A Court of Mist and Fury Paperback – June 2, 2020

I seriously don't even know where to begin with this review because all I want to do is fangirl so hard over how much I ADORED this book! Seriously people...every single word, every single scene is so gorgeously written and breathtaking that I had to stop multiple times while I was reading just to admire and appreciate what I just read. This book was absolutely excellent on so many levels that no words can do it justice (but I'm going to try because this is a review after all haha). I don't think it's any secret that Sarah J. Maas is an amazeballs author, but in case you need a reminder, just read this book and you will see the supreme talent this woman has. She could write a phone book and I would read it because somehow even that would be an amazing read. I've only said this about 1 or 2 other authors, but it's completely true.“There are different kinds of darkness,” Rhys said. I kept my eyes shut. “There is the darkness that frightens, the darkness that soothes, the darkness that is restful.” I pictured each. “There is the darkness of lovers, and the darkness of assassins. It becomes what the bearer wishes it to be, needs it to be. It is not wholly bad or good.”This book made me feel so many different things at once, and literally it has it ALL! There are amazing twists, snarky banter, beautiful writing, and just plain badass, awesome characters that you want to be best friends with. After finishing this book all I want to do is be in the Night Court and be apart of Rhysand's inner circle. It's probably unhealthy how badly I want this to happen right now. But even more, SJM wrote scenes bursting with heart-pounding action, swoonworthy romance (which be warned, will leaving you squeeing), and female empowerment...GAH! I NEVER wanted to stop reading. But you know what I loved the most? Even though this story is a romance, it is also a story of self-discovery.“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 againI would not, could not be broken.”Feyre goes through so much and is incredibly strong. She is extremely relatable because even though she loses herself for a bit, she finds that inner fire that she once had and it causes a spark to ignite within her. She becomes even more amazing than her character was previously, and finds herself on her own. Feyre is such an admirable and relatable character. I mean who among us hasn't felt lost at one point or the other in their life?? Feyre shows everyone that you have to look inside yourself and find your own inner strength to rise above and accept the past, and never let that thing that caused you to be lost define you. We need to embrace the pain and the anguish that came with the hand life has dealt, and choose to move forward in life...or we will remain lost. The character development for Feyre was seriously one of the best character development's I have ever read, and I think SJM deserves a HUGE round of applause for giving all readers this character. She becomes stronger and more determined than ever to accomplish what she has set out to do. All the while she remains the stubborn and sassy character we love.“I was not prey any longer, I decided as I eased up to that door.And I was not a mouse.I was a wolf.”Rhysand...literally I have no words for my love. My heart (and ovaries) were literally bursting with every word he said. He broke my heart multiple times, and there was one scene in particular where I was gross sobbing when he was revealing things to Feyre. He still remains that mysterious Dark Lord, but we are able to understand and see so much more of him than ever before. Like Feyre, Rhys grew so much in this novel, and I loved watching how he became a little less broken due to Feyre's presence in his life. Feyre provides a nice balance to Rhys, and they're banter is like no other. We all know how shameless a flirt Rhys is, but boy does he step it up in this book...and I loved every single second of it. He had me laughing so hard countless times, and I can't even tell you how much I love him.The world that SJM has created is simply phenomenal, and I seriously don't know how she came up with her ideas, but let's just thank whoever that she did. There is so much to this world that we didn't know, and I loved learning so many new things over the course of the book. We visit more courts and see different races. We see the political uneasiness that ultimately exists in this world, and how alliances can change at the drop of a hat. And then comes the ending...it is brutal and ripped my heart out, but it left me begging for more! For the entire conclusion I basically had my jaw permanently dropped and then my heart torn out because of the events that SJM wrote. But all I know is that I can't wait to see where she takes this series in the next book because there are truly endless possibilities!“To the stars who listen—and the dreams that are answered.”If you couldn't tell already, you need to read this book as soon as possible because this is the best book of 2016 so far!Happy reading :)

