Title: A Court of Mist and Fury
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication Date: May 3, 2016
ISBN: 9781635575583
Synopsis:
Feyre has undergone more trials than one human woman can carry in her heart. Though she’s now been granted the powers and lifespan of the High Fae, she is haunted by her time Under the Mountain and the terrible deeds she performed to save the lives of Tamlin and his people. As her marriage to Tamlin approaches, Feyre’s hollowness and nightmares consume her. She finds herself split into two different one who upholds her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court, and one who lives out her life in the Spring Court with Tamlin. While Feyre navigates a dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms. She might just be the 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 in turmoil.
I’m hooked! The holiday season was the perfect time to start diving into the ACOTAR and I just cannot get enough. This is exactly the vibe I’ve been looking for and have been leaning into the escape, losing myself in Prythian. There is so much happening in this second book and it’s a lot to process and review without spoilies. Though at this point, this book has been out for too many years so I don’t think I need to avoid the spoiles too much.
In ACOMAR, Feyre really comes into her own and it’s incredible to see her grow from the desperate, but thoughtful human that she was, to the new immortal fae, uncertain of her powers and limits, but doubtlessly strong and fierce. She is deeply scarred by the trials she faced after book one and this is as much a story about healing and recovery as it is about self-discovery and understanding. These things go hand in hand. Through Feyre, the reader comes to learn more details of the structure of the world of faeries, how the politics work, the strength and powers of the High Fae, what key customs exist, how the Courts all interact with one another. We’ve delved deep into the world building and the characterization and I am here for it! This is always the stuff I love the most.
What I love about this book is that though there is romance throughout, and the romance is indeed central to the plot, this story is truly about Feyre’s growth and rise to power. It is her origin story and a fierce protagonist is, of course, going to have an equally matched love interest. We get to explore Rhysand so much more in this book, and though he was shady AF in ACOTAR, the depth of his character explodes in ACOMAR. He’s possibly one of the most complex and intriguing characters I’ve every encountered. And we’re only scratching the surface with these books. With half a millennium already lived, there is so much to him that we haven’t even begun to see. But we do see his carefully constructed masks that the world is shown, and the vulnerable, intentional, and thoughtful male fae he is when no one is watching. He’s a supportive and liberating character, finding great joy and kinship in the strength of his closest companions. I am absolutely here for Team Rhys.
I’ve already delved into the third book in the series, so expect another review soon. Sarah J. Maas is a delight to read and modern fantasy readers will absolutely love these books (if there are any left out there that haven’t read them).
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 