A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thornes and Roses #2)
by Sarah J. Maas
Bloomsbury | May 3, 2016
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.
I read ACOTAR and wasn't particularly blown away. I enjoyed the world and characters Maas created, but the storyline was predictable and dragged out. A chunk of the book was getting acquainted with the world or romance-nothing truly exciting happens until you're 75% into the book, yet I still enjoyed it for some reason... Anyway, ACOMAF is similar in terms of "plot structure", but it's an improvement from its predecessor-I was able to connect with it more. So far, it's my favorite book from Maas.
Most of ACOMAF involves Feyre getting acquainted with the Night Court / her life after the Spring Court. Readers get to read beautiful descriptions of the Night Court and see Feyre's relationship with Rhysand develop. It reiterates ACOTAR essentially. However, ACOMAF is an improvement from ACOTAR.
If you read ACOTAR, you know that Rhysand cares for Feyre, and he has a way of showing it. In ACOMAF, we learn more of his affections for Feyre. He sees Feyre wasting away, caged and unhappy in the Spring Court. This pains all of us to see, Rhys especially, because we know Feyre is capable of immense strength. He rescues her, helps her find independence and a new-found strength. He hones in on her abilities, tests her, and helps her heal. I know, sounds like one of those romance novels. He is a major catalyst in Feyre's character growth. I don't love Feyre, but she becomes an incredibly fierce, independent and cunning character. I love their relationship!
I also love how great a leader and person Rhysand is. He creates this façade of cruelness, wickedness, etc. that everyone believes. To no one's surprise, he's not what they thought! He's like a sly, lovable cat-playful, but mischievous. You learn the lengths he goes through to protect his people and loved ones. You also see how people act near him and his beliefs. His people respect him, but there's an ease to their relationship. He strives to create fae and gender equality. I guess you can say he's more "liberal", "radical" and/or the antithesis/foil of Tamlin. Didn't mean to get political there, sorry.
If you read ACOTAR, you know that Rhysand cares for Feyre, and he has a way of showing it. In ACOMAF, we learn more of his affections for Feyre. He sees Feyre wasting away, caged and unhappy in the Spring Court. This pains all of us to see, Rhys especially, because we know Feyre is capable of immense strength. He rescues her, helps her find independence and a new-found strength. He hones in on her abilities, tests her, and helps her heal. I know, sounds like one of those romance novels. He is a major catalyst in Feyre's character growth. I don't love Feyre, but she becomes an incredibly fierce, independent and cunning character. I love their relationship!
I also love how great a leader and person Rhysand is. He creates this façade of cruelness, wickedness, etc. that everyone believes. To no one's surprise, he's not what they thought! He's like a sly, lovable cat-playful, but mischievous. You learn the lengths he goes through to protect his people and loved ones. You also see how people act near him and his beliefs. His people respect him, but there's an ease to their relationship. He strives to create fae and gender equality. I guess you can say he's more "liberal", "radical" and/or the antithesis/foil of Tamlin. Didn't mean to get political there, sorry.
As I mentioned before, Feyre becomes a stronger character. She changes drastically, but she's still that Feyre we met. She just knows a little more and has a little more power. She's still sassy, strong and smart, but these traits grow. She comes to terms with her past and realizes that you can't always do the right thing, she's less naïve. I want to say she builds this impenetrable fortress, but that wouldn't be accurate. She doesn't let things impact her too much, so she can move on and get justice quickly. She hardens herself, but she still has feelings.
Rhysand's inner-circle is a breath of fresh air because they're full of life. They tease each other, they feel so real and they're an incredibly close-knit family. We don't meet a lot of people that stay in the Spring Court, we only have Tamlin, Lucien, and Alis in the Spring Court. Compared to the inner-circle, they're plain as heck. The members of the inner-circle leave a lasting impression and add to the story's development, they weren't just there as embellishments.
As much as I enjoyed reading this book, I wish it was shorter. The little things really helped build the story, but it dragged the plot out. It was nice to read fluff here and there, but I really wanted Maas to get on with it. I got really tired of the slow pace, so I decided to read some spoilers. But, even the spoilers wouldn't prepare me for that whirlwind of an ending. A lot of shocking things happen and it happens fast. It really built to this ending, but it didn't have time to really shine. A lot of things happen and you're being bounced back and forth like a tetherball. Tetherball is a good analogy for the pace, boring. I really enjoyed the romance because it was a scorching slow-burn. It makes you feel like this:
As much as I enjoyed reading this book, I wish it was shorter. The little things really helped build the story, but it dragged the plot out. It was nice to read fluff here and there, but I really wanted Maas to get on with it. I got really tired of the slow pace, so I decided to read some spoilers. But, even the spoilers wouldn't prepare me for that whirlwind of an ending. A lot of shocking things happen and it happens fast. It really built to this ending, but it didn't have time to really shine. A lot of things happen and you're being bounced back and forth like a tetherball. Tetherball is a good analogy for the pace, boring. I really enjoyed the romance because it was a scorching slow-burn. It makes you feel like this:
Real steamy
Gosh, I love Twin Peaks!
The book rests on its laurels, the romance... Nonetheless, I "patiently" wait for the next installment in this series. I have very high hopes and I am very excited to see how things pan out. Hopefully, the next book is the end because this series does not warrant more than three books. No tea, no shade, but that would be ridiculous.
Fave book ever.... Can't wait for #3!
ReplyDeleteGonna re-read 1 and 2 in the next months.