First, let me say that I have already read the book twice. After reading it the first time, and all of the big reveals that come to Feyre (among others), I just had to reread ACOTAR and ACOMAF to look for those hints, those subtleties, that I would now know the meaning of.A BROAD SUMMARY: ACOMAF picks up very directly after Feyre and Tamlin's reemergence from Amarantha's court. Both of them are suffering from various degrees of emotional trauma while Feyre is also making the major adjustment to a new body and her impending eternal life. Neither Feyre nor Tamlin is the same person as they were before they went Under the Mountain, and the reader quickly starts to see how their changed perspectives directly impact the relationship that prompted Feyre to rescue Tamlin in the first place. She is striving to understand her new body, powers, and outlook on life in the aftermath of being imprisoned, abused, drugged, and killed. Though he still feels a connection to her- arguably, he loves her- Tamlin is no longer recognizing what Feyre needs in order to thrive. Her trauma keeps her from painting, gives her night terrors, and traps her within her guilt and fear of confinement. Tamlin's solution is to protect Feyre, smothering her despite his best efforts to make her into the "Lady" that he feels she should be, to force her into the new role that he thinks will solve all of her problems.As the Spring Court starts to become a place of nightmares, a familiar face (and my personal FAVORITE) winnows back into Feyre's life, and she starts to find solace, and the chance for a new life, in the Night Court. DO NOT CONTINUE READING BELOW IF YOU HATE SPOILERS.Rescued by Rhys from her "joyful" wedding day, Feyre learns that Prythian is not nearly as safe as she had believed after Amarantha's death. King Hybern, Amarantha's cohort, is coming to break the wall and expand his realm into the mortal side of the world. In a whirlwind of quick choices and "no looking back", Feyre becomes involved in Rhys' inner circle as she finds a new role in his life, his court, and a new home in her own body.Maas has done a masterful job in ACOMAF. The story is captivating, and she stays true to her characters. She is unafraid to shake things up and bring her readers somewhere new. Fans of Tamrye will be sobbing while those like me, who were intrigued and drawn to Rhys, will be rejoicing throughout the novel. I loved every moment that we got to learn more about Rhys' background, how he came to be "Amarantha's Whore'' and what truly lies beneath the mask that he projects to the rest of the faerie world.It becomes clear with each conversation that Rhys and Feyre have that there is a connection between them. The empathy that holds them together allows Rhys to be in the unique position to understand Feyre and help heal some of her trauma, as she can also do for him. One of the "villains" of ACOTAR, Rhys becomes much more developed in a realistic way. There were no moments where I doubted Maas' intentions or explanations of his characters. She seamlessly develops the connection between him and Feyre as they learn about each other, making their progression from acquaintances and enemies into friends and more, believable. I was cheering for them throughout the novel, laughing at their moments of snark, and hoping for the best during moments of flirtation.ACOMAF also brings in a new cast of characters- complex and intriguing as the rest of the Night Court storyline. I must say, the members of the Spring Court pale in comparison to the brightness and energy of the Night Court members, Rhys' inner circle. Cassian, Azriel, Mor, and Amren are a Rhys' closest friends, supporters, and confidantes. They share a common denominator with Rhys and Feyre- though they have been damaged, they are not broken. Through their individual tragedies (we learn a bit about each of them throughout the novel) they have risen to become strong warriors, beings that do not bow to others but hold themselves up high. I found something inspiring about them all- Maas makes it easy to respect them and like them as individuals, not just as accessories to the protagonists. The interactions between them all strongly project the feeling and warmth of a family, something that can be difficult to create without seeming artificial.For lack of writing about this book all night, I will cut myself off with a few final thoughts.1) You should be reading this book right now, not my review of it.2) By the end of ACOMAF you will be wishing that you could know the Court of Dreams.3) Rhys may have ruined all men (fictional and real) for the forseeable future.4)You will be dying to find out what happens next.5) Most of all, you will reread this book and find yourself wrapped in a fantastical world with friends that you wish you could truly have.Enjoy your reading! I hope it brings you the entertainment and joy that it brought me.

This series is quickly turning into one of my favorites of all time. Sarah J. Maas is an exceptional story teller, she weaves such a beautiful tale of love and sacrifice, of redemption and healing. The themes in this second book are searingly real-life, I don't want to give anything away but I will say this, there are some very triggering themes discussed in this second book. The worst and darkest things hinted in the first book are fully illuminated and brought to the light as the reader follows the redemption and damnation of characters you thought you knew. I can say that Maas deftly transforms love to hate to shame and Gate to love and then ultimately redemption. I saw nothing in this book coming, just when you think you know where the plot is going you get bewitched to follow the fae lights deeper into an ever unwinding mystery. Enchanting, spell binding, this is definitely a must read for anyone who enjoys intense political intrigue, detailed world building, and emotional depth and realism in their main characters.