenes were classy as hell and super super hooot. *fans myself* Seriously, love the mature essence of these new books by SJM. I can’t wait for more.

“I was under duress, his next note read. If you want, I’d be more than happy to prove you wrong. I’ve been told I’m very, very good at licking. 

I clenched my knees together and wrote back, Good night. A heartbeat later, his note said, Try not to moan too loudly when you dream about me. I need my beauty rest.

I got up, chucked the letter in the burbling fire, and gave it a vulgar gesture.”

Perfect storytelling on SJM’ part. No surprise there. I found the beginning rather slow but it quickly picked up once I really got into the book. The ending was torturous, and I definitely liked this ending much more than A Court of Thorns and Roses‘. However, I do wish to have the third book…NOW.

Plot twists were on point. And I really really want to talk about them, but I think that all readers can unanimously agree on that that is something every single reader needs to find out for themselves. Side Note. I cried. A lot. When the bomb dropped, (those who have read the novel, I’m talking about the ending, that ending) I was practically dead inside. Mouth hung open, terror in eyes, heart beating a mile a minute, and emotions unstable. You’re good, SJM, you’re good. P.S. Can I personally murder Tamlin? Please?

I’ve covered many aspects of the novel, yet I feel like I still have LOADS to talk about. I haven’t fully freaked out about ACOMAF, so that may be where the pent-up feelings lie. I don’t think I’ll be able to read another book for a while… I need time to heal. That was a brutal read, but the ships are there and I’m immensely content with Rhys and Feyre’s relationship *cue the rereads*

A Court of Mist and Fury is an amazing novel by Sarah J. Maas. You will feel everything from anger, sadness, pride, and complete utter attraction to Rhysand. 😉 Feyre goes on a journey of discovery, and realizes her worth with the best of characters: Rhys and his Inner Circle. I’m 100% certain that readers will be mighty satisfied. I’m looking forward to the next installment of this fabulous new series by Sarah J. Maas. Well done. Fangirl approved.

Keep calm and read on,

goodreads / twitter / tumblr / pinterest / instagram / bloglovin’